Secrets of Staffing Success

It's a bonus episode this week, taken from Lunch with Haley.   Our April webinar on demand generation sparked so much discussion, we couldn’t get to all the questions—and the feedback was clear: we needed a part two. So we’re bringing the panel back for a follow-up discussion, focused on practical answers to your biggest sales challenges. In this session, you’ll get: Expanded insights on how to create demand for staffing services Answers to audience-submitted questions we didn’t have time for in April Straightforward advice on prospecting, strategic selling, and demand creation New strategies for overcoming “we’re not hiring” and standing out from competitors If you’re looking for smarter ways to create more opportunities and differentiate your firm in today’s market, don’t miss this special session.   About the Speakers David Searns, Co-CEO, Haley Marketing When it comes to marketing a staffing firm, few people know the industry like David. He literally grew up in the business. He has been helping staffing companies create innovative marketing strategies and award-winning websites for more than 25 years. Tom Erb, President, Tallann Resources With a career spanning nearly 20 years, Tom Erb has established himself as one of the staffing and recruiting industry’s top subject matter experts. As an executive for two of the largest staffing and recruiting companies in the world, Tom worked with some of the most recognizable and well-respected companies in the United States to help optimize their workforce strategy. As a consultant, trainer, and speaker to the staffing and recruiting industry, Tom has helped hundreds of firms create and execute sales and recruiting strategies to grow their business. In 2010 Tom formed Tallann Resources, a consulting firm specializing in the Staffing and Recruiting Industry. Tom has helped staffing and recruiting companies of all sizes and verticals transform their sales structure, create and implement their strategic plans, and optimize their recruiting process. Mark Winter, CEO, WinSource Group Mark is an expert at driving sales performance, keeping focus on customers, and keeping things simple. For 20 years, Mark has held every sales role out there- from Branch Manager to Vice President of Sales and Enablement for a $2.5B publicly traded staffing company. During that time, he has spent countless hours figuring out what works and of course, what doesn’t. This enables Mark to sniff out things that are blocking performance, remove the barrier, and get people to act. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt and holds master certifications from some of the top sales training organizations in the world. Whether its strategic planning, sales process development, sales training, customer acquisition & engagement, sales team performance, or system and tool adoption- Mark can help get your team on track. Mark is the CEO of WinSource Group, a consulting company that specializes in the staffing industry. By providing training, coaching, and solid process WinSource help staffing companies get the best possible performance from their sales team. Dan Mori, Founder of Staffing Mastery & President of Employment Solutions Dan Mori is a seasoned staffing industry executive, sales strategist, and leadership coach with over two decades of experience driving business transformation in the employment space. As President of Employment Solutions, he helped engineer one of the most successful regional staffing expansions in the country, growing the firm from a single location in upstate New York to a multi-state powerhouse operating in 28 states. As founder as well of Staffing Mastery, Dan brings a no-nonsense, high-impact approach to helping staffing firm leaders grow their teams, scale revenue, and systematize success. His passion lies in training salespeople to think strategically, lead with insight, and win market share—even in the most competitive or frozen economies. Dan also created the Staffing Dashboard, a powerful tool that provides staffing leaders with real-time business performance insights to make informed, data-driven decisions that drive growth and success. A recognized voice in the industry, Dan has coached hundreds of staffing professionals through workshops, playbooks, and performance coaching rooted in real-world results. He’s known for breaking down complex sales challenges into repeatable, scalable strategies—empowering firms to shift from reactive selling to proactive demand creation.  

Struggling to scale your outreach without overwhelming your sales team? In this episode, we break down how marketing automation for staffing firms is transforming business development—if used correctly.   On this episode of InSights, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy and Rachel Reed tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in staffing today: that automation just means blasting emails. Instead, discover how the best firms are building intent-based journeys that track buyer behavior, signal readiness, and trigger hyper-personalized follow-ups that drive actual conversions. Expect to Learn: 1. Why more emails ≠ better results 2. How to segment and nurture clients at scale 3. When automation empowers sales reps vs. replaces them 4. Real-world examples of marketing automation in staffing 5. The #1 mistake staffing firms make with automation This episode should inspire you to explore strategies like lead scoring in Bullhorn Automation and candidate re-engagement to maximize your tech stack. Rachel breaks down a smart funnel strategy that mirrors the same approach taken by top-ranked staffing marketers like ClearlyRated and Staffing Referrals, offering insights you can implement right away—even with a messy database. Chapters and Key Moments: 00:00 – Introduction: Misconceptions of marketing automation 01:00 – Myth-busting: Automation isn’t just sending emails 03:00 – What leading staffing firms do differently 04:20 – Determining trigger points (2 vs 80 touches) 08:46 – Getting started: Mapping customer journeys 11:40 – Importance of clean data and how to start scrubbing 14:20 – Reactivating former customers with targeted messages 16:40 – How often to monitor automation data triggers 20:30 – Automation as a sales enablement tool, not replacement 28:00 – Integrating PPC, email, direct mail: surround sound marketing 33:30 – Extending automation to the candidate experience Ready to implement marketing automation the right way? Start here: https://www.haleymarketing.com/services/marketing-automation/ About the Speakers Brad Bialy is the host of Take the Stage and InSights, the staffing industry's leading podcasts with close to 175,000 downloads. He has a deep passion for helping staffing and recruiting firms achieve their business objectives through strategic marketing concepts. For over a decade, Brad has developed a proven track record of motivating and educating staffing industry professionals at over 150 industry-specific conferences and webinars. His keen eye for strategy and delivery has resulted in multiple industry award-winning social media campaigns, making him a sought-after speaker and expert. Rachel Reed is a recruitment and sales automation expert specializing in marketing automation strategy and execution for clients large and small. With experience in both recruitment automation and B2B sales strategy, she brings a unique perspective to the potential of automation tools in the industry. Rachel excels in making sophisticated platforms accessible and valuable for staffing and recruiting professionals – delivering actionable strategies to drive sales leads, qualified applications and customer retention.   Offers Heard in this Episode: 30-minutes of strategic marketing consultation with Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 Special Offers! Our Best Savings of 2025: https://bit.ly/bialyoffer If you’re running a staffing firm and your tech stack feels more like a roadblock than a growth engine—Broad & Madison is your fix. With over 60 years of recruitment technology expertise, they streamline your systems, automate the boring stuff, and make your tech finally work for your team, not against it. Broad & Madison doesn’t just keep your systems running... they make them smarter, faster, and more profitable. To learn more about our friends over at Broad and Madison and how they can help your staffing firm maximize its technology visit https://www.BroadAndMadison.com    

Is the staffing industry at a breaking point—or on the verge of reinvention? In this episode of Take the Stage, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy, Tom Kosnik and David Searns dive deep into the staffing industry trends that are reshaping recruiting in 2025. From AI disruption and automation to nearshoring, changing buyer behavior, and economic decoupling, this isn’t a slump—it's the perfect storm.   Inside the episode: ✔️ External market forces crushing old staffing models ✔️ How independent contractors and platforms like Upwork are shifting client preferences ✔️ Why staffing firms must transition from job-fillers to strategic human capital advisors ✔️ Action steps for small-to-mid-sized firms to survive—and lead—through transformation ✔️ If you’re still waiting for things to “go back to normal,” this episode is your wake-up call.   About the Speakers Brad Bialy is host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the leading podcast for the staffing industry, presented by Haley Marketing. He has a deep passion for helping staffing and recruiting firms achieve their business objectives through strategic digital marketing. For over a decade, Brad has developed a proven track record of motivating and educating staffing industry professionals at over 100 industry-specific conferences and webinars. Brad has helped guide the comprehensive marketing strategy of more than 300 staffing and recruiting firms, making him a sought-after expert and speaker in the industry. David Searns is co-CEO of Haley Marketing, a digital and recruitment marketing, branded content, and web design firm that works with more than 1,200 staffing and search firms throughout the world. For nearly 30 years, the team at Haley Marketing has helped staffing firms to stand out from the competition, improve recruiting response, increase sales productivity, and stay top-of-mind with employers and job seekers. Tom Kosnik, founder and president of the Visus Group is one of the staffing industry’s leading experts in organizational design, profitability improvement and work culture transformation. With a commitment to empowering staffing firms with the knowledge and tools to help business owners increase the value of their enterprise asset by helping them grow their business. Tom has coached and consulted hundreds of staffing executives throughout North America using his empirical based “Organizational Development Business Model” (ODBM). Most notably, Tom is the founder of the Presidents RoundTable, a nationwide leadership forum program strategically aimed at helping staffing professionals collaborate and solve industry challenges. With over 25 years of consulting experience in the staffing industry, Tom’s diverse array of services have helped numerous staffing firms across the country improve their operations and bottom lines.   Offers Heard in this Episode: 30 minutes of strategic marketing consultation with Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 Special Offers! Our Best Savings of 2025: https://bit.ly/bialyoffer What if your back office fueled your growth instead of holding it back? TRICOM makes it happen! From payroll and billing to accounting and asset based lending, they clear the roadblocks and power your path forward. Your team gets paid, your cash flow stays steady and your business scales like never before. Visit https://www.TRICOM.com to learn more.

Why does happiness always feel one step away? If you’ve ever said, “I’ll be happy when…”—you’re on the hedonic treadmill, a psychological loop where success never quite leads to satisfaction. This episode reveals how to step off the treadmill and build happiness from within. On this episode of Take the Stage, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy sits down with happiness researcher Declan Edwards to challenge the centuries-old belief that happiness follows achievement. From positive psychology to emotional intelligence, they explore how cultivating human skills—like gratitude, boundary-setting, and awareness—creates a more sustainable, fulfilling life and career. This video should inspire you to explore gratitude practice and mindfulness techniques, especially in high-performance, tech-disrupted sectors like staffing and recruiting. Expect to Learn: What the hedonic treadmill is—and how to escape it Why most people chase success but never feel happy The power of human skills in an AI-driven economy How to practice presence and self-awareness The ripple effect of happiness at work and home Noteable Moments: 00:00 The Pursuit of Happiness: A Misunderstanding 02:50 Decoupling Happiness from Success 05:37 The Role of Human Skills in the Workforce 08:32 The Ripple Effect of Happiness 11:29 Navigating Workplace Emotions 14:24 Savoring Success and Happiness 19:15 The Practice of Happiness 27:00 Connection in a Remote World 31:14 The Future of Happiness 33:30 Declan's Journey and Insights   About the Speakers Brad Bialy is host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the leading podcast for the staffing industry, presented by Haley Marketing. He has a deep passion for helping staffing and recruiting firms achieve their business objectives through strategic digital marketing. For over a decade, Brad has developed a proven track record of motivating and educating staffing industry professionals at over 100 industry-specific conferences and webinars. As a visionary leader, Brad has helped guide the comprehensive marketing strategy of more than 300 staffing and recruiting firms. His keen eye for strategy and delivery has resulted in multiple industry award-winning social media campaigns, making him a sought-after expert and speaker in the industry. Declan Edwards is widely known as that happiness guy and as a thought leader in the space of positive psychology, employee experience, and personal development. As the founder of BU Happiness College, a social enterprise dedicated to helping individuals and organisations build the skills of happiness, Declan has built a strong personal brand by standing at the intersection of science, storytelling, and social impact. His work has shown that happiness is not a fluffy ideal, but a measurable and learnable skill that drives meaningful results in both life and leadership. Through intentional personal branding, Declan has not only elevated his own voice but used it to amplify a movement that is changing the way we think about success, leadership, and happiness in the modern world.  

Struggling with growth? These proactive strategies for staffing firms will help you thrive—even in uncertain times. Staffing firm leaders are facing structural shifts: AI, automation, and budget pressure are no longer future threats—they’re current realities. In this episode, Brad Bialy sits down with Marty Borosko and Michael Napolitano to break down how firms can get ahead by leveraging data, strengthening leadership infrastructure, and avoiding the reactive cycle that defines most staffing operations. This discussion unpacks urgent priorities for firms that want to scale, sell, or simply survive in today’s economy: Why the current downturn may be structural, not just cyclical—and how to respond How data analytics (not just intuition) can guide smarter decisions Why founder-led firms must evolve: from founder-dominant to founder-inspired leadership What separates commoditized staffing vendors from trusted advisors How AI is impacting the staffing landscape—and why it's still the human conversation that closes deals The role of strategic partnerships in creating real value (beyond cutting costs) Whether now is the right time to sell your staffing firm—and what makes a firm market-ready This video should inspire you to explore: Staffing data optimization Founder evolution and exit strategies Positioned for staffing leaders, recruiting firm owners, and executive teams, this episode features insights that rival those shared by Staffing Industry Analysts and The SIA Podcast, highlighting how high-performing firms are adapting faster—and smarter. About the Speakers: Brad Bialy is host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the leading podcast for the staffing industry, presented by Haley Marketing. He has a deep passion for helping staffing and recruiting firms achieve their business objectives through strategic digital marketing. For over a decade, Brad has developed a proven track record of motivating and educating staffing industry professionals at over 100 industry-specific conferences and webinars. As a visionary leader, Brad has helped guide the comprehensive marketing strategy of more than 300 staffing and recruiting firms. His keen eye for strategy and delivery has resulted in multiple industry award-winning social media campaigns, making him a sought-after expert and speaker in the industry. Martin L. Borosko has been the Managing Member of the firm since 2006. Under his leadership, the firm has grown into one of the premier boutique firms with offices in New York, California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Marty leads the Staffing team within the firm dedicated to studying the best legal practices within the Staffing Industry. His philosophy is to direct clients toward legal strategies that facilitate growth and increase enterprise value in the long term.  He often works as part of a team with leading investment bankers, accountants and risk managers to implement comprehensive growth strategies for clients. Marty is a frequent contributor to legal & business publications and lectures across the country on emerging issues impacting the Staffing Industry.  He is the Chairman of the Becker Buy-Side M&A Summit, one of the Founders of the Launch Staffing Conference and sits on the TechServe Alliance M&A Marketplace as their designated law firm. Michael Napolitano is a partner with over 25 years of experience providing counsel and services in areas of profit enhancement, budgeting, planning, and compensation restructuring, helping clients to operate more efficiently. As a practice co-leader of Citrin Cooperman’s Staffing Services Practice, Mike has a specialized focus in the staffing industry. He also has deep expertise in the construction industry, advising contractors, developers, and construction products manufacturers. Additionally, he advises clients in technology, health care, food services, manufacturing and distribution, and various professional services firms. Michael provides a balance of deep industry knowledge and insight, extending his services beyond financial statements and tax returns to help clients understand the impact of their decisions, as well as plan for their future success. As a partner in valuation advisory services practice, Michael provides fraud and forensic accounting counsel in the areas of business partner disputes, marital dispute resolutions, damage calculations, uncovering hidden revenue, and litigation support. Clients benefit from his extensive experience and knowledge, as well as his strategic approach, which combines identifying clear, concise objectives with efficient follow-through. Michael frequently speaks and writes on issues related to the construction and staffing industries. He has presented at annual industry conferences held by the New Jersey Staffing Association.   Offers Heard in this Episode: 30 minutes of strategic marketing consultation with Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 Special Offers! Our Best Savings of 2025: https://bit.ly/bialyoffer What if your back office fueled your growth instead of holding it back? TRICOM makes it happen! From payroll and billing to accounting and asset based lending, they clear the roadblocks and power your path forward. Your team gets paid, your cash flow stays steady and your business scales like never before. TRICOM doesn't just support you, they set you up to soar. Visit https://www.TRICOM.com to learn more. 

Avner Baruch, an Executive GTM and Enablement leader, shares his expertise on transforming staffing firms' sales enablement strategies. He discusses the shift from static content management to impactful coaching and feedback loops. Avner highlights the importance of role practice, ongoing training, and adapting sales processes in response to economic challenges. He also introduces his Project Moneyball methodology, emphasizing the significance of tech stacks in enhancing sales performance while stressing the need for continuous skill reinforcement and effective team dynamics.

Discover the parallels between marathon running and staffing success as endurance and mindset take center stage. Learn how top firms are adapting strategies to maintain growth in a shifting market. Consistency and a strong purpose are key to overcoming sales slumps. Explore the emotional journey behind personal achievements and the importance of community support. Gain practical advice on optimizing recruitment marketing and the necessity of tracking success. Flexibility in tactics is vital to reach long-term goals, even amidst economic challenges.

Strategic partnerships in staffing aren’t just a support tool—they’re a vital growth engine for firms looking to scale in today’s competitive landscape. In this episode, Brad Bialy sits down with Kendra Cato, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Advance Partners, to discuss the mindset shift required for staffing firms to treat collaboration not as a luxury, but as a strategic necessity. With economic uncertainty, candidate shortages, and cautious clients, many staffing owners default to operating in silos. Kendra challenges this approach with real-world examples, outlining how early and intentional collaboration unlocks faster scaling, stronger client outcomes, and a competitive edge. Expect to Learn: Why strategic partnerships must start from day one How to find true alignment with vendors and industry collaborators The pitfalls of not checking in regularly with your partners When to reassess your partnerships—and how to know you’ve outgrown them Why data storytelling matters in executive-level communications Chapters and Key Moments: [00:22] The Mindset Shift: From Scarcity to Abundance [02:17] Why Collaboration Should Start on Day One [03:52] Finding a Growth Engine Through Partnerships [05:03] What Makes a “True” Strategic Partner [06:43] The Balance of Responsibility in Partnerships [09:08] The Ideal Kickoff Call [13:10] How Often to Check In with Strategic Partners [16:18] Knowing When to Change Partners [20:04] Overcoming the “First Service” Label [22:33] How to Find the Right Partner Without Attending Conferences [24:47] Investment vs. Expense in Strategic Partnerships [26:10] Should Your Partner Be Local or National? [29:18] The Importance of Community and Networking   About the Speakers: Brad Bialy is host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the leading podcast for the staffing industry, presented by Haley Marketing. He has a deep passion for helping staffing and recruiting firms achieve their business objectives through strategic digital marketing. For over a decade, Brad has developed a proven track record of motivating and educating staffing industry professionals at over 100 industry-specific conferences and webinars. As a visionary leader, Brad has helped guide the comprehensive marketing strategy of more than 300 staffing and recruiting firms. His keen eye for strategy and delivery has resulted in multiple industry award-winning social media campaigns, making him a sought-after expert and speaker in the industry. Kendra Cato is a dynamic staffing industry thought leader and business influencer known for her ability to build meaningful connections between people and organizations. With nearly 20 years of experience in strategic planning, sales, marketing, and research, her experiences in staffing technology have made her keenly aware of the importance of people and technology in driving business development. Kendra is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Advance Partners where she works closely with the company's leadership and sales team to build holistic relationships across the industry and help staffing firms grow. Kendra is also a thought leader, speaker, and co-author of "Together We Rise." She is one of the founding members of Women of Color in Staffing, an organization committed to making the staffing industry more accessible, fulfilling, and lucrative for female leaders.   Offers Heard in this Episode: 30 minutes of strategic marketing consultation with Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 Special Offers! Our Best Savings of 2025: https://bit.ly/bialyoffer  

Discover how curiosity is the secret sauce for elite recruiters, driving success even in tough markets. Learn about the untapped power of Google reviews and their impact on staffing firms' reputations. Hear insights from industry conferences and the importance of community and networking. Continuous learning and self-assessment emerge as crucial for growth, while fostering candidate engagement can enhance reputation management. This conversation redefines recruitment strategies and highlights collaboration as a key to thriving in challenging times.

In this insightful discussion, guests Tom Erb, President of Tallann Resources, Dan Mori, Founder of Staffing Mastery, and Mark Winter, CEO of WinSource Group, explore the creation of demand for temporary staffing services. They delve into strategies for navigating economic challenges and discussing the importance of client segmentation. The conversation highlights the need for staffing firms to differentiate themselves by providing value over mere pricing. Effective communication and building long-term relationships are emphasized as key factors in driving growth in this competitive landscape.