048: Are Employers Acquiring Talent or Inventory?

Recording LIVE on Oct. 13, 2025 In this eye-opening conversation, we sat down with Matt Charney, Executive Editor at ERE Media & Media Bistro — one of the most respected voices in talent acquisition. Top Shelf Topic: Are Employers Acquiring Talent or Inventory? Matt shared sharp insights into the subtle ways hiring practices have slipped into a purely transactional mindset and why the words we use — talent vs. inventory — have a deeper impact than most leaders realize. Together, we explored: How data-driven recruiting has both helped and hurt the human side of hiring The cultural and leadership habits that either elevate people as unique talent or reduce them to “headcount” Metrics that truly measured talent value, not just time-to-fill Practical advice for job seekers who want to join organizations that invest in people, not just fill positions What AI, automation, and the gig economy have meant for the future of “talent-first” hiring Whether you were a business leader, recruiter, or job seeker, this episode challenged listeners to rethink how organizations define — and value — the people who power their success. To connect with Matt, visit https://mattcharney.com/.