Podcast
Talent Titans
Hosted by Suky Sodhi · EN
High performance staffing industry mastermind leader, Suky Sodhi has always felt strongly about allowing the sales team within organizations to have a voice at the boardroom table. She has been working with global recruitment companies for almost 3 decades, helping them align their focus on both the bottom line and their people.
President and Founder of Professional Selection, a leading rec2rec agency, and Founder of Elite Global Recruiters, a community of staffing industry professionals from around the globe, she is helping recruitment businesses scale like never before.
Her podcast, Talent Titans serves as a platform to share her research and findings with us, including best tips and practices to take your business to the next level.
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38episodes
Episodes
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Episode 63 - Mobile Solutions for Staffing Agencies and Why You Need Them with Bryan Wilson
Feb 11, 202500:23:42Tap to summarizeEpisode 63 - Mobile Solutions for Staffing Agencies and Why You Need Them with Bryan Wilson In this episode of Talent Titans, I'm excited to welcome Bryan Wilson from StaffUpApp, a seasoned expert with over 25 years in the staffing industry, who joins us to shed light on the power of adopting a mobile-first strategy for staffing agencies. In an era where traditional job boards like Indeed dominate the landscape, Bryan shares his insights on how staffing companies can pivot and thrive by reaching candidates through private label mobile apps. These apps allow candidates and recruiters alike to streamline operations, enhance experiences, and keep up with the ever-evolving digital trends. We explore the incredible efficiencies mobile apps bring to staffing agencies, particularly those that need to act swiftly, like temporary staffing firms, as well as those looking to consolidate their tech stack. As the importance of a mobile presence skyrockets, we discuss strategies to engage passive candidates and amplify a company's branding efforts. Indeed, mobile apps are not just a luxury but a necessity for any staffing agency. Key Moments: The efficiencies created by having a mobile app. How a mobile app can help you consolidate your tech stack, depending on your philosophies. Staffing is a people business and technology can actually help us create more human connections. How a mobile app can transform the candidate and recruiter experience. Favorite Quote: "Streamlining the candidate experience by integrating every step—from brand discovery to getting paid—into a seamless mobile process is a game-changer." Bryan Connect with Bryan: Bryan is the Head of Product Strategy with StaffUpApp, a leader in the Platform Staffing market. With over 25 years of experience in the Staffing Industry, he spends his time partnering with forward thinking leaders to build solutions that support growth and profitability for their firms. Knowing that GIG Platforms and mobile apps are eating the industry, he does his best to help staffing firms evolve to this next phase so they can not only survive, but thrive in the coming decades. Website: https://www.staffupapp.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanmwilson/ Connect with Suky: I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in. With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous “recession” cycles. Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the “people business”. For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both. LinkedIn Canadian Staffing Industry Summit www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com www.professionalselection.com
Transcribe →Episode 62 - Building Influence and Trust: It’s Time to Level Up Your Leadership with Nadia Ciani
Feb 4, 202500:47:34Tap to summarizeEpisode 62 - Building Influence and Trust: It’s Time to Level Up Your Leadership with Nadia Ciani I’m so excited for you to hear today’s guest, Nadia Ciani, founder of Energy Xchange Group, on how small to mid-sized staffing firms can rise above the crowd by leveraging the power of personal connections to level up their leadership skills. With a rich background in HR and consulting across North America, Nadia spills the secrets to building influence and trust in the staffing industry. In the thick of the hustle and bustle of running a small team, maintaining momentum without burnout is an art. We explore how fostering a culture of trust can be the foundation of team growth, highlighting the need for structured, and spontaneous, one-on-one interactions and empowering team members to be confident in decision-making. This episode tackles the common but often unspoken challenges leaders face, such as trust issues and confidence in delegation, shedding light on how these can inadvertently stifle both business and personal growth. As businesses increasingly embrace remote work, effective leadership becomes more crucial than ever. We navigate the complexities of managing geographically dispersed teams, from turning mistakes into growth opportunities to ensuring accountability with random check-ins. We also don’t leave out data-driven decision-making, urging firms to focus on meaningful metrics and invest wisely in technology. Finally, we emphasize the incredibly important role of leadership in crafting a vibrant company culture, reminding listeners that ultimately, it's the people, not the technology, that clients buy into. Key Moments: The advantages small and mid-size staffing firms have over large organizations. How to be a good leader without burning yourself out. Building trust requires risk - allow people to make mistakes and use them as growth opportunities. 3 tips for leading remote teams. How to properly measure data to help get you to your goals. Your company is building culture with, or without you. Favorite Quote: "Small to mid-sized staffing firms have a unique advantage: their intimate client relationships are built on significant trust, allowing them to influence outcomes and build deeper connections." Nadia Connect with Nadia: Nadia is the Founder of EnergyXChange Group, an HR Consulting and Fractional Leadership firm and has close to 30 years of experience in HR - nearly 20 in an executive capacity. Nadia has lead HR teams across North America in a Hybrid model with expertise in leading virtual teams as well as lead all aspects of HR from Business Partner teams, Talent & Development, Talent & Succession Planning through to Data and Analytics. Nadia has been part of and has lead the HR workstreams for numerous acquisitions from due diligence to integration and is a certified coach who has helped countless leaders achieve their goals. Website: https://energyxchangegroup.com/ Connect with Suky: I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in. With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous “recession” cycles. Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the “people business”. For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both. LinkedIn Canadian Staffing Industry Summit www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com www.professionalselection.com
Transcribe →Episode 61 - Why Embracing VMS and New Technology is Essential for Success in The Staffing Industry with Matt Cook
Jan 28, 202500:44:07Tap to summarizeEpisode 61 - Why Embracing VMS and New Technology is Essential for Success in The Staffing Industry with Matt Cook In today’s episode of Talent Titans, I welcome my guest, Matt Cook from VMS, an expert on workforce management and how it can transform your small business operations in the staffing industry. From job requisitions to invoicing, using Vendor Management Systems (VMS), Matt brings a wealth of experience and insight, first sharing a compelling case study where VMS technology elevated a staffing company into a master vendor role, enhancing their client relationships and value proposition. As client demands for transparency and efficiency grow, the adoption of VMS and new technology becomes crucial for success. We talk about common misconceptions, including the complexity and cost, illustrating how even small businesses can reap significant benefits from these systems. We also highlight the role of automation in preserving margins and boosting efficiency, without losing the human touch. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to harness technology to navigate the evolving landscape of workforce management effectively. Key Moments: What exactly is workforce management, VMS, and why you need it. What can happen if you don’t embrace new technology in business? The more efficient you can help people be in your organization, the more capacity you have to grow. Why you must be documenting all of your processes! Favorite Quote: "One of the biggest misconceptions about VMS is the cost, but in reality, mid-market programs can affordably implement enterprise-level solutions that provide significant ROI." Matt Connect with Matt: With over 25 years of experience, Matt is a globally recognized expert in sales, inbound marketing, and business development. He has successfully founded, built and sold three companies, including a sales recruiting company and a digital marketing company focused on scaling staffing companies. He grew his sales recruiting company SalesForce Search and was on Profit Magazine’s Hot 50 list as the 4th fastest growing company in Canada. Matt has a deep understanding of the staffing and recruiting industry and a passion for helping companies grow revenue. He is highly analytical and results-oriented, with a proven ability to develop and execute successful strategies. Matt is also an engaging speaker and thought leader, sharing his insights on topics such as sales, digital marketing and scaling business. He has written articles for Forbes Magazine, Canadian Business, Profit Magazine and others and has been a featured guest on BNN. Matt has spoken several times at Inbound, Hubspot's annual conference and was a member of Hubspot’s Sales Services Advisory Council. In 2017, Matt won Hubspot's Sales Enablement Award and was named one of LinkedIn's Top Most Influential Sales Professionals in 2019. He is currently the Chief Revenue Officer for Bridge VMS with offices in Austin, London (UK) and Toronto. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-cook-b541011/ Email: mc@bridgevms.com Connect with Suky: I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in. With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous “recession” cycles. Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the “people business”. For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both. LinkedIn Canadian Staffing Industry Summit www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com www.professionalselection.com
Transcribe →Episode 60 - Exploring the Benefits of Creating an Open and Honest Company Culture From the Beginning with Tracy Rocca
Jan 21, 202500:46:01Tap to summarizeEpisode 60 - Exploring the Benefits of Creating an Open and Honest Company Culture From the Beginning with Tracy Rocca As we continue to explore empathetic leadership within the staffing industry, my guest on this week's episode is Tracy Rocca, who brings over 30 years of experience to the table. Tracy shares her insights on creating an environment where authenticity and open communication are key from the start in the hiring process, highlighting the significance of creating a safe space for team members to feel heard and respected. The art of building effective team dynamics is not overlooked, emphasizing the importance of understanding candidates beyond their resumes during interviews. This approach, which fosters genuine connections, contrasts with more traditional leadership styles that prioritize efficiency over personal connection. We challenge the misconception that money is the primary motivator for salespeople, suggesting that respect, appreciation, and a desire to win are equally crucial. The episode further explores the role of KPIs and what they're truly designed for and the evolving perspectives on work-life balance across generations. This episode is a testament to how leaders can balance organizational needs with the human aspect of employment, ensuring that even the toughest decisions are handled with care and respect. Key Moments: The more authenticity you can welcome in at the start, during the hiring process, they brighter the future for all parties. Openness, honestly, and empathy will allow people to be much more productive in their roles. You can be an empathetic leader and still expect KPI's to be met. If you've had open and honest conversations, there should be no surprises. Favorite Quote: "Our business is people. If empathy doesn't come naturally to you, maybe this isn't the right industry for you." Tracy Connect with Tracy: Tracy has worked in various aspects of the staffing business at both the branch and corporate level. Some of the roles that she has held include Senior Consultant, Branch Manager, Strategic Account Manager, and has had Vice President roles in National Acccounts, On-site Management and now responsible for Canada from coast to coast. She has won many awards in her time in the business that show her dedication and reliability. Her extensive experience includes supporting clients across Canadian industries, full P&L responsibility and building high-performance teams. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-rocca-186867a/ Connect with Suky: I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in. With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous “recession” cycles. Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the “people business”. For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both. LinkedIn Canadian Staffing Industry Summit www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com www.professionalselection.com
Transcribe →Episode 59 - The Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Shifts in the Workplace with Louisa Benedicto
Jan 14, 202500:36:55Tap to summarizeEpisode 59 - The Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Shifts in the Workplace with Louisa Benedicto Welcome back to Talent Titans! In this episode, I welcome Louisa Benedicto, a Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Hays. Louisa, who brings her extensive recruitment and DEI expertise from across the UK, Japan, and North America, discusses the evolving corporate attitudes towards DEI strategies, particularly in North America, where many companies are reevaluating their commitments amid economic and societal pressures. We refer to the pendulum effect post-2020 that has led some organizations to shift their focus back to profit-driven areas, while still considering the crucial role of legal, social, and ethical factors in shaping their DEI approaches. While navigating DEI challenges in the workplace is complex, Louisa and I examine the need for inclusive recruitment practices, advocating for the removal of unnecessary barriers such as degree requirements and lengthy tenures, and the importance of transparent job ads that cater to underrepresented groups. We also highlight the importance of systemic changes within organizations, employee morale concerns, transparency and honesty, ensuring opportunities for all are based on skills and potential. Key Moments: How companies are shifting from the DEI efforts of 2020. DEI covers so many more areas than just hiring from marginalized communities. Get clear about what you want to do. Do you truly welcome diversity? Employee morale is at an all-time low. Companies taking steps back in DEI initiatives come across as though they don't care. Favorite Quote: "The essence of effective DEI strategies lies in systemic change—ensuring opportunities are based on skills and potential, rather than arbitrary qualifications." Louisa Connect with Louisa: Louisa Benedicto is Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), Corporate Social Responsibility, and Sustainability at Hays – covering the Americas region including Canada, the U.S. and Latin American Countries. She specializes in DE&I within the recruitment process, enabling our clients to implement best practices that ensure everyone gets a fair opportunity in the recruitment practices. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisabenedicto/ Connect with Suky: I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in. With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous “recession” cycles. Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the “people business”. For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both. LinkedIn Canadian Staffing Industry Summit www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com www.professionalselection.com
Transcribe →Episode 58 - Humanizing Leadership and Creating Empathetic Culture with Jaime Alvarez
Jan 7, 202500:39:20Tap to summarizeEpisode 58 - Humanizing Leadership and Creating Empathetic Culture with Jaime Alvarez In this episode of Talent Titans, I’m talking to Jaime Alvarez, the Global Head of RPO at Brunel, about how we can further humanize leadership and his REAL definition of empathy. His upbringing, coupled with his exposure to varied cultures, taught him the universal language of empathy—a vital tool in his global leadership journey. Jaime shares how his early experiences shaped his empathetic leadership style, allowing him to effectively manage diverse teams across the globe while fostering an environment of understanding and mutual respect. Empathy in the workplace goes beyond simply acknowledging colleagues' emotions; it is the backbone of a culture that encourages growth and accountability. Throughout our conversation, Jaime and I get real about honesty and sometimes difficult dialogues that provoke improvement and collaboration. By reimagining conflict as an opportunity for growth, we discuss how to cultivate an environment of empathy that thrives on flexibility and mutual support. Leadership with empathy doesn't just happen—it requires intentional choices and genuine care. Key Moments: The value of empathy begins with your upbringing and childhood experiences. How to create a culture of empathy and spread it among associates within an organization. Why some leaders are so quick to just let people go. Attention leaders: It’s okay to be vulnerable! You don’t have to have all of the answers. Favorite Quote: "Empathy for me is creating an environment where people understand everybody's clear, including myself, that we have goals to meet. It is my job as a leader to make sure that they have it clear." Jaime Connect with Jaime: I get excited easily when I see an opportunity to help and influence companies, improve their talent acquisition process and subsequently see fast improvement in their business. I am passionate about people, about their careers and what we do, as a company, to support them. In this fast moving world I adapt fast, build teams and solutions that represent a need today or anticipate the one for tomorrow. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvarezjaime/ Connect with Suky: I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in. With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous “recession” cycles. Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the “people business”. For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both. LinkedIn Canadian Staffing Industry Summit www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com www.professionalselection.com
Transcribe →Episode 57 - How A.I. and Automation Are Disrupting the Staffing Industry with Laura Boivin
Dec 31, 202400:34:50Tap to summarizeEpisode 57 - How A.I. and Automation Are Disrupting the Staffing Industry with Laura Boivin In this episode of Talent Titans, I welcome Laura Boivin from Cartwheel to discuss how automation is a game-changer, with particular focus on the staffing industry. With her rich expertise in technology and AI, Laura clarifies the critical distinction between automation and artificial intelligence, explaining how automation's efficiency and error reduction can effectively complete mundane tasks. We go through the historical evolution of automation and its vital role in reducing manual workloads, highlighting why staffing agencies can't afford to ignore this technological advancement. It's not always easy. Sometimes, you reach a bumpy road to tech adoption in staffing agencies, stressing the importance of involving frontline staff in crucial technology decisions. Whether you're a decision-maker or a tech enthusiast, this episode is full of thought-provoking discussions designed to keep you at the forefront of industry innovation. Key Moments: The definition of automation and an explanation of how AI and automation are very different. Staffing agencies are losing money by not automating - learn why. A staggering 50-60% of tech bought by a company is actually being used in the business. The pushback and fear regarding AI and automations replacing workers. Favorite Quote: "The goal of automation isn't to take away people's jobs, but to free them up for strategic thinking and business growth." Laura Connect with Laura: Laura is the Director of Enterprise Partnerships at Cartwheel. She is an accomplished entrepreneur, computer scientist, and sales professional with a proven track record of driving business growth and implementing transformative solutions in the technology sector. She is passionate about empowering staffing organizations to grow by transforming their accounts receivable process. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-boivin/ Connect with Suky: I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in. With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous “recession” cycles. Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the “people business”. For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both. LinkedIn Canadian Staffing Industry Summit www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com www.professionalselection.com
Transcribe →Episode 56 - How to Balance Empathy and Assertiveness in Leadership with Andrea Mancini
Dec 24, 202400:37:33Tap to summarizeEpisode 56 - How to Balance Empathy and Assertiveness in Leadership with Andrea Mancini In today's episode, I'm excited to welcome Andrea Mancini, Vice President of Sales at ADECO Canada, as she shares over 20 years of expertise in the staffing industry. Andrea offers a fresh perspective on how to balance empathy and assertiveness, especially in sales, can invigorate team dynamics and drive success without compromising performance goals. We address the complexities of managing and coaching sales teams in a rapidly changing market, like how transparent communication and empowering team members without micromanagement can enhance collaboration and creativity. Andrea shares how empathy has been instrumental in guiding underperforming team members toward success by recognizing their potential and understanding their struggles. Ultimately, you must develop empathy, or you will struggle in your leadership role. Key Moments: You must be able to put yourself in other people's shoes to lead with empathy. How do you manage or coach without the person feeling like they're being micromanaged? Combat micromanaging with transparency in your messaging. You can't hide from the numbers. Why sales is the perfect space to practice empathy in leadership. Favorite Quote: "Empathy should be in your DNA as a leader. If you don't have it, then you shouldn't be a leader." Andrea Previous episode with Ziba Alizadeh: https://youtu.be/nVj1_s8p9aY Connect with Andrea: Appointed Vice President of Sales at Adecco Canada in 2023, Andrea Mancini brings over 20 years of experience in the staffing industry, having held a variety of leadership roles from Recruitment Management to SMB Business Development, Field Management, and Enterprise Sales. Prior to her current position, Andrea was Director of Sales for Adecco Canada, where her achievements included winning the company’s prestigious Super Stars Award for highest sales in Canada as an Enterprise Sales Associate in 2018 and 2020. Andrea’s success stems from her ability to solve complex workforce challenges in today’s dynamic job market. Her leadership is characterized by a strong track record of inspiring sales teams to achieve significant wins. She is deeply passionate about coaching and mentoring her teams to grow both personally and professionally. In addition to her extensive experience in staffing, Andrea has worked in the retail, advertising, and education sectors, where she has continually embraced challenges to push herself and reach her full potential. A graduate of Brock University with an Honours Degree in Business Communications, Andrea also holds a College Diploma from Humber College in Theatre Arts. She is an active member of the Centennial College Corporate Program Advisory Committee, where she contributes her expertise to guide the next generation of professionals. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAAAD7JoMB0xzeaa-4UvU6nDTLYyyaw_KG82Y&keywords=Andrea%20Mancini&origin=ENTITY_SEARCH_HOME_HISTORY&sid=1N6 Connect with Suky: I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in. With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous “recession” cycles. Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the “people business”. For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both. LinkedIn Canadian Staffing Industry Summit www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com www.professionalselection.com
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