Can centralized hiring really scale without losing speed, quality, or trust? Or is it just another idea that sounds good on paper? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole sits down with Chris Bailey, Enterprise Solutions Architect at SmartRecruiters, to unpack what really works when scaling hiring in complex organizations. This conversation goes beyond theory into real-world decision-making, change management, and why playing your own game, not following trends, is often the smartest move. If you’re navigating TA transformation, tech strategy, or organizational resistance to change, this episode offers practical insight grounded in experience, not hype.

Takeaways:

• Don’t centralize just to follow a trend; centralize with intention. Centralization works when it’s designed to remove friction and create consistency, not when it strips teams of ownership or context.
• The best tech often wins when speed and adaptability matter. Hiring moves too fast for slow release cycles, so choose technology that can evolve as quickly as your business does.
• Trust is built through partnership, not persuasion. Find operational allies early, work alongside them, and let shared wins become your proof points.
• Always show the cost of doing nothing. ROI matters, but leaders also need to understand the financial and operational risk of staying fragmented or outdated.
• Optimize the start of the hiring funnel to stabilize everything downstream. Fixing inefficiencies early reduces churn, volatility, and constant ramp-up cycles later.
• Technology should empower teams, not trap them. Systems that allow self-service configuration and continuous improvement prevent stagnation and over-reliance on vendors.

Quote of the Show:

• “ If you don't evolve, not just the tech stack, but the ways of working, then you are never gonna be able to achieve the efficiencies that you need.” - Christopher Bailey

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbaileysmartrecruiters/
• Company website: https://www.smartrecruiters.com/

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