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Contingent Workforce

Upwork’s VMS Partnership Strategy and the Future of Digital Staffing

Contingent WorkforceSolution ProvidersTechnology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on

The realm of digital staffing has been quite robust over the past several years, with Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research pegging the growth of these solutions (which includes talent marketplaces and freelancer networks) at 700% since 2017. And it’s easy to see why: businesses must leverage dynamic talent solutions (and sources!) to engage top-tier candidates in real-time to succeed and thrive in an increasingly competitive and frenetic global business environment.

The concept of “omni-channel talent acquisition” has become table stakes for businesses seeking to thrive in these uneven economic times that are compounded by fierce, global competition from enterprises across the world. No longer do traditional staffing strategies drive enough value for those organizations seeking top-tier talent; the very underlying attributes of omni-channel talent acquisition are threaded within a larger, more expansive approach towards talent engagement that traverses beyond archaic measures.

Platforms such as direct sourcing solutions, talent marketplaces, freelancer networks, and digital staffing outlets are the very foundation of omni-channel talent acquisition. However, leveraging these sources on top of everyday talent engagement methods is just one piece of a larger, more dynamic puzzle; in order for businesses to truly derive next-generation value from expanded talent sources, they require connections between both omni-channel sources and their core systems of record.

Work marketplace market leader Upwork, oft-considered the largest provider of digital staffing technology, recently announced two unique partnerships with major VMS players.

“We’re thrilled to have announced the first of many partnerships with leading VMS and MSPs, with the initial two being SAP Fieldglass and FlexTrack,” said Matt Ryan, Upwork’s VP of Enterprise Solutions. “The partnerships are truly strategic and offer significant advantages to our enterprise customers. Our integration with VMS ensures a highly efficient and effective hiring process and enables businesses to manage on-demand talent effortlessly within their existing workforce structures.”

The new collaborations with SAP Fieldglass and FlexTrack offer a holistic solution for seamlessly sourcing and hiring expert independent talent, and, by integrating Upwork’s global network of skilled professionals with these cutting-edge VMS platforms, enterprise customers can directly access a talent pool spanning over 10,000 skills in more than 180 countries. This integration centralizes workforce management, onboarding, and payments, simplifying processes within existing workflows. Furthermore, the VMS partnerships mitigate risks associated with hiring outside established procurement processes, providing comprehensive control and reducing redundant approvals and hiring workflows.

“Our customers and many leaders recognize the challenges and importance of navigating an intricate web of diverse tools and platforms. Our goal is to help them further engineer an agile, dynamic workforce strategy, providing an end-to-end solution to seamlessly integrate diverse talent, optimize operations, and stay ahead in today’s environment,” said Ryan.

The innovation behind Upwork’s partnerships (and integrations) with SAP Fieldglass and FlexTrack represent the veritable future of not just digital staffing, but talent acquisition, as well. As the extended workforce continues to grow in both size and prominence (Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research peg the penetration of this labor at 49.5% of the overall workforce), enterprises will require real-time, dynamic tools to enhance the overall lifecycle of talent management.

“Navigating the path to enterprise success has become increasingly intricate, and the imperative to grow the top and bottom lines while keeping pace on the competitive landscape remains as urgent as ever,” said Zoë Diamadi, Upwork’s general manager of Enterprise. “This is just the beginning of the partnerships and powerful integration capabilities we plan to introduce, and we remain dedicated to providing solutions that our customers and businesses need in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of work.”

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Optimize Contingent Workforce Management Through AI

Business LeadershipContingent WorkforceGeneral InsightsTechnology and Innovation by John Yuva on

In today’s labor and economic climate, enterprises cannot afford to make poor hiring decisions. And with 47.5% of an organization’s workforce comprised of contingent workers, per Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research, an extended worker hire is just as critical operationally as a permanent employee. The ramifications of a hiring mistake — whether it’s an extended or permanent role — can cost businesses 30 percent of the employee’s first-year earnings, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. However, artificial intelligence is now shaping the future of contingent workforce management (CWM) to help avoid those employment missteps.

CWM Optimization Through Artificial Intelligence

Through artificial intelligence, enterprises can harness the value of structured and unstructured data to streamline contingent workforce management decision-making. AI also opens the door to new user experiences to better attract, acquire, and retain top-performing talent and improve operational execution — all leading to cost savings. Using prescriptive analytics for CWM optimization is an evolving but critical piece of AI strategy. While artificial intelligence has existed for a decade or more, the wider scope of its capabilities is only now being utilized.

Subsets of AI, such as machine learning (ML), predictive analytics, and natural language processing, coupled with complementary technologies like augmented reality and the metaverse are game changers for contingent workforce management optimization.

Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work

Enterprises and HR executives who are not at least exploring the possibilities of AI’s impact on CWM will find themselves at a competitive disadvantage when sourcing talent and executing extended workforce strategies. Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research cites that 80% of businesses expect AI to transform CWM in the year ahead. These are several ways that AI and associated technologies are getting the job done.

  • Enhance the candidate matching process. Enterprises are under pressure to not only attract and acquire the right candidates but do so in a short time-to-hire time-frame. The talent need is often immediate, leading to more costs as the vacancy persists. Enter artificial intelligence that can streamline the candidate screening process by matching critical role-specific skills with existing candidates in enterprise talent pipelines (e.g., direct sourcing, talent marketplaces, etc.). AI can narrow the field even further through questionnaires and even simulated exercises to test candidate skill proficiency — all while increasing hiring speed and attaining higher-quality candidates. With 74% of businesses planning to leverage AI to enhance the candidate experience (per Ardent Partners and FOWX research), it’s clear that the potential of the technology is being recognized. This is critical because it means enterprises can use data to understand how and why candidates are choosing our business or leaving/jetting for other companies. It also exposes gaps in the hiring process that must be remedied to enable real-time hiring capabilities. The war for talent is raging…having a process that essentially finds those talent needles in the haystack is the competitive differentiator.
  • Expand overall total workforce visibility. Much of the value attained by artificial intelligence is more efficient identification, organization, and utilization of data. Prescriptive analytics, for example, provides the optimal use of collected data. When evaluating the total workforce holistically, enterprises need insights into their full-time and contingent employees. What are their skillsets? Which department do they work in? How long have they been contracted with the enterprise? What is their past project or team participation. Answering these questions creates a strategic profile for every full-time and contingent employee. Those total workforce profiles make real-time hiring and seamless succession planning a reality. Transparency into both operational challenges and available talent is a dual threat to lagging competitors.
  • Leverage predictive analytics and scenario planning. Ultimately, organizations want the ability to use data to predict future scenarios and potential outcomes. As a subset of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics is used in a variety of operational settings, particularly for supply chain planning. However, it is just as valuable for contingent workforce management as a predictor of future talent needs. Predictive analytics takes prescriptive analytics and workforce profiles a step further by combining operational and profile data to identify talent deficiencies and operational weaknesses, while also projecting how talent should be utilized to close those gaps. This is transformative for large-scale enterprises with tens of thousands of employees across the globe. It can also be talent-defining in scenarios where succession planning comes into play. So much of the hiring focus is on the “immediate need” rather than the gaps silently forming with aging workers eyeing their next opportunity post-retirement. Predictive analytics can address workforce scalability related to resignations, retirements, labor movements, etc., and how those will shape the workforce short and long term. In the case of a recession or other economic crisis where scalability becomes an essential strategy, enterprises can leverage internal talent data and combine it with market and labor insights to more effectively understand how operations will be affected. Which skills are required immediately versus long-term CWM planning? The ability to scale the workforce quickly and efficiently cannot be understated.

AI Becomes a Permanent Fixture for Talent Strategy

Artificial intelligence is becoming a permanent fixture as part of today’s enterprise operations and talent management strategies. For the contingent workforce, AI serves as an essential technology to streamline candidate pairings with operational needs, while increasing transparency of available skillsets and workforce contributions. Those insights prove valuable when talent gaps appear, or workforce scaling is necessary. Artificial intelligence will continue to evolve and with it, more CWM opportunities will emerge. Today, leverage the AI capabilities that exist to better plan for tomorrow.

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The Impact of Contingent Workforce Management Analytics

Business LeadershipContingent WorkforceGeneral InsightsTalent by John Yuva on

Today’s total talent management strategies rely on analytics to execute workforce objectives. For extended workers who comprise nearly half of enterprises’ entire labor force (49%, according to our research), analytics are even more crucial to developing metrics and optimizing performance. Recent Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research indicates that 81% of organizations cite the improvement of contingent workforce management (CWM) analytics as a priority, highlighting the importance of deeper, more insightful data and analysis.

CWM Analytics for Insights

According to Beeline, a leading contingent workforce solution provider, “For many organizations lacking formal analytics and reporting on their contingent workforce, identifying key metrics can even be challenging.” The focus on analytics goes well beyond hiring, scheduling, and payment data, to include deeper areas of concentration. The following are several analytic subsets imperative to contingent workforce management and performance.

Spend Management

Enterprises can utilize CWM analytics to help track and manage their spend on contingent workers. This includes data on billing rates, contract terms, and other expenses related to the use of contingent labor. Utilize data visualization tools such as dashboards and reports to make it easy for stakeholders to access and understand spend data related to CWM.

Beeline states, “Understanding bill rates, pay rates, and the margins between them per vendor, can be an incredibly powerful negotiation tool. Armed with this data (and more), you can have productive, data-backed discussions with vendors, enabling you to clearly understand what rates vendors should offer to make themselves more attractive and competitive than others.”

Performance Metrics

Measure the performance of your contingent workers with metrics for time-to-fill, retention rates, and quality of work. The Future of Work Exchange regularly reports how enterprises are pivoting to skills-based hiring. As those approaches increase, performance metrics for extended labor will be paramount to total workforce strategies and planning initiatives.

Such data can identify where talent gaps exist as well as which extended workers possess the skills for more critical projects. Also, don’t overlook analytical tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to synthesize and identify patterns and insights.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

A global contingent labor pool means greater attention to legal and regulatory compliance. Analytics can help organizations remain compliant by tracking data on worker classification, hours worked, changes to regional laws and regulations, and other compliance-related metrics. “You need to know, for compliance, payroll, and project planning purposes, exactly how many employees are engaged in your projects at any one time – so you can track the costs, project status, and progress compared with statements of work (SoWs),” adds Beeline.

Workforce Planning

The Future of Work is not only focused on workforce needs today but the requirements for tomorrow as well. By analyzing historical data on contingent labor usage, organizations can make informed decisions about when and where to engage extended workers long term. Historical data combined with predictive workforce analytics can provide a holistic picture of future needs. Continuously monitor the data and adjust your strategies as needed to optimize your CWM requirements.

Organizations must take control of their CWM analytics if they hope to optimize their use of contingent labor, minimize costs, and improve the performance of their workforce. It’s a combination of being cost-effective while enabling data-driven decision-making to reach performance targets. HR and business leaders will only rely more on big data and analytics to accomplish enterprise workforce objectives. CWM will be at the center of those insights and decisions.

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How Next-Generation MSPs Will Transform Total Talent Management

Contingent WorkforceTalent AcquisitionTechnology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on

For the past decade (plus), total talent management has often been akin to chasing a mirage in the business landscape—a tantalizing concept that’s been discussed widely, but rarely (very rarely) seen in its entirety within global organizations. While we’ve occasionally encountered fragments of total talent programs in a few enterprises, and observed specific facets of these endeavors, like total talent acquisition and procurement and HR collaboration, being embraced by forward-thinking workforce management solutions (and enterprise programs), the full realization of this concept has remained an elusive pursuit.

Total talent intelligence serves as the foundational bedrock of comprehensive talent management, drawing a wealth of invaluable insights from the combined workforce of both full-time employees and non-employees. This multifaceted approach hinges on the seamless integration of data originating from diverse sources, including Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Vendor Management Systems (VMS), Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), Freelancer Management Systems (FMS), and an array of analogous platforms like direct sourcing, digital staffing, etc. This comprehensive data synthesis empowers organizations with unprecedented depth and clarity into their entire talent pool, ushering in a new era of data-driven workforce management.

In the current workforce landscape, a significant transformation is underway. With nearly half of the average organization’s workforce composed of contingent talent, the concept of total talent intelligence has emerged as an indispensable cornerstone in shaping workforce management strategies for 2024 and beyond. Among the driving forces of this evolution are Managed Service Providers (MSPs), poised to assume pivotal roles as the epicenters of total talent intelligence.

MSPs are uniquely positioned to harness the potential of total talent intelligence and, in doing so, offer enhanced value to their clients and contingent workforce management (CWM) programs. Equipped with an arsenal of capabilities including direct sourcing, services procurement, Statement of Work (SOW) management, and independent contractor administration, along with a nearly 25%-to-30% crossover for existing clients who utilize MSPs for Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), today’s MSPs boast real-time access to rich data on the entirety of the workforce.

And, there’s an additional, critical attribute of today’s MSPs that position these solutions to make a greater push for total talent intelligence: many modern, leading Managed Service Providers have fully-integrated and self-service analytics portals that not only provide user programs with real-time data concerning contingent workforce utilization, labor market rates, talent utilization, skills gaps, etc., but also a next-generation swatch of intelligence that is pulled from myriad systems (aforementioned above) that can, yes, you guessed it…get us ever-so-closer to true total talent intelligence.

Leading MSPs, such as Magnit, Talent Solutions TAPFIN, Guidant Global, KellyOCG, AMS, HireGenics, Atrium, Randstad, and eTeam, represent the next generation of workforce management solutions that will reimagine and transform the very definition of total talent management.

As we steer towards the horizon of 2024, MSPs find themselves in a compelling juncture, standing at the precipice of the workforce management paradigm’s evolution. The time is ripe for them to grasp the essence of total talent management, and the gateway to this transformation is through the conduit of total talent intelligence.

The ultimate goal of total talent intelligence, and the true manifestation of total talent management, is the ability to respond with agility to ever-changing talent demands based on a profound understanding of the entire workforce.

MSPs are well-positioned to embody this essence and lead the charge as the linchpins of genuine total talent intelligence. By embracing this role, they become instrumental in shaping the future of workforce management, propelling organizations toward a new frontier of data-driven, agile, and highly effective talent acquisition and management. As the landscape continues to evolve, this evolution will be integral in defining the success and sustainability of organizations in the Future of Work era and beyond.

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Digital Staffing’s Impact on the Future of Work

Contingent WorkforceDirect SourcingTalentTechnology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on

In the ever-evolving landscape of talent and work, the phrase “digital staffing” has emerged as a pervasive buzzword, encompassing a wide array of solutions designed to streamline the process of finding, engaging, and sourcing workers. This term has transcended its origins and evolved into a transformative force that is reshaping the way businesses access and manage their talent pools. Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange (FOWX) have often discussed digital staffing technology as a game-changer in the greater world of work.

At its core, digital staffing technology represents solutions that empower enterprises to hire freelance, independent, and contingent talent without the need for intermediary systems or suppliers. These solutions traverse beyond just the recruitment process; they encompass end-to-end workforce management, encompassing vital components such as project management, worker tracking, worker classification, compliance, and risk mitigation. In essence, digital staffing technology is a multifaceted approach that revolutionizes how companies access, engage, and manage their extended workforce (which, as FOWX research has found, comprises upwards of 49.5% of the average company’s total workforce).

As we inch closer and closer to 2024, it becomes abundantly clear that digital staffing technology is no longer confined to the basic online talent portals and freelancer networks that once characterized its typical candidate reach. Instead, today’s digital staffing platforms have morphed into full-fledged workforce management automation tools. They not only facilitate candidate engagement but also play pivotal roles in talent community development, talent pool creation, candidate experience management, and other progressive facets of extended workforce management. These platforms have transcended the boundaries of simple talent acquisition and have ushered in a new era of efficiency and innovation in workforce management.

Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange recently discovered that utilization of digital staffing solutions has experienced an exponential growth of nearly 800% over the past five years. This statistic is nothing short of a testament to the profound impact these platforms have had on the Future of Work movement and the broader world of work and talent. It signifies a paradigm shift in how businesses approach talent acquisition and workforce management, reflecting an industry-wide recognition of the potential and benefits that digital staffing technology brings to the table.

One of the most significant drivers behind the rapid adoption of digital staffing technology is the pressing need for organizations to be more agile and adaptive in an ever-changing business landscape. The Gig Economy, remote work trends, and the desire for flexible talent solutions have all converged to make digital staffing technology a paramount consideration for forward-thinking enterprises.

These platforms provide companies with the agility to scale their workforce up or down as needed, ensuring they can swiftly adapt to market shifts or unforeseen challenges. Moreover, they grant organizations the power to tap into a global talent pool, unlocking an unprecedented level of diversity and expertise. In an era where talent is a critical competitive advantage (and often an enterprise’s top differentiator), these solutions empower businesses to secure the best-fit talent, regardless of geographical constraints.

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New Kids on the Block — Gen Z in the Workplace (Part Two)

Business LeadershipContingent WorkforceGeneral InsightsHRTalentTalent AcquisitionUncategorized by John Yuva on

In part one of our two-part series exploring the pandemic’s effects on Generation Z in the workplace, several studies revealed Gen Z endured learning challenges and subsequent skills deficiencies. Soft skill inadequacies make it difficult to adjust to today’s workplace demands.

Today, we feature part two, exploring how enterprises can most attract and retain Gen Z employees. Not surprisingly, those strategies are closely tied to offering programs and services associated with the lasting emotional impacts of the pandemic.

Gen Z Represents a Large Talent Pool

As Gen X begins retiring from the workforce, Gen Z is quickly filling those gaps. According to Homebase, Gen Z comprises 30% of the world’s population and is slated to make up 27% of the workforce by 2027.

Based on results of a Paychex report titled, “The Rise of Generation Z: A Paychex Special Report,” Frank Fiorille, vice president of risk, compliance, and data analytics for Paychex, says, “Our data clearly supports the fact that the workforce composition is shifting as more Gen Z members seek full-time and long-term roles, more members of Gen X begin to retire, and Millennials enter their prime earning years,” he said.

“Considering these facts, employers need to develop recruiting and retention strategies that keep Gen Z at the forefront, appealing to their values-based approach and celebrating the unique contributions this group brings to the table.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Adam Smiley Poswolsky, a keynote speaker on fostering belonging and human connection in the workplace, in his Harvard Business Review article “Gen Z Employees Are Feeling Disconnected. Here’s How Employers Can Help.” He writes, “It is imperative that leaders and managers do more to connect and support young employees in these volatile times, not only as a means of engaging the next generation of talent, but as an investment in a collaborative future.”

Recruiting and Engaging Gen Z Workers

When it comes to Gen Z workers, Future of Work tenets, such as empathetic leadership, coaching and mentoring programs, and cultural initiatives, speak strongly to this demographic. Understanding how to attract and retain this growing workforce subset is critical to enterprise competitiveness.

Both the Harvard Business Review article and the Paychex report offered several Gen Z talent strategies. Let’s take a look at some of the more critical ones.

Focus on Mental Health

The pandemic was a life-defining event for Gen Z — they witnessed the deaths of parents and grandparents as a result of COVID-19. It was also life-altering from social and academic perspectives with the overnight move to remote learning and social distancing from friends and family. As Gen Z enters the workplace, HR and business leaders must consider the lasting impacts of those experiences. “A culture built on mental health and wellness goes beyond offering a meditation app; it infuses mental health throughout the organization through policies and programs that take care of your people,” Poswolsky writes.

Mobile Recruitment Strategy

Gen Z was raised on technology. The ability to adopt new technologies and platforms to solve challenges is a skill for many incoming Gen Z workers. For that reason, Paychex advises enterprises to focus on the social and digital aspects of recruiting for this demographic. “Build a strong brand and have mobile-friendly content (e.g., videos) on your website,” the report says.

Onboarding as Community Building

The sense of belonging and community that Gen Z craves should be integrated into the employee onboarding process. For many young employees, onboarding might be their first or second experience ever in a professional setting, says Poswolsky. “It is incredibly important, especially in a remote or hybrid workforce, that onboarding establish a container of mutual support.

Embrace the Entrepreneurial Spirit

The Paychex report revealed that many Gen Zers aspire to own their own business. Having a sense of ownership over a project or initiative can appeal to that entrepreneurial spirit. Look for opportunities to foster those entrepreneurial goals and provide areas of personal growth. While they may be the youngest generation in the workplace, it doesn’t mean Gen Z employees and extended workers can’t make process improvements or contribute to innovative decision-making.

Gen Z enters the workforce with some uncertainty and disconnectedness. Enterprises have an opportunity through coaching/mentoring, team building, and personal recognition to bring workplace balance and a sense of belonging to Gen Z workers. Recruiting contingent and FTE Gen Z talent requires going below the surface level of this workforce demographic to truly understand what drives their interests and motivates them. This is a unique moment in workplace history to blend four generations of workers. Gen Z is poised to take on this moment and deliver at the highest levels.

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The Technology Revolution and its Impact on Talent Acquisition and Workforce Management

Contingent WorkforceDirect SourcingSolution ProvidersTalent AcquisitionTechnology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on

It almost seems like we are floating in a constant vacuum of evolution. The economy continues to spin, technology progresses at an unprecedented clip, businesses continue to optimize their operations in such a way that they no longer resemble the past, and, most critically, the talent arena remains in a state of perpetual growth and revolution.

No other industry is as impacted by the developments in the technology space as much as talent acquisition and workforce management. The advent and rapid deployment of artificial intelligence has absolutely transformed so many facets of both ordinary life and the business spectrum, however, its impact is ever-present in a world in which its many automated arms have the ability to revolutionize so many organizational attributes.

Moreover, the impact of these technological advancements extends well beyond the initial and traditional hiring and recruitment phases. Workforce management has become a finely-tuned symphony, where AI-driven tools optimize scheduling, employee engagement, and skill development (skills-based hiring, anyone?). The very concept of “work” is evolving, too, with the Gig Economy and remote work arrangements offering unprecedented flexibility and opportunity for businesses and candidates alike.

From talent engagement and talent matching to real-time project alignment and deeper total talent intelligence, the power of AI is omni-present in our world. Platforms like Opptly are changing the very fabric of talent acquisition through next-generation, AI-fueled functionality. Solutions such as HiredScore are powering a new era of talent intelligence through AI-led tools, while Glider’s AI Skill Intelligence Platform offers the ability to thoroughly assess skills, ensure suitability, and expand recruitment innovation.

The evolution doesn’t just stop at artificial intelligence, though. The technology revolution in the talent acquisition and workforce management arenas is ever-present in today’s forward-thinking VMS and direct sourcing platforms.

Beeline’s focus on the extended workforce and its wide-ranging confluence of progressive tools has positioned the industry’s largest independent VMS provider as a nexus of innovation. Platforms such as FlexTrack are also reinventing workforce management technology, considering the solution’s foundation of Salesforce Lightning integration and enterprise-wide ecosystem integration. Providers like Prosperix offer next-gen functionality that traverses the interesting line between new-age VMS and direct sourcing automation.

WorkLLama’s industry-unique blend of ATS, talent cloud, and digital recruitment functionality is a powerful convergence of direct sourcing technology. LiveHire, who has been offering direct sourcing tools for over a decade, continues to innovative around its total talent offerings and deep, end-to-end workforce management functionality.

HireGenics continues to advance the workforce management solutions arena by introducing its “Smarter Workforce Management” suite of offerings, which include direct sourcing, MSP services, workforce advisory, RPO tools, and more.

The “digital staffing” industry, which includes the aforementioned direct sourcing arena as well as talent marketplaces, expert networks, and freelancer management tools, is actively transforming the ways businesses address on-demand talent acquisition. Upwork’s continued innovation has reimagined the relationship between enterprises and its non-employee talent through end-to-end automation, a fine-tuned candidate experience, and AI-infused workforce management functionality. Toptal converges its “top 3% of talent” network with on-demand talent acquisition services and a human-led touch to balance next-generation hiring. High5 is one of the most innovative solutions in the total talent stratosphere, with its distinctive talent network, a true commitment to diverse hiring, and an online talent platform that embraces artificial intelligence within the fabric of its offerings.

Providers like Graphite continue to revolutionize the realm of expert network solutions, especially considering its deep commitment to artificial intelligence, real-time talent engagement, and a deep network of top-tier workers. Reflik is a cutting-edge talent network platform that blends crowdsourcing innovation with contemporary recruitment offerings that optimize hiring.

In this era of perpetual growth and revolution, the future of talent acquisition and workforce management is actively reflected in the myriad solutions that are paving the way for the future of how we work. The emergence of advanced technologies and innovative approaches is reshaping the very foundations of how we source, nurture, and retain talent in this ever-evolving landscape.

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The Continued Impact of the Extended Workforce

Contingent Workforce by Christopher J. Dwyer on

As the workforce adapted to remote and hybrid models over the past three-plus years, enterprises shifted their focus towards optimizing work strategies to ensure operational continuity in the face of the ongoing pandemic and global supply chain disruptions, as well as other enterprise challenges (such as today with rocky economic conditions). The concepts of operational agility and flexibility took on newfound importance, reshaping approaches to talent acquisition and management, especially in the realm of extended workforce.

One of the key competitive advantages during these challenging times has been scalability. Organizations found themselves evaluating how swiftly they could scale their operations up or down and secure top-notch talent during both times of survival and times of success. This was crucial not only for short-term projects and other needs (think warehouse fulfillment for verticals like light industrial), but also for longer-term employment needs. The contingent workforce became indispensable, with Future of Work Exchange research indicating that extended talent accounts for an average of 49.5% of a company’s total workforce, reflecting its significance in talent management strategies.

Effectively leveraging the extended workforce now demands a more comprehensive understanding of the current and future talent requirements of the enterprise. Organizations must consider their strategic direction, assess whether they possess the necessary skillsets to execute their plans, and pinpoint areas where talent alignment is essential. “Total talent intelligence” plays a pivotal role in assisting hiring managers (and contingent workforce program leaders) in answering these critical questions, ensuring the continued competitiveness of the business during both good times and bad.

To ensure organizations remain resilient in the face of ongoing changes, talent acquisition is continuing to evolve in the final months of 2023 and into 2024, with a noticeable shift towards external talent sources. With an intensely competitive labor market and the need to find top-tier expertise in near-real-time, businesses must reimagine their recruitment strategies.

Enterprises today are actively searching for Best-in-Class talent with the skillsets to deliver immediate value and retain their services in a sustainable manner (enter a popular term here at the Future of Work Exchange: talent sustainability). This shift towards external talent reflects a recognition that the talent pool extends beyond internal structures, allowing organizations to tap into a broader range of skills and expertise in their quest for success.

Hence, newer strategies (such as direct sourcing) have become indispensable in cultivating a talent pipeline and establishing an ongoing engagement strategy that places innovation and business execution at its core. When coupled with managed service providers, direct sourcing can create a sophisticated talent acquisition and management process. Leveraging talent communities and supplier networks helps align the workforce with enterprise needs, and technology platforms offer innovative solutions to meet evolving business demands.

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Beeline’s Future-Forward Approach: Revolutionizing the Extended Workforce

Contingent WorkforceProcurementSolution ProvidersTechnology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on

Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research routinely points to the realm of “total talent management” as a critical offshoot of the greater Future of Work movement. The very ideas around total talent, in which businesses effectively blend catch-all and centralized strategies and processes for end-to-end talent acquisition (both direct hire/FTEs and contingent labor) and talent management (again, both sides), are typically divisive in the industry.

This is why the Future of Work Exchange has pointed to “total talent intelligence” as a gateway of sorts to bigger total talent management programs and initiatives. And, a crucial piece of total talent intelligence is total visibility into the extended workforce and its many forms.

Beeline, a market-leading Vendor Management System (VMS) and extended workforce platform, unveiled its new and innovative “Global Workforce Intelligence” (GWI) offering, as well as a new offering targeted at mid-sized contingent workforce programs (“Beeline Professional”).

The availability of the GWI tool is a watershed moment for the workforce solutions arena, as Beeline’s new tool will provide business users with enhanced levels of visibility into the totality of the non-employee workforce. This is an especially welcomed innovation for the industry, as the extended workforce has grown so large and complex (49% of the average company’s total workforce), and, with the advent of “omni-channel talent acquisition,” become ever-spread across numerous channels and sources (such as expert networks, talent marketplaces, direct sourcing-developed talent communities and talent pools, etc.).

In a press release, Beeline’s CEO, Doug Leeby, stated, “We help companies overcome the complexities of the modern workforce. Beeline’s solutions are filling gaps that have previously hindered the optimization of the extended workforce, enabling organizations to maximize every member of their workforce and gain a clear competitive market advantage.”

Gaining access to true, real-time talent intelligence across all workforce systems (not just VMS tools) isn’t just a boon for the progressive enterprises seeking total talent transformation; GWI is a solution that enables so much more, including dynamic viewpoints of compliance, real-time labor risk assessments, and enhanced workforce planning (and workforce optimization).

Beeline’s other new offering, Beeline Professional, is aligned to small- and mid-sized extended workforce management programs (under $25M in annual contingent workforce spend) that require access to a powerful array of VMS and extended workforce functionality. Beeline Professional was developed with pre-designed dashboards, tools, reports (and analytics), and workflows that can be harnessed without typical enterprise software implementation efforts.

Ardent and FOWX research finds that nearly 90% of programs of this size experienced an increase in utilization of extended labor going into 2023; these programs are also facing a major technology gap, as nearly 70% of small- and mid-sized extended workforce programs lack the required automation to effectively optimize their contingent workforce to be better-aligned with work that needs to be done.

“For far too long, extended workforce solutions have catered to enterprises and ignored the unique needs of mid-sized programs,” said Leeby. “Using insights from over the last 20+ years in the industry, Beeline Professional is uniquely tailored to meet the core needs of mid-sized programs without compromising quality and innovation.”

Beeline’s new GWI and Professional offerings exemplify the company’s enduring dedication to workforce innovation, showcasing their profound, Future of Work-driven vision aimed at maximizing the extended workforce’s impact and value.

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AI in Talent Acquisition Coming into Its Own

Business LeadershipContingent WorkforceGeneral InsightsHRSolution ProvidersTalentTalent AcquisitionTechnology and Innovation by John Yuva on

Artificial intelligence (AI) is omnipresent, impacting all businesses and industries. However, where AI is showing immense potential is in the greater world of work and talent — specifically, talent acquisition. Few technologies in history can affect everyone, but AI’s capabilities are doing just that whether you’re an HR leader, recruiter, business manager, employee, or job candidate. AI brings revolutionary and transformative change to the Future of Work. A rising tide of enrichment is here and here to stay.

Research from Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange reveals that 80% of businesses expect to begin or increase their utilization of AI tools and technology by 2024. A staggering statistic. Thus, within the next four to six months, the vast majority of enterprises will be utilizing AI technology.

The Rising Tide of AI in Talent Acquisition

The impact of AI on business and its growing influence on talent acquisition was the topic of discussion during a recent Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange webinar featuring special guest Opptly, titled “The Rising Tide of AI in Talent Acquisition.”

Speakers Christopher Dwyer, managing director of Future of Work Exchange; Opptly’s Lori Hock, CEO, and Rebecca Valladares, head of operations, addressed how AI is changing the talent acquisition landscape. Dwyer shared that within the next 18 months, 74% of enterprises plan to leverage AI to improve the candidate experience. This is a sign of how much AI will play a critical role in attracting job candidates in the near future.

The following includes several key points shared during the webinar that show AI is not only here, but here to stay.

Framing AI for TA from Three Perspectives

When thinking about AI for talent acquisition, frame it in three perspectives: the enterprise (the business use case), the recruiter, and the candidate. On the enterprise side, it’s about improving hiring efficiencies through AI as well as improving diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. At the same time, AI can identify current skill sets and where skill gaps exist in the organization to better understand who and where to hire for those roles.

The recruitment side can leverage AI for the identification of various skills and expertise — a skills DNA assessment — to strategically pinpoint the type of candidate who can bring immediate value to the enterprise. More organizations are shifting to skills-based hiring where candidate experience and purposeful work can thrive.

Finally, AI can transform the candidate experience using chatbots to guide candidates more efficiently through the application process, as well as provide customizations and real-time engagement that attracts candidates and educates them about the business.

Transforming the Hiring Manager Experience

Because the hiring manager is making the final candidate decision, enhancing that experience with AI comes with several benefits. First, a qualified and accurate slate of candidates expedites making the decision about who to interview and ultimately hire. This has a positive impact on the experience itself, but also on the production and retention of hired candidates because the match is accurate from the beginning. If the AI on the front end of the process can provide the recruiter with the ability to be more thoughtful and deliberate about conversations with candidates, the hiring manager only benefits from that process.

It is important for recruiters to understand the hiring market, the available roles, and what types of candidates succeed in those roles. AI can sort through that data quicker and provide analytics around those areas for the recruiter and hiring manager in a more meaningful and consumable way. By bringing such business intelligence forward through AI, it bridges the strategic insights for the recruiter on candidate advisement that the hiring manager can leverage in making their final candidate decision.

Delivering Positive Impacts of AI on TA

First and foremost, HR, recruiters, and hiring managers can and should use AI to increase their talent pool and gain the broadest access to talent available. In this age of skills-based hiring, the extended workforce is critical to talent pool expansion, which creates further efficiencies through reduced time-to-fill rates that lead to cost savings.

An artificial intelligence area that should not be overlooked is continuous learning in a systematic way. AI is an enterprise asset that will improve and provide exponential value over time. Unlike past technological advancements where an organization implements the technology and utilizes it for five years before it’s replaced, AI technology grows and improves as the business evolves. As the business needs change, the use cases change. AI has a continuous learning value proposition where its performance for talent acquisition and talent management insights remains high.

At the end of the day, talent acquisition puts people to work and AI plays an essential role in that process. Make AI what you need it to do. Effect positive change by integrating AI into talent and workforce processes.

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