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Kim Henderson, Managing Director of Cobalt Compass, shares her journey from leading a $100 million staffing agency to launching a firm dedicated to training staffing professionals. She highlights the power of specialization and leveraging Statement of Work (SOW) models to drive growth and build strategic client relationships.

In this installment, we spoke with Amit Matani, CEO of Wellfound, previously AngelList Talent. Amit discusses the evolution of AngelList into Wellfound, the intricacies of managing talent marketplaces, and the role AI plays in recruitment today. He also shares insights into the challenges of finding senior engineers in the current hiring landscape.

Discover why talent platforms should embrace Employers of Record for W-2 assignments. Navigate complex regulations efficiently with EOR services.

Discover the benefits of offering payrolling services to your clients. Reduce risks, enhance competitiveness, and attract more clients with contractual payrolling.

Discover essential insurance strategies for US staffing agencies. Mitigate risks, protect clients, and navigate regulations with expert insights from Ascen.

Gain valuable insights into M&A strategies in the staffing industry with Brian Kennedy, M&A Advisor at R.A. Cohen. Learn about agency valuation, sale structure, and key considerations for lower-middle market transactions.

Discover which states require a license for healthcare staffing agencies. Stay compliant, avoid penalties, and gain a competitive edge in the industry.

In this installment, we spoke with Suky Sodhi, President of Professional Selection, a top rec2rec recruitment agency in North America, and the founder of the Canadian Staffing Industry Summit, a leading staffing industry conference.

Ensure staffing compliance across US states to avoid fines and lawsuits. Learn how to navigate employment laws with Employer of Record.

At-will employment laws in the US are different from those in other countries. Learn how staffing firms can navigate this area of labor law.

In this interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight, Mike Wiley, the CEO of Chane Solutions, shares his journey from the staffing industry to founding a background screening business. He discusses the unique challenges and nuances of the background check and screening industry, emphasizing the importance of responsiveness, compliance, and effective program design. Wiley highlights the complexities of navigating varying regulations across municipalities and the constant need for updating documentation to stay compliant.

In this blog, we cover the complexities of determining whether a worker should be classified as an employee (W-2) or an independent contractor (IC), a responsibility that rests on staffing agencies or their Employer of Record (EOR), if used. The classification process is complicated by varying federal and state regulations, including those from the IRS, Department of Labor, and states like California, which often lean toward classifying workers as employees.

Becoming a staffing partner for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offers significant growth opportunities for staffing agencies, including access to job requisitions and new clients. While smaller firms may perceive MSP structures as favoring larger competitors, success is possible with a strategic approach. Key strategies include focusing on core strengths, leveraging niche specializations, and maintaining consistent performance. Aligning with MSP performance metrics and building strong partnerships can help smaller agencies stand out. By addressing client needs and demonstrating value, staffing firms can thrive in the competitive MSP ecosystem.

Learn how to start a successful healthcare staffing agency in a booming industry. Discover information on incorporation, licensing, insurance, and onboarding.

Discover how invoice factoring can improve cash flow for staffing agencies. Learn how Ascen offers embedded payroll funding without personal guarantees.

Discover the costs of starting a staffing agency in the US and key steps to success.

Learn how to make your staffing agency financially resilient with expert tips on profitability, financial planning, and sustainable growth.

Discover insights from Patrick Morin, Partner at Transact Capital, on M&A strategies and sellability factors in the staffing industry. Gain valuable tips for optimizing company valuation and transaction outcomes.

Learn the differences between W-2, 1099, and Corp-to-Corp worker classifications for staffing agencies. Avoid penalties and ensure proper tax compliance. Optimize your workforce structure now.

Discover essential pricing strategies for expanding your staffing agency into the US market. Calculate profit margins and adapt markup for success.

Discover the top US state to incorporate your staffing agency for success. Explore laws, tax benefits, and key factors to consider for optimal growth.

Discover key insights into the US staffing industry with a statistical analysis of state-by-state trends and opportunities beyond revenue metrics. Explore expansion strategies with actionable data.

Navigating the complexities of contract worker regulations and contract placement types, particularly in the US, can be challenging for UK staffing agencies, but employers of record (EORs) can simplify compliance and management.

In this Across the Pond installment, we spoke with Elliott Manning, Founder and Managing Director of Kayman Recruitment, who talks about launching and growing his recruitment business in the US.

Learn how to market your staffing agency in the US.

Learn the difference between EOR, AOR, and PEO and what's best for your staffing agency.

Across the Pond is an interview series of recruitment leaders who have expanded into the US from the UK and elsewhere. The series is brought to you by Ascen, an all-in-one employer of record and back office platform for recruitment companies operating in the US. In this installment, we spoke with Stewart Roberts, Managing Director at MAYACHI, who talks about recruitment finance and back office in the UK and the US.

Learn how to break into MSP programs as a staffing agency.

In this interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight, we sat down with Diane Prince, Founder of Recruiting Agency 360, who talks about how to scale a staffing company to an exit based on her experiences founding and selling multiple staffing firms, including her $28 million exit of OnStaff to Hall Kinion (later acquired by KForce).

Across the Pond is an interview series of recruitment leaders who have expanded into the US from the UK and elsewhere. The series is brought to you by Ascen, an all-in-one employer of record and back office platform for recruitment companies operating in the US. In this installment, we spoke with Antony Baker, CEO and Founder of GRC Hub, who talks about compliance recruitment in the UK and the US.

How to Classify Workers' Comp Codes for Staffing Agencies

In this interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight, Terri Gallagher, founder of Gallagher and Consultants, shares her journey from pioneering Disney's first contingent workforce solution to establishing her own successful consultancy. Readers will gain a historical perspective on Terri’s groundbreaking work at Disney and her role in revolutionizing contingent workforce management. She provides industry insights, offering critical views on the current state and future of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Vendor Management Systems (VMS).Terri also discusses emerging trends, emphasizing why she believes Employment of Record (EOR) services are poised to dominate the gig economy. She explores the untapped potential and challenges of integrating direct sourcing into talent acquisition strategies. The interview also includes personal reflections on the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship.

Myths about IC/C2C Compliance in the US Staffing Market

How to Start Contract Staffing in the US for UK Recruitment Firms

Guide to US Payroll Funding for Staffing Firms

Navigating the EOR Landscape as a Staffing Firm

Top Books to Read as a Staffing Agency Founder

Are traditional staffing firms going extinct?

Why is Contract Staffing More Valuable than Direct Hire in M&A?

In this interview on Ascen’s Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Raleen Gagnon, CEO of TalentEdgeAI, who talks about AI in the recruitment process, how staffing firms can navigate an industry slowdown with AI, and how combining AI insights, sourcing, and recruitment tools in one product really brings the power of AI to staffing industry users.

In this interview on Ascen’s Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Taren Dube, Founder of Murmur, who talks about how self-managed and MSP-managed contingent workforce programs can maximize the performance of their staffing supplier community. In the conversation, Taren covers problems in supplier management for existing contingent workforce programs, the 80-20 rule in supplier effectiveness, and how to get the most out of the "long tail" of a program's staffing supplier network.

In this interview on Ascen’s Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Sue Jagan, Associate Director of MeeDerby, who talks about the world of executive recruiting, her journey from managing a temporary staffing branch office to being a top executive recruiter at MeeDerby, and how to succeed in the staffing industry. The conversation is an inspiration for recruiters and staffing industry participants, especially about the power of personal connections for advancement in the recruitment industry.

In this interview on Ascen’s Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Jim Boyd, founder of Cirrus Group Consulting, who discusses the need for specialization in the rapidly evolving field of cloud technology staffing. Inspired by his personal interest and industry trends, Jim highlights strategies of differentiation in a saturated market in staffing, such as requiring all team members to obtain cloud certifications and how to expand into adjacent markets like cybersecurity, software development, and data engineering. The talk is a powerful lesson in how staffing firms can win with focus and differentiation.

In this interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight, we sat down with Bryan Peña, CCWP, CEO of Defiant Solutions, LLC, who talks about how staffing agencies and staffing platforms can get noticed in the ultra-competitive staffing industry. The conversation spans Bryan's history in the industry, from being on the buyer side to starting the Certified Contingent Workforce Professional (CCWP) program to where he is advising companies today. Bryan has a great perspective on the future of staffing and principles any staffing agency can use to grow and win enterprise deals.

In this interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Nicole Clarke, Co-Founder of Shazamme, the fast-growing website builder for staffing agencies. The conversation with Nicole goes over the challenges staffing and recruitment agencies face when building their website, what recruitment agency websites should have, and how current tools on the market are insufficient for what staffing agencies truly need. Nicole also gets into her background as an entrepreneur and gives a behind-the-scenes look at a company helping solve one of the most important parts of any recruitment agency: their public face.

In this interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Dustin Talley, a seasoned professional in the contingent labor industry and founder of Direct Collective and Talent Simplified, uncovering his journey from traditional finance aspirations to becoming an independent consultant. Dustin recalls how a chance encounter during a job interview shifted his career trajectory, leading him into the world of staffing and contingent workforce management. He shares the pivotal moments that prompted him to venture out on his own, launching Talent Simplified and later founding Direct Collective, a community platform for contingent labor professionals. Throughout the conversation, Dustin emphasizes the importance of direct-to-talent models, the evolving landscape of talent pools, and the necessity for organizations to adapt to new workforce engagement strategies. He offers valuable insights for individuals considering entrepreneurship in the industry, emphasizing the need for preparation, resilience, and a supportive network. Dustin dives into the changing dynamics of the contingent labor space, reflecting on the shift towards niche players and the growing significance of strategic talent management. Dustin's candid reflections and practical advice make this interview a compelling read for anyone interested in the future of work and the staffing industry's evolution.

In this interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Jared Black, Founder and President of NewVine Employment Group and President of the Florida Staffing Association, who talks about how to be innovative in the light industrial staffing world by providing great service, how to succeed as a staffing startup founder, and about general issues that light industrial staffing firms face in the Florida market and beyond. The interview spans Jared's beginnings in the flower industry and his experience with staffing suppliers that led him to start his own company, all the way to his involvement in the wider Florida staffing community that led to his election as the President of the Florida Staffing Association.

In this insightful interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, David Ballew shares with Mickey Pelletier the contingent workforce and staffing industry's evolution and future trajectory. From David's unexpected entry into the field to his journey of reinvention with Nimble Global, readers are treated to a wealth of firsthand experiences and invaluable insights, including David's extensive history in staffing and contingent workforce management, from his humble beginnings at Kelly Services to his pivotal role in shaping the MSP landscape at MSX International. David provides a deeper understanding of the critical role compliance plays in contingent workforce management, along with the challenges and opportunities it presents. From the impact of AI and technology to the shifting dynamics of staffing agencies and direct sourcing, the interview paints a vivid picture of the industry's dynamic landscape as David reveals his vision for the industry's future and the exciting possibilities. With anecdotes, expert analysis, and candid reflections, David's journey offers an optimistic point of view about the future of contingent workforce management.

In this interview on Ascen's Staffing Industry Spotlight series, Lee Willoughby, co-founder of Bubty, discusses his journey into the staffing and contingent workforce industry and his passion for direct sourcing and talent pools. Lee shares his personal experiences, from reconnecting with childhood friend Ben to co-founding Bubty and shaping its mission. He shares the importance of direct sourcing as a dynamic sourcing channel, driven by technology and branded marketing to engage workers effectively. Lee predicts the continued evolution of direct sourcing alongside changes in the labor market, showcasing his dedication to transforming the industry through innovation and personalized talent engagement strategies.

In this interview on Ascen’s Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Shahbaz (Robbie) A, CEO of Cybotic System, to explore his journey into the staffing industry and the founding principles of Cybotic. Shahbaz shares his background in technology consulting and his transition into staffing, driven by personal circumstances and a desire to innovate within the industry. He discusses the creation of Cybotic System, highlighting its unique approach to staffing solutions through the integration of technology, diversity initiatives, and a strong focus on talent engagement and culture. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in recruiting and strategies for standing out in a crowded staffing market. Through Shahbaz's insights, readers can expect to gain valuable perspectives on the ever-changing landscape of the staffing industry and the keys to success in driving meaningful change within it.

In this interview on Ascen’s Staffing Industry Spotlight Series, we spoke with Ron Bardach (Investment Director) and Tony Davies (Regional Managing Director) from Recruitment Entrepreneur, one of the largest staffing agency investors backed by James Caan CBE, founder of AMS. Ron and Tony discuss what makes a great staffing firm founder, how to prepare for an exit, and their strategy for investing in early-stage recruitment agencies. Ron starts off the conversation, with Tony joining halfway. Both their experiences working with and investing in staffing companies reveal great lessons on what it takes to build a sellable staffing firm and mistakes to avoid along the way.