2024 in Review: The Business of Talent
Earlier this year, I wanted to start a newsletter. The goal was never to gain followers or attention, but instead to share my experiences in the staffing and recruitment industry. My perspective as a “staffing insider” is designed to benefit employers and candidates alike.?
As 2024 comes to a close, "The Business of Talent" newsletter has done just that: share knowledge of the ever-changing recruitment world. With topics running from employer-candidate dynamics to strategies for navigating today’s talent market, below is a recap of the year’s insights. I’d love to hear from you: which is your favorite topic??
Agencies or Talent Acquisition: Who’s Better at Finding Talent?
Published: July 31, 2024
This article highlights the complementary strengths of staffing agencies and internal Talent Acquisition (TA) teams. Staffing agencies bring scalability, proactive pipelines, and niche expertise, while TA teams excel in cultural alignment, branding, and internal referrals. By collaborating, organizations can harness the best of both worlds to achieve faster, higher-quality hiring outcomes. The key takeaway: partnership, not competition, drives recruitment success.?
An Insider’s Take: What is up with Candidate and New Hire Ghosting?
Published: August 7, 2024
Ghosting—when candidates or new hires cut off communication—has become a growing challenge for the hiring processes. This article identifies root causes, such as multiple job offers or fear of confrontation, and offers strategies like consistent communication, timely feedback, and employer branding to reduce ghosting. Building genuine relationships remains the most effective way to address this issue.
Ghosting Can Go Both Ways: When Employers Neglect Candidates
Published: August 14, 2024
How do employer practices, such as delayed communication and lengthy hiring processes, contribute to candidate disengagement? These behaviors damage employer brands, increase recruitment costs, and lose top talent. Strategies to improve include streamlining processes, prioritizing transparency, and creating a positive candidate experience to maintain a strong talent pipeline.
Hiring and Retention: What Benefits Move the Needle?
Published: August 21, 2024
This article explores the benefits that attract and retain top talent, emphasizing alignment with company culture. Beyond essentials like health insurance and PTO, standout benefits include flexible work, wellness programs, career development, and financial wellness support. Tailoring benefits to employee needs while fostering a culture of recognition and growth is critical for long-term success.
Staffing Agency Fees: Why Are Bill Rates and Direct Hire Fees So High?
Published: August 28, 2024
Staffing agency fees shouldn’t be a mystery, particularly when it comes to the transparency of contingency pricing models. Agencies invest heavily in sourcing, vetting, and hiring upfront, only receiving payment after successful placements. Key insights include understanding standard fees, avoiding unnecessary conversion charges, and valuing strategic partnerships built on trust and shared risk.
“Gen P” and What It Means for Your Talent Strategy
Published: September 4, 2024
Introducing "Generation Pandemic" (Gen P), this article examines the traits and expectations of a group shaped by COVID-19's disruptions. Gen P values flexibility, digital fluency, and mental health resources while prioritizing purpose-driven work. Employers are encouraged to adapt talent strategies, invest in tech, and build inclusive cultures to attract and retain this dynamic generation.
Talent Has a Big Impact on Small Business, But Is Help in Reach?
Published: September 11, 2024
Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) often have to overcome recruitment challenges through staffing partnerships. With limited resources, SMBs benefit from access to broader talent pools, expert sourcing, and scalable solutions. The article calls for SMBs to embrace strategic partnerships to transform hiring and drive growth.
Remote. Hybrid. Onsite. Does it Really Matter for Talent Acquisition? (Part I: The Employer Perspective)
Published: September 18, 2024
It’s no secret the different work models—remote, hybrid, and onsite—are impacting talent acquisition. Employers must align work arrangements with business strategies and cultural goals. It provides insights into the pros and cons of each model and emphasizes the importance of considering organizational stage and employee preferences in shaping policies.
Becoming an Expert When Your Experience Compounds (Part I)
Published: September 26, 2024
This article highlights how expertise grows through repetition and intentional learning. Experience compounding, paired with a growth mindset, leads to mastery and increased value for employers and professionals. It stresses the importance of hiring and fostering talent driven by a desire to continuously learn and contribute.
Part II: With a Growth Mindset, Just Because You Can, Does It Mean You Should?
Published: October 2, 2024
For candidates, it’s critical to focus on tasks that align with expertise and passion. Delegating work outside core strengths enhances fulfillment and long-term growth for professionals and organizations. For employers, fostering environments where employees can focus on their strengths drives retention, productivity, and innovation.
Remote. Hybrid. Onsite. Does it Really Matter for Talent Acquisition? (Part II: The Employee Perspective)
Published: October 9, 2024
This article shifts to the employee perspective on work models, exploring how remote, hybrid, and onsite arrangements impact flexibility, career growth, and satisfaction. It emphasizes the importance of alignment between personal work preferences and company policies to ensure long-term success and engagement.
Who Does a Recruiter Care About More, Client or Candidate?
Published: October 16, 2024
Recruiters must balance dual loyalty to both clients and candidates, ensuring successful matches that benefit both parties. This article highlights the importance of cultural and functional fit, long-term relationships, and mutual trust in fostering sustainable placements.
What Should You Expect from Your Recruiting Firm?
Published: October 23, 2024
Transparency is key in recruiting partnerships. This article outlines what employers should expect, from understanding cultural fit to strategic sourcing and clear communication. A good recruiting partner acts as an extension of your team, driving long-term hiring success and building trust.
Why Mission and Vision Matter in the Recruiting Journey
Published: October 30 & November 6, 2024
This two-part series highlights the role of mission and vision in recruitment. For employers, these values shape culture and attract aligned candidates, enhancing retention. For candidates, evaluating a company’s mission and vision helps ensure long-term fulfillment and alignment with personal goals.
When Placements Fail During a ‘Guarantee Period’ … and Who’s to Blame?
Published: November 13, 2024
Guarantee periods offer reassurance for placements but highlight the shared responsibility of staffing firms and employers in ensuring success. By aligning expectations, providing strong cultural fit, and fostering supportive environments, both parties can minimize failures and create lasting hires.
Candidates and Interview Questions: What’s the Right Answer?
Published: November 20, 2024
This article discusses the balance between ethical interview preparation and authenticity. Candidates succeed by demonstrating genuine strengths and asking insightful questions, while employers benefit from ensuring a transparent, values-aligned hiring process for long-term success.
I Want to Change My Career Path. Can a Staffing Agency Help Me?
Published: December 4, 2024
Career changes require planning and persistence. Staffing agencies can guide candidates by highlighting transferable skills and market insights, but success depends on candidates taking proactive steps, setting realistic expectations, and leveraging opportunities within their current organizations.
The ROI of Recruiting: When Does Utilizing a Staffing Firm Make Sense?
Published: December 11, 2024
Recruitment ROI evaluates the value hires bring relative to the investment in hiring. Staffing firms add value by reducing turnover, identifying high-quality talent, and streamlining processes. Employers benefit most from staffing partnerships during periods of growth, specialization, or limited HR bandwidth.
As a new year is upon us, stay tuned for additional insights and content. While the year will change, my focus will remain the same: to provide strategies and guidance to help you navigate the evolving landscape of recruiting and staffing.?
And, I’d love to hear from you—what topics are top of mind as you plan for the year ahead?
Whether it’s strategies for attracting top talent, navigating remote work dynamics, or addressing industry-specific challenges, let us know what matters most to you. Together, let’s tackle 2025 with fresh ideas, meaningful discussions, and a shared dedication to building stronger teams and organizations.
I'd like to conclude the year with a special thank you to all that contributed and or inspired the content of these Newsletters! Phil Daniels Dennis McCall Tiffany Sauder Kye Hawkins Tim Hickle
?
Chris Madden is President and Founder of Networks Connect, a leading staffing firm dedicated to the healthcare and professional sectors. His passion to connect impactful individuals, enhancing careers and benefiting companies has reached thousands of candidates and hundreds of talent leaders. With a transparent approach, Chris is committed to sharing industry insights, tips, and trends to help peers achieve their workforce goals.
#CareerGrowth #Growth #TalentStrategy #RecruitingInsights #StaffingIndustry #TalentAcquisition #TalentAcquisition #TalentTrends
B2B SaaS Marketing Executive | Fractional CMO | On a Mission to be the Best AI-Enabled Marketing Leader in the World
2 个月I LOVE this! Consistency is KEY and it's awesome to see the success you have seen from consistency over time. Excited to see what you can achieve in 2025!!
Business Account & Recruiting Manager | Networks Connect Healthcare Staffing, LLC | Indiana University
2 个月The "Mission and Vision" article spoke the most to me. As a new grad this past spring, I struggled with the process of applying and interviewing for new roles. There is a difference between having a strong, clear mission and vision statement and having an environment and culture that actually reflects those statements. Networks Connect stood out to me the most during this process because while the mission and vision statements were impactful, so was the environment/culture in the office.
Business Account Manager @ Networks Connect | Strategic Staffing Solutions Expert
2 个月I really enjoyed reading these articles this year. It helped remind me the "why" behind what I do, but also educated me in areas I may have not been as current on. I would say my favorite article was the one about "Remote, Hybrid, or Onsite" It helped give some of the why behind both sides. Many people don't understand why all companies are not one way and this article brought insight I think people forget about.
Senior Accounting and Operations Specialist Specializing in Accounts Payable & Receivable | Driving Financial Excellence and Process Optimization
2 个月I am stuck between Ghosting Can Go Both Ways and Hiring and Retention. Ghosting is an issue I feel I see a lot of on LinkedIn between both candidates and recruiters. It seems to be a big issue that I think the article is well rounded and helpful on. The Hiring and Retention just felt more personal and inline with how to even capture a protentional candidates interest, especially when they're one of high value!
Corporate Compliance Officer for Networks Connect | Healthcare Staffing
2 个月I enjoyed the "Gen P" article the most because it gives insight into a new generation of employees who went to college then into the workforce during and after COVID.