Attracting talent gets all the headlines, but retention is where the real competitive advantage lives. In a market where top performers are constantly being approached by competitors and salary expectations keep rising, holding on to your best people has never been harder. At the same time, the rapid pace of AI and automation means the skills companies need are shifting faster than ever, making internal development and mobility just as critical as external hiring. So how do you build a workplace where people genuinely want to stay and grow? My guests this week are Annika in der Beek, Chief People Officer, and Giovanni Di Felice, Director of Talent Acquisition at Statista. In our conversation, they share the science-backed framework behind what makes an excellent employer and explain how hiring and retention are becoming inseparable parts of the same strategy. In the interview, we discuss: Hiring challenges in AI and tech Encouraging candidates to use AI Why retention has become critical Measuring what makes an excellent employer Autonomy, competence, and relatedness at work The power of honest feedback Internal mobility and career development TA as a strategic business partner What does the future look like? Learn more about The Excellent Workplace Rating. Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.