Staffing Made Simple.

The contingent workforce space is full of AI talk, but buyers and staffing firms are still dealing with the same core problem: too much noise and not enough clarity. Firms are trying to stand out, buyers are trying to sort real capability from claims, and RFPs are still one of the most time-consuming parts of the process. So, what actually matters when decisions get made — and what doesn’t?In this episode, co-hosts Rob Geist and Casey Wagonfield sit down with Mickey Pelletier, Founder & CEO of CWM Strategies and cwRFP, to break it down. With 17+ years across MSP, VMS, and the client side, Mickey shares where AI can genuinely help without adding more noise, what buyers actually look for in staffing partners, how firms can differentiate once they’re in a program, and how to make the RFP process less painful for everyone involved. For anyone trying to win more deals, simplify RFPs, or use AI in a way that actually helps, this is a must-listen.

Contingent work isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s becoming a more critical part of how organizations operate. But while demand remains strong, the way these programs are designed, managed, and measured is shifting fast. Buyer expectations are evolving, labor models are getting more complex, and the old approaches that once worked are no longer enough to stay competitive. The opportunity is still there, but only for those willing to adjust how they show up and deliver value.In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, co-hosts Casey Wagonfield and Rob Geist are joined by Meea Evans-Cone from CEVA Logistics to explore how contingent workforce programs are evolving in real time. Drawing from experience on both the staffing and buyer sides, Meea shares what’s changing inside large-scale programs, how organizations are rethinking standardization versus local flexibility, and what it really takes to stand out today — from aligning with buyer expectations to delivering measurable quality and retention in light industrial environments.

Are your prospects ghosting you? Are sales cycles dragging on while “just checking in” emails disappear into the void? Deals take longer, inboxes stay silent, and selling on price feels like a race to the bottom. Staffing sales has shifted — and if you’re still relying on old tactics, you’re already behind. In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we unpack what it really takes to sell consultatively in today’s market, how to differentiate beyond filling orders, and how aligning sales, marketing, and ops can turn stalled conversations into real momentum.That’s why we invited Mark Winter, Principal CEO of WinSource Group, to join the conversation. With more than 20 years in staffing — from running branches to leading sales enablement for a multi-billion-dollar organization — Mark shares practical strategies for building stronger pipelines, tightening execution, and helping teams sell with confidence in a tougher market. If you’re tired of being ghosted and competing on price, this episode delivers insights you can put to work right away.

A new year brings new opportunities for staffing agencies — but it can also bring new rules, increased enforcement, and more ways to get caught off guard. In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we sit down with legal experts Lia Elliott and Joanna Monroe of Staffing GC to break down the toughest states for staffing agencies, emerging compliance pressure points, and the legal landmines tied to immigration changes, I-9 requirements, and non-competes as 2026 gets underway.We also take a clear-eyed look at AI — where tools meant to improve hiring speed can quietly introduce bias and legal exposure if they’re not governed properly. If you own, lead, sell for, or recruit in staffing, this episode lays out what’s changed, what’s coming, and where to focus before small issues turn into big risks.

What if you could sit down with someone who talks daily to enterprise buyers managing contingent workforce programs and the staffing firms competing for their business, and get the inside scoop? In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we dive into the latest Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) data on the economy, break down VMS and MSP trends, and show why technology and AI are now essential for agencies that want to specialize and show up as true partners — not just vendors.To tackle these topics, co-hosts Casey Wagonfield and Rob Geist of SimpleVMS sit down with Kersten Buck, Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Solutions at SIA. Kersten breaks down what the data says about buyer and staffing trends, how the contingent workforce landscape is evolving, and what agencies need to do right now to stay ahead and thrive in a fast-moving market.

In staffing sales, everyone claims to value relationships—but too often, the chase for quick wins takes over. This episode of Staffing Made Simple digs into what it really means to move beyond being “just another vendor.” It explores why clients can sense when your outreach is transactional, how to shift from chasing recs to earning trust, and what separates sales reps who get ignored from those who get invited to the table.Joining us for this conversation is Casey Jacox, bestselling author of Win the Relationship, Not the Deal, and host of The Quarterback Dadcast. Drawing on his experience as a top national staffing salesperson, Casey shares how leading with service, consistency, and genuine curiosity builds lasting business partnerships. Whether you’re an account manager, recruiter, or sales leader, this episode will challenge how you think about success — and help you refocus on relationships that drive real results.

Selling staffing today is a whole new ballgame. Decision-makers are tougher to reach, buyers are doing their homework long before you ever make contact, and differentiation has never been harder. The old playbook – impersonal cold calls, generic pitches, and canned follow-ups – just doesn’t cut it anymore.In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, hosts Rob Geist and Casey Wagonfield dig into the realities of selling in 2025: what’s changed, what’s working, and how the best staffing pros are rethinking their approach to prospecting, positioning, and closing.To help unpack it all, they’re joined by Tom Erb, President of Tallann Resources, national speaker, and author of Winning the Staffing Sales Game. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Tom brings proven strategies for standing out in a crowded market – sharing what top producers do to build trust faster, add real value in early conversations, and win clients who stick.

What if a single partnership could open new revenue streams, accelerate your growth, and make your client relationships stronger? That’s exactly what happens when staffing leaders embrace SimpleVMS – the most vendor-friendly VMS on the market. Built to partner with agencies, SimpleVMS helps you scale faster and differentiate your value with clients.In this milestone 10th episode of Staffing Made Simple, Rob Geist and Casey Wagonfield sit down with Bob Baer, Chief Growth Officer at TalentLaunch. With over 30 years in staffing, Bob has been leveraging the SimpleVMS model for more than a decade across multiple companies – proving it’s not just software, it’s a growth engine.If you’re ready to move beyond transactional staffing and build something sustainable, scalable, and truly different, this conversation will change how you look at VMS partnerships.

Is your compensation plan helping – or hurting – your bottom line? Rising costs, shrinking margins, and stagnant producer performance are all signs that your compensation model may be working against you. When you’re overpaying for the wrong results – or failing to reward the right ones – you’re quietly bleeding profit while competitors surge ahead. If your pay structure isn’t attracting new talent, keeping your best people, and driving profit, it may be time for a serious reset.As President of Visus Group, Tom Kosnik has spent decades helping staffing agencies uncover profit leaks and build comp plans that actually drive results. In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, Tom shares proven strategies for designing structures that fuel growth, motivate producers, and protect your margins.

The staffing industry is at a crossroads. Market conditions are tougher, technology demands are higher, and the old playbook for growth isn’t cutting it. Yet some agencies are thriving while others struggle. What’s the difference? That’s what we’re exploring today with the latest State of Staffing benchmarking report from Staffing Hub. Surveying hundreds of staffing leaders, the study reveals a clear pattern: the most successful agencies aren’t just moving faster — they’re moving smarter.In this episode, David Folwell, President of Staffing Referrals and founder of Staffing Hub, breaks down this year’s research on transformation — how agencies are adapting, where they’re investing, and what separates the winners. He’ll share the key trends shaping the industry, the strategies fueling high growth, and how to build high-functioning talent pools that drive lasting success.

What do empathy, design thinking, and AI have to do with staffing and recruiting? More than you might think. In this episode, we’re joined by Jodi Brandstetter—HR consultant, Amazon bestselling author, and certified expert in both Design Thinking and Human Design. Jodi helps organizations create smarter, more human-centered talent strategies and is passionate about using AI to cut out the noise so we can focus on what matters: people.We explore how to hire like a human and work like a machine—without losing your edge. From applying design thinking to improve hiring and retention, to integrating AI to help enhance, not compromise, the human touch, this conversation is packed with practical insights for recruiters and hiring managers seeking to evolve their talent acquisition practices.

Platform staffing isn’t just industry jargon — it’s the direction staffing is moving, and agencies that ignore it risk falling behind. With tighter margins, rising client expectations, and AI-driven tech transforming how agencies operate, the traditional staffing model is getting a much-needed overhaul.In this episode, we’re joined by Will Skowyra, Director of Strategic Solutions at Express Employment International, to unpack what platform staffing really is, how integrated tech stacks and data-driven workflows are giving agencies an edge, and what you should be thinking about now — whether you're ready to dive in or not.If you’re looking to scale smarter, stay competitive, or future-proof your business, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

The world of contingent workforce management loves its big ideas and fancy buzzwords — but at the end of the day, it’s all about getting the right people in the right place at the right time. In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Kalman, Head of Global Contingent Labor Operations & Vendor Management at ZT Systems, who’s doing exactly that. He’s leading a massive global program, working directly with staffing partners, and focusing on what actually moves the needle: people, process, and partnerships.If you’re in staffing sales, talent acquisition, or workforce management, this episode offers the kind of real-world, straight-talk advice you need to hear.

Do you really know your ideal client profile — and is it aligned with your unique value proposition? If you hesitated or can’t answer confidently, chances are you’re wasting time chasing the wrong business. It’s time to stop burning energy on deals that don’t move the needle and start attracting the clients your agency wants.In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we sit down with Dan Mori, Managing Partner at Staffing Mastery and a staffing sales strategist who’s built a business helping agencies sharpen their focus, refine their approach, and win. Dan breaks down the 5 fundamental requirements every staffing agency needs to build a sales and marketing strategy that actually delivers.

Let’s be honest — most people sleep on the importance of their online presence. Whether you’re a recruiter, sales pro, or business leader, how you show up online isn’t about chasing likes or sending 100 DMs — it’s about standing out and building credibility that makes people want to work with you.If you’re in staffing and on LinkedIn, chances are you’ve seen his name, his energy, and his no-BS positivity in your feed. We’re talking about Richard Rosner — host of The Staffing Shark podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Richard to unpack how he built a personal brand that attracts business and opportunities without hard selling. He’s got the receipts, and today he’s sharing how you can get there too.

In today’s competitive staffing landscape, standing out to potential clients isn’t easy. With inboxes full and phones ringing off the hook, what actually grabs a buyer’s attention—and keeps it? In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, Casey Wagonfield and Rob Geist sit down with Eduardo Gonzalez, Manager of Workforce Planning at Arvato, to dig into what staffing buyers really care about.Eduardo oversees a contingent workforce of over 1,500 across 10 locations and knows firsthand what makes a staffing agency stand out—and stick around. Whether you're struggling to get in the door or trying to strengthen existing relationships, this episode is packed with real talk from the other side of the table.

The staffing industry is in constant flux, with evolving federal, state, and local regulations posing unique challenges for agencies striving for compliance and growth. In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we’re joined by Lia Elliott, managing partner at Staffing GC, to explore some of the most pressing legal considerations agencies face.From the complexities of immigration laws to managing intricate client contracts and operating in heavily regulated markets, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the hurdles staffing agencies must overcome. Tune in for valuable insights to help you stay compliant, competitive, and ahead of the curve in an ever-changing landscape!