Nina Kirr is the Senior Vice President People & Culture at Proalpha, a leading ERP and business software provider with more than 2,400 employees across nine countries and 12 business units. She is transforming traditional HR into a modern People & Culture organization and has established P&C as a shared service across the group, creating common frameworks and collaboration across units and countries. A key part of her role is integrating newly acquired companies and their teams, while navigating current challenges such as automation and AI. Nina focuses on empowering high-performing teams, strengthening culture, and shaping a People & Culture function that supports sustainable growth — always guided by the vision of empowering people and creating impact.

Shownotes

00:00 - Intro & Context
05:00 - How AI and automation drive real impact in HR: recruiting, self-service, and reporting
18:00 - Rebuilding the HR tech stack: harmonized data and scalable processes as the foundation for AI
42:00 - HR as a business partner: ROI, KPIs, low attrition, and AI as an enabler

Links

Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninakirr/

Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/
Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#132 - Nina Kirr | AI Roadmap, Efficiency & Quality Matrix, Post Meger Integrations

Hans-Heinz Wisotzky ist Personalberater, Headhunter, Buchautor und Host des GainTalents-Podcasts. Mit über 25 Jahren Erfahrung im Executive Search und HR-Management teilt er praxisnahe Einblicke zu Recruiting, Talentgewinnung und Leadership. Sein Fokus liegt auf moderner Personalarbeit und nachhaltiger Mitarbeiterbindung.

Shownotes

00:00 - Intro & Context
05:30 - Einführung ins Thema Employee Journey und Vorstellung von Hans-Heinz Wisotzki
15:45 - Frühfluktuation: Ursachen, typische Fehler im Pre- & Onboarding und konkrete Zahlen
38:10 - Homeoffice, Hybridarbeit und Bindung: Was Studien wirklich zeigen

Links

Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansheinzwisotzky/

Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/
Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#131 - Hans-Heinz Wisotzky | Warum verlassen Menschen Unternehmen und warum bleiben sie da?

Giorgia Altavilla leads Talent Operations at Satispay, where she builds scalable recruitment systems and drives HR tech transformation. She lives at the intersection of data, ops, and people experience.

Shownotes

00:00 - Intro & Context
05:30 - From recruiter to Talent Ops lead: fixing broken hiring processes
18:45 - How Talent Ops drives efficiency and scalable growth
42:10 - Quality of hire, automation, and AI in modern recruiting

Links

Guest Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgia-altavilla/

Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/
Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#130 - Giorgia Altavilla | TA Operations to grow from 300-700 HC organization

A Business Partner by heart, Sonja has spent her career so far in the music, advertising, fashion ecommerce (Zalando), hospitality (Airbnb), SAAS (Miro) and classifieds business (AVIV group), among others. She started in Marketing and moved to HR, where she holds more than 15 years of experience in various HR leadership roles, always striving to design and execute the right organizational and people strategy that best fulfills the needs of the given business and organizational context. Scaling through organic and inorganic growth, reorganizing, internationalizing, going public, response to economic crises, and restructuring are the various phases of the organizational lifecycle Sonja has led through. Sonja is a certified coach.

Shownotes

00:00 - Intro & Context
02:59 - Navigating Organizational Changes
05:54 - Building Trust as a Business Partner
08:50 - The Role of Communication in HR
11:50 - Understanding Different Business Partner Types
14:40 - The Importance of Context in HR Decisions
17:50 - The Dynamics of Manager-Business Partner Relationships
20:37 - Effective Communication During Organizational Changes

Links

Guest Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-sinterhauf-448a7a51/


Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/
Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#129 - Sonja Sinterhauf | Business Partnering

Ralph Linde ist Ex-Top-Manager bei der Volkswagen AG und war der Leiter der Konzernbildung. Aktuell ist er der Präsident von “42”, das sind zwei Softwareschulen in Berlin und Wolfsburg, sowie Lyriker. Er hat gerade sein erstes Buch, “Die Gefälle dieser Tage” publiziert, welches beim Athena Verlag erhältlich ist.

Shownotes

00:00 – Intro
02:33 – Transformation
05:56 – Was es wurde
12:04 – Kommunikation
14:10 – Was wird sein
16:32 – Tidenhub
20:17 – In meinem Land
22:28 – Kai Zen
26:08 – Der Raum vor mir
27:56 – Der Mai
29:56 – Rastlos
33:42 – Und ich?
34:46 – KI Männlich
35:39 – Karibu
36:22 – Trauer
37:17 – Zustände

Links

Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-linde-b14865149/

Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/
Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#128 - Ralph Linde | Gedichte als Denkanstöße für Transformation und das Leben

Christoph Zoeller begeistert sich seit seiner Jugend für Unternehmertum – erste Jobs, eigene Events und viel Energie prägten seinen Weg. Während seines dualen Studiums gründete er Instaffo, eine Plattform, die Recruiting durch intelligente Matching-Technologie neu denkt. Heute ist er CEO eines erfolgreichen Start-ups mit achtstelligem Jahresumsatz.

Shownotes

00:00 - Intro & Context
06:06 - Entwicklung des Recruiting-Marktplatzes
11:59 - Liquidität im Recruiting-Marktplatz
17:26 - Zukunft des Recruitings und die Rolle von AI
17:26 - AI-gestützte Interviews und Chancengleichheit
19:27 - Die Zukunft des Recruiting-Marktes
22:12 - Herausforderungen und Chancen durch KI
27:06 - Gesellschaftliche Auswirkungen der Automatisierung

Links

Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christoph-zoeller/

Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/
Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#127 - Christoph Zöller | Wie kann Recruiting in der Zukunft aussehen?

Matthew is a global talent leader with a track record of building and scaling high-performing teams across Amazon, Meta, Deliveroo, and more.
A former U.S. Marine, he brings a leadership-first mindset to everything grounded in ownership, trust, and accountability.
His work focuses on developing recruiting teams, growing leadership capabilities, and aligning talent to business outcomes.
From hypergrowth scale-ups to global tech giants, he’s helped organizations unlock the systems and people that drive scale.
This episode dives into what it really takes to build teams that grow fast and lead well.

Shownotes

00:00 - Intro & Context
05:59 - Key Components of Successful Teams
12:02 - Developing Existing Teams for Success
18:12 - Leadership Mindset and Allowing for Failure
18:58 - The Role of Leadership in Revenue Generation
20:40 - Cultural Nuances in Leadership
23:43 - Empowering Teams Across Cultures
27:58 - Building Effective Teams
30:49 - Humanizing Leadership and Team Dynamics
32:21 - Personal Development and Readiness for Opportunities

Links

Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdoucette/

Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/
Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#126 - Matt Doucette | Building Great Teams

Mat Middlemass, a diverse people professional from London. Having worked within the people space for 18 years, Mat is passionate about people, development, DE & I and wellbeing.

Shownotes

00:00 - Intro & Context
03:19 Trends in Mental Health Awareness
06:01 The Impact of Social Media
09:37 Finding Balance in a Digital World
12:25 Implementing Boundaries with Technology
18:25 The Reality of Comparison
28:13 Practical Tips for Mental Well-being

Links

Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-middlemass-b8a297121/

Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/
Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#125 - Mathew Middlemass | Mental Health - Comparison 

Navid Nazemian helps executives and leadership teams transition smoothly into new roles. He is the author of Mastering Executive Transitions - The Definitive Guide, a #1 new release and international bestseller. With experience across five countries and six sectors, he coaches C-level leaders on executive transitions. His two-decade HR career spans top global companies in emerging and developed markets. Recognized as HR’s Most Influential Practitioner by HR Magazine, he has been ranked #1 Coach globally by CEO Today for three consecutive years and received multiple prestigious awards

Shownotes

00:00 - Intro & Context
07:35 - Starting from Scratch: First Steps into Coaching
15:20 - Challenges Along the Way: Navigating the Unknown
22:45 - Advice for Aspiring Coaches: Key Lessons Learned

Links

Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/navidnazemian/

Thomas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kohler-pplwise/
Thomas e-mail: thomas@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

High-Res Images: https://app.box.com/s/jy4lwf9xez3v8fy9o9oaub6jvlxdpaj8

Free Book Sample (with suggested Qs for busy podcast hosts on the last page): https://app.box.com/s/4c3pkmm3gva1qcrzfb1c9hq0laq8g9hw

#124 - Navid Nazeman | Mastering Executive Transitions

Milena Warner is an accomplished Talent and People leader with extensive experience in building and scaling high-performing teams. As a strategic partner to business leaders, she is passionate about creating inclusive and empowering environments that unlock potential and drive sustainable growth. With a proven track record in talent strategy, leadership development, and positive culture transformation, Milena is dedicated to fostering workplaces where people and businesses thrive together.

Shownotes

00:00 - The Evolution of Recruitment
05:40 - Empathy in Recruitment
10:39 - The Role of Technology and AI
15:40 - Feedback and Communication Challenges
20:21 - Understanding Candidate Needs
25:32 - Balancing Personal and Professional Life

Links

Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milenadwarner/


Yeliz Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeliz-castillo/
Yeliz e-mail: yeliz.castillo@pplwise.com
pplwise: https://pplwise.com/

#123 - Milena Warner | The Human Element in Recruitment: Why It Matters

Welcome to "The People Factor," where we explore the role of the people function in driving business success. We dive into the strategies, tactics, learnings & failures from top organizations to drive strategic objectives impacted by the people function. Weekly, Thomas chats with industry experts and thought leaders about news, the latest trends and best practices related to develop an organization. Tune in to "The People Factor" to learn how to unlock the full potential of your team and organization.

Thomas Kohler

Shows