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.

New Year, New Rules: Evolving Legal Risks for Staffing Agencies in 2026

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.

The SIA Playbook: How Buyers and Staffing Agencies Can Win Together

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.

Win the Relationship, Not the Deal: Rethinking Sales in Staffing

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.

Selling Smarter: Winning the Staffing Sales Game

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.

The Power of Partnership: How the Most Vendor-Friendly VMS Helps Agencies Grow

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.

Is Your Compensation Plan Hurting Your Agency? Transforming a Broken Model into a Strategic Advantage

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.

Inside the State of Staffing Report: What High-Growth Agencies Do Differently

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.

Human Design Thinking and AI: How to Improve the Way You Attract and Hire Talent

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.

Why Platform Staffing is Reshaping the Game — and What It Means for Your Business

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.

Cutting Through the Noise: How to Run a Global Contingent Workforce Program That Works

Join hosts Rob Geist and Casey Wagonfield from SimpleVMS as they dive into engaging conversations with buyers, industry experts, and staffing leaders. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this podcast removes the complexities of staffing, offering practical insights and valuable strategies to enhance your business.

Tune in to uncover tips, trends, and transformative ideas that will make your staffing processes easier and more efficient.

Don’t miss out on your chance to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of staffing.

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