Walter Sabrin takes us behind the scenes of one of the most remarkable growth stories in the HR industry. As Chief Talent Officer at Vensure Employer Solutions, he's orchestrated talent strategy through 94 acquisitions in just six years, transforming a company with modest beginnings into the world's largest private HR outsourcing firm.
The phrase "violent execution" might sound alarming, but as Walter explains, this term perfectly encapsulates the focused, competitive culture driving Vensure's explosive growth. This cultural alignment remains Walter's north star as he navigates talent acquisition across a global portfolio of brands, balancing aggressive scaling with consistent values.
Walter's journey from competitive tennis to talent leadership has profoundly shaped his approach to recruitment. The discipline, compartmentalization, and resilience developed on the court translate directly to talent acquisition challenges. "You're never as good as you are when you win a point and you're never as bad as you are when you lose a point," Walter shares, highlighting how this athletic mindset prevents the emotional rollercoaster many recruiters experience when deals succeed or fail.
Perhaps most fascinating is Vensure's near-shore hiring revolution. What began as 11 employees working from a house in Medellin, Colombia has exploded to 40,000 staff across 32 countries. This approach delivers approximately 65% savings on wages while dramatically expanding access to global talent. Walter candidly admits his transformation from American-centric thinking to recognizing the extraordinary capabilities of international talent when properly engaged and respected.
While embracing technological advances in recruitment, Walter makes a compelling case for the irreplaceable human element in hiring decisions. Despite the hype around AI and automation, he firmly believes that human intuition – the "gut feeling" that can't be replicated by algorithms – will remain essential to quality hiring.
Connect with Walter on LinkedIn or email him at waltersabrin@vensure.com to learn more about Vensure's approach to global talent acquisition and how their strategies might benefit your organization's growth journey.
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