Secrets of Staffing Success

Tori Begg joins Brad Bialy to separate fact from fiction and share a practical roadmap for staffing leaders looking to implement AI without getting lost in the noise. Despite the constant hype surrounding AI agents and automation, most organizations are still in the early stages of adoption.From generative AI and AI agents to workflow mapping and digital labor, Tori explains what staffing firms should actually be paying attention to right now—and what can safely be ignored. She shares why most organizations aren't ready for full-scale agentic AI, how recruiters can identify the highest-value opportunities for automation, and why understanding your workflows is the first step toward successful AI adoption.Brad and Tori also dive into AI hallucinations, prompt engineering, custom GPTs, small language models, clean data, and the growing importance of keeping humans at the center of every AI strategy.Whether you're experimenting with ChatGPT for the first time or actively exploring AI-powered recruiting, sourcing, sales, and operations workflows, this conversation offers a practical framework for using AI to increase productivity, improve decision-making, and create a competitive advantage without sacrificing the relationships that make staffing successful.Expect to Learn:The difference between generative AI and agentic AIWhy workflow mapping should happen before AI adoptionHow to identify non-revenue-generating tasks for automationWays to reduce AI hallucinations and improve output qualityWhy using multiple LLMs can improve resultsThe role of small language models in the future of staffing technologyHow AI agents can support sourcing, screening, engagement, and ATS updatesWhy a "human first, AI forward" mindset will separate successful firms from the restAbout the HostBrad 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 225,000 downloads.About the GuestTori Begg is a senior AI leader specializing in adoption, enablement, strategy, and the human side of artificial intelligence. As Senior Manager of AI Programs, she leads AI strategy and implementation across sales, marketing, and operations, helping organizations translate emerging AI capabilities into measurable business impact.Tori focuses on how leaders redesign workflows, roadmaps, decision-making, and expectations as AI reshapes how work gets done. She is the co-founder of Mind & Machine DFW and a frequent speaker on AI leadership, organizational transformation, digital labor, and the practical application of AI in business.Sponsors and Offers HeardTake the Stage 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.For 30 years, Benefits in a Card has delivered benefit plans designed specifically for the staffing industry—over 140 unique options with immediate coverage, unique perks like FreeRx, and solutions that reduce turnover while improving ACA compliance. Give your workforce benefits they’ll actually use and give your staffing firm a competitive edge. Learn more at:https://www.BenefitsInACard.com.

This episode of Take the Stage, presented by Haley Marketing, will fundamentally challenge how you think about sales activity and what it's actually worth. You'll walk away with a sharper framework for diagnosing what's broken in your sales organization, whether it's your people, your process, or the pressure you're putting on both, and a clear-eyed view of why doing less, more deliberately, consistently beats doing more with less intention. If you lead a staffing firm or a sales team, this conversation will make you uncomfortable in exactly the right way. KEY MOMENTS [00:01] – The #1 mistake holding firms back[01:08] – Chasing shiny objects kills revenue[02:21] – What to do when business is down[04:08] – How to prioritize your fix-it list[05:28] – Did COVID break the staffing industry?[07:02] – How COVID made staffing sales reps lazy[08:21] – Outputs vs. outcomes in sales[09:18] – Rewarding the wrong KPIs [10:48] – What consultative selling looks like[12:49] – Where firms get their ICP wrong[14:45] – Messaging by ICP level[16:38] – The Under Armour sales analogy[18:58] – Research has never been easier[23:00] – What top firms do differently[24:45] – Speed closes deals, not relationships[27:52] – Fixing staffing's reputation problem[31:42] – Sales reps as pre-client managers[33:26] – Optimistic or pessimistic on 2026?[35:41] – Coach in the moment, not end of month[37:17] – About AFM Strategic Partners[42:20] – Rapid fire: book that changed her life[43:24] – Advice for new staffing professionalsABOUT THE GUEST Anna Frazzetto is the Founder and CEO of AFM Strategic Partners and one of the most recognized voices in staffing and sales leadership — named to Staffing Industry Analysts' Global Power 150 Women in Staffing for seven consecutive years. She built her career scaling businesses from the ground up, including growing a solutions practice from $3M to $100M, and has led global sales transformations across some of the most complex corners of the industry. Her perspective is rare because it spans both sides of the table: the strategic and the deeply human, shaped in part by her experience as a cancer survivor who chose to bet on herself and start something new. Her new book, *Sales Leadership in Action*, distills over 100 field-tested tips for sales leaders who want to stop firefighting and start building teams that close.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 225,000 downloads.SPONSORS AND OFFERS Book a 30-minute 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 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 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 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