Secrets of Staffing Success

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  

In this episode of Take the Stage, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy sits down with Noah Yosif to break down what staffing leaders must understand about today’s labor market and how economic uncertainty, AI, immigration, and policy shifts are reshaping opportunity for firms willing to adapt. About the Guest Noah Yosif is Chief Economist and Head of Research at the American Staffing Association, where he leads economic and policy research supporting staffing firms nationwide. A frequent voice in major financial media, Noah helps the industry translate complex economic signals into practical insight. Key Takeaways The labor market rewards preparation, not prediction. Uncertainty exposes who truly understands their niche. Staffing’s real superpower is insight, not inventory. AI changes tasks faster than it changes demand. Waiting for recovery is not a growth strategy. Timestamps [00:59] – Why orders are harder to win today [03:35] – When staffing demand still exists [06:15] – Blue-collar work’s unexpected comeback [08:56] – Staffing’s real competitive advantage [11:38] – Immigration’s hidden labor impact [13:36] – Do we have enough workers long-term? [16:29] – The four forces shaping hiring decisions [18:25] – What lower rates mean for staffing [19:24] – Why “wait and see” is a mistake [22:33] – New revenue models changing staffing [25:54] – The smartest 2026 focus for owners [30:32] – Early signs of a staffing recovery 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 Take the Stage 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

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

In this episode of Take the Stage, Brad Bialy sits down with Ashley Andersen to reframe stress as a signal—not a setback—and explore how leaders can build mental strength, stay grounded in uncertainty, and keep showing up without burning out. About the Guest Ashley Andersen is the Founder & CEO of EzraSage, where she helps high-performing professionals and leadership teams build the mental strength to handle stress and pressure without burning out. With a clinical background in social work and psychology and experience as a certified executive coach and Dare to Lead™ facilitator, Ashley has worked with organizations ranging from family-owned businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Key Takeaways Stress is a signal, not a failure. Awareness comes before intention. Pause creates power. Purpose buffers pressure. Progress requires showing up. Timestamps [00:02] – Redefining stress beyond “good” and “bad” [02:10] – Why the brain defaults to danger mode [06:24] – The caveman brain at work meetings [08:04] – The invisible guest mindset shift [09:32] – Stop taking reactions personally [12:13] – The power of the pause [14:07] – Building accountability into team culture [17:37] – Alignment beats agreement [18:55] – Purpose as a stress buffer [23:18] – Finding purpose through lived experiences [28:09] – Why celebrating wins builds resilience [32:09] – Keep showing up when it’s hard 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 Take the Stage 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

In this highlight reel from 2025, we bring you the BEST moments from the first 11 episodes of Take the Stage. Topics Include: 1. Stress Management  2. How to Stop Chasing Prospects  3. How to Develop a Winning Sales Mindset 4. What High-Performing Sales Teams Do Differently 5. Staffing Industry Trends to Impact 2026 6. Can We Stop the Staffing Industry's Decline? 7. Why Culture is Your Competitive Advantage  8. Cold Calling Tips  9. How to Develop Strategic Partnerships 10. Go-to-Market Strategies for Staffing Firms  11. Proactive Strategies for Staffing Firms Learn from the following industry experts: Cathi WIlliams  Rochelle Carrington James Abraham Joey Frampus  Barry Asin Mike Cleland  Patrick Morin Dan Fisher  Kendra Cato Avner Baruch Martin Borosko  Michael Napolitano 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. 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

In this episode of Take the Stage, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy sits down with Julie Ann Bittner to unpack the truth about staffing funding: why it’s not a weakness, how the right partner fuels growth, and what smart owners must understand before cash gets tight. About the Guest Julie Ann Bittner is the President and CEO of TRICOM, a staffing-industry–specific funding and back-office partner with over 36 years of experience. Known for her high energy and deep industry insight, Julie Ann has spent decades helping staffing owners scale responsibly while navigating volatility, growth cycles, and uncertainty. Key Takeaways Funding is a strategic growth tool, not a sign of weakness. The right partner scales with your business—not against it. Waiting until cash is tight limits your best options. Industry-specific expertise beats generalist solutions. Proactive communication prevents reactive decisions. Timestamps [00:15] – Reframing funding as strength, not weakness [01:40] – Why banks struggle with staffing growth cycles [03:15] – Asset-based lending vs. factoring explained [05:16] – Funding realities for staffing startups [06:07] – Questions every owner must ask lenders [07:51] – The risk of client concentration [09:20] – Why waiting too long costs you options [11:14] – The danger of non-industry lenders [13:38] – Where staffing rebounds next year [16:02] – Industries quietly turning the corner [17:12] – AI’s real role in staffing today [23:53] – What true funding partnership looks like 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. 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 This episode is brought to you by MJA & Associates. For over 20 years, they’ve helped staffing firms save money by securing federal and state tax credits like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). With performance-based pricing, you only pay when you save—no setup costs, just real results. Learn more at https://mja-associates.com      

Brad Bialy reflects on a tumultuous year in staffing, highlighting the need for resilience amidst threats like AI and turnover. He emphasizes that happiness stems from refined systems rather than fleeting milestones. Competing with giants like Amazon, he notes that candidates expect swift, transparent experiences. Personalization in marketing is crucial for re-engagement, while curiosity proves vital in building lasting relationships. Finally, the importance of aligning service with brand promises is underlined for authentic connections.

In this engaging discussion, John Klymshyn, a seasoned speaker and coach, emphasizes the critical role of authentic connection in sales amidst an AI-dominated landscape. He advocates for a mindset shift towards curiosity, revealing how precision language and inviting questions can energize conversations. John shares insights on leading sales with empathy rather than pressure, the significance of consistent follow-up, and the power of personalized video. His advice to new sales reps includes embracing a five-year mindset and understanding the joy in the pursuit of success.

In this episode of InSights, Brad Bialy sits down with Steve Gipson to explore why great marketing must align with great service—and how modern staffing firms can blend both to win more business. About the Guest Steve Gipson is a 15-year recruiting industry veteran and the Director of Sales and Operations at Recruiters Websites. His team has helped more than 700 recruiting and staffing firms elevate their digital presence through modern websites, SEO, and marketing strategy. Key Takeaways Marketing can never exceed the quality of the service it promotes. Hype without delivery destroys trust faster than no marketing at all. Many firms avoid marketing because they’re unsure their product is strong enough. Sales and marketing work best as a unified system—not competing functions. Negative experiences travel fast in tight-knit recruiting communities. Strong marketing amplifies great salespeople by warming the path before contact. Timestamps [00:42] – When hype outpaces service delivery [03:11] – The danger of over-marketing an average product [05:55] – Why firms delay marketing until assets match reality [07:47] – Fixing the gap between leads and delivery [09:58] – How one bad experience can ripple through a niche [11:24] – Building a signature solution that stands apart [13:10] – Vegas, overpricing, and customer expectations [14:54] – Does great marketing replace the need for sales? [16:23] – Why service industries still require human closers [21:03] – Marketing’s real job: warming the conversation [23:52] – The unified system: sales and marketing [25:30] – How strong marketing amplifies a single salesperson 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. 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 This episode is brought to you by MJA & Associates. For over 20 years, they’ve helped staffing firms save money through federal and state tax credits like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). With performance-based pricing, you only pay when you save—no setup costs, just real results. Learn more at mja-associates.com.