About the Guest(s):

Adam Gordon is a serial entrepreneur with a deep expertise in HR and recruitment technology. He’s the former CEO of Candidate ID, a pioneering marketing automation platform for talent acquisition, which he sold to iCIMS in 2022. Adam has also held leadership roles such as CEO and Managing Director at Norman Broadbent. Currently, he is the co-founder of PoetryHR, an innovative startup developing recruiter enablement technology. Adam operates out of Glasgow, Scotland, and brings over 24 years of experience in business tech and recruitment marketing to the table.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of "Growing Your Business with People," host Jeff Lackey chats with Adam Gordon, a seasoned entrepreneur in the HR tech space. They delve into the nuances of transitioning from working in large corporations like PwC to founding and growing entrepreneurial ventures such as Candidate ID and PoetryHR. Adam shares his unique journey triggered by personal circumstances, his pursuit to surpass his father's achievements, and how these experiences have shaped his approach to business and leadership.

Throughout the conversation, Adam emphasizes the importance of strategic hiring, particularly bringing onboard leaders who can scale along with the business. They discuss the differences between large and small organizational structures, focusing on the efficiency of smaller teams and the pitfalls of overcomplication. Adam also elaborates on the value of automation and self-service technologies in HR and talent acquisition, underscoring how these innovations are crucial for staying competitive. The discussion touches on the parallels between talent acquisition and sales and marketing, suggesting that many principles applicable in these matured domains can enhance HR practices.

Key Takeaways:

Hire Big Early: Bring in leaders with significant experience to help your business grow into new levels effortlessly.

Embrace Automation: Automate repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and allow your team to focus on high-value work.

Focus on Execution: A great idea means nothing without effective execution; adaptability and iteration are key.

Self-Service and Community Support: Leveraging self-service options and community-driven customer support can streamline operations and enhance user experience.

Clear and Transparent Leadership: While transparency is important, shielding your team from unnecessary details can help maintain focus and productivity.