How Instant Teams Champions the Untapped Talent of Military Spouses with Erica McMannes

Blended Workforces at Work

IN THIS EPISODE...

This episode features Erica McMannes, the co-founder and Chief People and Community Officer at Instant Teams. Instant Teams is a pioneering customer experience marketplace dedicated to sourcing exceptional diverse talent for companies while championing the empowerment and employment of military spouses through remote work opportunities. With a mission-driven approach, Erica and her team have revolutionized traditional workforce models, leveraging their innovative platform to connect skilled individuals with meaningful roles across various industries.

Join us as Erica shares insights into their journey from startup inception to navigating the evolving landscape of remote work while highlighting the transformative impact of their inclusive hiring practices!

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ABOUT ERICA MCMANNES:

Erica McMannes is the Founder and Chief People & Community Officer of Instant Teams and Twelve Million Plus. She has been a leader in the military community for more than two decades, holding various roles within the Department of Defense and private sector. Before starting Instant Teams, Erica was a consultant for veteran-owned startups in Silicon Valley, specializing in remote team development and management, brand distribution, and content creation.

Erica has been highlighted at HubSpot's INBOUND Conference, Amazon's Women in Operations Leadership Summit, SHRM's Visionary Summit, and is a four-time presenter at the Military Influencer Conference and the Department of Defense's Annual Military Spouse Employment Partnership Summit. Also, she has served terms on non-profit boards, including the Board of Directors for Hampton Roads Start Peninsula and the Board of Directors for Impact100 Greater Peninsula.

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WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:

1. How does Instant Teams uniquely integrate military spouses into workforces?

2. What challenges does a military spouse face in building a career and personal identity?

3. What strategies does the company use to convince employers to hire military spouses?

4. What outcomes do blended workforces bring to organizations?

5. How do the co-founders divide leadership roles within their company?

6. What challenges and opportunities do military spouses face in a remote work startup?

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FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:

[02:45] From Military Spouse to Co-Founder: Building a Business with Purpose

[04:18] Turning Personal Challenges into a Business Solution: The Origin Story of Instant Teams

[06:35] How Instant Teams Connects Top Remote Talent with Enterprise Needs

[08:36] Instant Teams' Journey from Startup to Industry Leader

[11:08] How Instant Teams Leverages Diverse Talent to Meet Varied Operational Needs

[12:23] Instant Teams' Approach to Skill-Based Hiring and Support

[14:56] Future of Work

[18:00] Insights and Strategies for Embracing the Modern Workforce

[18:52] Diversity and Flexibility in the Modern Workplace

[19:46] A Story of Leadership Realization and Growth

[21:41] How Remote Female Founders Overcame Challenges to Scale

[23:29] Empowering Military Spouses in the Global Workforce

[25:44] The Journey of a People-Centric Startup

[27:18] Signature Segment: Erica's entry into the LATTOYG Playbook: Advice for Military Spouses Entering the Job Market

[29:33] Signature Segment: Erica's LATTOYG Tactic of Choice: Leading with The Drive For Results

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LINKS FOR ERICA:

Website: instantteams.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericamcmannes/

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU:

Overview: The Lead at the Top of Your Game Leadership Development Experience