Transforming People and Talent Functions into Strategic Drivers

In this insightful episode, Amir Bormand interviews Jim Conti, Talent Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners, about redefining the value of people and talent functions. Jim shares strategies for evolving the role from being process-driven to a core strategic contributor, while highlighting the importance of aligning with business goals, automating admin tasks, and building impactful employee experiences. This episode is packed with practical advice for HR professionals, talent leaders, and anyone looking to amplify the value of their talent organization.

Key Takeaways:

1. Identify Your Org’s People Function Priorities: The reporting structure and allocated budget reveal how much a company values its talent function.

2. Evolve from Admin to Strategic: Focus on aligning talent initiatives with broader business goals and automate routine tasks to free up time for strategy.

3. Build a Business Case for Talent Investments: Use data and ROI-driven arguments to gain leadership buy-in for new tools and initiatives.

4. Set Boundaries Without People-Pleasing: Clarity and transparency in career development discussions create trust and empower employees without over-promising.

5. Measure Talent Impact: Post-hiring surveys and bar-raiser metrics help show the business value of talent initiatives.

Timestamped Highlights:

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the role of people and talent functions in organizations.

• [00:03:00] Key indicators of whether an organization views HR as strategic or process-driven.

• [00:05:14] Shifting the people function from admin-heavy to strategically aligned.

• [00:07:54] Building a business case for HR investments and gaining buy-in from leadership.

• [00:11:54] The importance of transparency and clarity in employee development conversations.

• [00:18:00] How talent leaders can demonstrate business value by engaging with stakeholders.

• [00:23:00] Questions to ask during the interview process to assess a company’s strategic outlook on talent.

• [00:24:55] Matching organizational challenges to your personal career goals.

If you’re looking for actionable insights to elevate your talent organization, this episode is a must-listen. 

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Jim Conti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/contijc/

Jim Conti is the Talent Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners and has been with the firm since 2021. In this role, Jim provides strategic talent support and consulting to the firm's portfolio of companies. Prior to Hyde Park Venture Partners, Jim served as head of people at dscout and Sprout Social — both Chicago-based software startups. In these roles, Jim built, grew, and oversaw teams across recruitment, talent management, DEI, culture, HR, and benefits strategy. The impact of this work is seen in awards from Glassdoor, Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago, and Built in Chicago.