Talent Management Truths

Aligning People and Business Strategies with Cindy Thomas

May 08, 2024 Lisa Mitchell / Cindy Thomas Episode 128
Aligning People and Business Strategies with Cindy Thomas
Talent Management Truths
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Talent Management Truths
Aligning People and Business Strategies with Cindy Thomas
May 08, 2024 Episode 128
Lisa Mitchell / Cindy Thomas

 "I think that business strategy is important, but the people strategy is equally important to support the business strategy. So when the business strategy evolves, you have to evolve the people strategy." - Cindy Thomas

How well does your people strategy align with the overall business strategy for your organization?   Are you part of the process up front, or catching up in reaction mode after the business strategy is locked down?   In today’s episode, my guest makes the case for why the PEOPLE strategy must be a critical component of an organization’s overall goals and strategy.

My guest is Cindy Thomas. Cindy is an Executive HR professional, business leader, coach, facilitator, and speaker. Her work draws on 20 years of organizational leadership experience, Business transformation and  Executive Coaching in multiple global locations. 

She started her career in the financial services industry in 2004 at PwC. Before joining KONE Canada as the Director of People & Communications in 2023 she was the Head of People & Performance (CANAC & R&D) at Kraft Heinz, and prior to that the VP of People &  Culture at Quark Expeditions (a Global Polar Expeditions company part of the Travelopia (KKR) group) in hospitality, travel, and tourism industry. 

She has worked in several executive management positions with PwC, Nokia, Hilton Worldwide, and  Pizza Hut International (Yum! Brands) on four continents, namely: Africa, Asia, North & South America. 

Based in Canada, in her current position, Cindy Thomas leads the People & Communications (HR) for KONE, Canada.

Cindy Thomas is a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, with specialization in Business:  Industrial Psychology and Logistics Management with a further specialization in Labor Relations &  Organizational Development. She is married and is a mother to a daughter. As an avid traveler and eternal explorer, Cindy speaks English and Afrikaans fluently and has learned German, French and  Spanish as part of her many travels and work experiences. The only continent she has yet to land on is Australia.

In this episode of Talent Management Truths, you’ll discover:

  • A fascinating and truly global career journey
  • Thoughts on the synergy between business strategy and people strategy
  • An example of a hybrid work model that drives collaboration, and tips on how to create it

Links



Stay Connected


JOIN our free, value-added Community of Peers and Learning!

Lisa hosts regular FREE Talent Talks for HR and Talent Management Leaders to expand your network, spark ideas and learn with your peers. We leverage large group discussion and small group breakouts: https://www.greenappleconsulting.ca/TalentTalks


Share the Show

Like what you’ve heard? Pretty please with an apple on top - kindly leave me a 5* review so that others can find the show and elevate their impact too! Here are the simple instructions:

  • Launch Apple's Podcast app on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Tap the Search icon (on the botton) and search for “Talent Management Truths.” Tap the album art.
  • On the podcast page, tap the Reviews tab.
  • Tap Write a Review at the bottom of this page.

Follow me

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mitchell-acc-ctdp-7437636/

Instagram: @greenappleconsulting

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenappleconsulting.ca

Show Notes

 "I think that business strategy is important, but the people strategy is equally important to support the business strategy. So when the business strategy evolves, you have to evolve the people strategy." - Cindy Thomas

How well does your people strategy align with the overall business strategy for your organization?   Are you part of the process up front, or catching up in reaction mode after the business strategy is locked down?   In today’s episode, my guest makes the case for why the PEOPLE strategy must be a critical component of an organization’s overall goals and strategy.

My guest is Cindy Thomas. Cindy is an Executive HR professional, business leader, coach, facilitator, and speaker. Her work draws on 20 years of organizational leadership experience, Business transformation and  Executive Coaching in multiple global locations. 

She started her career in the financial services industry in 2004 at PwC. Before joining KONE Canada as the Director of People & Communications in 2023 she was the Head of People & Performance (CANAC & R&D) at Kraft Heinz, and prior to that the VP of People &  Culture at Quark Expeditions (a Global Polar Expeditions company part of the Travelopia (KKR) group) in hospitality, travel, and tourism industry. 

She has worked in several executive management positions with PwC, Nokia, Hilton Worldwide, and  Pizza Hut International (Yum! Brands) on four continents, namely: Africa, Asia, North & South America. 

Based in Canada, in her current position, Cindy Thomas leads the People & Communications (HR) for KONE, Canada.

Cindy Thomas is a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, with specialization in Business:  Industrial Psychology and Logistics Management with a further specialization in Labor Relations &  Organizational Development. She is married and is a mother to a daughter. As an avid traveler and eternal explorer, Cindy speaks English and Afrikaans fluently and has learned German, French and  Spanish as part of her many travels and work experiences. The only continent she has yet to land on is Australia.

In this episode of Talent Management Truths, you’ll discover:

  • A fascinating and truly global career journey
  • Thoughts on the synergy between business strategy and people strategy
  • An example of a hybrid work model that drives collaboration, and tips on how to create it

Links



Stay Connected


JOIN our free, value-added Community of Peers and Learning!

Lisa hosts regular FREE Talent Talks for HR and Talent Management Leaders to expand your network, spark ideas and learn with your peers. We leverage large group discussion and small group breakouts: https://www.greenappleconsulting.ca/TalentTalks


Share the Show

Like what you’ve heard? Pretty please with an apple on top - kindly leave me a 5* review so that others can find the show and elevate their impact too! Here are the simple instructions:

  • Launch Apple's Podcast app on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Tap the Search icon (on the botton) and search for “Talent Management Truths.” Tap the album art.
  • On the podcast page, tap the Reviews tab.
  • Tap Write a Review at the bottom of this page.

Follow me

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mitchell-acc-ctdp-7437636/

Instagram: @greenappleconsulting

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenappleconsulting.ca

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