Leveraging Data in Talent Development: Evidence-Based HR with Jig Ramji

Today on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, hosts Andy Storch and Jig Ramji dive deep into a critical and timely topic for HR and talent development professionals: how to leverage data analytics and evidence-based practices to drive business impact. Jig Ramji, a seasoned HR and talent executive with leadership roles at organizations like Bloomberg, LSEG, and Aviva, shares his journey and expertise on using people data to transform talent strategies and demonstrate HR’s vital role in organizational success.

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Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Jig Ramji here: LinkedIn

In this insightful conversation, Jig reveals how his background in occupational psychology and years spent across both consulting and in-house HR set the stage for his passion for evidence-based HR. He explains the power of moving beyond “soft” or “fluffy” HR approaches by applying the same data-driven discipline used in finance and other business functions—and how this shift brings HR to the heart of strategic decision-making.

Key highlights from this episode include:

• How to get started with evidence-based HR—even without a big data science team—by identifying business pain points and consistently collecting, storing, and analyzing people data.
• Real-world examples from Jig’s experience leading talent at Bloomberg and the London Stock Exchange Group, including how longitudinal data on leadership success factors led to targeted development programs, improved hiring, and strong succession pipelines.
• Practical advice on building buy-in for data-driven HR, especially in environments where people may be new to using analytics or hesitant to change established practices.
• An honest look at the pros and cons of consulting vs. in-house HR roles, and how global experiences in places like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia shaped Jig’s approach to leadership and cross-cultural talent strategies.
• How artificial intelligence is accelerating the pace of analysis and decision-making in HR, and why clean, consistent data collection is more important than ever for organizations looking to reap the benefits of AI tools and talent marketplaces.
• Tips and tools for leveraging data to drive everything from leadership development and succession planning to more dynamic, skills-based career development and internal mobility—helping employees identify new opportunities and organizations close talent gaps more strategically.
• The mindset shift HR and talent pros need to embrace evidence-based work and why adopting a growth-oriented perspective on data, analytics, and AI is vital for future-ready HR.

Whether you’re early in your evidence-based HR journey or looking to deepen your impact with data-driven talent strategies, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration from one of the field’s most passionate thought leaders. Jig encourages listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and share best practices for creating a more analytical, business-focused HR future.