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

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.

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The Future of Work Exchange Podcast, Episode 711: A Conversation With Dave McGonegal, VP of Strategic Client Solutions at ManpowerGroup Solutions

The Future of Work Exchange Podcast welcomes Dave McGonegal, VP of Strategic Client Solutions at ManpowerGroup Solutions, to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence in talent acquisition and workforce management, the evolution of the extended workforce, what’s ahead for the Future of Work movement, and much more.

This week’s all-new episode also highlights why a cooling labor market is beneficial for the overall sustainability of the workforce.

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Redefining Talent Acquisition: The Age of Digital Staffing Solutions

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.

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Direct Sourcing as a Paradigm Shift in Talent Acquisition

Years ago, the powerful strategy now known as “direct sourcing” persisted as a reliable, yet overlooked, element of talent acquisition. Initially known as “contingent RPO,” a concept wherein Recruitment Process Outsourcing principles were extended to encompass the engagement of the extended workforce, this approach has now evolved into a cornerstone of contemporary workforce programs. Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research in 2023 reveals that the significance of direct sourcing as an effective talent acquisition and workforce strategy is finally being recognized and embraced within the post-pandemic business landscape.

Stepping back to the cusp of 2020, before the world was compelled to retreat into shelter due to a global health crisis, “direct sourcing strategies” and “talent pools” had emerged as the top two priorities for businesses seeking to fortify their contingent workforce and talent acquisition initiatives. At that juncture, the concept of direct sourcing remained relatively niche, taking root in fewer than 10% of organizations. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has transformed. Nearly 30% of businesses across the globe have harnessed the power of a genuine direct sourcing program, with a noteworthy 17% of these enterprises entering the realm of “maturity” in terms of program duration (longer than two years). In a parallel vein, close to 10% of organizations have integrated direct sourcing into their strategies within the past two years. These statistics validate that the anticipation and momentum surrounding direct sourcing in 2020 were not mere hyperbole, but rather indicative of a seismic shift in talent acquisition that has overturned traditional candidate engagement and sourcing paradigms.

However, the story is even more nuanced. A compelling 52% of today’s businesses incorporate facets of direct sourcing into their larger talent-led initiatives without establishing full-fledged programs. This translates to a strategic embrace of specific components of direct sourcing, like talent curation or the development of talent pools, even before embarking on complete end-to-end programs that encompass all phases of the sourcing cycle. This incremental adoption signals a positive trend—a growing number of enterprises are recognizing the tangible value and manifold benefits of direct sourcing. This realization serves as a harbinger, pointing toward the full-scale implementation of comprehensive programs in the not-so-distant future.

The insights gleaned from Ardent and the Future of Work Exchange‘s Direct Sourcing 2023: Scalable Processes, Sustainable Talent research study resonate with a resounding chord: the dynamics of direct sourcing and its accompanying technologies have taken center stage in the evolving Future of Work landscape. As organizations steer through the challenges and opportunities posed by the contemporary business environment, the transformational potential of direct sourcing becomes increasingly apparent. This isn’t just about talent acquisition; it’s about a fundamental redefinition of how businesses access, engage, and nurture talent—propelling them forward into a new era of workforce strategies.

In essence, what started as an offshoot of contingent workforce management has now emerged as a powerful beacon illuminating the path forward for talent acquisition and workforce management. Direct sourcing isn’t just a strategy; it’s a paradigm shift, reshaping the very foundations of how businesses navigate the intricate world of talent acquisition. As this evolution continues, businesses that embrace direct sourcing stand poised to harness its potential to its fullest, driving their own transformation and thriving within the dynamic landscape of the Future of Work.

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The Rising Tide of AI in Talent Acquisition (On-Demand Webinar)

It’s no secret that artificial intelligence is the veritable “rising tide” that shapes both businesses and personal arenas unlike any other technology before it. In the world of work, AI has become a formidable gamechanger in how enterprises find, engage, source, and manage talent…meaning that those businesses that have not yet embraced artificial intelligence will soon find that their tech-enabled brethren will maintain a critical advantage.

AI shapes industries, decisions, interactions, and opportunities, essentially impact everyone’s work and daily life.

If you missed last week’s exclusive webcast that featured Opptly and the Future of Work Exchange, don’t worry…we’ve got you covered. Check out an on-demand replay below and learn why Opptly’s Lori Hock and Rebecca Valladares (and, of course, the Future of Work Exchange) believe that AI will forever transform talent acquisition.

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Announcing the 2023 Digital Staffing Technology Advisor Report

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.

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

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.

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Improving the Impact of Direct Sourcing: Driving ROI Through Dynamic Talent Strategies

In today’s frenetic business climate, there are many factors that can prohibit the modern enterprise from succeeding. Perhaps the largest of these is the major skills gap that exists within a majority of businesses today, and the inability to support critical projects and initiatives with the necessary expertise. The past three years have marked a significant shift in the world of talent acquisition, with a global pandemic setting the stage for a complete transformation of the workforce. Amidst economic uncertainty and the need to navigate uncharted waters, organizations have come to realize that finding, engaging, and deploying top talent is no longer just an advantage, but rather a critical imperative.

Direct sourcing has emerged as the most viable and powerful of talent engagement strategies to boost the depth and quality of talent, enhance skills pipelines, and contribute to forward-looking talent acquisition initiatives. While direct sourcing programs remain the “hottest” of strategies today, there is a question of how to improve their ROI and enhance the overall value that direct sourcing brings to the contemporary organization.

Join Ardent Partners’ SVP of Research, Christopher J. Dwyer, along with LiveHire’s Executive Vice President, Karen Gonzalez, as they discuss the landscape of direct sourcing today and how it fits into 2023’s Future of Work-led business arena. Gonzalez and Dwyer will unveil strategies for improving the overall ROI of direct sourcing and how to position programs to succeed, and thrive, in the months and years ahead. Click here (or below) to register for next week’s exclusive event.

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A New Era of Innovation: Inside the Workforce Technology Revolution (Part Two)

Last week, the Future of Work Exchange featured a discussion about the technological revolution happening within the greater world of talent and work. In a world combining economic uncertainty, a candidate-centric focus, and continued evolutionary change in a post-pandemic business landscape, an organization’s workforce solution reliance is often what sets it apart from the competition.

Today, we focus on perhaps the most mature of all workforce solutions: Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

Expansive MSP Offerings

The MSP model has experienced it all: the beginnings of contingent workforce management, the economic ups and downs, several “great recessions,” a pandemic, and so much more. If there was a workforce solution best suited for a topsy-turvy business arena based on knowledge and experience alone, it would be the Managed Service Provider.

While MSPs have long held the throne of maturity regarding services-oriented workforce offerings, today’s providers barely resemble their humble beginnings decades ago. Let’s explore four of them.

Magnit

Providers like Magnit represent an ideal evolution of the MSP model. The organization, formerly known as PRO Unlimited, underwent a progression over the past several years that not only saw the firm update its name and brand, but also turbocharge its offerings to reflect the dynamic world of work and talent. Over the past three years specifically, Magnit revolutionized direct sourcing, introduced powerful and end-to-end workforce management concepts, reinvigorated services procurement, and adopted a “platform” approach towards extended workforce management through its innovative MSP and Vendor Management System (VMS) blend of technology.

Talent Solutions TAPFIN

Talent Solutions TAPFIN (part of the Manpower Group) has long delivered extensive value to the CWM arena via its continuous innovation and decades-long commitment to furthering the art of talent management. What sets Talent Solutions TAPFIN apart from its MSP brethren is its focus on “talent sustainability,” a concept that the Future of Work Exchange has trailblazed for several years. In a candidate-centric, talent-oriented business arena in which deep skillsets are table stakes, Talent Solutions TAPFIN’s delivery of “net-zero” strategies, ecosystem enablement, and self-sustaining sources of top-tier talent (via programs like direct sourcing and digital staffing) are must-haves in today’s post-pandemic world.

Pontoon

Although the MSP model has long been services-oriented, the technological realm should never be out of reach for these solutions given the Future of Work-led corporate market we work (and live) in today. Pontoon, part of the Adecco Group, is the rare MSP that places technology at the core of its principal offerings. Pontoon is known for its digitally-centric slew of managed services, RPO solutions (called “RXO” to reflect an experience-driven offering that is one of the strongest recruitment-led offerings in the MSP arena), and services procurement tools. And the solution backs up its total talent messaging with robust delivery models that blend direct sourcing, recruitment augmentation, and offerings that dynamically align contingent workforce and permanent hiring strategies.

Guidant Global

Guidant Global, part of the Impellam Group, is an end-to-end workforce solutions provider that has, for many years, driven excellence across the spectrum of contingent and traditional talent management via its reliance on a multifaceted array of services, tools, and unique strategic approaches. Guidant Global was an early pioneer in direct sourcing, owing its success to an elegance across its recruitment-led offerings, commitment to enhancing client brands, and true workforce scalability. In today’s frenetic, globalized, and Future of Work-led enterprise arena, Guidant continues to lead with powerful services procurement and SOW management solutions (one of the strongest in the MSP market), a commanding arrangement of contingent workforce solutions, a strong commitment to the candidate experience, and analytics-led total talent management offerings that effectively bridge the gap between spend management and people management.

Stay tuned for the next article in our feature series on the workforce technology revolution.

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The Rising Tide of AI in Talent Acquisition

Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research points to artificial intelligence (AI) as a key outlet of innovation in the evolving world of work and talent. From automating mundane tasks and reformulating tactical operations to serving as a proactive source of predictive analysis, AI has become a ubiquitous attribute of the Future of Work movement. Artificial intelligence has catalyzed a new era of bespoke, on-demand, and industry-shifting technology that has the potential to benefit candidates, recruiters, hiring managers business professionals, and executive leaders. Simply put: the advent of AI can drive value to a wide spectrum of enterprise stakeholders.

As new strategies, such as skills-based hiring and omni-channel talent acquisition, become transformational ways to revamp hiring initiatives, artificial intelligence is a conduit to disrupting and changing the ways enterprises evaluate and source talent.

Join Opptly, Ardent, and the Future of Work Exchange for an exclusive webcast that will highlight the many roles of AI in a candidate-centric workforce market that prioritizes the depth and impact of talent. I will join Opptly’s Lori Hock, CEO, and Rebecca Valladares, Head of Operations, to discuss:

  • How AI can be leveraged to drive efficiency, accuracy, speed, and deeper, data-driven decision-making.
  • Why AI will become the de-facto tool for recruiters and talent acquisition professionals.
  • How AI can revolutionize new strategies such as skills-based hiring and predictive analytics, and;
  • The future of AI-led tools (such as ChatGPT) and their responsible use as they become more entwined with everyday business processes.

Click here or on the image below to register for next month’s exclusive webinar. Looking forward to seeing you there!

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