Following the launch of new talent research consultancy Luminos, we will be introducing a regular ‘Team Talk’ feature (playing on our Founding Directors’ love of football) to keep our clients and contacts abreast of the latest employment, recruitment and talent trends. But first, we wanted to start by properly introducing ourselves (Luminos Founders Lee Parker and Natalie Douglass) and our game-changing approach, so we asked our partners Engage Comms to interview us for our first ever ‘Team Talk’.
So, why did you go for the name Luminos?
Natalie: “We knew our brand had to stand out in a competitive and busy marketplace and that it had to be a genuine reflection of our proposition and who we are. We have always talked about our ‘illuminating research’ and ‘shining a light on’ or highlighting the solutions to the talent related challenges that our clients face, so this is where the whole theme and story for the brand began.”
And your strapline ‘Powered by data, proven by people’ – what’s the meaning behind it?
Lee:“Research is of course a lot about data, but we know that the value for our clients has always been in the way that we interpret that data and provide them with the “so what?” that we so often talk about. The human aspect of what we do is also vital. Harnessing real time feedback from real people and having the skills to ask the right questions to gain the insight our clients need. No automated system or AI tool will ever replace this. We take this combined data and human-led approach and clarify the complex, ultimately allowing our clients to make better people-based business decisions.”
How is Luminos different to other talent research consultancies?
Natalie:“Our combined experience in the talent research world has taught us a lot and we spotted a gap in the market for a simplified, more economic and transparent offer that brings clarity to the research-led process and enables employers of all types and sizes to reap the benefits of it.
“Making effective business decisions is all about being armed with the necessary insight and when it comes to people strategies this shouldn’t be any different. Our talent research offer is completely outcomes focused. We always look for what the ultimate objective is, so that we are thinking beyond the short term goals and about how we can have the maximum impact, to support our clients. This goes back to the origins of talent insight. Ensuring that we utilise the information gathered to inform and steer our projects, whether the goal is finding the best talent, or helping clients overcome a talent related challenge.”
Setting up your own business is a big step – why now?
Lee: “We have launched at what we see as a pivotal moment for the talent acquisition marketplace – hiring conditions are still challenging, although certainly improving and there are so many factors at play for business leaders to think about. Whether that’s navigating a post pandemic labour market, having the ability to attract and support individuals from diverse backgrounds, engaging passive candidates, implementing skills-based hiring, considering the impact of AI or the importance of having a strong employer brand. With recruitment and retention of talent at the top of the agenda for most boards, there’s never been a better time to invest in talent research.”
Tell us a bit more about yourselves. We hear there’s a theme!
Lee: “Outside of work I spend a lot of time on a football pitch whether that’s playing (just about) or coaching. I currently coach my boyhood club, Harrogate Railway first team in the Northern Counties East League and an Under 16’s grassroots team in my local area and I think my love of the game has definitely influenced my career choice. I’ve always been really interested in the ways that the business world can learn from the sporting world and vice versa and the importance and value of having a team that is balanced, gels and works together towards the same outcome and this is essentially what we support our clients to do.”
Natalie: “As a mum of two boys, I also spend most weekends watching football and everyone in my house is a bit obsessed! I am a lifelong Wolves fan and had a season ticket growing up, so it has always been a big part of my life. Sport in general is a real passion for me, and whether it was netball or running, has helped me in various parts of my life. There are so many similarities between sport and business. I am a researcher at heart, so using data to improve performance and the marginal gains that became famous through Dave Brailsford are really interesting to me. I think talent research can in some ways have a similar effect in terms of the improvements that it can drive. I also think that sport drives a mentality of knowing your team and understanding motivations to drive performance, which again is something that we can achieve through talent research. We have had great success with clients helping them to navigate challenging talent pools, just through helping them understand their motivations and aspirations, then recommending how they can use this information.”
And finally what talent challenges do you see Luminos supporting clients with this year and beyond?
Natalie: “I was asked about this recently and contributed, along with other talent experts, to a feature by our friends at Instant Impact. Key themes identified included the need to get better at agile workforce planning, adapting and planning around skills shortages, continued focus on candidate experience and embracing the opportunities from AI. These are all things we are talking to clients about already in 2024 and all challenges that we are excited to support with. Read the full article HERE.”
