The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES

Data shows AI is reshaping staffing: entry-level roles are falling while senior roles grow. Firms that adopt AI are far more likely to be top performers and close orders in days. A middle tier of firms is shrinking as AI-native players pull ahead. Practical actions and risks around hybrid human-AI teams, data cleanup, and compliance are highlighted.

The staffing firms winning right now aren't making more calls — they're making better ones. And the ones falling behind? They don't have a sales problem. They have a control problem. In Episode 71, I sat down with two industry heavyweights to break down exactly where deals die — and what to fix first: Jamie Lupo — 20+ years in staffing, 18 at LHH where she rose to VP of Strategy. She rebuilt flatlined offices into record-breakers and recently launched Lupo Advisory to help small and midsize staffing firms sharpen their sales execution and go-to-market strategy. Jamie doesn't sugarcoat it: if your reps are "waiting to hear back," you're already losing. Valentine Kapture — 15+ years in staffing strategy and analytics, also an LHH and Robert Half alum. He launched KAPTURE to bring Fortune 500-level AI and workflow automation to the small and midsize staffing firms that need it most. Here's what we got into: → Why sales-recruiting alignment is where staffing firms go to die → The discovery question gap that's killing your close rate → How one team hit their highest temps-out in 4 weeks by fixing their data → Where AI removes the drag vs. where it needs to stay out of the way → Why every irrelevant touch trains the buyer to ignore you → A 7-day challenge you can start tomorrow This one is tactical. No fluff. Just the plays. 📅 Thursday, April 16th | 1:00 PM MDT

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.

David Wilson, host of The Ring of Hire Show and a 25-year high-volume recruiting pro, shares practical staffing tactics. He covers running large temp rosters, speedy candidate contact, reusing applicant pools, AI-driven candidate journeys, and treating accounts with tight, customer-focused execution. Short, tactical moves for 2026 replace random hustle with disciplined operations and focused follow-up.

🎙️ 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

Pankaj Jindal, co-founder of Sense and ex-staffing operator with 15 years’ experience, builds AI-driven talent engagement tools to boost candidate experience and recruiter productivity. He cuts through AI hype and focuses on where it actually wins. Topics include AI for sourcing and engagement, data and workflow first, augmentation not replacement, rapid outreach, and a practical three-step AI roadmap.

Matt Buffington, Founder and CEO of KinISO, a software and consulting leader for small-to-mid staffing firms. He breaks down the three pillars to scale: sales, service/operations, and recruiting. Conversations cover why firms stall around $10M–$50M, where technology truly adds leverage, and how to design a scalable operating system for 2026.

Mark Winter, founder of Windsource Group and staffing strategist, and Tom Erb, president of Talent Resources and AI-forward operator, debate where staffing stands in 2026. They discuss why customer focus beats growth-at-all-costs. They cut through AI hype versus reality. They argue specialization, execution, and fixing operations are the levers that will separate winners from the rest.

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.

Andre Young, professional speaker, author, and leadership trainer who moved from therapist and pro athlete to organizational coach. He discusses why promoted performers struggle to lead, first steps for new leaders, resetting relationships with former peers, building trust across tenure, avoiding micromanagement, and practical rituals that keep teams aligned.