31.7.25
und
1.8.25
Niehler Straße 104, Gebäude B, 50733 Köl
Access to an exclusive network of HR executives
Strategies for talents of tomorrow
Events based on Expertise x Experience
What you can expect
You aim to establish a talent acquisition function that consistently delivers the right talent, exactly on time in a cost effective manner? Then the D2T Executive Retreat is the right format for you – designed specifically for senior HR professionals with a strategic agenda.
🎯 Over two days, we will first provide a market-oriented perspective: What are the current economic conditions, and what do they mean for your HR strategy – today and in the years to come? We will then assess the maturity of your talent acquisition setup, identify critical gaps, and translate them into strategic priorities with a clear Return on Investment. A pre-event baseline assessment will help determine your current state – providing the foundation for data-driven decisions and long-term improvement.
Objective: Position recruiting as a strategic business function and define the initiatives that will enable HR to evolve from a cost- into a profit center.
🧠 The program includes in-depth insights into the role of HR in dynamic markets, a structured introduction to the Recruiting Excellence methodology, and guided group work based on your individual assessment report. You will leave with a comprehensive gap analysis, a prioritized roadmap and a scorecard to track ongoing progress and measurable results.
👥 This retreat gives you the space to elevate your recruiting strategy: strategic, data-driven, and execution-ready. And as always: real connections, inspiring conversations, and a memorable dinner experience in Cologne.
Our speakers
“Hi, I'm Clara and I work for one of the most innovative HR tech companies in Germany: talentsconnect. I started out as a product owner almost seven years ago and was able to build our very first data team from scratch. Today I am a passionate podcaster (see “Clara makes it clearer” and “Direct to Talent”), co-founder of the “Direct to Talent Community” and proud lead of our “Recruiting Intelligence” tribe at talentsconnect. Together, we've already helped thousands of recruiters, HR managers and marketeers significantly improve their recruiting performance through data.”
Mark-Christian Schmidt is Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) at talentsconnect and is one of the leading minds in strategic HR and data-driven recruiting in Europe. With over a decade of experience in global HR roles, including at Viessmann and Zalando, he has made a name for himself as a thought leader for modern talent strategies.
As a speaker, Mark impresses with his ability to communicate complex HR topics in an understandable and practical way. His focus is on topics such as retention strategies, active sourcing, preboarding and the transformation of HR departments into strategic profit centers.
In doing so, he combines in-depth knowledge with an inspiring presentation style that encourages rethinking and provides concrete recommendations for action.
“Hi, I'm Clara and I work for one of the most innovative HR tech companies in Germany: talentsconnect. I started out as a product owner almost seven years ago and was able to build our very first data team from scratch. Today I am a passionate podcaster (see “Clara makes it clearer” and “Direct to Talent”), co-founder of the “Direct to Talent Community” and proud lead of our “Recruiting Intelligence” tribe at talentsconnect. Together, we've already helped thousands of recruiters, HR managers and marketeers significantly improve their recruiting performance through data.”
With decades of experience across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, I’ve built and transformed high-performing Talent Acquisition teams for some of the world’s biggest companies.
- Co-Creator of the Recruiting Excellence Methodology
- Lead author of the Hiring Success Methodology
- Industry keynote speaker & thought leader
- Advisor to global enterprises on TA transformation
- Followed by thousands of TA leaders worldwide
- Award winning Head of Talent
I don’t just talk about Talent Acquisition – I build and implement the strategies that make hiring a competitive advantage.
“Hi, I'm Clara and I work for one of the most innovative HR tech companies in Germany: talentsconnect. I started out as a product owner almost seven years ago and was able to build our very first data team from scratch. Today I am a passionate podcaster (see “Clara makes it clearer” and “Direct to Talent”), co-founder of the “Direct to Talent Community” and proud lead of our “Recruiting Intelligence” tribe at talentsconnect. Together, we've already helped thousands of recruiters, HR managers and marketeers significantly improve their recruiting performance through data.”
With over 15 years in HR, I have established myself as a Global TA Lead, HR blogger, podcaster, and author, contributing significantly to the evolution of recruiting, personal marketing, and employer branding in Germany.
- Co-Creator of the Recruiting Excellence Methodology
- Expert in Employer Branding, Personal Marketing & Recruiting
- Specialist in HR Digitalization & Transformation
- Advocate for Professional HR & Future Work
- Initiator of the ‘Schicht im Schacht’ Recruiting Conference
- Recipient of multiple awards for innovative HR concepts
I am passionate about transforming HR practices to create people-centric organizations supported by technology and data.
Countdown to the event
What access to this event offers you
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Exclusive network of HR executives
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Cutting-edge knowledge on strategic HR topics
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Dive into the unique talentsconnect corporate culture
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Fun in the craziest office
- Strategic talent for today and tomorrow:
Inspiration to optimally align your corporate strategy in order to find and retain the best talent in the right place at the right time. - Deep insights and joint strategies:
Dive into the exclusive “Direct to Talent Executive retreats,” where we deal intensively with strategies, share best practices and highlight the latest industry trends. - Inspiring exchange for HR managers:
Regardless of whether you are an HR manager, CHRO or person responsible for the recruiting & retention strategy in your company — here you will find the perfect setting to exchange ideas with like-minded people about strategic topics relating to people & culture and to develop yourself personally.
- Dive into the talentsconnect culture:
Experience not only knowledge transfer, but also feel our unique corporate culture first-hand and become part of an inspiring community.
- Combining business and fun:
Not only do you get deep insights into HR topics, but also enjoy extraordinary activities such as meditation, ice bathing and refreshing drinks at the roof top bar — for an inspiring and unforgettable retreat experience. - Shaping the future together:
Be part of a unique network of HR experts who not only share knowledge, but also have fun together and explore innovative ways of developing talent.
O-Töne von Teilnehmenden
The Program
We kick things off with relaxed music, informal conversations and a flying lunch to get everyone settled in.
We start with a macroeconomic perspective: What are the current market dynamics and what do they mean for the future of HR? We introduce the talentsconnect ROI Curve and discuss the key value drivers that turn HR from a cost center into a strategic function.
What’s the actual purpose of TA – and how can we measure excellence? Together with Tony De Graaf, we introduce the Recruiting Excellence methodology and its Maturity Assessment. Participants will reflect on their own maturity levels and identify performance gaps as a starting point for strategic improvement.
In small groups, we prioritise key action areas based on the REM Assessment. We define current roadblocks, ideal outcomes, and create first ideas for transformation.
We head to our dinner location together – culinary surprises included :)
We start day two with an informal game to re-energise and reconnect as a group.
How do we turn strategic priorities into tangible actions? In this session, Marcel Rütten introduces the continuous improvement approach of Recruiting Excellence – including scoping cards, implementation roadmaps and the Recruiting Excellence Scorecard to track progress and results.
What are you taking away? What do you need next?
For those staying in Cologne, our office is open for coworking in the afternoon.
The Program
We kick things off with relaxed music, informal conversations and a flying lunch to get everyone settled in.
We start with a macroeconomic perspective: What are the current market dynamics and what do they mean for the future of HR? We introduce the talentsconnect ROI Curve and discuss the key value drivers that turn HR from a cost center into a strategic function.
What’s the actual purpose of TA – and how can we measure excellence? Together with Tony De Graaf, we introduce the Recruiting Excellence methodology and its Maturity Assessment. Participants will reflect on their own maturity levels and identify performance gaps as a starting point for strategic improvement.
In small groups, we prioritise key action areas based on the REM Assessment. We define current roadblocks, ideal outcomes, and create first ideas for transformation.
We head to our dinner location together – culinary surprises included :)
How to get on the D2T Executive Shortlist
- Fill out the application form
- Check & result by email within 2 working days
- Invitation to the next Executive Retreat
- 🚀 Let's go - have fun!
Any Questions?
