How Human Capital Metrics Shape Portfolios and Valuations – Kristof Gleich

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, I’m joined by Kristof Gleich, President and Chief Investment Officer at Harbor Capital Advisors, for a deep dive into the human capital factor and its impact on business value and investment performance.

Kristof explains how Harbor’s partnership with Irrational Capital led to the development of the HAPI ETFs and walks through the seven subfactors that make up the human capital score: organizational effectiveness, innovation, direct management, alignment, engagement, emotional connection, and extrinsic rewards.

We get into the data behind the factor, including the use of large-scale employee sentiment surveys and proprietary analytics, the index construction process that identifies the top 150 companies, and the annual reconstitution methodology. Kristof also shares performance insights – from Morningstar recognition to how HAPI has compared with the S&P 500.

We also talk about why this factor has the potential to generate real alpha and how investors, private equity firms, and valuation professionals are beginning to incorporate human capital metrics into underwriting and deal analysis.

If you’re interested in how people truly drive enterprise value, how human capital data can shape portfolios, and what this means for investors, advisors, and dealmakers, this episode offers practical, data-driven insights you can use.

About Our Guest:

Kristof Gleich is the president and CIO of Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc. Kristof oversees all Investment, Distribution & Marketing and Executive Office functions at Harbor. He provides insight while helping lead Harbor’s strategic growth plan. Prior to joining Harbor, Kristof was a managing director and global head of manager selection at JP Morgan Chase & Co. He received a B.S. in Physics from University of Bristol. Kristof is a CFA® charterholder and is FINRA Series 7 and 63 licensed.

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

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