003 - The Great Human Capital Shuffle

On this episode of The Experience Builders Podcast, the team talks about the decision to bring in people from outside the events industry and why it can pay off. Michael McMahon of Hill & Partners shares why he made that call during a rebuilding period and what it’s taught him about people, culture, and trusting the process.

What’s Discussed

A New Hiring Mindset

• When the industry reopened, the talent pool looked different.
• Many people had left for other careers, creating tough choices for companies ready to rebuild.
• Rather than wait for familiar talent, some teams looked to other industries for skills that translate—like hospitality, service, and agency backgrounds.

Adapting After the Shuffle

• The “great human capital shuffle” created massive career movement.
• Businesses had to rebuild with whoever was ready to grow, not just those with experience.
• The focus shifted to hiring people with the right attitude and critical thinking skills.

Building Back Stronger

• Rebuilding isn’t just about refilling positions—it’s about redesigning the approach to service.
• Adopting a “concierge mindset” toward clients means the human side matters more than ever.
• Companies that hire for curiosity and care are finding that industry expertise can be taught later.

Our Take

At CREW XP, we get this. Our business runs on people who show up, think fast, and care about the end result. Sometimes the best team members aren’t from the industry, they’re the ones ready to learn it.