TalentForge360 Insights

TalentForge360 Insights

Your 360° view on modern talent strategies, from acquisition to retention.

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People OperationsPeople Operations
+14+14
The Startup & SMB Achilles' Heel: Fixing Retention Before Day One

The Startup & SMB Achilles' Heel: Fixing Retention Before Day One

Insights from two decades in HR on why your early engagement process is critical and likely needs attention.

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Future of WorkFuture of Work
+15+15
Don't Build on Sand: The HR Foundations Your Scaling Business Needs Before It Breaks

Don't Build on Sand: The HR Foundations Your Scaling Business Needs Before It Breaks

Lessons from 20 years advising startups & SMBs on the essential people infrastructure that prevents chaos and enables growth.

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+21+21
Hire #1: The Most Important Check You'll Write (And How to Get It Right)

Hire #1: The Most Important Check You'll Write (And How to Get It Right)

A 20-year HR veteran's guide for startups & SMBs on navigating the strategic, practical, and legal steps before bringing on your first employee.

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Future of WorkFuture of Work
+18+18
W2 Employee or 1099 Contractor? Getting This Wrong Could Cost Your Startup Everything

W2 Employee or 1099 Contractor? Getting This Wrong Could Cost Your Startup Everything

An HR veteran's breakdown of worker classification for startups & SMBs: understanding the risks, the tests, and how to stay compliant.

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Performance ManagementPerformance Management
+18+18
Your First Employee Handbook: Moving Beyond Compliance to Clarity & Culture

Your First Employee Handbook: Moving Beyond Compliance to Clarity & Culture

Why even lean startups need a simple handbook, what really needs to be in it, and how it shapes your company from Day 1.

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Future of WorkFuture of Work
+16+16
Startup Comp & Equity: Beyond Market Rate - Crafting Offers That Win

Startup Comp & Equity: Beyond Market Rate - Crafting Offers That Win

How lean startups and SMBs can strategically utilize compensation, including cash, equity, and other benefits, to attract and retain the talent essential for scaling.

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud

Archive

Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+23+23
From Chaos to Clarity: Building Your First HR Stack Without Overengineering It

From Chaos to Clarity: Building Your First HR Stack Without Overengineering It

The essential tools and systems every startup needs before they hit 50 employees

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+22+22
Start with Values: How to Design a People-First Company Before You Hit 10 Employees

Start with Values: How to Design a People-First Company Before You Hit 10 Employees

The earliest decisions you make about culture, values, and expectations will shape everything that follows

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+22+22
Compensation Isn’t Enough: The Rise of Micro-Benefits in Startup Retention

Compensation Isn’t Enough: The Rise of Micro-Benefits in Startup Retention

Why small perks with personal impact are helping startups retain top talent even when they cannot outspend bigger companies

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+23+23
Don’t Skip Stay Interviews: Why They’re a Startup’s Secret Weapon for Retention

Don’t Skip Stay Interviews: Why They’re a Startup’s Secret Weapon for Retention

Exit interviews come too late. Stay interviews uncover what matters while there is still time to act

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+22+22
Start with Values: How to Design a People-First Company Before You Hit 10 Employees

Start with Values: How to Design a People-First Company Before You Hit 10 Employees

The earliest decisions you make about culture, values, and expectations will shape everything that follows

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+21+21
Startups and Mental Health: Building a Resilient Team Without Burning Them Out

Startups and Mental Health: Building a Resilient Team Without Burning Them Out

How early-stage companies can promote high performance while protecting well-being and preventing silent burnout

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Performance ManagementPerformance Management
+22+22
Scaling International Teams: Hiring Globally Without Losing Your Mind or Getting It Wrong

Scaling International Teams: Hiring Globally Without Losing Your Mind or Getting It Wrong

A practical guide for startups expanding across borders—from legal basics to cultural alignment

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+20+20
Equity Education 101: Helping Candidates Understand Their Offer Before They Walk AwayNew Post

Equity Education 101: Helping Candidates Understand Their Offer Before They Walk AwayNew Post

Most candidates say no to equity-heavy offers because they don’t understand them. Here’s how startups can fix that and close top talent with confidence

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+21+21
The Performance Review Makeover: Ditching Annual Reviews for Real Feedback Loops

The Performance Review Makeover: Ditching Annual Reviews for Real Feedback Loops

Why startups should stop waiting twelve months to tell employees how they’re doing and what to build instead

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Performance ManagementPerformance Management
+17+17
Founders, Don’t Be the Bottleneck: When to Hand Off HR, Recruiting, and Ops

Founders, Don’t Be the Bottleneck: When to Hand Off HR, Recruiting, and Ops

Knowing when to let go of the reins isn’t just smart. It’s essential if you want to scale with clarity and speed

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Talent AcquisitionTalent Acquisition
+21+21
Ghosting Isn’t Just for Dating: Why Candidates Disappear and How to Stop It

Ghosting Isn’t Just for Dating: Why Candidates Disappear and How to Stop It

Understanding the psychology of candidate ghosting and how startups can build trust, reduce friction, and keep top talent engaged from first contact to final offer

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
Performance ManagementPerformance Management
+18+18
The Startup Onboarding Formula: From Chaos to Clarity in 7 Days

The Startup Onboarding Formula: From Chaos to Clarity in 7 Days

How to turn your new hire's first week into a launchpad for success, even without a big HR team.

Riyadh Daud
Riyadh Daud
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