The Anti-Org Chart: Why Colin Zima Traded HR for Chaos (and Won)

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The Anti-Org Chart: Why Colin Zima Traded HR for Chaos (and Won)

HR Heretics

Jan 09, 2025

Transcript

Colin Zima, former Looker exec turned Omni CEO, reveals how he runs a 65-person Series A startup with no HR or G&A team. Learn why he believes in minimal bureaucracy, why founders should do the "dirty work," and what really breaks after a Google acquisition.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

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KEEP UP WITH COLIN, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Colin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinzima

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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CHECK OUT:

Omni: https://omni.co/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Introduction
(01:44) No G&A at Omni
(04:50) Learning by Doing
(09:10) Maximizing Roles
(10:23) The Need for G&A
(12:53) Sponsor: Metaview
(14:49) Benefits of Doing the Work
(15:32) Hiring a People Leader
(18:19) Contractors vs FTEs
(20:39) In-Office vs Remote
(23:08) Homogenous Culture
(26:25) Recruiting for Non-Networked People
(29:31) Performance Management
(32:24) Sales Ops and Performance
(34:47) Unique Recruiting at Omni
(37:00) Looker Acquisition by Google
(42:24) Wrap

Discussion about this podcast

“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies

After a decade+ of “blitz-scaling” companies, HR, talent, and People leaders now face an uncertain economy that has already seen big booms and busts. What will it take to construct the next generation of incredible businesses – and where can people leaders have the most business impact?

Hosts Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich have been through it all, the highs and the lows – IPOs, layoffs, executive turnover, board meetings, culture changes, and more. With a lineup of industry vets and experts, Nolan and Kelli break down the nitty-gritty details, trade offs, and dynamics of constructing high performing companies. Through unfiltered conversations that can only happen between seasoned practitioners – Kelli and Nolan dive deep into the kind of leadership-level strategy that often happens behind closed doors.

This show is for those who are ready to ditch conventional wisdom and figure out from first principles what works for their culture, business model, and industry, with the goal of building a resilient and enduring company. You’ll come away with real guidance for seeing around corners, building enduring companies, and carving out an impactful career – plus a newly-honed bullshit detector.

Topics frequently touched on in this season include: building high performing cultures, compensation negotiation, performance reviews, company design, equity, M&As, recruiting the best talent, and how to manage your own psychology as a people leader.

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