The Staffing Playbook Podcast, Powered by YES

Staffing Trends July 2025

We're back with another round featuring staffing experts Kim Henderson, MBA, PMP, Six Sigma and Richard D Rosner (aka "Staffing Shark") to tackle everything staffing!Expect actionable insights, candid conversation, and the straight talk staffing pros need to stay ahead of the curve. Bring your questions, tune in, take notes, and level up your staffing game!📅 July 17, 2025🕒 3:00 PM EST🎙️ Hosts: Steven Farrell, CSP & Genevieve Bourgeois🔗 Register & Listen:Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gFcvmWu6Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gbfWAZezThe Staffing Playbook: https://lnkd.in/ggxC9eNC🙏 Sponsored by: Staffing Referrals - https://lnkd.in/gw3Fuscq📲 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dUKYz6KjStaffing Referrals

Staffing talk with Kim Henderson

We'll welcome special guest Kim Henderson, MBA, PMP, Six Sigma with Cobalt Compass Solutions. We'll discuss critical topics impacting the staffing industry, including challenges faced by recent college graduates in today's job market, the importance of effective networking and professional associations, and insights into June's unexpected job growth. This episode is proudly sponsored by YES | Your Employment Solutions and Staffing Referrals.

Staffing Talk Series

We’ve teamed up for something special.
 
I’m thrilled to announce a new limited bi-weekly series where we will be joined by industry pros Richard D Rosner and Kim Henderson, MBA, PMP, Six Sigma, to tackle everything staffing.
 
From AI and automation to labor trends, economic shifts, and new ways to grow your book of business — we’re digging into the tactics, strategies, and straight talk that matters.
 
This is for staffing pros who want to stay ahead of the curve.
 
Tune in, take notes, and level up.

How You Sell Is Your Differentiator

Guest: Shannon Kahn, Founder & CEO, SMK Consulting USAHosts: Steven Farrell, CSP & Genevieve Bourgeois
 
Most staffing firms compete on price, speed, and fill-rates. Few stand out by how they sell. Join us for a candid conversation with industry veteran Shannon Kahn on transforming every client interaction—from the first cold call to contract renewal—into a competitive moat.
What you’ll learn in 45 minutesPrep that pays off: Shannon’s pre-call framework for walking into any meeting already two steps ahead.
Reading the room: Subtle cues that signal whether to dig deeper, pivot, or close.
Tactical coaching in the moment: How leaders can sharpen micro-skills without turning reps into robots.
Shifting from vendor to strategic partner: Language and questions that elevate you above the transactional pile.
If you lead sales, run a desk, or coach a team—bring your notebook. Every takeaway is built to implement Monday morning.
 
Powered by Your Employment Solutions
Sponsored by Staffing Referrals

Gaining Market Share, Referrals, Market Trends & Recap of the Utah Sales Conference

We're thrilled to welcome David Folwell, Founder & CEO of Staffing Referrals, to The Staffing Playbook Podcast for one of our most powerful episodes yet!💡 In this episode, we dive into:Gaining real market share in a crowded industryBuilding a referral engine that scalesCurrent market trends every staffing leader needs to knowA behind-the-scenes recap of the Utah Staffing Sales ConferenceDavid brings unmatched insights from working with hundreds of staffing firms—and if you’re not yet leveraging referrals, this is your blueprint to start.🎧 Powered by YESSponsored by Staffing Referrals🗓️ June 20th | 🕐 1:00 PM MDTStaffing Referrals, is also a proud sponsor of our show. Want to see how their platform can help you scale your referrals the smart way?

Summer Staffing Series: Flat Growth, Fast-Moving AI & Smarter Marketing

Topic: Flat Growth, Fast-Moving AI & Smarter Marketing — plus an exclusive preview of the Summer School Staffing Series
Guest Speakers: Kim Henderson – Managing Director, Cobalt Compass Richard “Staffing Shark” Rosner – Founder, Staffing Shark Hosts:
Steven Farrell & Geneviève Bourgeois

Thriving in a Down Market: Building a Scalable Sales Playbook

In this episode, David and I discuss: How to adapt your sales strategy when hiring freezes and margin pressures hitWays to double down on consultative selling and deepen existing client relationshipsStep-by-step approaches to build a repeatable, scalable sales engine even in a soft market.
If you missed my original guest appearance—or if you’d like to revisit those ideas on my own series—tune in for Episode 39 of The Staffing Playbook Podcast on June 6th.🔗 Listen to the original Staffing Show episode here: ⁠https://lnkd.in/gP8xAdx9

Know Your Worth: Unlocking the True Value of Your Staffing Firm

Is your markup a true reflection of the impact you deliver—or just a number on an invoice?We sit down with Benjamin Mena, founder of Select Source Solutions and host of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, to break down exactly how staffing firms can quantify—and communicate—their real economic value.Why you should tune inSee your firm through an economic lens. Benjamin’s background in defense-contract recruiting and economics gives him a data-driven view of pricing, margins, and market positioning.
Turn “soft” results into hard numbers. Learn practical frameworks to translate fill-rates, retention, and compliance into dollar impact clients can’t ignore.Stand out without racing to the bottom. Hear brand-building tactics and success stories that prove premium pricing is possible—even in crowded markets.
Rapid-fire insights you’ll take awayThe one economic indicator every staffing leader should trackA proven blueprint for articulating your unique value propositionCommon pitfalls that sabotage pricing power—and how to avoid themIf you’re leading a staffing firm, managing a sales desk, or simply want to stop competing on price alone, this conversation is for you.

Behind the Curtain: What HR Really Thinks About Staffing Agencies pt 3

"Behind the Curtain” Series, Part 3 Episode 37: What HR Really Thinks About Staffing Agencies The final curtain is about to fall.
In Parts 1 & 2 we heard unfiltered truths from MSP/VMS leaders and HR pros Megan Gill & Shane Fisher.
Now we’re closing the trilogy with two more seasoned HR voices ready to say the quiet parts out loud: Angie Johnsen and Gail Perkes, SPHR.
Co-hosts Steven Farrell, CSP and Genevieve Bourgeois will dig into:
Fresh “good, bad & ugly” stories that agencies still need to hear The biggest communication misfires HR teams experienced this year—and how to avoid them Outreach tactics that win a reply vs. an instant delete What agencies must evolve before 2026 to stay on HR’s preferred-vendor list Lightning-round tips you can implement before your next client call Expect candor, specific examples, and an action-packed 45-minute playbook you can put to work immediately.
Sponsored by Staffing Referrals—helping agencies turn great talent into brand ambassadors and repeat placements.

“Behind the Curtain” Series, Part 2 Episode 36: What HR Really Thinks About Staffing Agencies

Our Behind the Curtain opener pulled back the veil on MSP/VMS frustrations.
Now we’re handing the mic to the people who sign the SOWs: Human Resources leaders.
LIVE: May 16, 2025 | 1:00 PM MDT
Co-hosts ⁠Steven Farrell, CSP⁠ & ⁠Genevieve Bourgeois⁠ welcome HR veterans ⁠Megan Gill⁠ and ⁠Shane Fisher⁠ for a 45-minute tell-all that covers:
The good, the bad & the ugly of agency relationships
Outreach tactics that trigger an instant delete (and what opens doors)
The communication gaps that tank partnerships—and quick fixes that rebuild trust
HR’s wish-list for agencies that want to stay relevant in 2025 and beyondReal-life wins that turned suppliers into indispensable partnersWe’ll wrap with a rapid-fire lightning round so you leave with snack-size tips you can implement the same day
Missed Part 1 (MSP/VMS edition)? Catch the replay here ➡️ ⁠https://lnkd.in/g4wMbiVb⁠
Craving more? Stay tuned for Part 3 as we go even deeper into HR’s unfiltered verdict.
— Sponsored by ⁠Staffing Referrals⁠—turning great talent into brand ambassadors and repeat placements