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Brain breaks, deep-dives & blog articles

Read more about topics like Brains@work, talent identification, talent management, recruitment, talent development, professional well-being, brain coaching, brain games

19 Jan, 2023 •

The Foundation of Structured Interviews

There is no doubt that structured interviews are more reliable than the non-structured variants. By structuring interviews you reduce bias, such as the effect of the first impression. As soon as you, as a recruiter, see an applicant, you have (unconsciously) already made an initial judgment about someone, and there is a fair chance that […]

19 Jan, 2023 •

Essential Skills for a Successful Elite Trader

Everyone wants the best candidate for every open position. Especially when your company is growing rapidly, the right employee will accelerate your success. Therefore, there is a lot to gain in terms of growth and finances, but also a lot to lose if you don’t make the right assessment when filling the relevant vacancy. Now, […]

19 Jan, 2023 •

Nature or Nurture: Is Messi a Born or Made Talent?

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen. In the hunt for “the next Messi,” scouts, agents and trainers from all over the world are searching for the success formula. One of the crucial themes here: is an exceptionally good footballer born this way or created over the years on […]

16 Nov, 2023 •

Selecting Talent with Precision: The Art of Skills-Based Selection

Understanding Skills-Based Selection: An Essential HR Approach The concept of skills-based selection has become a pivotal aspect of modern HR practices. It emphasizes the objective evaluation of candidates’ competencies, both in their existing skills and their potential to acquire new ones. This approach ensures that hiring decisions are grounded in data-driven insights, leading to better […]

Selecting Talent with Precision: The Art of Skills-Based Selection

9 Nov, 2023 •

A computer game for children reveals secrets that the world’s biggest football clubs are looking for answers to

AZ Alkmaar: The club where coaching goes against convention AZ Alkmaar made Dutch footballing history in April. They became the first team from the Netherlands to win the UEFA Youth League, the under-19 age group’s Champions League equivalent. AZ’s youngsters scored 14 goals and kept three clean sheets in their four single-leg knockout matches from […]

A computer game for children reveals secrets that the world’s biggest football clubs are looking for answers to

9 Nov, 2023 •

Blood, sweat and brains

Blood, sweat and brains We analyze the success of the Dutch team that swept and won the Youth League When Roko Brajkovic puts the ball just centimeters too far, Dave Kwakman is right there. With a well-aimed tackle, the six-man from AZ Alkmaar wins the ball. The ball comes to substitute Meex Meerdink via top […]

Blood, sweat and brains

6 Nov, 2023 •

AZ Alkmaar and its revolution in talent acquisition: “The cognitive factor is crucial” – Marca

AZ Alkmaar and its revolution in talent acquisition: “The cognitive factor is crucial” We analyze the success of the Dutch team that swept and won the Youth League Some football fans may have been surprised by the success of AZ Alkamaar in the Youth League , after sweeping Barcelona (0-3), Real Madrid (0-4) and Hadjuk […]

AZ Alkmaar and its revolution in talent acquisition: “The cognitive factor is crucial” – Marca

6 Nov, 2023 •

What Makes An Elite Soccer Player’s Brain Different From The Rest Of Us – Forbes

What Makes An Elite Soccer Player’s Brain Different From The Rest Of Us – Forbes It’s not every day that Real Madrid get thrashed 4-0. But that’s what happened to their under-19 side in the quarterfinals of this year’s UEFA Youth League. The side who beat them, and who also beat Barcelona 3-0 in the […]

What Makes An Elite Soccer Player’s Brain Different From The Rest Of Us – Forbes

6 Nov, 2023 •

AZ Alkmaar use BrainsFirst test to identify best young talent and it has helped them win UEFA Youth League – Sky Sports

AZ Alkmaar use BrainsFirst test to identify best young talent and it has helped them win UEFA Youth League AZ Alkmaar have one of Europe’s most innovative and successful academies. Following their UEFA Youth League triumph, Adam Bate speaks to Eric Castien of BrainsFirst to find out more about the role that neuroscience is playing […]

AZ Alkmaar use BrainsFirst test to identify best young talent and it has helped them win UEFA Youth League – Sky Sports

2 Nov, 2023 •

Defining Skills: The Cornerstone of Skills-Based HR Practices

From Ambiguity to Clarity: Crafting a Robust Skills Framework for Your Organization In the first part of our series on skills-based HR practices, we explored the fundamental concept of skills and the pivotal role it plays in transitioning to a skills-based organization. Many organizations often struggle to make this shift, primarily because they underestimate the […]

Defining Skills: The Cornerstone of Skills-Based HR Practices

17 Oct, 2023 •

Building a Strong Foundation: The Power of Skills-Based Job Frameworks

Defining, Assessing, and Preparing for Talent Management in the Modern Workforce We hear about skills-based hiring, skills-based learning, and skills-based organizations everywhere. But what does it really mean, and how can organizations harness its potential effectively? As HR and talent acquisition professionals, the transition to skills-based practices can be a game-changer, promoting clarity, consistency, and […]

Building a Strong Foundation: The Power of Skills-Based Job Frameworks

5 Oct, 2023 •

Decoding HR Decision-Making: The Neuroscience of Choice

Exploring the Two Systems of Thinking and Their Impact on HR Recruitment Strategies Welcome to the first episode of #neuroscienceinsights, where we explore the science that guides our choices. In the limitless labyrinth of the human mind, decision-making is a fundamental process that shapes our daily performance at work. Varying from the simple job-related choices […]

Decoding HR Decision-Making: The Neuroscience of Choice

28 Sep, 2023 •

Harnessing Data-Driven Decision Making in HR: The Power of Game-Based Assessments

Why HR Should Care About Data and what Value it can Bring Us Decision-making based on data did feel harsh to many HR professionals. Now even those romantic ones understand that objective information is not replacing their gut feeling, but it at least gives them grip when making decisions in uncertain situations. In a world […]

Harnessing Data-Driven Decision Making in HR: The Power of Game-Based Assessments

26 Sep, 2023 •

Unconscious Bias in Recruitment: Blocking Equal Access on the Labor Market

Recognizing the Problem and Ways to Move Further Away from Unconscious Bias in Recruitment It’s not a problem that human beings are biased. The real problem is that the majority of people are not aware of this fact. The lack of diversity in companies is a widely discussed issue, with more than half of HR […]

Unconscious Bias in Recruitment: Blocking Equal Access on the Labor Market

21 Sep, 2023 •

Mismatch Brain and Job Raises Burnout Concerns Among Young Professionals

How Matching Cognition and Work Can Reduce Job-related Burnout Risk Job-related burnout has become more than a buzzword in the professional world and for a good reason. Besides affecting someone’s mental health it touches both productivity and overall job satisfaction considerably. And it’s not limited to a few demographic groups. Among the groups most susceptible […]

Mismatch Brain and Job Raises Burnout Concerns Among Young Professionals

19 Sep, 2023 •

Investing in Employee Development

A Sustainable Path to Talent Retention One of the key findings from recent employee development research by McKinsey (2022) indicates that 75% of workers are open to alternative career paths and growth opportunities within their current organizations. This revelation underscores the importance of investing in employee development as a potent tool for talent retention. In […]

Investing in Employee Development

13 Sep, 2023 •

Unlocking Potential with Skills-based Hiring

The Power of Skills-Based Hiring for Diversity and Fresh Perspectives Over the last years, organizations have started to redefine their approach to talent acquisition. The concept of skills-based hiring is gaining momentum as companies recognize its potential to redesign not only their workforce but also their entire culture. In this blog post, we will delve […]

Unlocking Potential with Skills-based Hiring

21 Jun, 2023 •

Embracing Cognitive Diversity

Leveraging Neurodivergent Thinkers for Innovation and Success by Embracing Cognitive Diversity In today’s rapidly evolving world, where change is the only constant, organizations must adapt and thrive in order to stay ahead of the curve as a workforce. To navigate the complex challenges of the modern landscape, businesses need a diverse range of perspectives and […]

Embracing Cognitive Diversity

7 Jun, 2023 •

The Power of Cognitive Flexibility in Adapting to Change

The Key to Thriving in a Changing World: Discover the Science, Benefits, and Strategies for Cognitive Flexibility In a world that is constantly evolving, the ability to adapt to change has become a crucial skill for success. And at the core of this ability lies cognitive flexibility – the capacity to shift one’s thinking and […]

The Power of Cognitive Flexibility in Adapting to Change

8 Mar, 2023 •

Messi & Marta – Do Women Football Stars Solve Match Situations Differently?

BrainsFirst Launches Global Women Football Brain Index Project Today, BrainsFirst announced the launch of the Global Women’s Football Brain Index-project, ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The project is aimed at evaluating the cognitive abilities of female elite football players across the world and providing insights into the role of the brain in identifying […]

Messi & Marta – Do Women Football Stars Solve Match Situations Differently?

15 Feb, 2023 •

Press Release: “Why do we Keep Cramming the Square into the Round Hole?”

Zero Talent Waste Goals offers Structural Labor Market Solution Almost 6 out of 10 vacancies are not filled or are only filled with difficulty. That is what the UWV concludes from a survey among more than 4,500 employers. Never before has the labor market been so stuck. The old solutions? Extend the vacancy, play with […]

Press Release: “Why do we Keep Cramming the Square into the Round Hole?”

19 Jan, 2023 •

Attention Please!

Do I have your attention? Great! Then let me tell you something about attention and how measuring it can provide insights into someone’s performance at work. Nowadays our attention is often tested to its limits as we are continuously bombarded with massive amounts of information. Finding the right information sometimes seems like finding a needle […]

Attention Please!

19 Jan, 2023 •

Anticipation: The Only Real Time Machine!

We are all time travelers. Each day, we make thousands of short trips into the future. Not physically as with the DeLorean from back to the future, but within our minds in a time machine called anticipation. But how does this anticipation time-traveling machine really help us in our daily life activities? What is Anticipation? […]

Anticipation: The Only Real Time Machine!

19 Jan, 2023 •

Are You in Control?

“This summer will be my summer” is what you told yourself after the December feeding frenzies. Now it’s the New Year and you are making the resolution to get in shape and achieve the perfect summer body. One that is suitable for long parades on the beach and breathtaking for all your admirers. But after […]

Are You in Control?

19 Jan, 2023 •

Win the War for Talent: How Recruiters Can See More by Looking Differently

The Netherlands is full of talent. Whether or not effectively schooled. Nevertheless, alarming reports weekly appear in the media that point to the scarcity of talent in the labor market. The ominous concept of war for talent has still not been reduced to a cease-fire. There is no lack of suggested directions for the solution. […]

Win the War for Talent: How Recruiters Can See More by Looking Differently

19 Jan, 2023 •

Brain-Based Talent Identification Enters Primera Division

Real Sociedad & BrainsFirst Sign a 3-Year Agreement The Spanish club, currently in the top ranks, and the Amsterdam-based Sports-tech company BrainsFirst start their collaboration this month with a focus on the identification and selection of the most promising football talents. The common goal is to make the process of talent identification & evaluation more […]

Brain-Based Talent Identification Enters Primera Division

19 Jan, 2023 •

Bias-Free Selection by a Computer Algorithm?

Artificial intelligence is called a great solution for good and efficient pre-screening within large numbers of resumes and candidates for years now. There is a bit of confusion around what AI can and cannot do since it is such a broad concept. But when it comes down to the war for talent AI plays a […]

Bias-Free Selection by a Computer Algorithm?

19 Jan, 2023 •

BrainsFirst & SoccerLAB : Partners in Talent Identification

SoccerLAB and BrainsFirst join forces to offer a unique combination of platforms to the sports world. Unprecedented possibilities in identifying and developing talents become available for both platforms’ customers. Professional sports neither start nor stop when the athlete leaves the game arena. The search for marginal gains to improve performance is a key element for […]

BrainsFirst & SoccerLAB : Partners in Talent Identification

19 Jan, 2023 •

Less Selection Bias due to Games?

Bias; lately, much has been said about selection bias and the prevention of discrimination during the selection process. Yet the discussion and attempts to reduce bias during the selection process are of all times. The Boston Symphony Orchestra, for example, introduced blind auditions in the 1950s where musicians performed behind a screen and were not […]

Less Selection Bias due to Games?

19 Jan, 2023 •

Increase the ROI of your Recruitment Processes Today

Human resources is sometimes considered a tricky industry when it comes to return on investment (ROI). It is often difficult to obtain quantifiable data in relation to the work being carried out given that typically the HR department does not generate any direct income (mostly indirect). Investments in recruitment processes often make the executives quite […]

Increase the ROI of your Recruitment Processes Today

12 May, 2022 •

A Working Memory Hero on Duty

Have you ever walked from one room to another to realize that you have forgotten what you were up to? Yet when you retrace your steps, your previous intention magically pops up in mind again? Or have you ever forgotten your keys, your car, or even your kids on a busy day? All of this […]

A Working Memory Hero on Duty

13 Jan, 2021 •

Brain-Based Talent Identification Enters J-League

Kyodo News Digital & BrainsFirst Join Forces The Japanese firm, well-connected in Japanese sports, and the Amsterdam-based Sports-tech company BrainsFirst start their collaboration this month with a focus on offering talent identification services to Japanese professional football organizations. “We decided to partner with the Amsterdam-based HR tech company to support the mission of helping clubs […]

Brain-Based Talent Identification Enters J-League

28 Mar, 2018 •

BrainsFirst as an Alternative to the IQ Test

BrainsFirst Looks Further and is therefore the Best Alternative for the IQ Test Since the beginning of 2017, after 5 years of scientific research, the alternative to the IQ test has been launched. The motto? You can see better, by looking better. “If you know what you’re looking for in a new colleague, but can’t […]

BrainsFirst as an Alternative to the IQ Test