Insights with Insiders: Recent Episodes
Laurel Cline
Join Tricom’s CEO Julie Ann Bittner and Director of Sales Shelly Wilkinson as they interview experts on emerging trends in the staffing industry. This series is tailored to owners and executives of staffing companies, and is a valuable resource for making challenging decisions in a fluid economy. The conversations cover a range of topics, from choosing the strongest employee benefits program and company insurance platform, to implementing effective employee recruitment and training in the current staffing market. Plus, learn how leaders can foster growth opportunities in industries where demand for talent has increased.
Background screenings are a critical part of the candidate hiring process. Since they are typically done by a third-party provider, the experience can feel disjointed and lengthy compared to the rest of your staffing company’s process. Julie Ann Bittner, TRICOM CEO, discusses this critical part of the hiring process in this month’s Insight with Insiders podcast with Joe Doyle, Vice President of Sales for InCheck. With over 24 years of experience in the HRTech industry, Joe brings a wealth of expertise in background screening solutions, SaaS technologies, and driving consultative customer success across multiple industries with staffing being a major focus.
Joe explains how the background screening process can be unified with the rest of the applicant process to create a more branded, streamlined experience. He also details how managing expectations in terms of how background parameters can impact the timeline of the search, as well benefits of digitizing as many of the forms as possible, can make the process go more smoothly. Digitizing can also help with compliance, as well as enhancing the mobile experience (including texting capabilities!), since these days few candidates apply from a desktop computer. Finally, Joe outlines strategies for choosing a background check provider – one that will help you win the War for Talent.
In this Insight with Insiders podcast, Toby Malara, Vice President of Government Relations for the American Staffing Association, joins Julie Ann Bittner, TRICOM CEO, to discuss the latest burst of legislative activity that impacts the staffing industry on the federal and state levels. Toby advises on all staffing-related legislation and regulation, including the Affordable Care Act, immigration/I-9, paid sick leave, sales tax, and per diem issues. Toby also directs the association’s political activities through its political action committee, StaffingPAC.
The new administration has brought a level of uncertainty not seen in the business world in many years. With the flurry of executive orders, it can be hard for businesses to know how to react to best protect their interests. In this podcast, Julie Ann and Toby discuss federal level changes to immigration, and specifically I-9 compliance, as well as the customer request that can cause staffing companies to run afoul of federal law if they comply. They also speak about the biggest challenge in terms of independent contractors (hint: it involves mis-classifications), and how AI tools geared to help staffing companies match their candidate pool to specific job openings are starting to come under increasing (and expensive) oversight. In addition, Toby addresses non-compete clauses and how states are taking the lead on reigning in improper usage, as well as paid leave and pay transparency. This wide-ranging conversation focuses on topics with a direct impact on staffing companies – you won’t want to miss it!
In this Insight with Insiders podcast, TRICOM CEO Julie Ann Bittner is joined by Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist for Great Lakes Advisors. In this role, Jason authors market and economic commentary, regularly presents in the media and to professional conferences, and works with client portfolio managers to support institutional and private clients. As the Head of Multi-Asset Strategy, he is responsible for portfolio strategy and asset allocation, as well as oversees the firm’s manager due diligence and selection efforts. He is also a member of the firm’s Operating Committee and Management Committee.
With the onset of the new administration and a flurry of executive orders, many are wondering about the economic outlook for the coming year. What will be the economic impact of new tariffs and immigration policy? Is the Fed considering additional rate cuts? How will all this impact the Staffing industry? Jason addresses these issues and more and looks at industries impacted by these topics including manufacturing, retail, construction, and agriculture. He identifies specific opportunities and challenges for Staffing companies, as well as potential for growth in an area the media isn’t talking about.
In this episode of Insight with Insiders, Julie Ann Bittner interviews Tom Erb, a staffing industry expert, about the state of the industry in 2024. They discuss the job market, wage pressure, new opportunities in niche markets, the role of AI in staffing, mergers and acquisitions, legislative involvement, and the importance of accountability. Tom provides valuable advice for staffing business owners and emphasizes the need for proactive engagement with industry associations. He encourages listeners to have a positive mindset and strategic approach to achieve success in 2024.
In this Insight with Insiders podcast, TRICOM President / CEO Julie Ann Bittner is joined by Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist for Great Lakes Advisors. In this role, Jason authors market and economic commentary, regularly presents in the media and to professional conferences, and works with client portfolio managers to support institutional and private clients. He is also responsible for portfolio strategy, asset allocation, and oversees the firm’s manager due diligence and selection efforts. Jason’s insights have historically been highly accurate, and in this podcast, he shares his thoughts into the current and future state of the economy.
2023 has been a year of unexpectedly strong growth in the overall economy, with unemployment around 3.8 percent and consumer spending remaining solid. However, the Staffing industry has slowed, seeing a 15 – 20 percent decrease year-over-year. What does this mean for the rest of 2023 and 2024? Will general economic growth continue? Will Staffing rebound, and if so, what industries hold the most growth potential? Will the Federal Reserve continue its focus on rate increases? Are we in for a soft landing or a more serious, lengthy recession? Jason addresses these issues, and more, and shares the economic indicators that support his predictions. He also speaks to how outside factors such as political turmoil, labor strikes, global unrest can impact economic markets and shares the positive economic news that often goes unreported in the media. Additionally, Jason gives specific advice to staffing company owners in these uncertain economic times. You don’t want to miss this podcast filled with thoughtful, relevant economic analysis that will impact the months and year to come.
Andre Young, a professional speaker, author, leadership trainer and founder of You Evolving Now, LLC., joins TRICOM’s President / CEO Julie Ann Bittner for a discussion about leadership. Andre has written two books on leadership, 7 Ways to Lead and The Leaders Toolbox. He and Julie Ann discuss the difference between Work/Life Harmony vs. Work/Life Balance, as well as the concept of “Head Up, Eyes Up, Smile and Move with Purpose.” They also identify the Five Points of Your Day (and why this is critical), the Five Types of Leaders and Employees, including how to motivate each type. Discover what type of leader you are, as well as the essential aspects of leadership required to effectively lead, connect, build, and succeed as a team.
As the frequency and associated costs of data breaches has risen significantly, more companies are exploring ways to help mitigate losses and risk. Contributing to these trends is the increase in remote workers, risks associated with vendors and outsourcing, cyber extortion, and more.
In this podcast. TRICOM President / CEO Julie Ann Bittner is joined by Sarah Davis, Of Counsel with Becker LLC, Bob Thompson, Vice President at WorldWide/PHLY, and Jerry Grady, Managing Partner for UHY LLP, as they discuss emerging risk trends, recommendations for mitigating risk of data security breaches, and more from a legal, tax, and insurance perspective. They also explore examples of actions that companies may be partaking in without realizing how it exposes them to cyber security data breaches, as well as common misunderstandings about cyber security exposure.
#Business #Security #Risk Management #Staffing
Since the start of the pandemic, there’s been a lot of focus on mental health and wellness, specifically in the workplace. Employees’ anxiety has reached the highest point since the pandemic began and the rate of depression has tripled, yet the C-suite isn’t always in tune with where their employees are at in terms of wellness. This has become a critical challenge for employers – not only because of the desire to have happy and healthy employees, but also in terms of lost productivity and increased absenteeism – to the tune of over $51 billion.
In this podcast, Julie Ann Bittner, TRICOM President / CEO, is joined by Alli Arndt, Wellness Manager of Assurance’s Risk Management Team, and Austin Morgan, Account Executive for Assurance’s Staffing Employee Benefits Team. Assurance is one of the largest and most awarded independent insurance agencies in the U.S. Julie Ann, Alli and Austin discuss how a supportive work environment, where managers reinforce a sound wellness strategy, can keep employees motivated and engaged.
There’s been a lot of talk about the economy lately. From inflation to employment and wages, to rising interest rates, and more, 2022 is starting out as a year where economics is set to take center stage. In this podcast, Julie Ann Bittner, TRICOM President & CEO, sits down with Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist of Great Lakes Advisors to talk about the economic outlook as it stands today, what it tells us about the current environment, and what the year may bring in terms of changes and trends. They discuss “the Great Resignation” of 2021 and how that’s impacted employment supply and demand. They also discuss wage growth and whether or not wages will increase to meet the shortfall between job openings and hiring, as well as workers demands due to the rising cost of living. Learn what the media is not talking about, as well as other factors that may influence the direction of the economy in 2022 and beyond.
People can form judgments very quickly: within a matter of minutes they can start to form lasting judgments about you, your approach and your organization. Part of these judgments stem from “cognitive biases,” which can influence every decision we make personally and professionally. In this podcast, TRICOM President & CEO Julie Ann Bittner speaks with Rob Mosely, Managing Partner for Next Level Exchange, a global learning collaborative dedicated to the Executive Search and Staffing industry. Rob and Julie Ann discuss specific cognitive biases that consistently play a role in complex business decisions such as loss aversion, and status quo bias, and speak to ways to reframe conversations. Rob also reveals his LACES model, which helps someone successfully communicate and implement essential skills to overcome resistance when speaking with prospects. This enlightening discussion will help you navigate bias in conversations with customers and prospects with greater ease.
After a tough year in 2020 with an 11 percent decline, staffing has come back strong with 16 percent growth in 2021. Will this trend continue for 2022? Julie Ann Bittner, TRICOM President & CEO, speaks with Adrianne Nelson, Staffing Industry Analysts Senior Director of Global Membership Products, to discuss the research and trends propelling the staffing industry into the next year. Adrianne reveals staffing segments that are growth drivers, as well as those struggling to make a comeback and suggestions on breaking into new segments. Adrianne and Julie Ann also look at how automation and staffing platforms are transforming the industry, as well as lessons learned from COVID including trends in remote work and e-commerce, and vaccine mandates. You’ll learn why these two staffing industry veterans see the golden age of staffing on the horizon.
Correctly classifying employees vs. independent contractors (IC) is essential for determining the need for wage withholdings, taxation issues, employee benefits, workers compensation, and more. Sarah Davis and Chris Leddy join Julie Ann Bittner to discuss the three common classification tests used to determine IC classification status, exemptions, and practical concerns specific to the staffing industry. They also share steps staffing company owners can take to minimize risk including contractual provisions, documentation, and more.
Staffing company owners Crystal Blackwell, Al Simon & Sergey Bogomolov join TRICOM CEO Julie Ann Bittner to share their insights on the best practices that came out of 2020 and current staffing challenges & opportunities (including the shift to direct hire and specialization). Also hear about the role company culture plays in the success of their businesses and strategies for staffing companies to build even better relationships with their clients. Discover why they see a bright future for the staffing industry.
Join Shelly Wilkinson, director of sales at Tricom, for a conversation with Laura Hanoski, founder and CEO of Heroes for Healthcare and owner of Premier Medical Staffing, on the gap between military medical training and civilian workforce preparation. After their service, many military members have extensive training, but no formal academic degrees. Heroes for Healthcare works with military members who are entering the workforce to translate their training into civilian jobs in the medical field through education, fundraising, and outreach. For more information visit heroesforhealthcare.org.
Join TRICOM CEO Julie Ann Bittner in conversation with Lindsay Stanton, president and board member for Digi-Me, a video technology company for talent acquisition that helps organizations add a new dimension to their job postings and employment brand messaging. Lindsay will discuss how the pandemic has launched new recruitment trends that rely heavily on technology and digital recruiting. You’ll discover simple, impactful ways to implement new digital processes to widen your talent pool.
Join TRICOM CEO Julie Ann Bittner in conversation with David Searns, CEO of Haley Marketing, a marketing firm that focuses exclusively on serving the staffing industry with innovative strategies and award-winning solutions. David discusses changes, challenges, and trends in the industry that have emerged in recent years and have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares data on how unemployment benefits and stimulus checks have affected the workforce and how staffing companies can use the four pillars of recruitment marketing to expand the talent pool and recruit quality candidates.
Join TRICOM CEO Julie Ann Bittner in conversation with Bob Thompson, president of World Wide Specialty Programs, Inc., an insurance company that provides clients in the staffing industry with insurance solutions. Bob discusses a wide range of challenges that staffing owners are facing today, including data privacy and cyber security threats; COVID-19 coverage limits and considerations; and employment practices liability insurance (EPLI). He shares what steps business owners should take now to secure themselves and their businesses against potential lawsuits and safety concerns.
Join Tricom CEO Julie Ann Bittner in conversation with Jerry Grady, office managing partner of the Ann Arbor, Michigan, office of UHY LLP, a licensed independent CPA firm that offers tax and business consulting services. Jerry is also a board member of UHY Advisors, Inc. He shares with us his experience consulting on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and addresses how confusion around PPP loans is impacting staffing owners. The latest legislative updates relating to COVID-19 relief have resulted in many changes and questions in relation to the staffing sector, and Jerry will address these concerns. He will also discuss what is new with the Employee Retention Credit and why it’s important for staffing owners.
Join Tricom CEO Julie Ann Bittner in conversation with John Walters, senior vice president of business development at Essential StaffCARE, an Insurance Applications Group, LLC. John shares how the staffing industry pivoted in 2020 with remote hiring capabilities and services, and what the newly-signed American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 means for owners of staffing companies. This includes what employers can expect from the COBRA premium assistance subsidy, evolving guidance on the health care provisions, and understanding the new state health care mandates. John puts these new regulations and legislation into context for the staffing sector.
Join Tricom CEO Julie Ann Bittner in conversation with Tom Erb, president of Tallann Resources. Tom shares how the pandemic has impacted the trajectory of the staffing industry and what this indicates, from unemployment trends to talent shortages in some sectors. With a macro view of these changes, he offers creative solutions for owners of staffing companies, including the adoption of job position sharing and flexible shift scheduling. He also explains how a company can position itself as an educational resource for its clients.
Join Tricom Director of Sales Shelly Wilkinson in conversation with Amy Munroe, chief operating officer and founder of Staffing eTrainer. Amy offers valuable insight for how to retain employees, reduce turnover, and grow your company by offering learning opportunities such as cross-training and mentorship. She shares new staffing trends, including reskilling and upskilling, sales training options, and an evolved recruiting process. Learn how to keep your team engaged amidst uncertainty by encouraging their professional development.
Join Tricom CEO Julie Ann Bittner in conversation with Tony D’Amicantonio, vice president – staffing practice leader at Odell Studner. Tony shares the differences between traditional insurance carriers and captive insurance platforms for staffing companies. This conversation is especially relevant due to uncertain market conditions as a result of COVID-19. He explains how an insurance program impacts the way staffing companies manage operational risk, workers’ compensation, loss prevention programs, and returns on insurance investments.
Join Tricom Director of Sales Shelly Wilkinson in conversation with Marco Nunez, senior analyst at Essential StaffCARE. Marco explains how temporary workers have been impacted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) during the pandemic, and how company owners can use survey data to make informed decisions about what benefits employees value the most. By understanding what’s important to their teams, companies can then market these benefits as competitive differentiators to recruit and retain talent.
Join Tricom CEO Julie Ann Bittner in conversation with Will Matthews of Matthews Performance Group, and the author of “You’ve Got This: The 5 Self-Coaching Keys You Need to Live Boldly and Accomplish Anything.” As a professional development expert, Will shares how strong leaders navigate times of stress and change, such as COVID-19. He also explains how to find gratitude amidst business and personal challenges, motivate yourself and your staff, embrace new opportunities in times of flux, and lead for your clients with empathy and expertise.