The Headcount People

TeamOhana

We are The Headcount People. Our podcast talks about all things headcount management. And our guests are the masters. If you’re in charge of planning, managing, or reporting on headcount and headcount spend, we’ll help you crack the code on this delicate dance by giving you strategies and tools from the masters themselves. Make sure to subscribe and follow for every new episode right when it drops.

  1. Ep. 12 - HR at the Helm: Steering Orgs Through Change with Insight & Empathy w/ Alisa Avelar

    05/23/2024

    Ep. 12 - HR at the Helm: Steering Orgs Through Change with Insight & Empathy w/ Alisa Avelar

    In this insightful episode of The Headcount People, host Tushar Makhija welcomes Alisa Avelar, a seasoned VP CHRO who has led HR teams at multiple hypergrowth companies. The discussion dives into the complexities of selling the HR story to the leadership table, addressing why HR departments often feel unheard or face pushback. Alisa shares her journey into HR, highlighting her passion for learning and development to support employees' career growth. The conversation covers a wide range of vital HR topics including the new normal post-pandemic, the importance of grace and patience in the workplace, and strategies for influencing and gaining a seat at the leadership table. Alisa also emphasizes the need for robust HR data tools and how to effectively use people analytics for better decision-making. The episode provides valuable perspectives on balancing business growth with employee wellbeing, making it a must-watch for HR professionals and organizational leaders. 00:00 Introduction to the Episode and Guest 01:22 Alisa Avelar's Journey in HR 02:40 The Evolution of HR in the Modern Workplace 04:10 Balancing Business Growth with Employee Well-being 07:26 Strategies for HR Leaders to Influence and Drive Change 12:01 The Importance of Data-Driven HR and the Challenges of Tooling 25:28 The Future of HR: AI and the Human Touch 30:21 The Impact of Technology on Human Connection 31:12 The Role of HR in Organizational Development 33:00 Challenges and Solutions in HR Technology 36:08 The Importance of Data in HR Decision Making 37:44 Choosing the Right HRIS for Your Organization 42:13 The Cost of Underinvesting in HR 50:30 Strategic HR Management and Headcount Planning 57:52 Final Thoughts on HR's Role in Organizational Success

    56 min
  2. Ep. 11 - A principled approach to navigating a Finance career w/ Josh Rappoport (VP FP&A, Acumatica)

    03/21/2024

    Ep. 11 - A principled approach to navigating a Finance career w/ Josh Rappoport (VP FP&A, Acumatica)

    🎙️ Welcome to the Headcount People Podcast Episode 11! 🎙️ In this illuminating episode of "The Headcount People," host Tushar Makhija sits down with the remarkably experienced Josh Rappoport, who shares invaluable insights from his extensive career in finance across tech giants and high-growth startups. From his early days at Microsoft, where he learned the art of scalable decision-making, to spearheading finance at a rapidly growing startup, Josh reveals the principles and practices that have guided his success. 🕒 Timestamped Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Josh Rappoport & His Financial Journey 01:36 - Lessons from Microsoft: Scaling and Decision-Making 07:14 - Transitioning from Corporate to Startup: Adapting and Thriving 15:20 - The Art of Leadership and Building High-Performing Teams 21:45 - Embracing Change and Navigating Career Growth 27:30 - Josh's Vision for the Future of Finance in Tech 🔑 Key Takeaways: Understand the importance of adaptability in finance roles across different company sizes. Learn how leadership principles can dramatically influence your career and team dynamics. Discover how strategic finance and effective decision-making drive company growth. Josh's journey offers a rare glimpse into the world of finance and leadership within the tech industry, providing listeners with practical advice and deep reflections on personal and professional growth. Whether you're a budding finance professional or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration for anyone looking to excel in the ever-evolving tech landscape. 👉 Watch now to gain insights into mastering finance and leadership in the tech world! #FinanceLeadership #TechIndustryInsights #StartupGrowth #CareerAdvice #LeadershipPrinciples #BusinessStrategy #FinancialManagement #TechCareers #InnovationInFinance #ScalingStartups

    1 hr
  3. (Preview) Ep. 11 - A principled approach to a finance career

    SEASON 2, EPISODE 11 TRAILER

    (Preview) Ep. 11 - A principled approach to a finance career

    🚨 Coming Soon: A Podcast Episode Not to Be Missed! 🚨 Ep. 11 (Season 2): Josh Rappoport, VP FP&A at Acumatica In this captivating teaser, get an exclusive sneak peek of what's in store for the next episode of "The Headcount People," dropping tomorrow! Join host Tushar Makhija as he sits down with finance heavyweight Josh Rappoport for a deep dive into the world of finance and leadership within the tech industry. From his invaluable experiences at Microsoft to his innovative approaches in startups, Josh shares the wisdom he's gathered over an illustrious career. 🕒 What to Expect: Exclusive Insights: Josh Rappoport reveals his journey through the realms of finance in tech giants and fast-growing startups. Leadership Lessons: Learn about the transformative leadership that fosters growth, learning, and strategic thinking. Finance Reimagined: Discover how strategic finance roles evolve in the dynamic tech landscape. 🔑 Why Tune In? Be the first to get a glimpse of the compelling conversations and stories. Prepare yourself for an episode that promises to enrich your understanding of finance and leadership. Gear up for groundbreaking insights that could shape your approach to career and leadership in the tech industry. 👉 Mark Your Calendars! The full episode goes live tomorrow. Subscribe and hit the notification bell to not miss out on this invaluable conversation filled with career-changing advice and perspectives. #PodcastTeaser #FinanceLeadership #TechIndustry #CareerInsights #LeadershipLessons #StrategicFinance #InnovationInTech #BusinessGrowth #MustWatch #TheHeadcountPeople

    1 min
  4. 10 - Deirdre Mullen, VP of Finance at Catalyst Software

    02/15/2024

    10 - Deirdre Mullen, VP of Finance at Catalyst Software

    🎙️ Welcome to the Headcount People Podcast Season 2! 🎙️ In today’s episode, we're excited to welcome Deirdre Mullen, the visionary VP of Finance at Catalyst, who has transitioned from auditing to playing a pivotal role in finance within the tech world. Her journey is not just about numbers but about the strategic narrative that shapes companies from the inside out. Chapters: [00:00:25] Kicking off season two: Strategic partnerships in finance and HR [00:01:22] Deirdre Mullen: From accounting to VP of finance [00:06:17] Comparing experiences: Stripe, Funbox, and Remote [00:07:26] Leadership insights: Transparency, data, and communication [00:19:40] Revamping pricing for growth and retention [00:24:22] Modern tools for finance efficiency [00:29:36] Strategies for effective headcount management [00:33:46] Adapting annual planning for sustainable growth [00:37:27] Negotiating resources: Engineering vs. finance [00:40:27] Navigating leadership dynamics in finance Deirdre's story is a testament to the evolving role of finance professionals in the tech industry, moving beyond traditional bookkeeping to strategic partnership, leveraging technology, and leading with data-driven insights. Whether you're an aspiring finance professional, a seasoned leader, or just curious about the strategic intersection of finance and technology, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons and insights. Stay tuned for a journey through finance, strategy, and leadership with Deirdre Mullen. Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes that bridge the gap between finance, HR, and technology, driving business growth.

    46 min
  5. 09 - Navigating growth as a TA lead in today's shifting market w/ Amanda Gregg, Talent Acquisition Manager at Second Front Systems

    08/08/2023

    09 - Navigating growth as a TA lead in today's shifting market w/ Amanda Gregg, Talent Acquisition Manager at Second Front Systems

    In this episode of The Headcount People, talent acquisition expert Amanda Gregg shares her insights on headcount management and the importance of a unified data source for recruitment success. She discusses how hiring managers and recruiters play a vital role in ensuring accurate information for a reliable single source of truth. Key Highlights: Building a robust tech stack with sourcing tools and ATS enhances productivity and efficiency. Gathering compensation data facilitates informed decisions and better alignment with finance. Understanding key performance indicators (KPIs) fosters collaboration with finance and other stakeholders. The dynamic tech landscape and remote work environment have rekindled the focus on company missions and culture. Amanda's engaging discussion offers valuable takeaways for talent acquisition professionals seeking innovative approaches to navigate the evolving job market. ---------------------------------- CHAPTER LIST: 00:00 - Amanda Gregg’s🔥Hottest Tip 02:07 - Tell us about your background in TA and current role at Second Front Systems 03:30 - How do you contribute to strategy discussions? 06:52 - What is the ultimate goal of a hiring strategy? 07:47 - How is your team structured and what does that look like? 09:37 - What does your hiring plan look like? 13:05 - What is the evaluation process for the roles and what is the timeline for it? 14:38 - Why is headcount management important? 17:27 - How do you do headcount planning? 19:47 - Can you explain cross-education among teams in practical terms? 25:14 - How can managers ensure a reliable single source of truth for all involved in hiring? 28:50 - What's the best tech stack for talent acquisition? 33:10 - How are you currently creating your hiring plan? Are you using spreadsheets or another tool? 35:49 - How do you effectively collaborate with the CFO and what role do KPIs and metrics play in this? 43:32 - What gives you optimism about the future of talent acquisition and scaling for larger companies in that market?

    45 min

Trailers

About

We are The Headcount People. Our podcast talks about all things headcount management. And our guests are the masters. If you’re in charge of planning, managing, or reporting on headcount and headcount spend, we’ll help you crack the code on this delicate dance by giving you strategies and tools from the masters themselves. Make sure to subscribe and follow for every new episode right when it drops.