Barbara Bruno: Empowering the Future of the Labor Market

Elevating HR Partnerships to Transform Businesses and Empower Employees!

The rise of automation and technology in the mid-20th century led to increased efficiency in production processes, which, in turn, altered the demand for certain skill sets. Manual tasks were gradually replaced by machines, giving rise to a demand for a more specialized and technologically adept workforce. This marked the beginning of a skills-based labor market, where expertise and adaptability became essential for career advancement.

In this dynamic labor market, staffing plays a crucial role in connecting employers with the right talent. Staffing agencies and platforms serve as bridges between job seekers and organizations, streamlining the hiring process and matching candidates with suitable opportunities. Through their vast networks and data-driven approaches, staffing agencies identify candidates who possess the skills and experience needed to meet an organization’s specific requirements.

Barbara Bruno, the Chief Practice Officer of Gi Group, stands as a trailblazing visionary with a mission to revolutionize the labor market. With an unwavering commitment to driving positive change, she believes that staffing can be a potent force in reshaping the value it provides to businesses and employees alike.

Barbara’s philosophy is rooted in the notion of acting as genuine HR business partners, elevating the role of staffing beyond mere transactional services. This approach calls for a focus on building skills within the organization and nurturing a culture of professionalism and dedication among the resources. According to her, true success lies in going the extra mile, exceeding expectations, and delivering unparalleled value to clients and candidates.

As the Senior Director of Global Temp & Perm at Gi Group, one of the world’s largest HR service providers, Barbara Bruno spearheads a team that offers a wide spectrum of services, including Temporary, Permanent, and Professional staffing; outsourcing; training; outplacement; HR consulting; search and selection; and executive search. This comprehensive suite of offerings allows Gi Group to be a versatile partner in the ever-evolving labor market.

Reflecting on her journey, Barbara considers herself fortunate to have joined Gi Group during its early days as a small firm in Northern Italy. Guided by Stefano Colli Lanzi, the company’s founder, the vision was set on creating an international HR services powerhouse, becoming the first Italian multinational in the staffing industry. The ambition was daring, yet profoundly inspiring, and Barbara knew that she wanted to be part of this grand undertaking, contributing to the construction of an industrial cathedral.

Let us delve deeper into her profound journey!

Visionary: A Global Leader in Staffing and HR Services

Barbara possesses over 20 years of expertise in the staffing and HR services industries. In her current role, she holds responsibility for the practice’s business model and its global implementation. This involves coordinating strategic decisions, such as methodologies, procedures, and operational techniques, and adapting them to suit various local markets.

Additionally, Barbara plays a vital role in creating the worldwide Temp and Perm strategy in collaboration with the Global CEO. She provides support to regions and nations in implementing the global plan at the local level. For the past nine years, she has also been an integral part of the International Management Board of the Gi Group, contributing to its overall success and growth.

She says, “Every day I spend most of my time videoconferencing with different countries or with my team to make projects progress.”

Driving Growth and Success

Barbara is a highly experienced and hands-on professional who has made significant contributions to the success of Gi Group in various global marketplaces. Her approach combines a strategic mindset with a strong focus on operational efficiency, making her a valuable asset to the company.

Her journey with Gi Group began humbly as a recruitment consultant in one of their Italian offices. However, her dedication and hard work propelled her through the ranks, taking on increasingly challenging roles. She managed staffing services, supervised branch operations, and developed customer solutions, showcasing her versatility and leadership skills.

Barbara’s impact extended beyond national boundaries, as she played a pivotal role in the company’s international expansion efforts. Her expertise and insight were recognized, leading to her becoming the global point of contact for operations and solution design when the International Department was established.

During her tenure from 2012 to 2017, Barbara focused on crafting tailored solutions for multinational clients across the globe. One of her significant achievements was revitalizing the staffing business line in Germany, where she skillfully balanced insights from different countries with the unique characteristics of the local market.

In recognition of her exceptional performance and leadership, Barbara was promoted to the position of Talent and Candidate Director in 2018. Finally, in January 2019, she assumed the prestigious role of Global Head of Temp and Perm staffing at Gi Group.

Gi Group: Meeting Staffing Demands

Gi Group is a multifaceted organization engaged in a range of complementary operations, including temporary and permanent staffing, advanced outsourcing, search and selection, training, outplacement, and HR consultancy. With a global presence, the company operates in more than 58 countries, spanning Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. This extensive reach is made possible through both its direct presence and strategic partnerships worldwide.

Gi Group’s success is attributed to its in-depth knowledge and expertise in meeting the staffing demands of multinational companies. To cater to diverse client needs, the company has implemented specific solutions and established specialized divisions.

Barbara emphasizes the company’s commitment to promoting respect for human rights and fostering diversity and inclusion. She states, “We promote respect for human rights and diversity and inclusion; we support all legislation that provides greater protection to workers and takes an active role in eradicating corruption and any form of abuse or illegal behavior.”

Balancing Professional Aspirations

According to Barbara, success is primarily a state of mind. It goes beyond external recognition and is best measured by looking back at one’s journey and realizing that all dreams and aspirations have become a consistent reality in life. For her, success in her professional life means being able to do the work she has always envisioned, even when she was a student. On a personal level, she feels blessed with a loving family, including two wonderful children who bring immense joy and fulfillment to her life. This combination of professional achievement and personal happiness is what defines true success for Barbara.

Key Factors in Navigating the Path to Success

According to Barbara, the journey to success may not always be smooth, but facing challenges and taking risks along the way makes one stronger and wiser. Making mistakes is a natural part of the process, and she believes it is crucial to learn from those mistakes and recover quickly. Recognizing when you are wrong and making necessary changes promptly is essential to staying on the right path.

Barbara emphasizes the importance of listening to others and considering different perspectives, but she also values the power of trusting her instincts. While instinct may not always be perfect, she believes it holds valuable insights that can guide decision-making if one is willing to pay attention to them.

Transitioning Towards Tailor-made Solutions

Barbara highlights a significant achievement of the company, which is transitioning from a sales-driven approach to a service-driven one. As an HR Services company, selling is essential, but the real value lies in providing tailor-made solutions that cater to the specific needs of customers and candidates. Gi Group recognizes that its services are all about people, and the focus is on designing solutions that are not only effective but also enjoyable for all stakeholders involved.

Gi Group is guided by six core principles: care, passion, constant learning, innovation, cooperation, sustainability, and accountability. These principles drive the company in a rapidly changing environment, fostering curiosity and a commitment to continuous improvement and development for both the organization and its stakeholders.

In a competitive HR Services industry dominated by larger and more established companies, Gi Group has carved out a distinctive position. Despite being smaller and younger than its top competitors, the company is rapidly gaining ground. Barbara emphasizes that Gi Group leverages its agility and flat hierarchy to make strategic decisions and investments quickly, giving them a competitive edge in the market. Moreover, the company’s dedication and hard work further contribute to its growth and success.

Building the Future 

The teams at Gi Group are driven by a strong sense of purpose and take pride in delivering their work to the highest standards. They believe in providing value to individuals, organizations, and the environment by offering simple and effective solutions. In Barbara’s business line, Temporary & Permanent Staffing, her goal is to create a cohesive global team of talented individuals who share common objectives and enrich the company’s business model with their unique experiences. This approach aims to elevate staffing from being viewed as a mere commodity to a value-added service.

To achieve this vision, Barbara has initiated the “Build the Future” program within the business line. This program encourages all members of Gi Group’s global staffing community to understand the company’s purpose in the labor market, develop their skills and expertise, and contribute to fulfilling the needs of both customers and candidates.

Gi Group’s management has set an ambitious target of reaching €6 billion in its three-year plan, with a primary focus on expanding its market share in staffing. This expansion will involve a significant volume acquisition strategy, encompassing both organic growth and acquisitions of country-based staffing firms. The company aims to strengthen the synergy and integration between its various business lines to fuel further growth and success.