The staffing industry has faced a tough couple of years, but not every agency is feeling the pressure in the same way. Some firms are still growing, while others are struggling to gain traction. So what’s separating the two? In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we dig into the 2026 State of Staffing Benchmarking Report to uncover what the numbers really say about the state of the industry and what the highest-performing firms are doing differently.

Co-hosts Casey Wagonfield and Rob Geist are joined by David Folwell, President and Founder of Staffing Referrals and Staffing Hub and host of The Staffing Show, and Hillary Baker, Managing Director of Staffing Hub. Together, they unpack the data behind the report, including what’s driving growth, how firms are using AI and technology, why reliance on job boards is shifting, and what the industry’s strongest performers can teach staffing leaders looking to grow. Because the numbers don’t just tell us where staffing stands today. They show us what the firms pulling ahead are doing differently.

The Staffing Growth Gap: What the 2026 State of Staffing Report Reveals

For our special 20th episode, join Staffing Made Simple co-hosts Rob Geist and Casey Wagonfield as they take a step back and connect the dots across the first 19 episodes of Staffing Made Simple. From buyers and sales leaders to staffing executives and technology experts, their conversations revealed some surprising common themes about what staffing buyers really want, what sales experts keep getting right, and where AI and technology are taking the industry next.

The conversation gets practical, looking at where salespeople may be missing the mark, what it takes to better engage prospects and win more business, and how AI and technology are reshaping recruiting and staffing sales. Along the way, Rob and Casey revisit a few standout moments and have some fun looking back at the first 19 episodes.

20 Episodes, 19 Conversations, and What We’ve Learned

In staffing, everyone claims to offer great service, top talent, fast response times, and strong relationships — but so does everyone else. So how do you stand out before the first sales call, email, or LinkedIn message? In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we explore how personal branding and social selling can help you build trust, credibility, and visibility with the right people, making every conversation warmer and every opportunity more meaningful.

Hosts Rob Geist and Casey Wagonfield are joined by Kendra Cato, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Advance Partners, to explore how staffing professionals can build an authentic personal brand without trying to become LinkedIn famous or posting just for the sake of posting. Together, they share practical strategies for finding your voice, building credibility, creating engaging content, and using social selling to earn trust long before you make the first call or ask.

Build Trust Before the Pitch: Personal Branding That Actually Drives Sales

Staffing sales has become a sea of sameness, where generic outreach and repetitive messaging make it difficult for agencies to truly stand out. Buyers are flooded with identical cold emails, repetitive follow-ups, and generic “we’ve got great talent” messaging that blends into the noise. In a market where attention is harder than ever to earn, the firms that stand out are the ones that create curiosity, connection, and memorable experiences that buyers actually remember long after the conversation ends.

In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, host Casey Wagonfield sits down with Dale Dupree, Founder and CEO of The Sales Rebellion and creator of the Totality sales conference, to discuss how staffing firms can break free from “same-sounding” sales strategies and create more human, curiosity-driven outreach. Together, they explore how to stand out without being gimmicky, why creating wonder matters in modern sales, and what staffing sales professionals can do differently to build stronger, more memorable buyer relationships.

The Sales Rebellion: Creating Wonder in Staffing Sales

The contingent workforce space is full of AI talk, but buyers and staffing firms are still dealing with the same core problem: too much noise and not enough clarity. Firms are trying to stand out, buyers are trying to sort real capability from claims, and RFPs are still one of the most time-consuming parts of the process. So, what actually matters when decisions get made — and what doesn’t?

In this episode, co-hosts Rob Geist and Casey Wagonfield sit down with Mickey Pelletier, Founder & CEO of CWM Strategies and cwRFP, to break it down. With 17+ years across MSP, VMS, and the client side, Mickey shares where AI can genuinely help without adding more noise, what buyers actually look for in staffing partners, how firms can differentiate once they’re in a program, and how to make the RFP process less painful for everyone involved. For anyone trying to win more deals, simplify RFPs, or use AI in a way that actually helps, this is a must-listen.

AI That Delivers, Solving RFP Headaches, and What Buyers Really Want

Contingent work isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s becoming a more critical part of how organizations operate. But while demand remains strong, the way these programs are designed, managed, and measured is shifting fast. Buyer expectations are evolving, labor models are getting more complex, and the old approaches that once worked are no longer enough to stay competitive. The opportunity is still there, but only for those willing to adjust how they show up and deliver value.

In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, co-hosts Casey Wagonfield and Rob Geist are joined by Meea Evans-Cone from CEVA Logistics to explore how contingent workforce programs are evolving in real time. Drawing from experience on both the staffing and buyer sides, Meea shares what’s changing inside large-scale programs, how organizations are rethinking standardization versus local flexibility, and what it really takes to stand out today — from aligning with buyer expectations to delivering measurable quality and retention in light industrial environments.

Contingent Work Is Thriving — But the Playbook Is Changing

Are your prospects ghosting you? Are sales cycles dragging on while “just checking in” emails disappear into the void? Deals take longer, inboxes stay silent, and selling on price feels like a race to the bottom. Staffing sales has shifted — and if you’re still relying on old tactics, you’re already behind. In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we unpack what it really takes to sell consultatively in today’s market, how to differentiate beyond filling orders, and how aligning sales, marketing, and ops can turn stalled conversations into real momentum.

That’s why we invited Mark Winter, Principal CEO of WinSource Group, to join the conversation. With more than 20 years in staffing — from running branches to leading sales enablement for a multi-billion-dollar organization — Mark shares practical strategies for building stronger pipelines, tightening execution, and helping teams sell with confidence in a tougher market. If you’re tired of being ghosted and competing on price, this episode delivers insights you can put to work right away.

From Pitch to Partnership: Turning Ghosted Prospects into Real Client Relationships

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

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 st

Staffing Made Simple. · Zencastr

Staffing Made Simple.

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.