The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES

Most staffing firms don't have an AI problem. They have a utilization problem. They're buying tools they never fully implement. Stacking subscriptions nobody uses. Chasing the next shiny platform before they've squeezed value out of what's already on the shelf. My next guest lived this firsthand. Jason Alexander was the #1 sales rep globally at Robert Half. He co-founded and scaled BANKW Staffing to $100M in revenue. His own business partner used to call him the easiest sale in the world when it came to buying new software. Now he runs ChiefAI and helps staffing firms stop the bleeding — starting with what they already have. On Episode 70 of The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES, Jason breaks down: → Why 95% of the firms he assesses don't even have a business plan, let alone an AI roadmap → The AI agent he built that creates a 3-year rollout plan in 15 minutes → Why you should "bleed ChatGPT dry" before you buy anything else → What custom GPTs are and why almost nobody paying for ChatGPT is using them → The difference between handing a recruiter an AI tool and actually training them to use it This one is packed with tactics you can act on today — not next quarter.

We’re back with a new episode of The Staffing Playbook Podcast: Ep. 69 | The Stalled Labor Market: Why 2026 Rewards Execution, Not Hustle On March 20 at 1:00 PM MDT, I’ll be joined by David Wilson from "The Ring of Hire Show" for a timely conversation on what’s really happening in the labor market right now. A lot of leaders are still waiting for the market to “turn.”  I don’t think waiting is the move. This kind of market exposes the difference between activity and execution. When things stall out, the firms that win are not the ones doing more random hustle. They’re the ones operating better. They’re tighter. More disciplined. Closer to the customer. Better at follow-up. Better at decision-making. Better at execution. In this episode, we’ll dig into what a stalled labor market means for staffing leaders, where companies get stuck, and what practical moves actually matter in 2026. If you lead in staffing, recruiting, sales, operations, or workforce strategy, this one is for you.

🎙️ Episode 68 of The Staffing Playbook Podcast is LIVE AI & Change: Why Most Staffing Firms Are Failing at Both 🗓 March 5, 2026 ⏰ 1:00 PM MDT 🎤 Guest: Lauren B. Jones 🐐 In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Jones, Founder & CEO of Leap Advisory Partners — a true force in workforce innovation and digital transformation Lauren doesn’t sugarcoat it. We talk about: Why buying AI tools doesn’t equal transformation The leadership blind spots killing momentum Change fatigue inside staffing firms What real operational redesign actually looks like And how to build teams that embrace technology instead of resisting it If you’re a staffing leader who: Feels pressure to “do something with AI” Has invested in tech but isn’t seeing ROI Knows your operating model needs to evolve Or wants to lead change without blowing up your culture… This conversation is for you. Lauren brings the rare combo of operator, strategist, and transformation architect — and she’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. The firms that win the next 5 years won’t just adopt AI. They’ll redesign how they work. Join us live on March 5th at 1:00 PM MDT. Let’s stop talking about AI hype… And start talking about execution. The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES Sponsored by Staffing Referrals

There’s a LOT of noise around AI in staffing right now. Most of it sounds impressive. Very little of it actually moves the needle. That’s why I sat down with Pankaj Jindal, Co-Founder of Sense, someone who’s been building AI inside staffing long before it became a buzzword. This episode cuts straight through the hype and gets into: ✅ Why AI should augment recruiters, not replace them ✅ The difference between shiny tools vs. real business impact ✅ Where AI is already driving measurable wins (sourcing, engagement, matching, productivity) ✅ Why data quality + workflow design matter more than model selection ✅ How leaders should think about AI as a strategy, not a feature One big takeaway: AI doesn’t fix broken processes. It amplifies them. If your foundation isn’t solid, AI just makes the cracks show faster. If you’re a staffing leader trying to decide where to place your bets in 2026, this episode will help you focus on what actually works. 📅 Feb 19, 2026 ⏰ 1:00 PM MDT 🎧 The Staffing Playbook Podcast Drop a comment if you’re actively testing AI in your agency — I’d love to hear what’s working (and what isn’t). #StaffingLeadership #AIinStaffing #FutureOfWork #RecruitingTech #TheStaffingPlaybook #StaffingPodcast

Scaling a staffing firm in 2026 isn’t about working harder. It’s about building the right operating system.   On the next episode of The Staffing Playbook Podcast, I’m joined by Matt Buffington, CEO & Founder of KinISO, to break down the 3 pillars every staffing leader must master to scale profitably in today’s market: ✔️ Sales ✔️ Service / Operations ✔️ Recruiting   Matt has spent 15+ years across technology, staffing, and sales, and now leads KinISO — a platform built to fundamentally change how staffing firms launch, operate, and scale.   We’ll dig into: 🔹 Why most firms stall between $10M–$50M 🔹 Where technology actually drives leverage (and where it doesn’t) 🔹 How to design a scalable operating model 🔹 What the best-run firms are doing differently heading into 2026   If you’re a staffing owner, executive, or leader serious about building a durable, scalable business — this episode is for you.   📅 Feb 5, 2026 ⏰ 1:00 PM MDT 🎙️ Live on The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES 👉 RSVP to the event and join us live.

🎙️ The State of Staffing 2026 — Live Roundtable The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES 📅 January 22  ⏰ 1:00 PM MDT The staffing industry isn’t “changing.”  It’s already changed. In this live roundtable, we cut through the noise and talk honestly about what staffing leaders are walking into in 2026—and what actually matters if you want to win. Tom Erb & Mark Winter go head to head in this compelling conversation We cover: Why 2026 is the Year of the Customer, not sales, not growth-at-all-costs The real gap between AI hype vs. operational reality Why agencies that treat staffing like a commodity won’t survive What leaders must fix now in operations, accountability, and experience How trust, consistency, and execution are becoming the true differentiators This isn’t theory.  It’s lived experience from operators who are in it every day—dealing with margin pressure, client expectations, talent shortages, and technology that only works if your fundamentals are solid. If you’re an owner, executive, sales leader, or operations leader in staffing, this conversation will challenge how you’re thinking about 2026. 👉 Join us live on January 22 at 1:00 PM MDT  🎧 The Staffing Playbook Podcast

End-of-Year Episode of The Staffing Playbook We pulled the best moments from our 2025 guests—the insights that actually mattered, the ones that moved the needle, and the lessons staffing leaders need as we head into 2026. No hype. No recycled talking points. Just real strategies around leadership, sales, operations, and building teams that win in a tougher, more competitive market. If you’re running a staffing firm and want to be ahead next year—not reacting—this episode is for you. 👇 We’re live right now. Jump in and listen.

Most people in leadership roles were never taught how to lead — they were promoted, handed a title, and expected to figure it out. But real leadership? The kind people willingly follow? That takes intention, skill, and self-awareness. This week on The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES, we’re bringing in someone who has lived it, coached it, and built a career on transforming teams: 🎙 Guest Speaker: Andre Young  Professional Speaker • Author • Leadership Trainer • Founder of You Evolving Now  Former mental health therapist → pro athlete → organizational consultant  Author of 7 Ways to Lead Andre breaks down leadership in a way few people do — practical, human, direct, and immediately actionable. No fluff. No corporate buzzwords. Just the truth about what makes people actually want to follow you. We unpack:  ✔️ Why most leaders unintentionally limit their teams  ✔️ How to build trust without playing “the boss” card  ✔️ The behaviors teams desperately want but rarely get  ✔️ The difference between leading and managing  ✔️ How to evolve as a leader… even when you’re already good 📅 Releases December 22, 2025  ⏰ 1:00 PM MDT If you manage people, plan to lead, or want to elevate how you show up in your organization — this episode is one you don’t skip. 👇 Follow The Staffing Playbook Podcast so you don’t miss it.  Powered by Your Employment Solutions & Sponsored by Staffing Referrals

If you think marketing in staffing is tough today… 2026 is about to raise the bar. AI, content velocity, buyer attention spans, and the shift to experience-driven branding are rewriting the rules — and we’re bringing in two people who don’t just talk marketing… they build it.   🎙 The Staffing Playbook Podcast Hosted by Steven Farrell & Geneviève Bourgeois 💡 Guest Experts: Mike Bradbury– the cat-shirt-wearing creative brain behind Type Marketing Tracey L. – the queen of punchy, relatable storytelling who somehow ended up on WFAN Radio with Boomer & Gio   Together, we dig into: ✔️ What staffing firms must change going into 2026 ✔️ Why most industry marketing still misses the mark ✔️ How to create content clients actually want ✔️ The rise of authenticity, community, and video-driven reach ✔️ The simple moves staffing leaders can take right now to win more orders   📅 Releasing: December 11, 2025 ⏰ 1:00 PM MDT 🎧 Don’t miss this one — it’s packed with insights, real talk, and a whole lot of fun. If you’re serious about leveling up your firm’s brand, demand generation, and client acquisition strategy… this episode is your roadmap.   👇 Follow The Staffing Playbook Podcast and be ready when it drops. The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES

“Why the Year 2026 Will Be the Year of the Customer.” If you’re in staffing or recruiting, you already feel it — 2026 is shaping up to be a completely different kind of year. Clients want more clarity, more partnership, and a lot less chaos. Recruiters are evolving fast. And AI is redefining what “great service” even means. In this upcoming episode, Geneviève Bourgeois and I break down: 🔹 The real customer expectations rolling into 2026 🔹 Why the volume-based staffing model is about to get left behind 🔹 How AI-enhanced recruiters will raise the standard across the entire industry 🔹 The top friction points that are costing agencies trust 🔹 What HR leaders say they actually want moving forward 🔹 And the three things every staffing firm must commit to in 2026 If you want to walk into the new year with a competitive edge — don’t miss this one. 🎧 Episode goes live Nov. 25 at 1:00 PM MDT

New Episode Drop – The Staffing Playbook 🎙️ AI isn’t coming — it’s already here. And staffing leaders who learn to use it the right way will dominate 2026. In Episode 60, we’re joined by Jack Kennedy, Co-Founder of Whippy, one of the fastest-growing AI platforms transforming how teams communicate, automate, and scale. We dig into: 💡 The founding story behind Whippy AI 📈 What Jack and his team have learned building an AI company from the ground up ⚙️ Real use cases & case studies in staffing and beyond 🧠 How to evaluate an AI software partner (without getting sold snake oil) 🚀 And the big one — how staffing agencies can win in 2026 using AI strategically This conversation isn’t about buzzwords. It’s about what works — and what’s coming next. 🎧 Tune in Thursday, Nov. 13th @ 1PM MDT ➡️ Ep. 60 | AI Isn’t Coming — It’s Here: What Staffing Leaders Can Learn from Whippy AI Hosted by: Steven Farrell, CSP & Genevieve Bourgeois Powered by: Your Employment Solutions Sponsored by: Staffing Referrals

🎙 Cracking the MSP Code | Episode 3: Maximizing Value, Minimizing Risk The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES When it comes to MSPs, value and risk go hand in hand. Agencies that fail to understand how MSPs operate often sacrifice margin—or expose themselves to unnecessary liability. Join hosts Steven Farrell, CSP & Genevieve Bourgeois as they welcome back Mandy Hileman and Josh Moskoviz for the final chapter of our “Cracking the MSP Code” trilogy: ✅ How to maximize value while navigating complex MSP layers ✅ The hidden risks agencies overlook in contracts and compliance ✅ Why alignment between agency, client, and MSP determines long-term success 📅 Date: October 30th, 2025 🕐 Time: 1:00 PM MDT This episode isn’t just theory—it’s the operational playbook for staffing leaders who want to protect margins, elevate partnerships, and thrive in MSP-driven ecosystems. 👉 Don’t miss Episode 3: Maximizing Value, Minimizing Risk hashtag#TheStaffingPlaybook hashtag#StaffingPodcast hashtag#MSPStrategy hashtag#StaffingIndustry hashtag#RecruitmentLeadership hashtag#WorkforceSolutions hashtag#YESStaffing

Top talent isn’t vanishing—it’s evolving. Wage compression, specialized job orders, and shifting candidate expectations are reshaping healthcare staffing. Join hosts Steven Farrell, CSP & Genevieve Bourgeois, with guests Josh Moskoviz (VP, Trio Workforce Solutions) and Mandy Hileman (Sr. Director, Triage Staffing | Healthcare Staffing), as we dive into:  ✅ Why the quality of talent feels different than it used to  ✅ How wage compression is changing hiring strategies  ✅ What agencies must do to stay competitive in a specialized, candidate-driven market

Today’s guest on The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES is someone who doesn’t just talk staffing—he’s lived it, built it, and reshaped how we think about it. With 30+ years in the industry, Tom Erb is one of the most respected thought leaders in staffing. He’s the founder of Tallann Resources, LLC, where he’s worked with over a thousand staffing companies across the U.S. and internationally. You’ve likely seen him on stage at ASA, NAPS, or your state association, read his book Winning the Staffing Sales Game, or followed his Recruiting Today column in ASA’s Staffing Success magazine. Tom has also served as Chairman of NAPS and President of the Ohio Staffing and Search Association. In short—he’s a strategist, a builder, and a straight shooter. 🎙 In this episode, we go deep on Ownership-Driven Performance Management: ✅ Why the old top-down management model is broken ✅ How true accountability—from leaders and ICs alike—drives results ✅ Frameworks you can implement tomorrow to build ownership into your team’s culture This isn’t theory. It’s tactical, practical, and designed to help you thrive in today’s staffing market. 📅 Episode 57: Ownership-Driven Performance Management ⏰ Premieres October 7th, 10:00 AM EST 🎥 Video + Audio | ~45 minutes 👉 Tune in and take away 3 actionable steps: Complacency kills; ownership revives performance. Structure beats randomness. Owning your market builds long-term equity. Sponsored by: Staffing Referrals and Powered by Your Employment Solutions

🚨 New Podcast Series Launch 🚨 What happens when you step behind the mirror of healthcare staffing? Too often, the story is told only from the agency’s perspective. But what about the client’s reality—the budgets, red tape, and operational pressures that rarely get airtime? That’s exactly what we’re unpacking in a brand-new trilogy series on The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES 🎙 Hosted by Steven Farrell, CSP & Genevieve Bourgeois 💡 Featuring guest voices Josh Moskoviz (VP, Trio Workforce Solutions) & Mandy Hileman (Sr. Director, Triage Staffing | Healthcare Staffing) Here’s what you can expect: 👉 Episode 1: The One-Way Mirror – The client’s perspective: budget impacts, compliance barriers, and operational realities MSPs see that agencies don’t. 👉 Episode 2: Where Did All the A Players Go? – The shift in talent quality, wage compression, and specialized job orders—and what agencies must do to adapt. 👉 Episode 3: Maximizing Value, Minimizing Risk – Concrete strategies to deliver quality, strengthen partnerships, and protect margins in a shifting healthcare market. The goal? Not just analyzing problems—but equipping both agencies and clients with insights to build stronger, more sustainable partnerships. 📅 Part 1 of 3 drops October 2nd at 1:00 PM MDT.

Tech hiring is cooling. Light industrial & logistics are steady. Seasonal ramps are here. And compliance just got spicier. We’ll break down, fast and plain-English: Tech: ~5k IT jobs lost in August; hiring shifts to AI, cyber, core infra; pay cooling = healthier balance. Light Industrial & Logistics: Flat-to-steady adds; warehousing/material handling holding the line; transportation in equilibrium heading into peak. Seasonal Hiring: Major retailers launching big holiday classes (Target, Amazon, others) with slightly softer totals vs. last year. Regulatory Heat: $100k H-1B fee shock, non-compete scrutiny, E-Verify/EAD updates, and new state rules (CO wage act, CA leave, tighter healthcare staffing oversight). When: Wed, Sept 24 @ 2:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM MT Where: The Staffing Playbook Podcast (LIVE) If you hire, sell, or staff—this is signal, not noise. Join us. Join us with our panel Kim Henderson, MBA, PMP, Six Sigma & Richard D Rosner hashtag#staffing hashtag#recruiting hashtag#lightindustrial hashtag#logistics hashtag#HRtech hashtag#compliance hashtag#MSP hashtag#talentacquisition

🚀 Ready to scale your staffing firm from $20M to $100M? We’re diving deep into the blueprint that fuels growth at the next level. Join us on The Staffing Playbook Podcast for Episode 54: The Blueprint to Scale Your Firm: Grow from $20M to $100M. 🎙 Hosted by: Steven Farrell & Geneviève Bourgeois 🎤 Guest Speaker: Mark Winter 📅 Date: Sept. 18, 2025 ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM MDT Mark brings decades of experience in building scalable sales frameworks for staffing firms. We’ll cover: ✅ What separates a $20M firm from a $100M firm ✅ Sales blueprints that drive predictable growth ✅ Real-world case studies you can apply to your own playbook This is one you won’t want to miss if you’re serious about scaling. 👉 Save your spot & tune in live! Sponsored by Staffing Referrals | Powered by YES

Ep. 53 goes LIVE — “JOLTS: Demand is soft, not dead.” Kim Henderson + Richard Rosner (“Staffing Shark”) join us to turn the latest data into moves you can make now. Sept 10 • 12:00 PM ET — RSVP #TheStaffingPlaybook #staffing #recruiting #JOLTS #YES

We’re diving deep into one of the most powerful frameworks in marketing today — The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib. 🎙️ The Staffing Playbook Podcast Ep. 52 | The 1-Page Marketing Plan Your Marketing Director Needs 📅 Sept. 5th, 2025 | ⏰ 1:00 PM MDT Joining us for this episode: ⭐ Matt Frisbie – Marketing leader & facilitator of 1-Page Marketing Plan workshops ⭐ Marc Webb – Marketing strategist with hands-on experience applying the framework What we cover: ✅ The Origin Story – Why this framework has struck a chord with business leaders across industries ✅ The Big Idea – Why one page beats a binder full of theory ✅ The Framework – Breaking down the before, during, and after stages of the customer journey ✅ Common Missteps – Where most companies fail when building a marketing plan ✅ Execution vs. Theory – What makes this plan actually usable in the real world ✅ Workshop Insights – The alignment, “aha” moments, and breakthroughs that come from putting this into practice ✅ YES Case Study – Our own experience at Your Employment Solutions rolling out the 1-page plan 🎯 If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by complex marketing plans or struggled to align sales and marketing on a single vision, this episode is a must-listen. 👉 Tune in, take notes, and see why sometimes less really is more. #StaffingPlaybook #StaffingPodcast #MarketingStrategy #OnePageMarketingPlan #StaffingIndustry

We’re going LIVE again with Ep. 51 | Staffing Trends & Updates this Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 at 11:30 AM EST / 9:30 AM MDT. 🎙️ Hosts: Steven Farrell & Genevieve Bourgeois 🔥 Special guests joining us again: Kim Henderson, MBA, PMP, Six Sigma Richard D Rosner (“The Staffing Shark”) We’ll be breaking down the latest staffing trends, AI’s impact on recruiting, misclassification risks, remote/hybrid work shifts, and what’s next for our industry. This is your chance to learn from some of the best minds in staffing and walk away with actionable insights you can put to work right away. Sponsored by: Staffing Referrals The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES 🔵 Tune in LIVE and be part of the conversation!