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Guardian Life is facing challenges not dissimilar to many businesses today: how to remain competitive and manage the costs associated with it. Long-time Braintrust customer and Head of Consumer Engagement Programs at Guardian Carole Pirozzi leads a startup within the corporate entity, tasked with doubling down on the company’s investment in a digital consumer business channel. She spoke with us about the talent management strategy she developed and how Braintrust has been able to help her drive innovation.
Embracing Change: A Strategic Shift in Business Focus
Guardian Life has an ambitious goal to move from being a traditional insurer to a trusted advisor to be a champion of wellbeing. “We're not the only ones looking to be seen that way in today's world,” said Carole, and the question she is asking herself is, “How do we establish not only our right to play, but our right to win?”
Carole and her team’s mandate was to grow the business and operationalize the learnings for the entire organization.
No pressure.
“They gave us the freedom and the flexibility – along with the extreme accountability, to deliver, “ said Carole.
The Challenge of Innovation
Carole knew she needed the right talent to drive their digital initiatives. "We needed to move faster, raise the bar for our talent, and close significant capability gaps, especially in the digital space.”
This need for specialized skills and rapid deployment led Guardian Life to explore alternative talent models.
Carole's introduction to Braintrust was serendipitous, and the platform swiftly became an essential component of their strategy, “a couple of us said, let's give this a try. And we have never, ever looked back.”
The Braintrust Advantage
When looking for contract talent, Carole said they tried many different platforms and networks however, “the talent Braintrust has brought us has been a real win… often above what we get from other networks.”
“I really believe the reason is because of your user-owned model. The whole way you operate drives quality talent, flexibility, transparency, and cost efficiency. That same freelancer might be on multiple networks, but they are better for being part of Braintrust,” said Carole.
This is a sentiment we hear from Braintrust customers often; that our talent is higher quality, higher skilled, more committed to the work, and overall a better culture fit than contractors from other companies.
A Champion for Change
With the help of Braintrust, Carole has gone on to do exactly what she set out to do: grow the business and operationalize the learnings for the entire organization.
However, it’s not without resistance. “I think sometimes people are hesitant to change the vendors they have worked with for a long time, but I reassure them that you all are incredibly flexible.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Carole’s story is just one of many exhibiting how embracing change, and partnering with Braintrust to find the right talent, paved the way for successful corporate evolution. Businesses that want to remain competitive can use this as a roadmap for the future.
To read a full recap of the Breakthrough event where Carole shared her story live, please click here.
