Digital Staffing Archives - The Future of Work Exchange

Digital Staffing’s Impact on the Future of Work

Contingent Workforce Direct Sourcing Talent Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 03/12/2024

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 2024 rolls on, 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.

Talent Experts on FOWX — Evolution of Staffing and Growth of Extended Workforce

Direct Sourcing General Insights Podcast Solution Providers Talent Talent Acquisition Technology and Innovation Uncategorized by Christopher J. Dwyer on 01/25/2024

Our “Talent Expert Series” on FOWX features podcast excerpts of today’s Future of Work thought leaders who appear on The Future of Work Exchange Podcast. The series kicks off with an excerpt from Season 7, Episode 12 featuring Kara Kaplan, CEO of High5, as she discusses a range of topics from the evolution of staffing to the growth in the extended enterprise to the next stage of direct sourcing.

Click to listen to the full interview. Note that this excerpt has been edited for readability.

Christopher Dwyer: Let’s begin with your general insights into the staffing industry, especially given your unique vantage point with High5. When you think of the evolution of staffing and the rise and continued growth of the extended workforce, where are we today?

Kara Kaplan: For starters, the evolution of staffing and the emergence of the extended workforce has ushered in this profound transformation that we’re seeing. It’s a fundamental shift in how companies view and engage with talent. The traditional employment model has been supplemented and, in some cases, supplanted by an extended workforce. Thus, you see many organizations today, if not most, embracing the extended workforce as an integral component of their talent strategy.

And when we look at the term “employee” in general, it’s really evolving with these new models. You have everything from full-time, part-time, contract, gig, remote, hybrid, shared and other terms emerging. Those organizations that rigidly stick to the traditional relationship are going to find themselves fighting an uphill battle. Conversely, enterprises that appreciate and use a mix of workforce models will ultimately be the ones that succeed and have access to more talent and better talent.

It’s more of an adaptation to the new global economy that we now live in and all the complexities and opportunities that are part and parcel of that global shift. At the end of the day, organizations need to embrace this evolution not as an option but more as a strategic imperative. The exciting thing is that organizations are starting to do that.

CD: There is definitely a talent revolution occurring and obviously companies like High 5 fit into that. However, how do you see companies like High5 and other digital staffing platforms fitting into this change in talent acquisition?

KK: Today’s talent revolution signifies a profound shift in how organizations acquire and engage talent. We’re seeing it become much more commoditized. Talent is more dynamic and diverse, as well as more digitally connected than ever before. With the rise of talent marketplaces and digital staffing solutions, they’ve been instrumental in reshaping talent acquisition strategies and truly enabling organizations to adapt and thrive in this global landscape.

At their core, talent marketplaces democratized new access to a global pool of talent. These platforms are empowering organizations to source talent with levels of speed and accuracy that were not possible just a short time ago. For example, in the recent past, when working with many staffing agencies, there was a significant amount of manual effort required in matching a worker with a shift — even if they had a robust ATS, it would only benefit them to a degree. However, today’s digital staffing solutions driven by artificial intelligence and automation have redefined the recruitment process and streamlined nearly everything from candidate sourcing to screening to onboarding and payrolling. It saves a vast amount of time and resources.

CD: In our industry when you think about digital staffing, what comes to mind is BMS, MSP, direct sourcing, total talent, workforce management technology, and artificial intelligence. AI has moved beyond hype and is generally accepted as table stakes in our industry. What are your views on AI and its impact?

KK: To your point, we can’t have this conversation without talking about generative AI and what it means. However, the idea that AI is table stakes for competitive differentiation may be overly simplistic. While AI can undoubtedly provide a significant edge, it’s not a cure-all as companies are seeing. Enterprises still have to remain focused on their core offerings and the human aspect of talent as well as customer relationships to build a sustainable competitive advantage. It’s certainly an exciting time for AI but also a scary one as well. AI is not going away and we’ll continue to hear frequently about the technology, but going forward we need to think about AI in the right way and in the smart way.

CD: Let’s pivot to direct sourcing which was gaining momentum even before the pandemic and is now another table-stakes strategy for businesses if they want to deepen their talent pool and scale their workforce. There’s so much more to direct sourcing than simply contingent recruitment process outsourcing (RPO). With that in mind, where do you see direct sourcing heading?

KK: So much has changed in just the year since I started High5. There’s no doubt that direct sourcing has emerged as a pivotal force in recruiting and is definitely here to stay. There are sessions at major conferences dedicated to direct sourcing with brands like Northern Trust, Toyota, and Meta espousing its benefits. When that starts to happen, the more prominence direct sourcing will have. Clearly, in terms of the future of direct sourcing, the benefits are there. However, its adoption will require an education process. Anytime an education process is involved, it’s going to slow things down, particularly from a sales cycle perspective, but that process plays a vital role in ensuring that organizations realize the efficacy of direct sourcing. To be successful means ensuring that best practices are being followed. When direct sourcing initiatives fail, it’s because they didn’t follow best practices. Again, I’m extremely bullish on the future of direct sourcing, but I do think it will take some time for that education to catch up.

CD: Before we wrap up, 2023 is quickly coming to an end. What do you see on the horizon in the year ahead?

KK: I wish I had a crystal ball. For us, 2024 is about strengthening our position in the market. Being known as the “tech first” company, we’re making heavy investments in our tech enablement, our marketplace, and our other platforms. We have a great deal of excitement around some of our recent tech acquisitions and the compelling value proposition that creates for us going forward.

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

Contingent Workforce Solution Providers Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 12/12/2023

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.”

Digital Staffing’s Impact on the Future of Work

Contingent Workforce Direct Sourcing Talent Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 10/23/2023

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.

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

Contingent Workforce Direct Sourcing Solution Providers Talent Acquisition Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 09/25/2023

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.

A New Era of Innovation, Part VI: The The Future of Workforce Technology

Solution Providers Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 09/18/2023

Over the past several weeks, the Future of Work Exchange has showcased a series of articles dedicated to the latest wave of innovation in the realm of technology associated with the Future of Work movement. This special feature series shone a spotlight on trailblazing providers who are not only transforming the methods by which businesses discover, engage, acquire, and oversee talent but also on how they harness this talent to enhance their work processes.

With advancements in areas like direct talent acquisition, digital staffing, Vendor Management Systems (VMS), extended workforce management, total talent management, and Managed Service Provider (MSP)-led services, the field of workforce solutions has emerged as a revolutionary influence in the contemporary business landscape. Its nimbleness empowers companies to stay at the forefront of change, its adaptability aligns with the shifting nature of work, and its relentless pursuit of innovation consistently reshapes the terrain of talent acquisition and management.

As businesses continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of talent, the workforce solutions industry remains an essential catalyst for success, providing the essential tools and strategies necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. Today, we introduce four additional solutions that epitomize this new era of innovation.

Ceipal

It’s no secret that the dynamics of talent engagement, talent acquisition, and talent management are shifting alongside the greater world of work. Businesses that want to thrive during an age of true globalization must execute on deeper hiring strategies; simple technology alone will not support the omni-channel recruitment initiatives that are required to find, engage, and hire Best-in-Class talent and expertise.

Ceipal represents the future of total talent management in that the platforms offers a robust, real-time convergence of ATS, contingent workforce management, diversity automation, CRM, and traditional talent management. The arrival of the company’s proprietary VMS solution, ProcureWise, enables Ceipal to traverse into new and innovative territory; the organization’s forward-thinking vision includes a future that is paved with Future of Work-era digitization, seamless talent acquisition, and total talent management technology.

Mothership

The realm of digital staffing continues to transform the Future of Work arena. Years ago, that very phrase, “digital staffing,” was typically associated with automated staffing processes via digital outlets of freelancers and contractors (such as Freelancer Management Systems). Today, digital staffing represents a veritable talent revolution, with shifting functionality that is tailored for a volatile labor market and the progression of talent acquisition.

At its core, Mothership stands as an innovative digital staffing platform, seamlessly connecting users to a roster of elite talent by harnessing a dynamic fusion of total talent strategy, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robust workforce management capabilities. Embodied as a true “ecosphere” of technology, Mothership transcends conventional talent acquisition paradigms, offering its clientele immediate access to a diverse spectrum of candidates, spanning the realms of creativity, professionalism, administration, and beyond.

ProHance Analytics

Data is the foundation of workforce management in today’s hyper-competitive, globalized market. As workforces become more diverse, distributed, and comprised of various channels of expertise, enterprises will require tools that streamline analytics and provide real-time guidance regarding productivity, performance, and a viewpoint into a “future state” of how the workforce will look given internal and external factors.

ProHance is an industry leader within the realm of enterprise workforce analytics, productivity intelligence, and operational empowerment, delivering an advanced, cloud-based platform tailored for the hybrid work environment and productivity enhancement. In an age when remote and hybrid work has become table stakes for the contemporary enterprise, solutions like ProHance enable businesses to track productivity beyond simple metrics and generate real-time workforce intelligence to the executive leaders that crave actionable insights.

VectorVMS

The extended workforce has only grown in its sheer impact and value during mid- and post-pandemic times, as Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange have discovered (fun fact: 49.% of the average company’s overall workforce is comprised of external talent). VMS technology has come a long way since its inception as “eProcurement for staffing,” with today’s vendor management platforms serving as the true nexus of extended workforce management.

VectorVMS is a progressive VMS platform that prioritizes not only the traditional elements of contingent workforce management, but also presents an agile, end-to-end suite of solutions that include innovative attributes, such as learning and development, deeper DE&I automation, robust flexibility for CWM programs that require nimble functionality, and a shared services offering that blends the power of its VMS platform with MSP-like offerings.

A New Era of Innovation, Part V: The Transformative Solutions Landscape

Solution Providers Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 09/11/2023

Over the summer, the Future of Work Exchange featured a series of articles focused on the “new era” of innovation happening within the technological landscape associated with the Future of Work movement. The exclusive feature series highlighted providers that are revolutionizing the many ways businesses not only find, engage, source, and manage talent, but also how that talent is leveraged to optimize how work is addressed and done.

Given the advancements in arenas such as direct sourcing, digital staffing, VMS, extended workforce management, total talent management, and MSP-led services, the workforce solutions arena stands out as a revolutionary force in today’s business world. Its agility allows companies to stay ahead of the curve, its flexibility adapts to the changing nature of work, and its pace of innovation continuously reshapes the landscape of talent acquisition and management.

As businesses continue to navigate an ever-evolving talent landscape, the workforce solutions industry remain a critical enabler of success, offering the tools and strategies needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. Today, we feature four additional solutions that represent a new era of innovation.

HireGenics

The Future of Work Exchange has a history of tracking the progression the Managed Service Provider (MSP) model by discussing how these mature industry giants have transformed the way businesses manage the many intricacies of extended workforce management. In the face of unprecedented change in how work gets done, some MSPs have converted their offerings to suit the flexibility and agility attributes inherent in today’s Future of Work-led enterprise arena.

HireGenics is a reflection of this evolution. The organization has made waves by changing MSP delivery models to be more “in tune” with the innovation required to help businesses succeed in the current frenetic climate. The solution’s “MSP 4.0” model represents a forward-thinking approach to MSP offerings by leveraging artificial intelligence and insight-driven analytics to optimize talent acquisition, enhance diversity, and offer flexibility in scaling according to shifting market demands. HireGenics is actively reshaping contingent workforce management with innovation and adaptability at its very core.

eTeam

With over 350 of the Fortune 1,000 as key clients, eTeam represents the next generation of managed services and total workforce solutions. For nearly two decades, the organization has offered its deep MSP capabilities to companies across the globe, while expanding over the years into new regional markets and adding deep offerings in SOW management and services procurement, integrated talent solutions, EOR and payrolling, direct sourcing, etc.

eTeam’s global suite of solutions extends to several innovative arenas, as its umbrella of organizations address many progressive attributes of the new world of work and talent. High5 is a market leader in direct sourcing and digital staffing, while Compass (EOR and payrolling) and Elevance, a next-generation compliance and risk mitigation tool, round out its arsenal. eTeam’s TOTAM solution is a unique take on total talent management as an innovative blend of freelancer management, digital staffing, DE&I automation, business intelligence, and VMS tools that converge within a robust technological infrastructure.

Rightsourcing (by Magnit)

The healthcare workforce faced its toughest challenge in 2020 and 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged hospitals, burned out workers, and reimagined how this industry viewed its talent and expertise. An interesting facet of this vertical, however, was the fact that hospitals and healthcare facilities increased their utilization of non-employee labor and extended talent during this harrowing time, proving that, yet again, the contingent workforce could play “hero” during troubled times.

Rightsourcing (part of Magnit) fosters workforce innovation in the healthcare and life sciences verticals by allowing organizations to tap into external expertise and Best-in-Class contingent talent. With the power of Magnit’s Integrated Workforce Management (IWM) platform behind it, Rightsourcing is a market leader in the healthcare (and life sciences) industry with its cutting-edge managed services delivery and wide suite of offerings that enable businesses in these sectors with flexibility, agility, and Future-of-Work-era technology and automation. As the healthcare workforce evolves, solutions such as Rightsourcing will lead the path to optimizing talent, enhancing patient outcomes, and meeting the unique and critical demands of this intricate industry.

Graphite

The impact of digital staffing cannot be understated; Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research underscores not only its evolution but also its rampant growth, as utilization of these platforms has increased by almost 800% over the past five years. This statistic serves as a testament to the profound impact these solutions wield within the Future of Work movement and the broader spheres of work and talent.

Enterprises aim to seamlessly connect top-tier expertise with the specific projects and initiatives that demand such capabilities. Graphite, an expert network provider, was established with the vision of uniting businesses with exceptionally skilled independent professionals using advanced matching capabilities, artificial intelligence, and comprehensive project oversight. Graphite represents a cutting-edge talent marketplace that prioritizes adaptability, nimbleness, AI-driven solutions, and the ability to expand the workforce as needed.

Redefining Talent Acquisition: The Age of Digital Staffing Solutions

Uncategorized by Christopher J. Dwyer on 08/28/2023

The term “digital staffing” has become a ubiquitous catch-all phrase in the realm of talent and work, encompassing technology that enables the discovery, engagement, and sourcing of workers. According to Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange (“FOWX”), digital staffing technology comprises solutions that empower enterprises to hire freelance, independent, and contingent talent independently of Vendor Management Systems (VMS) or other workforce platforms (as well as traditional staffing suppliers). These solutions also manage various end-to-end processes integral to extended workforce management, including project oversight, worker tracking, classification, compliance, and risk mitigation.

The 2023 Digital Staffing Technology Advisor report serves as an evaluation of the global market for talent marketplaces, expert networks, digital staffing outlets, and encompasses direct sourcing platforms within its broader definition. In the current landscape, digital staffing technology represents far more than simple online talent portals for talent acquisition. Today’s digital staffing platforms resemble workforce management automation tools that not only facilitate candidate engagement but also streamline talent community development, talent pool creation, candidate experience management, and other innovative facets of extended workforce management.

Ardent and FOWX’s research underscores the significant evolution of digital staffing technology. The utilization of digital staffing solutions has surged by almost 800% over the past five years. This statistic serves as a testament to the profound impact these platforms wield within the Future of Work movement and the broader spheres of work and talent.

As we delve into the multifaceted landscape of digital staffing, it’s crucial to recognize the transformative role these technologies play. Beyond the surface-level notion of connecting talent with opportunities, digital staffing platforms now function as intricate orchestrators of the entire talent lifecycle. Their influence extends far beyond mere talent acquisition—they catalyze a paradigm shift in how enterprises interact with and manage their extended workforce.

Consider the dynamic functionalities that define today’s digital staffing platforms. They not only facilitate seamless candidate engagement but also cultivate thriving talent communities and dynamic talent pools. This speaks to a shift from transactional relationships to engagement models founded on genuine interaction and value exchange. Furthermore, the concept of candidate experience management takes center stage, reflecting the growing realization that each touchpoint with potential and existing talent shapes organizational perceptions and success.

What’s evident from the surging adoption of digital staffing solutions is their potential to reshape the way we work. These platforms empower businesses to navigate the intricate landscape of the extended workforce with agility, efficiency, and innovation. Their impact reverberates across industries, allowing enterprises to adapt and thrive in the rapidly evolving world of work.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of digital staffing, it’s imperative for organizations to grasp the holistic potential these technologies offer. Beyond their instrumental role in talent acquisition, they serve as catalysts for holistic workforce strategies. The interplay of talent acquisition, talent engagement, and talent management within these platforms creates a unified ecosystem that’s uniquely poised to drive success in the Future of Work.

To learn more, download the new Digital Staffing Technology Advisor report.

Announcing the 2023 Digital Staffing Technology Advisor Report

Contingent Workforce Direct Sourcing Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 08/16/2023

Omni-channel talent acquisition has become a centerpiece of the Future of Work movement. Revolving around the concept that enterprises are now enabled with a variety of talent sources that can be converged to drive real-time skills alignment, on-demand hiring, and enhanced visibility into deeper attributes of candidates, the idea of omni-channel acquisition reflects the veritable evolution of talent engagement.

While traditional staffing suppliers are still a critical piece of the extended workforce and everyday hiring, the “omni-channel experience” represents a new era in which enterprises can expand their talent searches through the advent of innovation, direct sourcing automation, new candidate channels, and next-generation and AI-fueled technology.

With this in mind, Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange have developed the new Digital Staffing Technology Advisor report, which was designed to help HR, procurement, human capital, and talent acquisition executives navigate the digital staffing technology market. This report analyzes and assesses the primary solution providers in the marketplace today within the direct sourcing, talent marketplace, workforce management, and freelancer management technology industries.

The new Digital Staffing Technology Advisor analyzed and assessed 13 distinct providers of digital staffing, expert network, direct sourcing, talent marketplace, and freelancer management solutions, and is the ideal guide for those enterprises seeking to make an investment in these platforms in the months ahead.

Click here to download the new study, which is complimentary for qualified procurement, HR, talent acquisition, and talent management practitioners.

A New Era of Innovation, Part IV: The Future of Work Awaits

Contingent Workforce Direct Sourcing Solution Providers Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 08/07/2023

Over the past three weeks, the Future of Work Exchange has featured a series of articles that have highlighted the innovation occurring within the world of workforce management, talent acquisition, and staffing technology and solutions.

We live in a new era, one that is heralded by evolution, innovation, and acceleration…all part of the “Future of Work movement” that dictates how we work and how we thrive. Talent is the centerpiece of this movement, a veritable engine of sorts that drives innovation, sparks ideation, and facilitates competitive differentiation in a globalized market that thrives on expertise and top-tier skillsets.

The 2023 business climate requires more focus on “talent sustainability,” which refers to the strategic approach that organizations take to ensure the long-term prosperity of their enterprise by attracting, retaining, and nurturing their workforce. It encompasses creating an environment that promotes employee engagement, development, and well-being, while aligning with the organization’s goals and objectives. By investing in their workforce’s growth and development, businesses can unlock the full potential of their employees, driving productivity, innovation, and ultimately, profitability. Additionally, adopting a socially responsible and ethical approach to talent management can help to create a sustainable and equitable workforce, which benefits both the organization and its employees.

The progression of workforce solutions reflects the notion of talent sustainability, as today’s talent management platforms and systems represent this “candidate-centric” focus, as well as the acceleration of key Future of Work-era elements, particularly direct sourcing, omni-channel talent acquisition, and innovative talent-led strategies.

High5

High5 is not just a “total talent” platform, but also a pure representation of omni-channel talent acquisition technology and solutions. The organization blends a unique array of tools and services under one umbrella platform, with an innovative convergence of digital recruitment, direct sourcing (and managed direct sourcing), talent marketplace, candidate assessment, staffing infrastructure, and extended workforce management offerings that actively revolutionize the ways enterprises find, engage, source, manage, and retain top-tier talent.

What sets High5 apart and differentiates the solution from others in this arena is its powerful, talent-led offerings are an ideal alignment with the candidate-centric priorities of businesses today. High5 presents a frictionless candidate engagement process that quickens time-to-fill rates while also revamping talent assessments and onboarding processes; the vetted talent included in their vast candidate community represents top-tier expertise and skillsets.

In essence, High5’s solution is the convergence of total talent management, and, of course, Future of Work-era concepts.

Prosperix

Prosperix, formerly known as Crowdstaffing, rebranded nearly two-and-a-half years ago at a critical time in the business arena; the branding and vision shift reflected the utmost criticality of the candidate, as well as the burgeoning focus on transforming the ways enterprises engaged, sourced, and managed external talent.

While the solution was originally known for its powerful talent marketplace and direct sourcing prowess, the Prosperix platform supercharges these attributes and offers a robust, end-to-end, and differentiated VMS tool.

Prosperix’s groundbreaking “VMS Network” stands as a Best-in-Class platform, seamlessly merging digital staffing technology and next-gen VMS functionality to reimagine the relationship between an enterprise and its talent supplier base. The combination of direct sourcing, candidate experience management, end-to-end contingent workforce management, and digital staffing, along with its new Xponential offering, positions Prosperix as a powerful platform embodying the finest Future of Work-era technology.

Atrium

The Managed Service Provider (MSP) model has entered a period of evolution, with many of these solutions progressing as the world around them continues to change. With a shift in thinking about “traditional” workforce management solutions, the MSPs that embrace technology, push revolutionary models, and think outside of the box will be the ones that thrive in 2023 and beyond.

Atrium stands out for its deep commitment to direct sourcing and a strong dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) throughout its core MSP offering. Under the “Atrium Works” banner, their contingent workforce management (CWM) solutions offer a comprehensive range of services for total talent management with a suite of offerings that include advanced direct sourcing, an “Early Talent” program, and robust technology expertise to build agile Future of Work-ready workforce programs. Atrium’s adaptable MSP model provides comprehensive, end-to-end support that flexibly caters to changing customer requirements.

SAP Fieldglass

The Vendor Management System (VMS) arena has always been a hotbed of innovation, especially dating back to the earliest days of The Great Recession (2008-2009), when a historical rise in utilization of contingent labor forced these solutions to revamp how they intersected within the talent technology ecosystem. SAP Fieldglass was a VMS pioneer, and, when global enterprise giant SAP acquired them in 2014, it signaled a new era of total talent management given its soon-to-be-connected links to SAP’s core offerings, particularly SAP Ariba and SAP SuccessFactors.

SAP Fieldglass represents not just the continued progression of VMS technology, but rather a convergence of Future of Work-era innovation and robust extended workforce automation. The platform provides an end-to-end, holistic perspective of the contingent workforce by integrating with the capabilities of SAP SuccessFactors (revamping the impact of HR and procurement functionality’s convergence), SAP Ariba (enhancing the spend management and supplier optimization attributes of extended workforce management), and other SAP technologies.

By leveraging its expanded capabilities (many of which have been enhanced over the past few years), SAP Fieldglass equips businesses to proactively manage the multifaceted challenges of today’s talent landscape. With a focus on total talent intelligence and AI-led, proactive analytics and reporting, the platform enables superior talent decision-making, streamlined processes, and a deeper understanding of workforce dynamics. SAP Fieldglass stands as a testament to the evolution of VMS into a cutting-edge workforce management technology arena, poised to guide organizations through the complexities of contemporary talent management.

Stay tuned for Part V of this exclusive, exciting new Future of Work Exchange series.