Secrets of Staffing Success

"Personal Branding” might be the most overused and misunderstood buzzword in modern marketing. Here's the truth... Posting more doesn’t make you memorable, and being visible doesn’t mean you’re valuable. There's a science to owning the room in 2026...In this episode of Take the Stage, Brad Bialy sits down with Sharon Bondurant to break down what it really takes to own the room in 2026 through clarity, consistency, courage, and human connection in an AI-driven world. About the Guest Sharon Bondurant is the founder of The Finders, an Arizona-based recruiting firm she launched in 1998 that has grown into a twice-named Inc. 5000 company with over 6,000 placements across Tech, HR, and Finance. She’s known for her human-first approach to recruiting, emphasizing long-term relationships, trust, and sustainable growth. Key Takeaways Clarity beats chasing everything. You grow when you get uncomfortable on purpose. Relationships compound faster than cold outreach. Consistency builds trust long before opportunity appears. Courage creates access where skill alone cannot. Timestamps [00:00] – Is standing out harder in 2026? [02:10] – Why strategy determines visibility [03:30] – Defining your true ICP [05:15] – The danger of saying yes to everything [07:40] – Letting go of good to become great [09:00] – Starting with your existing network [10:40] – Unlocking revenue in your database [14:00] – Listening as a competitive advantage [19:30] – Rebuilding in-person relationships [22:00] – Becoming the authority in the room [25:30] – The “third door” to new opportunities [36:45] – Why consistency and follow-up win About the Host Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads. Sponsors and Offers Heard Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 Benefits in a Card helps staffing firms offer meaningful benefits to their entire workforce through flexible, unbundled plans designed for high-turnover environments—making it easier to control costs, improve retention, and stay competitive. https://www.BenefitsInACard.com TRICOM partners with staffing firms as an asset-based lender and full-service back-office provider, helping owners scale confidently by reducing risk and easing the operational strain of payroll, cash flow, and administration. https://www.tricom.com

David Searns, Co-CEO of Haley Marketing and a 25+ year staffing marketing strategist, argues staffing must shift from selling time to selling outcomes. He discusses reimagining work as project-based, learning from consulting, escaping the markup conversation, charging premiums for A-players, using AI to design services, and owning performance data to build lasting differentiation.

Brett Cavanagh, president of TempWorks Software and Lone Oak Payroll who moved from hands-on staffing into tech leadership, discusses why the old transactional playbook is failing. He talks about shifting to consultative selling, building deep candidate inventory, treating talent like long-term clients, and how AI will expose weak recruiters while reshaping staffing.

In this episode of InSights, Brad Bialy sits down with Hailey Birkner (Account Manager with Haley Marketing) to unpack why retention is built between deliverables and how intentional account management drives deeper relationships, stronger loyalty, and more revenue from the clients you already have. About the Guest Hailey Birkner is an Account Manager at Haley Marketing, where she helps staffing firms turn strategy into sustainable momentum. With a background in automation and client experience, she lives at the intersection of service, clarity, and trust—coaching clients toward consistent, long-term success. Key Takeaways Retention is earned between the wins. Consistency beats intensity—every time. Silence is not success; feedback fuels growth. Automation supports relationships, it doesn’t replace them. Authenticity is your only real competitive advantage. Timestamps [03:25] – “Retention is built between deliverables” reframed [04:12] – Why service alone is just table stakes [05:08] – Consistency over intensity in client relationships [06:25] – Scaling personalization without losing authenticity [08:09] – Coaching vs. transactional account management [09:52] – Quarterly touchpoints that create momentum [11:00] – Using automation to nurture at scale [13:42] – Plan your work, work your plan [15:05] – Why silence is not success [16:54] – Creative follow-ups that re-engage clients [18:58] – Writing emails people actually respond to [21:06] – Segmenting accounts for smarter growth   About the Host Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads. Sponsors and Offers Heard InSights is presented by Haley Marketing. For a limited time, we're offer 50% off of a brand new staffing website. Just message Brad Bialy on LinkedIn and mention the Crazy Website Promo. Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host, Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 This episode is brought to you by FoxHire. If you’re looking for an Employer of Record partner that helps recruiters confidently grow contract placements and build recurring revenue without taking on extra risk, FoxHire is perfect for you. Learn more at FoxHire.com/Haley

In this episode of Take the Stage, Brad Bialy sits down with Nicole Krensky to break down how AI is separating the leaders from the laggards in staffing and what firms must do now to stay competitive. About the Guest Nicole Krensky is Director of Product Marketing at Bullhorn, where she leads go-to-market strategy for Amplify, Automation, and Search & Match. With nearly a decade in tech marketing and deep exposure to AI adoption across staffing firms, Nicole works directly with companies navigating the shift toward AI-powered recruiting. Key Takeaways AI adoption is no longer optional—it’s operational. The pack is already separating. Automation amplifies recruiters; it doesn’t replace them. Database depth is a competitive weapon. Curiosity with action beats hesitation. Timestamps [00:39] – How AI is reshaping staffing firms [02:25] – The evolving role of the modern recruiter [05:12] – Leading AI adoption without team resistance [09:26] – Using AI to drive recruiting firm growth [12:10] – Why AI creates competitive advantage [13:11] – Best first step for AI in recruiting [16:10] – Eliminating the resume black hole with AI [18:30] – Improving candidate experience through automation [23:53] – Quick-win AI tools for recruiter productivity [28:35] – Increasing recruiter output with AI workflows [31:57] – Cleaning and leveraging your staffing database [35:44] – Advanced AI strategy for staffing leadership About the Host Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads. Sponsors and Offers Heard Take the Stage is presented by Haley Marketing. For a limited time, we're offering 50% off a brand new staffing website. Just message Brad Bialy on LinkedIn and mention the Crazy Website Promo. Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 Benefits in a Card helps staffing firms offer meaningful benefits to their entire workforce through flexible, unbundled plans designed for high-turnover environments—making it easier to control costs, improve retention, and stay competitive. https://www.BenefitsInACard.com TRICOM partners with staffing firms as an asset-based lender and full-service back-office provider, helping owners scale confidently by reducing risk and easing the operational strain of payroll, cash flow, and administration. https://www.tricom.com

ChatGPT, an AI-powered staffing analyst and strategist, breaks down talent markets, AI disruption, and survival tactics for firms. It explores specialization vs dilution. It covers data-driven advising, candidate experience, ethical AI safeguards, and how recruiters can shift from transaction work to strategic, consultative roles.

In this episode of Take the Stage, Brad Bialy sits down with Paul Petersen to unpack why the candidate black hole still exists in recruiting and how human-centered, tech-enabled recruiting can finally fix it. About the Guest Paul Petersen is a fractional CHRO and executive workforce strategist with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations modernize talent acquisition, HR technology, and workforce strategy across global enterprises. He’s known for blending deep HR tech expertise with a relentless focus on the human experience for both talent and hiring managers. Key Takeaways Speed without intention creates invisible talent. Screening out is easier than building trust—but far less effective. Communication is the real differentiator in modern recruiting. Technology should amplify recruiters, not replace them. Great recruiters act like agents, not gatekeepers. Timestamps [00:23] – Why the candidate black hole still exists [02:54] – Screening out versus screening in explained [05:16] – When “speed to hire” becomes the wrong metric [06:48] – The two personas that actually matter [08:35] – Can AI really fix the candidate experience? [10:33] – The Domino’s pizza tracker analogy for recruiting [14:02] – Why talent pools are massively underutilized [16:26] – Predicting talent needs before jobs open [20:53] – Paul’s 300-application job search story [25:11] – Why recruiters should think like sports agents [30:37] – The hiring manager’s missing voice in HR tech [35:27] – Integrity as a long-term recruiting advantage About the Host Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads. Sponsors and Offers Heard Take the Stage is presented by Haley Marketing. For a limited time, we're offering 50% off a brand new staffing website. Just message Brad Bialy on LinkedIn and mention the Crazy Website Promo. Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 Benefits in a Card helps staffing firms offer meaningful benefits to their entire workforce through flexible, unbundled plans designed for high-turnover environments—making it easier to control costs, improve retention, and stay competitive. https://www.BenefitsInACard.com TRICOM partners with staffing firms as an asset-based lender and full-service back-office provider, helping owners scale confidently by reducing risk and easing the operational strain of payroll, cash flow, and administration. https://www.tricom.com

In this episode of InSights, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy sits down with David Searns, Co-CEO of Haley Marketing, to unpack why staffing firms must build a true growth engine—one that aligns marketing, sales, and buyer enablement to win in a more skeptical, competitive market. About the Guest David Searns is the Co-CEO of Haley Marketing and one of the most experienced voices in staffing industry marketing. With more than 25 years helping firms clarify differentiation and drive demand, David brings a deep, practical understanding of what actually fuels sustainable growth. Key Takeaways Marketing is a sales advantage, not a creative expense. Buyers decide long before sales ever gets the call. Differentiation starts with customer problems, not company features. Nurturing beats chasing when markets tighten. If you don’t define your aisle, you compete on price. Timestamps [02:20] Why staffing penetration is collapsing [04:55] Buyers are skeptical, busy, and informed [06:45] The danger of selling without buyer enablement [09:20] The six-layer growth engine framework [13:15] Why most differentiators don’t actually differentiate [17:10] Escaping the “staffing aisle” trap [19:00] How owners should pressure-test their messaging [23:40] Making sales drop-bys actually work [27:25] Why nurturing is the most ignored lever [31:30] Buyer enablement without giving away secrets [34:20] Why fewer employers are using temps [35:50] Learning how to learn in a changing market About the Host Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads. Sponsors InSights is presented by Haley Marketing. For a limited time, we’re offering 50% off a brand new staffing website. Just message Brad Bialy on LinkedIn and mention the Crazy Website Promo. Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host, Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 This episode is brought to you by FoxHire. If you’re looking for an Employer of Record partner that helps recruiters confidently grow contract placements and build recurring revenue without taking on extra risk, FoxHire is perfect for you. Learn more at https://www.FoxHire.com/Haley  

Noah Yosif, Chief Economist and Head of Research at the American Staffing Association, breaks down 2026 labor market forces. He discusses AI’s task shifts and rising blue‑collar demand. He explains immigration’s hidden effects, policy influences on hiring, and why staffing should pivot to advisory and new revenue models.

In this episode of InSights, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy sits down with Brad Smith to unpack why selling staffing services is harder than ever—and how tightly integrated sales, marketing, and AI-driven buyer enablement are becoming the real competitive advantage heading into 2026. About the Guest Brad Smith is Chief Strategy Officer at Haley Marketing, bringing more than 20 years of experience helping staffing firms turn digital marketing, technology, and strategy into predictable growth. A Certified Inbound Marketing professional, Brad is a frequent industry speaker and contributor to leading staffing publications. Key Takeaways Selling got harder—but avoidance won’t fix it. Activity beats hope when markets tighten. Buyer education now happens before sales conversations. Specialization creates leverage in crowded markets. AI amplifies systems—it doesn’t replace them. Timestamps [01:10] – Why sales feels harder than ever [02:35] – The real reason leaders avoid quotas [04:45] – When inbound stopped being enough [05:10] – The shocking truth about 72 touches [07:00] – Why reps quit before momentum starts [09:15] – Turning marketing into sales leverage [10:45] – How buyers decide before calling you [12:40] – What buyer enablement actually includes [15:10] – A $1.1M lesson in control and scale [18:05] – Why marketing can’t fix broken sales [21:00] – Focus beats doing everything for everyone [26:20] – How AI shifts from advantage to necessity About the Host Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads. Sponsors InSights is presented by Haley Marketing. The old way of selling staffing is dead. Let’s fix it – with smarter strategies and HUGE DISCOUNTS on modern lead gen tools: 👉 https://bit.ly/Bialy20 Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host, Brad Bialy: 👉 https://bit.ly/Bialy30