The People Factor

Ralph Linde ist Ex-Top-Manager bei der Volkswagen AG und war der Leiter der Konzernbildung. Aktuell ist er der Präsident von "42", das sind zwei Softwareschulen in Berlin und Wolfsburg, sowie Lyriker. Er hat gerade sein erstes Buch, "Die Gefälle dieser Tage" publiziert, welches beim Athena Verlag erhältlich ist. Shownotes 00:00 – Intro 02:33 – Transformation 05:56 – Was es wurde 12:04 – Kommunikation 14:10 – Was wird sein 16:32 – Tidenhub 20:17 – In meinem Land 22:28 – Kai Zen 26:08 – Der Raum vor mir 27:56 – Der Mai 29:56 – Rastlos 33:42 – Und ich? 34:46 – KI Männlich 35:39 – Karibu 36:22 – Trauer 37:17 – Zustände Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-linde-b14865149/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Christoph Zoeller begeistert sich seit seiner Jugend für Unternehmertum – erste Jobs, eigene Events und viel Energie prägten seinen Weg. Während seines dualen Studiums gründete er Instaffo, eine Plattform, die Recruiting durch intelligente Matching-Technologie neu denkt. Heute ist er CEO eines erfolgreichen Start-ups mit achtstelligem Jahresumsatz. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 06:06 - Entwicklung des Recruiting-Marktplatzes 11:59 - Liquidität im Recruiting-Marktplatz 17:26 - Zukunft des Recruitings und die Rolle von AI 17:26 - AI-gestützte Interviews und Chancengleichheit 19:27 - Die Zukunft des Recruiting-Marktes 22:12 - Herausforderungen und Chancen durch KI 27:06 - Gesellschaftliche Auswirkungen der Automatisierung Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christoph-zoeller/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Matthew is a global talent leader with a track record of building and scaling high-performing teams across Amazon, Meta, Deliveroo, and more. A former U.S. Marine, he brings a leadership-first mindset to everything grounded in ownership, trust, and accountability. His work focuses on developing recruiting teams, growing leadership capabilities, and aligning talent to business outcomes. From hypergrowth scale-ups to global tech giants, he's helped organizations unlock the systems and people that drive scale. This episode dives into what it really takes to build teams that grow fast and lead well. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 05:59 - Key Components of Successful Teams 12:02 - Developing Existing Teams for Success 18:12 - Leadership Mindset and Allowing for Failure 18:58 - The Role of Leadership in Revenue Generation 20:40 - Cultural Nuances in Leadership 23:43 - Empowering Teams Across Cultures 27:58 - Building Effective Teams 30:49 - Humanizing Leadership and Team Dynamics 32:21 - Personal Development and Readiness for Opportunities Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdoucette/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Mat Middlemass, a diverse people professional from London. Having worked within the people space for 18 years, Mat is passionate about people, development, DE & I and wellbeing. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 03:19 Trends in Mental Health Awareness 06:01 The Impact of Social Media 09:37 Finding Balance in a Digital World 12:25 Implementing Boundaries with Technology 18:25 The Reality of Comparison 28:13 Practical Tips for Mental Well-being Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-middlemass-b8a297121/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Navid Nazemian helps executives and leadership teams transition smoothly into new roles. He is the author of Mastering Executive Transitions - The Definitive Guide, a #1 new release and international bestseller. With experience across five countries and six sectors, he coaches C-level leaders on executive transitions. His two-decade HR career spans top global companies in emerging and developed markets. Recognized as HR's Most Influential Practitioner by HR Magazine, he has been ranked #1 Coach globally by CEO Today for three consecutive years and received multiple prestigious awards Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 07:35 - Starting from Scratch: First Steps into Coaching 15:20 - Challenges Along the Way: Navigating the Unknown 22:45 - Advice for Aspiring Coaches: Key Lessons Learned Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/navidnazemian/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/ High-Res Images: https://app.box.com/s/jy4lwf9xez3v8fy9o9oaub6jvlxdpaj8 Free Book Sample (with suggested Qs for busy podcast hosts on the last page): https://app.box.com/s/4c3pkmm3gva1qcrzfb1c9hq0laq8g9hw

Milena Warner is an accomplished Talent and People leader with extensive experience in building and scaling high-performing teams. As a strategic partner to business leaders, she is passionate about creating inclusive and empowering environments that unlock potential and drive sustainable growth. With a proven track record in talent strategy, leadership development, and positive culture transformation, Milena is dedicated to fostering workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. Shownotes 00:00 - The Evolution of Recruitment 05:40 - Empathy in Recruitment 10:39 - The Role of Technology and AI 15:40 - Feedback and Communication Challenges 20:21 - Understanding Candidate Needs 25:32 - Balancing Personal and Professional Life Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milenadwarner/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Frederic is People Director at a FinTech scale-up, bringing a unique blend of HR leadership and tech expertise to fast-growing organizations through the senior roles he held. Based in Berlin, Frederic worked at companies such as Tesla, Zalando, and other leading tech-driven firms across real estate, fashion, automotive and travel sectors. With a background in computer science and HR Management, Frederic combines a deep understanding of technology with a passion for people strategy, leadership development, and organizational growth. Known for building scalable teams and fostering innovation, Frederic is committed to creating sustainable success through strategic, tech-enabled people practices. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 02:13 - Die Implementierung von KI in HR-Prozesse 08:40 - Automatisierung und Effizienzsteigerung durch KI 11:12 - Zukunftsvisionen: KI im Recruiting und People Management 17:36 - Die Rolle von KI in der Zukunft der Arbeit Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flclaudius/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Peter is a seasoned People/HR Leader with a track record of aiding startups in achieving sustainable and rapid growth. He emphasizes the significance of establishing a strong foundation, likening it to building a structure. Having contributed to the expansion of companies such as Catawiki, Delivery Hero, Glovo, REMY Robotics, and Docplanner, Peter excels in fostering empowering experiences and solid frameworks. His proficiencies encompass diverse areas like People analytics, Business unit management, Talent development, HR Operations, Digital Transformation, Performance management, Compensation & Benefits, and Leadership growth. Shownotes 00:00 - The Challenge of Disconnected HR Systems 03:11 - Navigating HR Tools for Startups 05:58 - Data Flow and Workforce Planning 09:08 - Streamlining Data Collection for New Hires 12:02 - Integrating Systems for Efficient HR Operations 15:00 - Leveraging Data for People Analytics 18:02 - The Importance of Macro and Micro Data 20:59 - AI in Recruitment and Performance Management 24:00 - Building a Comprehensive Hiring Framework 27:00 - Connecting Startups with HR Solutions Links Peter Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/petervankersen/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

After 3.5 years of agency experience specialising in graduate sales recruitment within Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Dan transitioned to internal recruitment at Attensi. Over the past four years, he has been dedicated to attracting top talent across Attensi's UK, Oslo, and Boston offices. Working alongside the brilliant Talent team, Dan has played a key role in establishing best practice within the function and successfully doubling the company's headcount. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 06:09 - Understanding the Differences in Recruitment Roles 08:53 - The Challenges of Internal Recruitment 15:01 - Strategies for Successful Recruitment Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielhanlon1/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Marie Kanellopulos ist Managing Partner bei DONE!Berlin – einer Boutique-Beratung, die seit 2013 mehr als 800 Unternehmen, darunter Airbnb Europe, N26 und H&M, dabei unterstützt, zukunftssichere People & Culture-Strategien zu entwickeln. Ihr Fokus liegt auf nachhaltiger Skalierung, modernem Leadership und der Transformation von Unternehmen in resiliente Organisationen. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 03:08 - Die Rolle von Recruiting und HR Operations 12:02 - Digitalisierung und interne Stärkung von Unternehmen 16:24 - Teamentwicklung und Kommunikation 20:21 - Führung und Feedback-Kultur Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-kanellopulos/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Yeliz Castillo is a dedicated TA professional starting her journey in London with little English, she embraced the challenge and became fluent in her third language while developing a passion for recruitment. Yeliz thrives on connecting with people, making an impact on their lives, and building meaningful relationships. She values authenticity, collaboration, and stepping out of her comfort zone to pursue her goals. Liz is currently TA Lead & Sr. Talent Partner at pplwise. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 05:00 - The Importance of Clear Communication 10:45 - Candidate Feedback Strategy 18:30 - Recruitment Market Dynamics Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-akin/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Kathrin is a global talent leader with 16 years of experience shaping and implementing commercial people strategies. Deep expertise in talent acquisition for go-to-market, product & engineering in scale-up and big tech environments. Having lived in Singapore, Paris, London, Warsaw and Munich, she brings a global perspective and track record in hiring talent worldwide. From adtech to cloud, SaaS, cybersecurity and AI, she has enabled and led teams towards transformative outcomes. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 02:45 - Understanding Funnel Analytics and Data Literacy 05:26 - Practical Application of Funnel Data 07:01 - Optimizing Hiring Processes for Increased Efficiency 12:43 - Aligning Hiring Managers and Recruitment Goals 17:41 - Improving Quality and Efficiency in Hiring 21:37 - Creating Alignment and Clear Expectations 25:07 - The Art and Science of Talent Acquisition 27:21 - Leveraging Financial Impact in Talent Acquisition 31:32 - Closing Thoughts on Data-Driven Recruitment Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrinholzfurtner/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Milena Warner is an accomplished Talent and People leader with extensive experience in building and scaling high-performing teams. As a strategic partner to business leaders, she is passionate about creating inclusive and empowering environments that unlock potential and drive sustainable growth. With a proven track record in talent strategy, leadership development, and positive culture transformation, Milena is dedicated to fostering workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 06:50 - The Importance of Collaboration and Balance 11:41 - Overcoming Personal Barriers and Self-Doubt 16:42 - Understanding Power Dynamics in the Workplace 21:55 - Practical Tips for Building Confidence and Success Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milenadwarner/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

"A true recruiter who has come up through the ranks and is now Global Head of Talent, a serious hustler from the university of life and dedicated mum." Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 08:38 - The Importance of a Positive Mindset 21:25 - The Role of Employers in Supporting Working Parents 28:47 - Top Tips for New Moms Returning to Work Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-wilkinson-007197245/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Alex is an experienced leader in Talent Acquisition and has worked in the field of Recruitment for more than 12 years, working for both agencies and tech product companies in South Africa and Germany. He has recruited internationally in EMEA and North America, predominantly focusing on Product and Engineering Recruitment. In his current role, Alex is the Lead Talent Acquisition Manager at HiveMQ, a startup whose product is focused on Industrial IoT connectivity. Some of his past employers include Successful Berlin based startups such as Klarna and Adjust. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 06:57 - Challenges in Talent Acquisition 12:23 - The Importance of Retention in Hiring 21:47 - Fighting for Candidates Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-oldewage-08b74674/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Shownotes Harriet is the Head of Talent at SuperSeed VC, she's spent the past 12 years hiring talent across industry leading and household name companies including Uber, Getir, L'Oréal and On Running - and now she's using her experience to support SS portfolio companies to attract, onboard and retain top talent to their start ups. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 04:43 - Challenges in Building Teams in Startups 09:58 - The Role of Founders in Hiring 11:45 - Common Mistakes Founders Make 20:08 - Advice for Candidates in Startups 28:11 - Practical Tips for Founders 29:58 - Building a Strong Company Culture Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harriet-ball/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Mert Amcaoglu is the Head of Talent at Bark, a fast-scaling services marketplace tech company. He focuses on hiring top talent while driving strategies that support rapid growth and global alignment. Passionate about data-driven hiring, he brings valuable insights into building high-performing teams. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 04:14 - Impact on Employer Branding 06:29 - Frustrations in the Interview Process 11:11 - Constructive Feedback and Communication 13:15 - The Future of Candidate Experience 25:20 - Top Tips for Enhancing Candidate Experience Links Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mertamcaoglu/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Christoph Drebes ist Geschäftsführer der Mystery Minds GmbH. Mit den Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Lösungen des HR-Tech Unternehmens mit Sitz in München werden bessere Vernetzung und persönliche Zusammenarbeit ermöglicht. Ziele sind der Abbau von Silos und die Etablierung einer zukunftsweisenden Unternehmenskultur. Zuvor studierte er Internationale Betriebswirtschaftslehre in Ingolstadt, Toulouse und Santiago de Chile und arbeitete in einem internationalen Telekommunikationsunternehmen als Innovationsmanager und in der Prozessoptimierung. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 10:30 - Erfolgsgeschichten & Impact von Vernetzung 22:15 - Remote, Hybrid oder Office? Die Zukunft der Arbeitsmodelle 35:40 - Wie Vernetzung die Produktivität steigert Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophdrebes/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Derrick is a strategic HR leader with extensive experience helping high-growth global tech companies scale and transform. Over the years, he has worked across multiple geographies, scaling businesses, and partnering with both small and large companies in the eCommerce, delivery, mobility, and the ad tech sectors. His expertise lies in driving talent strategies, leading change management initiatives, and fostering leadership excellence to fuel business success. He works closely with C-suite executives to align people strategies with business goals, building organizations that are future ready. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 07:30 - The Dilemma: Career vs. Parental Leave 15:45 - Embracing Uncertainty: Taking a Risk on a New Career Path 22:10 - The Power of Self-Belief and a Strong Support System Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickjmenezes/ Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/ Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

Blaise is a Global Tech Recruiter and DEI Sourcing Specialist based in London. With eight years of experience in recruitment, Blaise has honed expertise in tech hiring and promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Blaise has collaborated with exceptional talent and prominent global brands such as Amazon, The Economist, and Gorillas. Driven by a passion for creating inclusive workplaces, Blaise has successfully enhanced hiring diversity, eliminated agency reliance, and spearheaded DEI workshops and internal initiatives to foster cultural transformation. Since being diagnosed with ADHD last year, Blaise has been dedicated to advocating for neurodivergent talent and cultivating environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Shownotes 00:00 - Intro & Context 05:30 - Defining Neurodiversity 15:45 - Inclusive Hiring Practices 25:20 - Leveraging Strengths in Neurodiversity Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaisedaldin/ Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/ Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com pplwise: https://pplwise.com/