In this episode of Recruiting is No Joke, host Joel Lalgee sits down with Ginette Harvey, a seasoned talent acquisition expert with nearly two decades in the industry. Ginette shares her journey from unexpectedly falling into recruitment to leading a multi-million dollar business, launching her own diversity consultancy, and now building a global blockchain talent acquisition company.

The conversation dives deep into the power of human connection in an AI-driven world, the importance of social selling, and how recruitment businesses must pivot in the face of changing technology. Ginette also opens up about the challenges of scaling a company, hiring the right talent, and why she believes business success boils down to having a solid, repeatable formula.

And of course, we couldn’t ignore the latest buzz in the business world! Joel and Ginette unpack Elon Musk’s controversial email demanding federal employees justify their jobs, the shifting dynamics of leadership, and Klarna’s embarrassing AI blunder—where the company laid off two-thirds of its customer service team, only to realize humans are still essential.

If you’re in recruiting, leadership, or just love a good industry shake-up, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a no-nonsense look at where work is headed.

In this episode:

(00:00:03) Introduction to the Podcast

(00:01:03) Guest Introduction

(00:01:45) Ginette’s Recruitment Journey

(00:02:58) Setting Up a U.S. Business

(00:03:22) Transition to Consulting

(00:04:24) Global Nature of Blockchain

(00:06:06) Importance of Human Connection

(00:06:52) AI's Impact on Recruitment

(00:08:16) Building Relationships Post-Pandemic

(00:09:20) Adaptability in Recruitment

(00:11:05) Success Formula in Recruitment

(00:13:01) Hiring Practices and Turnover

(00:15:35) Market Challenges and Opportunities

(00:16:56) Adapting Business Development Strategies

(00:18:43) Agility in Business

(00:19:53) News Discussion: Elon Musk's Email

(00:20:54) The Importance of Motivation in the Workplace

(00:22:32) The Impact of Leadership Styles

(00:26:26) The Role of AI in Customer Service

(00:27:23) Reality Check on AI Chatbots

(00:30:05) Balancing AI and Human Interaction

(00:35:37) The Value of Human Connections

(00:37:17) Guiding Principles for Relationship Building

(00:39:11) The Lost Art of Adding Value

(00:40:13) Upcoming Events in Blockchain and AI

(00:41:01) Connecting with Jeanette

(00:41:22) Closing Remarks

(00:41:54) Final Thoughts

About Ginnette Harvey

Ginnette Harvey is a seasoned recruitment entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in the staffing industry. In 2021, she co-founded BlocHaus, a leading blockchain recruitment firm dedicated to connecting exceptional talent with pioneering organizations in the blockchain sector.

Prior to founding BlocHaus, Ginnette played a pivotal role in the growth of SThree's North American business, serving as a founding member and ascending to the executive team and U.S. board during her 15-year tenure.

In 2021, she launched Harper & Gray, a company committed to helping organizations diversify their workforce and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace.

Recognized for her contributions to the staffing industry, Ginnette was named one of the top 100 most influential leaders in staffing in North America by Staffing Industry Analysts. She also serves on the Women's Leadership Council for the American Staffing Association and is a certified professional...