The Talent Market and Workplace Culture with Chris Rakel, COO at AEG

Summary

In this conversation, Chris Rakel, COO of AEG, discusses the origins of the company, its unique approach to recruitment, and the challenges faced in the current talent market. He highlights the growth in the engineering sector compared to technology, the importance of building a strong workplace culture, and the future growth targets for AEG. Chris emphasizes the need for a balance between technology and human interaction in recruitment and shares insights on navigating industry changes, particularly in the energy sector. He concludes by reflecting on the importance of learning from experiences and maintaining a strong company culture. | AEG was founded in 1992 to address staffing needs during the rise of SAP.

Takeaways

The recruitment landscape has changed significantly, requiring new approaches.
There is a notable talent shortage in the engineering and technology sectors.
AEG focuses on building relationships with clients and candidates.
The engineering sector is experiencing double-digit growth, while technology is retracting.
Understanding the 'why' behind job changes is crucial in recruitment.
AEG aims to change the negative narratives in the staffing industry.
A strong workplace culture is built on trust and treating people well.
The energy sector is on the brink of significant innovation and growth.
Balancing technology and human interaction is key to future success.

Soundbites

"We are at the cusp of an unemployment crisis."
"There's just a talent shortage."
"I think our reputation helps us a ton."
"Treating people the right way is the only thing to do."
"It's not about the mistakes, it's what have I learned."
"I appreciate the invitation. It was a good conversation."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AEG and Its Origins
03:11 Unique Approach to Recruitment and Talent Acquisition
05:54 Growth in Engineering vs. Technology Sectors
08:59 Challenges in Talent Acquisition and Recruitment
11:51 Building a Strong Workplace Culture
14:58 Future Growth Targets and Industry Trends
17:56 Navigating Technology and Human Interaction
20:57 Preparing for Changes in the Industry
23:51 Measuring Success and Future Reflections

Video

https://youtu.be/z68GO-O_pcM