The HR & CQ Show
HR & CQ Edge is an independent strategic intelligence series addressing the most pressing human capital challenges facing organisations in the UAE, GCC and beyond.
Anchored in the EDGE framework — Equity, Direction, Growth and Experience, each episode convenes senior practitioners, executives and subject matter leaders to examine the evidence, challenge conventional thinking and advance the people agenda at board level.
For CHROs, people executives and senior business leaders who understand that organisational performance begins and ends with people.
Hosted by Emma Jordaan Founder of Infinite Consulting and Sarah Brooks, FCIPD, Founder of Fikrah HR and regularly joined by distinguished guest contributors from across the UAE, GCC and global HR community.
The HR & CQ Show
Episode 8 - The Hidden Value of HR - How Data Drives Success
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In this episode of The HR & CQ Show, we sit down with Carmen Rendy and Alex Stanchu, co-founders of Divergent Line HR Consultants, to unpack their bold move from corporate HR to entrepreneurship — and the innovation they’ve brought with them.
Together, we dive deep into:
- Why traditional performance management systems are broken — and what needs to change
- How their tool RED (Reward, Engage, Develop) is transforming how organisations approach performance, recognition, and employee engagement
- The cultural nuances of motivation and how data can reveal your true star performers
- How HR can use data not just to support business outcomes — but to prove its value at the boardroom table
With over 30 years of combined HR experience in the region, Carmen and Alex share real-world insights on building tech for HR, by HR — and why it’s time to leave the Excel sheets behind.
This one is for anyone tired of tick-box exercises and ready to reimagine what performance management should be.
This episode was brought to you by Sarah Brooks and Emma Jordaan
Sarah Brooks is a CIPD-qualified HR professional and the Founder and Managing Director of Fikrah HR, a UAE-based consultancy specialising in strategic talent management, organisational development, and positive workplace cultures. With nearly three decades of HR and business experience across the UK and GCC, she supports SMEs with innovative HR solutions that drive employee engagement and organisational effectiveness and compliance. Recognised among the top 101 global HR minds at the World HR Congress in 2019 and 2020, Sarah’s expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and performance management. She is also the co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast, where she discusses HR trends and cultural intelligence in the UAE. Sarah has also been featured on Dubai Eye Business Breakfast radio show discussing hot topics regarding employer health & safety obligations and remote work challenges and is currently working towards the launch of Gigit, which will connect UAE based fractional & project workers with opportunities.
Emma Jordaan is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in learning and development strategy and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). With over 20 years’ experience across ...
