Rob’s Blog: CWS Summit 2024 - There Takeaways from Day 1

Dallas in a hot September - it must be the Contingent Workforce Strategies (CWS) Summit hosted by Staffing Industry Analysts .

600 attendees from 340 organizations joining together over two days to share, learn, network and socialize.

The conference opened with a keynote from Dawn McCartney, CCWP who compared the staffing industry in the past few years to a ride on a roller coaster.

Part terrifying, part enjoyable, part rewarding.

Although there was surely a missed opportunity to use the Ronan Keating single as the opening soundtrack.

(Late 90’s/early 2000's Irish boy band alumni “Life is a Roller Coaster” for our non UK and Irish readers).

So, what were the key themes from day 1?

Diversity as well as diversity

While recent summits have been dominated by a few topics, most notably by AI and DE&I, this years “Day 1” was notable for the diversity of topics discussed.

While DE&I and AI were, quite rightly, still represented those looking to begin their journey could join the session on “Contingent Workforce Management 101” while those looking at a more advanced and wider agenda could join those on “Global Expansion” or “Unlocking Next Gen Success” amongst others.

Knowledge, Innovation, Action

The overall theme of the summit was "Knowledge, Innovation, Action" with the opening session setting the challenges of “Where can we innovate?” and “Where can we push the boundaries?”.

The Program Operations trend data in the same session signposted some of the answers sharing the initiatives organizations were “Likely to seriously explore”.

Near the top once again was Direct Sourcing and Talent pools at 47% although this has been trending for the past few years so perhaps time to stop “seriously exploring” and start doing.

Globalization, Diversity and Total Talent also made the Top 5 but the later research on where MSP providers have developed their services also showcased some practical point solutions to address challenges in skills shortages or risk management.

These ranged from “Tail spend management” to reduce risk and administration to “Global hiring” and “Recruit train deploy” to address skills shortages and then on to “Consultancy” and “Strategic workforce planning” for those truly looking to integrate their contingent workforce into their business planning.

AI from new to normal

Out of a total of 15 panel and discussion sessions only two called out “AI” in the title and of those two one questioned whether AI was no longer the ”shiny object” and was now just the “must have”.

Discussions have now moved from the “what“ and “why” to the “how to” with, particularly generative, AI an expected, or essential, part of any service.

So, what did the panel think do you need to consider in deploying AI in a contingent workforce programs;

• Do you have right leadership?

• Do you have right data?

• Identify friendlies (to champion the change)

I’m not sure AI is (yet) fully mainstream in (all) programs as suggested but this represents a marked change in tone from last year's sessions about “what” to use AI for.

In summary

An interesting opening day with something for most attendees regardless of the size and maturity of their contingent workforce program.