[Stage] Kendra Cato - Using Strategic Partnerships to Scale Your Staffing Business

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