The Open Talent Report

Ready to take your direct sourcing game to the next level? Gain invaluable insights and strategies that will propel your sourcing efforts forward by listening to our webinar.Experts include: Mark Jones, Executive Vice President of AMS, Saleem Khaja, COO & Co-Founder of WorkLlama, and Connor Heaney, Managing Director of  CXC Global EMEA.You'll discover...Proven strategies for successful direct sourcingLessons learned from industry leadersHow to operationalise direct sourcingBest practices to optimise your sourcing processExclusive tips to overcome common direct sourcing challengesConnect with our experts:Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/usmarkjones/Connect with Saleem : https://www.linkedin.com/in/saleemkhaja/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/   

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Christoph Niebel, former Global President of Pontoon Solutions and C-level leader at the Adecco Group.For the last 20 years Christoph has been partnering with Global 2000 HR and External Workforce leaders to make change that matters. He is known for pushing boundaries and sparking innovation in talent management and workforce solutions.At the heart of Christoph’s philosophy lies a commitment to reimagining the nexus between work and talent. He champions a shift from traditional employment paradigms to leading work, emphasising the importance of unlocking the potential within organisations and individuals alike.In this episode, Connor & Christoph discuss:2:55 Should the external workforce sector be called an industry?5:13 MSPs – the default option?7:11 Are MSPs the future? Could they be done a different way?11:44 Christoph’s story20:41 The journey from an individual contributor to leader – was it difficult?26:00 Fetishisation of failure28:13 Work-life balance35:56 Can platform work be regulated? Can more be done to help low choice, no choice gig workers?43:14 AI and its impact on jobs54:32 Has the staffing sector had its big bang moment? If it’s ripe for disruption, what does that look like?1:00:27 Labour market shortage – how can it be solved for?1:07:58 Remote work – good, bad, ugly or indifferent?1:11:24 Future of work predictionsConnect with Christoph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophniebel/ Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/    Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney speaks to Maarten Hansson, Global Head of Integrated Workforce Management at Novartis.Novartis is an innovative medicines business that improves and extends the lives of those facing serious disease.Maarten looks at the company’s whole workforce ecosystem and creates an integrated global talent supply chain using external and internal talent.His approach is to look at organising work, rather than hiring people, and to consciously consider both location and any available sources of talent. One specific example is Novartis’s commitment to hire 150 refugees. Before, he was head of workforce strategy at Philips, where he designed a total workforce strategy.In this episode, Connor & Maarten discuss:2:08 Maarten’s story4:51 Soldiers as employees, contractors 8:42 Can organisations make it easier for people to be hired? Where can they improve? 11:47 The problems and challenges Maarten solves at Novartis15:10 Resource demand planning – has Maarten seen anything impressive?18:50 Direct sourcing – does it work with different job families?23:14 Does a total talent tech exist? 29:31 The labour market paradox – how to solve it32:38 Specific talent pools 36:50 Can talent marketplaces help solve talent scarcity? How can they reassure enterprises they understand risk? 41:34 Remote work – curse or cure? 46:19 AI, automation and job displacement 52:30 Future of work predictions55:33 Would apprenticeships for well-paid trades attract young people?57:36 Resources that inform Maarten’s thinking on workConnect with Maarten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartenhansson/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/   Visit Novartis's website: https://www.novartis.com/Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney speaks to Tom Davenport, Managing Director of Alvius. Alvius is a leading technology company which provides VMS and talent pooling technology solutions to staffing, recruitment, and jobs businesses.Tom is a 3-time founder. He has also been a consultant for PWC, an Innovation Advisor for the Tesco Group and a soldier in the British Army Reserve. In this episode, Connor & Tom discuss:2.11 Tom’s story – how he became an MD at Alvius 8.15 In the era of talent pools and talent marketplaces, why are recruitment and staffing agencies still in business?18.31 The fetishization of failure and Tom’s learnings from failure 23.23 The journey of raising money 29.14 The challenges Alvius solves 35.12 The talent scarcity crisis – how can technologies like Alvius’s solve this? 45.05 Is there a role in matching talent outside a country’s borders? 50.05 AI and jobs displacement 54.48 Predictions for future of workConnect with Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-davenport-8a35011a/ Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/   Visit Alvius's website: https://alvius.com Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney speaks to Terri Gallagher, CEO at Gallagher and Consultants. She is also an author and speaker. Terri created Walt Disney World’s first contingent workforce program, and grew her expertise working for the largest Global MSP/Staffing companies in the world.  She then started her consultancy firm to break the standard paradigms of traditional contingent workforce solutions.Gallagher and Consultants employ an emerging model of alternative workforce management, the Adaptable Talent Program approach (ATP), to help businesses manage and optimise their contingent workforce. In this episode, Connor & Terri discuss:3:56 Terri’s story7:01 Entrepreneurial journey difficulties learnings12:01 The problems and challenges Gallagher and Consultants solve16:30 Are staffing companies ripe for disintermediation by newer tech providers?18:50 Are large MSP’s and VMS’s at risk from talent marketplaces?22:34 Direct sourcing – why are companies not buying it?25:45 Gallagher and Consultant’s Adaptable Talent Program29:06 The talent availability problem – why do we have it and what can we do about it?37:42 How do we bring deskless workers into remote working?40:44 Future of work predictionsConnect with Terri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrigallagher3/  Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/    Visit Gallagher and Consultant's website: https://www.gallagherandconsultants.com Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney speaks to Jon Holden, CRO at Aventi Solutions. Aventi Solutions is a specialist SAP Fieldglass partner who advises large corporates on their extended workforce strategies. Jon has had an astronomical career in the human capital sector working for many companies including Services and software companies such as IQNavigator and Beeline. In this episode Connor & Jon discuss:Jon’s storyWhat Aventi Solutions doNew entrants entering the extended workforce platform market – is it time for some competition?Are SAP Fieldglass and Aventi working to combine single point solutions into one application?Resource demand planning and strategic workforce planningWhy do we have a talent availability crisis and what can we do about it?Are large enterprises starting to look at global talent pools?Is there an opportunity for talent marketplaces to work with enterprises? Would this be a threat to MSP’s and VMS’s?AI and its impact on jobsRemote work – good or bad?Predictions for future of workConnect with Jon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonholden71/  Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit Aventi's website: https://aventisolutions.com/ Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Mark Zolkos, Managing Director of Enterprise Strategies and MSP Alliances at Flextrack. Flextrack offers a next generation vendor management system to help businesses acquire, engage and manage their external workforce. Mark has a wealth of knowledge around VMS’s and has seen many changes over the years.In this episode, Connor & Mark discuss:Mark’s storyKey takeaways from Jamiel’s (Tapfin’s Colonel) leadership styleThe challenges Flextrack solves & how it’s VMS is differentThe history, evolution & future of VMS’s The talent scarcity problem – how can we solve it?Has the education system evolved enough to prepare us for the future?Talent screening – are we too harsh & over-screening?Talent marketplaces – why have large enterprises not adopted them?AI – negative or a force for good?Remote work – concerning or good?Predictions for future of workConnect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-zolkos-09b65b3/  Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit Flextrack's website: https://www.flextrack.com/ Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to John Riordan, Chairman of Grow Remote and Board Director at Boundless and Otonomee.John is an avid supporter of working remote-first. Throughout his career, he has worked for large and well-known businesses such as Virgin Atlantic, Apple and Shopify, helping them implement remote working in contact centre customer service. During the episode Connor & John discuss:John’s storySetting up a contact centre customer service remote work model at Virgin AtlanticRemote work and being remote-firstWhat is driving return to office mandates?Labour Market Paradox and talent scarcity crisis – how can this be tackled?Africa – the solution to the demographic drought?HR tech – bubble or not?Predictions for the future of workWhat Grow Remote doesConnect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncriordan/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit Grow Remote's website: https://growremote.ie/Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor speaks to John Winsor, Chairman and Founder of Open Assembly, Visiting Executive at Harvard Business School and Author. John recently co-authored a book called Open Talent: Leveraging The Global Workforce to Solve Your Business Challenges. This is his sixth book. During the episode Connor & John discuss: John’s storyThe speed of larger enterprises adopting freelancers and independent workers not as fast as expected – why?Company budgets – do people consider freelancers?Remote work and its influence on attrition rateOpen Assembly – what it is and the challenges it solvesThe main frameworks and key principles in John’s bookThe force multipliers for the Open Talent ModelThe compliance challenge with large enterprises and how Open Assembly helpAI Predictions for future of workConnect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntwinsor/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit Open Assembly's website: https://open-assembly.com/ Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor speaks to Sonya Shelton, Founder of Executive Leadership Consulting. Executive Leadership Consulting aligns an organisation’s business strategy with its culture to make it a successful business, as well as a fulfilling place to work. Sonya has founded 3 profitable companies, is a contributing writer to Forbes and previously worked as Head of Global Employee Communications at the Walt Disney company. She is also the author of “You’re an Executive But Are You a Leader?”, a number 1 Amazon bestselling book that shares leadership tips and success stories. During the episode Connor & Sonya Discuss:Sonya’s storyHer experience at Disney when it faced conflict & a culture transformationShould companies include family as a value, or is it dangerous?The key principles of her bookThe common struggles leaders have & how she helpsImposter syndrome – is this common?Is work life balance possible with remote work?The labour market paradox – what can we do to mitigate talent scarcity?A skills-based internal hiring approachRemote work & self-disciplineAI, automation & its positive impact on jobsCult of the Founder Future of work predictionsConnect with Sonya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceosonyashelton/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit Executive Leadership Consulting's website: https://executiveleader.com/ Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Jill Bassett, Solutions Advisory Expert at SAP Fieldglass. SAP Fieldglass is a cloud-based global vendor management system designed to automate the whole process of finding, procuring, and managing external talent for organisations. Previously, she was a board member at The Manpower Group.During the episode Connor & Jill cover:Jill’s storyHow she found the change from pure place staffing to strategic talent solutions sideFirst board meeting experienceImposter syndromeThe transition from Manpower boardroom member to new role at SAP FieldglassThe problems & challenges SAP Fieldglass solvesDemand forecastingEvolution of the staffing sectorCould staffing companies be disintermediated by talent marketplaces?Labour market paradox – how can this be solved?Traditional education system & jobs of today mismatchRemote work – curse or cure?Jobs displacement – AI & automationFuture of work predictionsConnect with Jill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbassett1/ Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit SAP's website: https://www.sap.com/Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Nadia Vatalidis, Head of People and Culture at TestGorilla which offers skills-based assessments designed to identify the best candidates and make your hiring decisions faster, easier, and bias-free. Nadia is also an Advisory Board Member at several high growth tech companies. She is at the forefront of many leading success stories when it comes to remote working, async working and global mobility. During the episode Connor & Nadia cover:Nadia’s storyThe transition from founder to working for a companyWhy is there growth in EOR, AOR & payroll platforms?African talent pool – why is it overlooked & what can we do about it?Talent demand & talent supply mismatch – why & how can we solve it?Talent screening – skills-based hiringRemote work – good or bad? Automation, AI & job displacementPredictions for future of workTestGorilla – what it does & the challenges it solvesConnect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiavatalidis/ Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/ Visit TestGorilla's website: https://www.testgorilla.com/ Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Mel Mallinak, Executive Director of Business Development at The Populus Group. The Populus Group specialises in workforce management solutions for small, medium to Fortune 100 companies, including payroll, IC compliance, MSP, recruiting and foreign national sponsorships.During the episode Connor & Mel discuss:Mel’s storySacrifices & work-life balanceWhat challenges The Populus Group solvesGrowth in payroll & IC compliance in the market – why?The situation with independent contractor compliance misclassification in the USATalent scarcity – the reason for it & how it can be solvedTax arbitrationIR35 for independent contractors – is anything similar in the USA?Talent screeningAutomation & AI – a force for good than more harm?Remote working – curse or cure?High investment in HR tech platforms and services in recent years – why? Predictions for future of workConnect with Mel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-mallinak-4572548/ Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit The Populus Group's website: https://www.populusgroup.com/ Visit CXC's website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Rory Spanier, COO of 360 Talent Solution that offer integrated MSP solutions for clients of any size, irrespective of domain. Rory is a Workforce Solutions Expert specializing in MSP, Direct Sourcing and Independent Contractor Solutions.During the episode Connor & Rory cover: Rory’s StoryTips: MSP Provider & Buyer RelationshipLarge MSP Program FlexibilityFMS - Why aren’t they adopted by the enterprises?Talent Shortage: Marketplaces & Enterprises DisconnectWhat opportunities is 360 Talent Solutions creating?Talent Scarcity - Why it’s happening and how to solve it?Automation & Job DisplacementAfrica - Hidden Talent Pool?Future of Work PredictionsConnect with Rory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-spanier-ccwp-2b34801/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit 360 Talent Solutions website: https://360talentsol.com/Visit CXC website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Rob Marley, Executive Director of Operations at Allegis Global Solutions (AGS). AGS builds global workforce solutions that help companies transform people into a competitive business advantage.For AGS , it is not merely a matter of filling seats. Their approach revolves around designing workforces that are purposefully aligned with their missions. By constructing a workforce that harnesses human enterprise, AGS ensures that every employee contributes to making a significant impact.During the episode Connor & Rob cover: Rob’s StoryThe Evolution of MSP SectorIntelligent Workforce PlatformResource Demand Planning EfficiencyUniversal Workforce ModelAfrica - Solution to Talent Scarcity?Remote Work - curse or cure?Health & Wellbeing at WorkplaceAutomation & Job DisplacementWorkforce Transformation – Look into the FutureConnect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-marley-96740253/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit AGS website: https://www.allegisglobalsolutions.com/enVisit CXC website:  https://www.cxcglobal.com/

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Tomas O’Farrell, Co-founder & CEO of Workana, an established tech startup that helps startups and tech-companies get matched with selected, remote, full-time developers from Latin America.During the episode Connor & Tomas cover: Tomas’s StoryWhat problems Workana is solving?US - Interest for Overseas TalentEqual Opportunity to WorkAfrica - Hidden Talent PoolLabour Market Paradox - How to resolve it?Education for the Future of WorkFinancial Services for FreelancersPerks & Benefits for FreelancersRegular Job OpportunityWorking with Large EnterprisesAutomation & Job DisplacementHR Tech - Bubble or not?Inspiration behind the WorkanaWork-life balanceFuture of Work Predictions Connect with Tomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofarrell/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit Workana website: https://www.workana.com/enVisit CXC website:  https://www.cxcglobal.com/

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Robert Jordan, book author and CEO of InterimExecs, which matches top executives with companies around the world. Based on research with thousands of leaders and companies, he and Olivia Wagner wrote Right Leader Right Time: Discover Your Leadership Style for a Winning Career and Company.During the episode Connor & Robert cover: Robert’s StoryWhat problems Interim Execs is solving?Leadership Roles Expiration DateInspiration behind the book4 Leadership StylesCompany Culture in the Remote EraWork During PandemicLabour Market Paradox - How to solve it?USA Companies - Hiring Remote WorkersPrediction for the Future of WorkConnect with Robert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjjordan/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit Interim Execs website: https://interimexecs.com/Find out more about Robert’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Leader-Time-Discover-Leadership/dp/1722505672/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3GVQQN375PN6F&keywords=right+leader+right+time&qid=1644364968&s=books&sprefix=right+leader%2Cstripbooks%2C72&sr=1-3 Visit CXC website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Julia Hobsbawm, award-winning and bestselling author, columnist for Bloomberg, speaker, consultant and broadcaster on future of work. Julia recently published her sixth book “The Nowhere Office: Reinventing Work and the Workplace of the Future”. Tune in to find out more about Julia’s book, along with:Julia’s StoryThe Nowhere Office Remote work - Not “one-size-fits-all”Adjusting Central Business DistrictsOffices with Living QuartersDeskless vs. Knowledge Workers (in)equalityTalent Scarcity - What’s driving it?Automation & Jobs DisplacementEducation for the Future of WorkDiscrimination in the Labour Market  Connect with Julia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliahobsbawm/ Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/ Buy Julia’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Nowhere-Office-Reinventing-Workplace-Future-ebook/dp/B09CPNSNT8?ref_=ast_author_mpbVisit CXC website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/ 

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Darren Morris, Managing Director at CXC Australia. Darren is an expert in contingent workforce management, EOR & AOR.  During the episode Connor & Darren discuss: Darren’s StoryThe Evolution of StaffingCandidate Experience AI & Chat GPT Discrimination in the Labour MarketTalent Scarcity Crisis - How to solve it?Education for the Jobs of the FutureRemote work - Are offices dead? Automation & Job DisplacementHR Tech - Bubble or not? Connect with Darren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjmorris/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit CXC website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/

On this episode of The Open Talent Report, Connor Heaney talks to Mike Smith, Chief Executive of Randstad Enterprise with over 18 years of experience in the talent acquisition industry. Mike’s focus is on building long-term strategic relationships with the world's largest corporations, helping to solve complex talent challenges and creating sustainable business value and agility. During the episode Connor & Mike cover: Mike’s StoryInspiration to Work in the IndustryRandstad's Talent Trends Report - Key FindingsHow to Approach Resource Demand Planning?Labour Market Paradox - How to resolve itFinding Talent: Digital Blockchain PilotThe Evolution of StaffingAutomation and Jobs DisplacementHR Tech - Bubble or not?What is in store for the Future of WorkConnect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljohnsmith/Connect with Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrmconnorheaney/Visit Randstad Enterprise website: https://randstadenterprise.com/ Visit CXC website: https://www.cxcglobal.com/