02 - The story of Sonny Van Assche, CEO of Ntiative IT Recruitment and their explosive growth in technology recruitment.

Brainly inspires students to share and explore knowledge in a collaborative community.Yeah, I think in, in a company like, like Brainly, cultural intelligence is so important and we talked about curiosity and how one of their values is stay curious.And I bet that any startup out there or scale-up like that this has 400 people, and they're still growing. They need people that are constantly curious, because by being curious, they are actually coming up with new ideas. They are being more agile and they are actually challenging that status quo. And only by challenging the status quo of let's say education system in, in their case, you can be so disruptive and they are a platform that changed disrupted the educational system in a way.Can you imagine. Knowing and understanding how the education system is in 35 countries, 35 countries, no way. I mean, on a larger scale, you can even be consulting the ministries of education because you gathered so much data about that particular country. And, you know, at the ground level, what those students struggle with, that you can gather this data, you have huge amount of data.You have volunteers, you have all these guys that really understand the. The problems and can go to those governments and to, to, to the decision-makers it's, it's just, it's just amazing. And also attire that there are people that they just help, like they just want to help kids, the volunteers. Yeah.Yeah, exactly. And I think the whole platform in a way is that's the main product, right? Like the volunteers at the end of they're Creating the content in a sense. Yeah. And I also liked something that seemed very logical. It was with the hiring process. She talked about demo days and it, it, it seems like such an obvious thing to do.But it was interesting that she focused on during these demo days or demo week to not only. Have that potential employee to be working on a assignment or, or a project and, and seeing if they're able to complete it, but also seeing if how they approach the project, how they're thinking, how they're communicating of those things, giving you insight into how good of a fit that person can be within the organization.Yeah. And definitely the books were like agile people. I think it's something that people should look up if they are in HR or they want to go in HR or they just simply have a startup now, or there are managers that will make people understand how to run this operation side in a smaller organizational.Scale-up not necessarily this big corporate. So that was a good, a good learning, and we need to translate the, the name of the book that she recommended with the climbing and mindset. All right, well, that was a good one.In a company like Brainly, where culture is so important, the cultural intelligence of employees is essential. By staying curious and constantly challenging the status quo, employees are able to come up with new ideas that can disrupt the educational system. The hiring process at Brainly focuses on finding candidates who are not only capable of completing an assignment but also how they approach and think about the project. This allows for a better understanding of how the candidate would fit within the company. The books "Agile People" and "Climbing MINDset" are recommended for those in HR or management positions to learn more about running a successful organization.Do you work at a startup or are thinking about joining one? If so, you'll want to listen to this episode to learn more aboutListening to this episode will help you better understand what it takes to be successful by being curious. Whether you're looking to start your own company or grow an existing one, Growth Gossip is full of actionable tips and insights that will help you on your journey to success. So be sure to tune in today!

Simon has worked in sales for over 20 years, and has helped companies like Cisco, Google, T-Mobile, and Intel. He is also the founder of NorthStar Consulting, a sales  consulting company that helps companies increase their sales effectiveness.In this episode, Simon shares his insights on:- The key attributes of successful salespeople - The difference between selling to large enterprises and startups- The sales strategies that work best in today's marketplace- And much more!Sales effectiveness is the ability to sell your product or service in a way that is efficient and profitable. There are many similarities between sales effectiveness for different types of businesses, such as the need to understand your customer and what they want, the importance of building relationships, and the need to be constantly learning and adapting your sales strategy. However, there are also some key differences, such as the specific approaches that may be more or less effective for different types of companies.To improve your sales effectiveness, you need to start by understanding what is working and what isn't in your current sales process. This can involve analyzing metrics like conversion rates, average deal size, and win rates to identify areasSales effectiveness is a critical skill for any business, regardless of size or industry. The podcast notes shared in this episode provide some great insights into what sales effectiveness is, the similarities and differences between selling for different types of businesses, and how you can improve your own sales effectiveness. 

In this episode, you will learn:how to build a culture of learning.What is the role of the Head of People.Understand what tech companies expect from recent graduates.How tech companies adapted to WHO during COVID and how they continue to adapt post pandemic.What competencies are evaluated in the recruitment processes of organizations.What does it mean to have culture or learning in a tech organization?It's important to have a learning culture in any organization because it helps employees be more engaged and productive. A learning culture can also help an organization adapt to change and overcome challenges. Tech organizations are particularly well-suited to benefit from a learning culture because they are often fast-paced and constantly changing.Some of the companies that have succeeded in building a culture of learning are Google, Klarna, Decathlon, Heineken, or Brainly. So if you're looking to succeed in your career, be sure to check out Growth Gossip and learn from the best!Why do organizations need to develop a culture of learning?Organizations need to develop a culture of learning because it helps employees be more engaged and productive. A learning culture can also help an organization adapt to change and overcome challenges Tech organizations are particularly well-suited to benefit from a learning culture because they are often fast-paced and constantly changing.How can I build a culture ofOrganizations need to develop a culture of learning to stay competitive in today's fast-paced, ever-changing business environment. Learning allows employees to be more engaged and productive, and helps organizations adapt to change and overcome challenges. Tech companies, in particular are well-suited for a culture of learning, as they often need to move quickly and adapt to new technologies and trends.What are some of the benefits of a learning culture?Some of the benefits of a learning culture include:- Improved employee engagement and productivity- The ability to adapt to change- Increased creativity and innovation- Greater resilience in the face of challenges.So if you want your organization to be more successful, consider developing a culture of learning. And make sure to check out Growth Gossip - the podcast for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business leaders who want to succeed in today's fast-paced world!Before joining an organization, ask these questions about the culture of learning?When considering joining any organization, it is important to evaluate the culture of learning and development. Some questions you may want to ask include:- How does your company support learning and professional development?- What resources are available for employees to learn new skills or gain knowledge?- How are employees evaluated and promoted, and what competenciesHow to Tell if a Company Is Willing to GrowAn anonymous source once told me.When I started working at my tech company, I was excited to learn new things and be part of a culture of learning. However, I quickly found out that this wasn't the case. The company was actually very resistant to change, and employees were discouraged from learning new things. In fact, if you asked too many questions or tried to do anything outside your job description, you would get in trouble.I soon learned that this was because the company was afraid of change. They were worried that if employees learned new things, they would leave for better opportunities. But this mentality was holding the company back. They were constantly behind the curve when it came to new technologies and trends, and they were losing out on business opportunities. I eventually left that company and joined another tech startup, where I found a culture of learning and growth. The people there were constantly looking for ways to improve their skills and stay ahead of their competitors. They welcomed change and new ideas, and they encouraged employees to experiment and innovate.As a result, the company was much more successful than my previous employer. They were able to adapt quickly to new technologies and trends, and they had a competitive edge in the market. If you're considering joining an organization, make sure to ask about their culture of learning. It's an important factor in determining whether or not the company will be successful.

About the podcastWe "gossip" with people in startups, scale-ups, and enterprises. We're talking Google, Klarna, Decathlon, Heineken, Brainly, and a lot more. We share how their companies grew and how they grew professionally and personally. Every episode is full of actionable learning, and it is full of inspiration. Growth, growth, hacking, startups, scale ups, enterprise growth, podcast, personal growth.The importance of personal growth in business growthThe podcast discusses the importance of personal growth in order to achieve business growth. Personal growth is beneficial for both the individual and the company, as it allows for new ideas and perspectives to be introduced into the business. It also allows for individuals within the company to develop their skills and grow as employees. Antonello talks about the benefits of personal growth, how to achieve it, and how to maintain it within a business. He also discusses the importance of self-awareness when pursuing personal growth. This is an insightful podcast that provides listeners with valuable information on the topic of personal growth.In this podcast we talk about The importance of communities in personal growth.How do you land a job at Google?What is the recruitment process at Google?How to develop an unfair advantageGoogle Communities.There are a bunch Google communities to be part of that can help you be seen before landing a job at Google or any big high-tech. Communities like Women Techmakers, Grow with Google, Black Girls Code, Together with Google Developers.Google Interview process:There are loads of resources on the internet about Google recruitment process. Google is one of the hardest companies to get a job at. A lot of people don't even make it through the phone interview. The Google interview process involves several rounds of interviews focused on testing your technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities. You will typically be asked both behavioural and technical questions, so you should prepare accordingly to maximize your chances of success. If you are interested in joining the Google team, make sure to do thorough research on Google communities and the Google interview process, so that you are well-prepared for this challenging and rewarding opportunity.The unfair advantageAntonello's unfair advantage was the Google Ads knowledge and language skills in a city that lacked those native Italian speakers. He joined Google in Wrocław, despite his entourage advising against it. You can develop your unfair advantage by focusing on the things that you're good at and that not everyone else is good at. It could be a skill, it could be a language, it could be anything that makes you stand out from the rest.Here are some examples:Being an expert in a particular subject or industryDeveloping new skills and knowledge through online courses or training programsPursuing personal projects and contributing to open source communitiesWorking on side hustles or part-time jobs that demonstrate your passion and dedication to a particular fieldSo if you're looking for ways to develop anHow do you grow in a company like Google:To grow in a company like Google, you need to have a strong work ethic and drive for success. You will be constantly challenged and pushed to your limits, so you must be willing to put in the hard work necessary to succeed. This may mean investing time and energy into learning new skills or gaining expertise in various areas of the business.What's next after working for a company like Google?As Antonello puts it.I have seen many people make the career switch from Google, one of the world's top tech companies, to smaller startups. While these types of transitions can be daunting, they are often a smart move for ambitious professionals looking to broaden their skill set and gain valuable management experience. At Google, employees have access to some of the best training and resources in the business world, learning everything from how to build effective teams to how to effectively prioritize their workload. However, moving from Google into a fast-paced startup environment puts these skills to use in a very different way. In startups, employees are often tasked with building entire departments and processes from scratch, making the transition a valuable chance to hone existing skills while gaining new ones. So if you're looking for an exciting and challenging career change, consider moving from Google to a promising startup - you never know what great things might lie ahead!Making the career switch from a top tech company like Google to a smaller startup can be daunting, but it can be a smart move for ambitious professionals.

In this episode of Growth Gossip, Sonny tells the story of how he went from a small town in Belgium to a successful IT Recruitment Agency. He emphasises the importance of being open to talent wherever it may be found and ofspecializing in a particular area. He also speaks about the overrated concept of company culture and how it's something that evolves over time. Sonny is a great example of how personality and thinking about people can be key to success in business. Thank you for listening!

The content discusses the value of understanding what a company is looking for before specializing in marketing. It also highlights the importance of understanding humans in order to do effective marketing. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of writing skills in marketing.You'll learn:What a company looks for in a marketerThe importance of understanding humans in marketingThe importance of writing skills in marketing.The marketing industry is booming, and there are plenty of opportunities to find your perfect fit. Whether you're an experienced marketer or just starting out, this episode will help you understand what companies are looking for in a marketer and how to set yourself up for success.Books recommended in this episode:The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al RiesPositioning by Al RiesInfluence by Robert CialdiniBreakthrough Advertising by Eugene SchwartzHey, Whipple, Squeeze This by Edward BochesYour Hosts Romeo Man, Founder at MAN DigitalMichal Kus, Co-Founder Yolk Workspace & CommunityGuest:George Gavrila, Marketing Director at Survicate