Client Contact: Linda Hatfield, Director of Talent Acquisition Operations
Consultant: Dan Hilbert
From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Dan Hilbert Helped Nationwide Transform Talent Acquisition
The Challenge
When Linda Hatfield met Dan Hilbert, Nationwide Insurance’s talent acquisition operations relied mainly on spreadsheets and outdated software. Without an applicant tracking system, comprehensive reporting, or integrated recruiting teams, the department operated in silos segmented by job type and lacked strategic direction.
“We couldn’t tell our story,” Linda explained. “There was no way to measure recruiters, track requisition timelines, or demonstrate the business impact of our work.”
The Turning Point
Dan’s engagement marked a strategic shift for the organization. He introduced a methodology combining data intelligence with practical implementation. “Dan helped us develop predictive modeling, workforce planning, and cost analyses—areas we had only estimated before,” said Linda. His ability to translate complex analytical frameworks into actionable insights built trust across all organizational levels, from front-line recruiters to executive leadership.
Under Dan’s guidance, Nationwide developed recruiter workload benchmarks, mapped requisition patterns, and modeled future talent requirements. These analytical frameworks enabled Linda’s team to:
Build a data-supported business case for implementing an applicant tracking system
Justify additional recruiter hires based on efficiency analysis
Centralize recruiting operations with specialized focus areas
Transition from reactive hiring to proactive, pipeline-driven recruitment
50% reduction in third-party agency fees within 9 months
Cost optimization through internal recruitment capability development
Enhanced recruiter-hiring manager collaboration
Improved recruiter performance and pipeline management
Successful technology investment that modernized department operations
The transformation’s success positioned Linda to lead human capital due diligence for M&A integrations. “The analytical skills I developed with Dan enabled me to identify operational inefficiencies in acquired organizations and address them during merger processes,” she noted.
“Without this engagement, we would have continued with inefficient processes—overspending on agencies, lacking operational clarity, and missing strategic opportunities,” said Linda. “Dan provided the analytical foundation and confidence to build compelling business cases for necessary resources.”