Alderson James

The difference between a good interview and a great one? Preparation. If you're preparing for multiple interviews, here's our playbook for interview success as a People and Talent professional. ?? Save this for later or share with your network!? ?? Want a more detailed interview toolkit? Comment yes below or email [email protected] ---- Master point 1 and 2, first. Once you've nailed them, you will be able to refine Point 3 quickly for each interview.?? ? ??.???????? ???????? ??????????, ???????????????????? ???????? ????????????. -What impact have you made in previous roles? -Have you driven process improvements? -Any standout projects that enhanced talent attraction or business performance?? -What metrics can you share (e.g., time-to-fill, retention rates, cost saving)?? -How have you engaged with key stakeholders and used their feedback? -How do you ensure a positive candidate experience?? -How have you influenced or shaped company culture? -How have you contributed to DEI initiatives? -What makes you different and unique??? -What are your strengths/weaknesses?? This is the hardest part, but the most important. The more confident you are in sharing examples of what you have achieved, the stronger your interview performance will be. ??. ???? ???? ???? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????? ?? What to look for:? -What are the latest industry trends?? -What challenges are People and/or Talent professionals facing now?? -How is AI and automation influencing this space? ?? Where to find it:? -Industry reports (Gartner, LinkedIn, McKinsey & Company)? -Market research studies and whitepapers? -Thought leadership articles, podcasts, networking and webinars ?? Why it matters: A strong understanding of industry trends allows you to bring fresh insights, demonstrate commercial awareness, and position yourself as a strategic thinker in any interview.? ??. ???????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?? What to look for: -What does the company do?? -What is their mission and core values?? -What is their size and structure?? -Who is interviewing you and what is their background?? ?? Where to find it: -Company website? -LinkedIn (Company + employee profiles)? -Industry reports & insights (even ChatGPT can help!) ?? Why it matters: Demonstrating a deep understanding of the company shows you care and better prepares you to tailor your answers with the company’s vision in mind. It’s also a pretty handy way of finding out whether an opportunity within this organisation is suited to you!? ?????????? ??????: Before each interview, thoroughly review the job description and understand exactly what the organisation is looking for in this role. This will help you refine point 1 and tailor your responses to align with their expectations.?

According to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) analysis, women-led startups generate significantly higher revenues than those founded by men.? ? Yet funding isn’t following the results.? ? ?? Access to capital is still a major hurdle – female founders receive just 2% (or less) of VC funding, despite their proven success.? ? ?? Gender bias and outdated stereotypes persist – women entrepreneurs often face tougher scrutiny and higher credibility barriers when pitching for investment.? _______________________________ ? ??? It's #InternationalWomensDay this Saturday, and to both celebrate women and drive awareness, we're putting the spotlight on the funding gap that still holds women back.?? ? ?? 25% of women believe securing funding would be easier if they were men.? ? ?? And over 60% of women feel they must work harder than male counterparts to prove their worth as leaders.?? ? ?????? ????????'?? ?????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ????? According to Forbes, the primary obstacles to these challenges stem from "deeply ingrained attitudes, stereotypes and biases shaped by personal experiences and societal norms".?? ? Key barriers including…? -Investors funding founders who fit a familiar mold? -Limited representation from the top, where women make up a small fraction of decision-makers in VC?? -Stereotypes around leadership where women entrepreneurs face more scrutiny when pitching? ? Together these roadblocks cause missed opportunities for investors and the wider economy. It’s essential for these barriers to be broken in order to unlock innovation, drive higher returns and create a more equitable future in venture capital.?? ? ?? There are some exciting initiatives working to drive change, however, which prove that momentum is building! For example:? ? -In November 2024, Nell Daly launched Revenge Capital LLP with a mission to support overlooked female entrepreneurs and help them secure the funding they deserve. It focusses on breaking down the barriers that prevent women from accessing capital and creating a?more inclusive funding environment.?? ? - And groups such as All Raise work to address the significant gender pay gap in venture capital and support women in securing funding for their start-ups.?? ? With more influential voices pushing for equity, we're hopeful that more women will break existing barriers and rise into leadership positions.? ?? If you know a female founder doing incredible things, tag them below! We want to publicly celebrate their success!??? ?? Sources in comment section.

We are super excited to announce that Alderson James is now an approved partner of Grow London!??? Grow London is a fantastic initiative helping businesses, whether early-stage start-ups or global enterprises, unlock opportunitues and scale across the capital. Through expert guidance, trade missions, networking events, and tailored business support, they connect ambitious companies with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive. At Alderson James, we know that a strong, high-performing team is the foundation of every successful business. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Grow London, aligning with their mission to support companies in scaling effectively and building teams that drive long-term success. Since joining forces in November, we’ve already had the opportunity to work with three fantastic companies, and we’re excited to see what’s next! A big thank you to the Grow London team- we’ve really enjoyed working together so far ??

Your reminder that this Friday is Employee Appreciation Day! ?? It's important to make your employees feel appreciated and valued everyday... but Friday serves as a reminder of just how important it is.? One of the many reasons for this? ? Recognition is a top driver of employee engagement ? ?? A survey conducted by Nectar revealed that 81.9% of employees agree that recognition for their contributions improves their engagement.? ?? Gallup reported that companies with engaged employees, fostered through recognition, experience 21% higher profitability.? ?? A Harvard Business Review survey found that 78% of respondents believed that employee recognition positively impacted employee retention.? But beyond the stats... recognition fosters a sense of purpose, connection and motivation. Behind every project, innovative idea or milestone achieved there is a ???????? ???? ?????????????????????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ?? So, this Friday (and as often as you can), take a moment to recognise the people who drive your business forward!? ? In preparation for Employee Appreciation Day, we want to know how you prefer to be recognised for your contributions? Let us know in the comments! ??

When trying to attract the right talent to your scaling business, storytelling may be the answer. Why? Because people buy into vision. Your story isn’t just words, it’s how you convey your mission, values, and goals in a way that resonates. Build trust, create connections and attract great talent. #EmployerBranding #TalentAttraction #Storytelling

Last week, we shared Part 1 of our conversation on the proposed Employments Right Bill and Statutory Bereavement leave for employees who experience a miscarriage. ? We now dive into Part 2, where Roxie and Jason discuss... ? ?? What the proposed legislation will entail ? ?? What this means for women in the workplace ? ?? And what employers can do to support employees right now. ? While this bill is a crucial step, it raises the question... why wait for a law to make changes? ? It's crucial for companies to start fostering a supportive and compassionate environment, showcasing a commitment to employee well-being, long before the legislation is enacted. ? ??? Thank you again to Roxie and Jason for discussing this critical topic. We'd love to hear your thoughts!???

How does leadership influence talent, culture, and start-up growth? ?? Highly engaged teams have lower turnover and higher profitability, with Gallup reporting a 23% boost in profitability for companies with engaged employees.? ?? Leaders fostering engagement through meaningful work, recognition, and an inclusive culture can retain talent, enhance productivity, and drive sustainable growth.? ? ?? According to McKinsey & Company, diverse teams are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors in profitability.? ??? Diverse leadership teams are more adaptable, better at navigating challenges, and attract top talent, especially in innovation-driven industries.? ? ?? Gallup reports that 50% of employees leave due to poor leadership.? ??? Leaders who invest in team development, clarify roles, and encourage a positive work culture are more likely to build strong teams that thrive under pressure, which is essential for sustained growth.? ? So, leadership teams are pretty important…? ? When leaders engage their teams and prioritise inclusion and growth, they create an environment where talent thrives ?? ??? So, if you're a founder or leader in the early stages, remember: Your leadership style influences everything from team dynamics to profitability. Invest in your leadership team, and the growth will follow.?

In January 2025, MPs proposed an Employment Rights Bill that includes statutory bereavement leave for employees who experience a miscarriage. ? This is a crucial step, but raises the question as to why it has taken so long? ? Under the current legislation, many employees have no choice but to use annual leave, take unpaid time off, or even continue working through their grief. This lack of support only adds to an already difficult experience. ? ??? Take a listen to Part 1 of our discussion where Roxie Hanlon and Jason Waterman discuss why this bill is necessary, where current legislation falls short, and what needs to change. ? We'd love for you to share your thoughts and join the conversation on this extremely important topic! ?? ?

As a VC, understanding the evolution of leadership in start-ups is critical. ?? A founder who can evolve from tactical to strategic leadership is more likely to build a business that scales successfully. In the early stages, founders will often wear many hats. Buts as the business scales, the focus must move from tactical to a more strategic, visionary approach. ? ? ?? A prime example of this is how Jeff Bezos transitioned at Amazon – from managing daily operations to leading with a long-term vision, empowering teams, and scaling processes to meet growing demand (full report in the comments section) ?? So, to help your portfolio companies thrive,? early-stage leaders and founders must develop the necessary skills and mindsets:? ?? Strategic focus – encourage founders to take a step back and focus on high-level strategy as the company grows. ?? Team empowerment – encourage founders to transition from micromanagers to leaders who empower their teams to execute. ?? Process and Scalability – advise on building scalable systems and processes that can enable and sustain growth, focusing on long-term goals rather than short-term execution. ?? Steve Jacobs and Chloé Barget support founders in scaling their leadership teams with AJ | EXEC. If you're looking to build a high-impact leadership team for your start-up or fancy an honest conversation on how to scale successfully, they will happily support you! #Leadership #Startups

Your first set of hires set the tone for your start-up’s growth… Get it right? ?You’ll accelerate success. Get it wrong? You’ll slow down innovation, hinder scaling, or even cause start-up failure. ??Start-ups that make strong early hires grow 30% faster, according to First Round Capital ??And 70% of start-ups attribute their failure to issues with hiring and people management (CB Insights) Here’s a (lengthy yet concise) checklist to help you make impactful early hiring decisions: ? Define roles strategically - focus on the key functions needed for immediate impact while keeping the long-term roadmap in mind ? Hire for values and vision - choose individuals who align with your mission and can thrive in your culture ? Balance quality with speed - act quickly to secure top talent, but ensure your decisions are grounded in finding the right fit for the role and your company ? Build a diverse team early - diversity fosters innovation and resilience. Lay the foundation for an inclusive team from day one. ? Leverage your network - tap into your VCs, advisors, and industry connections to identify top-tier candidates ? Consider partnering with specialised agencies - work with agencies that understand your industry and can identify candidates who align with your goals, culture, and growth plans. ? Consider cultural fit AND add - hire people who not only align with your current culture but can bring fresh perspectives and new strengths ? Onboard intentionally - set your hires up for success with clear expectations, mentoring, and the right resources from the start. ?? If you're a VC looking for early-hiring support, we’d love to help! ?? www.aldersonjames.com ?? https://lnkd.in/efZrC7wN