Episodes
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Meet Miles Everson and MBO Partners.
His book Free Birds Revolution can be found here.
Life Lessons and Literary Grit:
Contemplating a book, initially a whimsical kids’ tale, but fueled by a raw tapestry of real-world experiences.
Penned Free Birds, a bold fusion of business savvy and rock ‘n’ roll swagger, sparked by a call to ditch the mundane.
The Independent Worker Rebellion:
A seismic shift toward independent workers is rewriting the rules for enterprises and solo hustlers.
Ditching the 9-to-5 grind, this movement champions flexibility over outdated corporate shackles.
MBO Partners: The Game-Changing Platform:
MBO Partners is the ultimate connector, linking enterprises with indie pros while navigating the regulatory jungle.
Slashes red tape for companies and fuels independents with deal flow and back-office muscle.
Certified Self-Employed (CSE): Breaking the Chains:
Pushing a renegade “Certified Self-Employed” model to torch regulatory overreach, letting workers own their independence.
Flips the script, making individuals—not corporations—masters of their tax and compliance destiny.
Social Contract? Dead and Buried:
The old-school W2 dream—pensions, loyalty, gold watches—crumbled post-World War II.
Dual incomes, cheap debt, and vanished pensions birthed a new era of independent hustlers.
Economic Chaos and Workforce Revolution:
Early 2025’s economic turbulence freezes action, but the indie workforce will surge as companies crave agility.
Tech giants, with their razor-sharp project focus and fearless innovation, are already all-in on contractors.
High Stakes and High Peaks:
Conquering Kilimanjaro at 50 mirrors a relentless drive to tackle challenges, both personal and professional.
Jumping from PwC to MBO Partners was a gut-driven move to empower indie entrepreneurs to thrive.
Wins for Independents and Enterprises:
Independents score steady gigs, less admin hassle, and big-firm access, boosting happiness and bank accounts.
Enterprises tap specialized talent on-demand, scaling like pros without legal or tax headaches.
Cultural Clash and Change Management:
Old-school firms cling to full-time dogma, resisting the hybrid workforce wave.
Tech trailblazers, unbound by tradition, seamlessly weave contractors into their DNA.
Future Vision and Ballsy Advocacy:
Battling for CSE with lobbyists at state and federal levels, knowing change is a slow burn.
By late 2025, expect economic clarity and a full-throttle embrace of indie workers for unmatched flexibility.
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Jump into the future of work with Brandon Metcalf, CEO of Asymbl, as he spills the beans on AI agents—your new digital allies who won’t ghost you after seven months or demand a corner office. In this episode, we unpack how AI agents are rewriting the corporate rulebook, blending razor-sharp efficiency with a dash of Silicon Valley panache. Spoiler: They’re not here to steal your job, but they might just outshine your BDR on the sales leaderboard.
Meet Brandon Metcalf, the CEO and Founder of Asymbl.
What’s Cooking in This Episode:
AI Agents as Your New Office BFFs: Forget watercooler small talk—AI agents like Theodore (yes, he’s got a name) are digital employees with job descriptions, KPIs, and a work ethic that skips “sick days.” Brandon Metcalf drops the mic on treating these bots like human hires, minus the HR drama.
Plugging Agents into the Workflow: From sales to recruiting, learn how to deploy agents like a pro. Theodore, the Salesforce-powered SDR, juggles leads like a caffeinated rockstar, while a recruiter agent tackled 17,000 applications without breaking a virtual sweat. Step one: Define the role. Step two: Coach like you’re mentoring a millennial fresh out of college.
Scale Like a Boss, Save Like a CFO: Why hire 15 humans when you can scale one Theodore to infinity? These agents dodge onboarding marathons, turnover tantrums, and economic layoffs, all while keeping your P&L sharper than a tailored suit.
Salesforce: The VIP Lounge for Agents: Theodore and his crew thrive in the Salesforce ecosystem, specifically Asymbl’s slick platform. Want in? You might need to RSVP with Salesforce, but the ROI is worth the guest list.
Humans + Agents = Power Couple: Agents handle the grunt work—think email spam and interview scheduling—so your human team can focus on schmoozing clients and closing deals. It’s like pairing a fine Bordeaux with a perfectly executed sales pitch.
Real Results, No Hype: Theodore’s crushing it with inbound and outbound leads, while the recruiter agent hired 93 people in 94 days (take that, manual hiring!). These aren’t sci-fi fantasies—they’re business wins that scream efficiency and competitiveness.
Pro Tips for Agent Adoption: Metcalf’s sage advice? Treat agents like labor costs, not magic wands. Partner with vendors who’ve walked the walk (and named their agents Theodore). Bonus: You don’t need to overhaul your business overnight—just start smart and scale fast.
Why You Should Listen: If you’re ready to swap tedious tasks for strategic wins, this episode is your playbook. Brandon’s insights are sharper than a venture capitalist’s pitch deck, with just enough humor to keep you chuckling through the revolution. Connect with him at [email protected] or stalk his LinkedIn for more AI agent wizardry. Don’t miss our first episode with Brandon—linked HERE—for the prequel to this digital workforce saga.
P.S.: The recruiter agent’s name is still up for grabs. Got a suggestion? Slide into Brandon’s DMs. Naming a digital employee is the corporate equivalent of naming a yacht—make it count.
Contact Tony at Timpl and schedule your free workforce consultation.
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Missing episodes?
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This isn’t some snooze-fest chat—it’s a full-on assault into an app that’s flipping trucking upside down, linking drivers and businesses with zero hesitation. From torching paper nightmares to forging a tech-charged, on-demand dynasty, this episode spills the raw truth, daring moves, and a glimpse at the untamed future of hauling and automation.
Meet Justin Clarke, CEO
F Staff
Show Notes
Kicking It Off: Strap in—this episode’s a Molotov cocktail of marketplace chaos, simmering too long to stay quiet.
Marketplaces, Deconstructed: Picture Uber—drivers ready, riders demanding, all synced in a slick app. Done. Flashback to a past episode where corporate caterers hooked suits with rogue chefs—same hustle, different turf.
The Disruptor Steps In: Enter the F Staff visionary, a 20-year warrior of trucking and supply chain trenches. F Staff is the renegade marketplace rewriting the rules for truck drivers.
How It Started: Back in 2001, a family squad launched a driver staffing gig, drowning in 30 sheets of paper per applicant, over 1,000 a year—utter insanity. That grind lit the fuse for a tech-driven rebellion.
Tech Takeover: Years of bleeding inefficiencies sparked a revolution—Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) fired the first shot. The mantra? “People and tech don’t just coexist—they dominate together.” F Staff morphed into a lean, mean, on-demand beast—Uber for rigs, no compromise.
The Vision Ignites: Sparks flew in 2008, fueled by ride-sharing’s ascent. After blood, sweat, and code, it’s live—drivers and clients locked in, no lag.
Stacking the Arsenal: Pre-iPhone, this was guerrilla warfare—built in-house with industry outlaws. No playbook existed—just pure hustle, raw innovation, and a giant middle finger to the old guard.
Next-Level Moves: Today’s tech—CRMs, tracking—cranks supply and demand to eleven. Booking, payments, reviews? Locked and loaded. This isn’t a platform—it’s a predator.
Stealing from the Best: Other on-demand players got dissected and outgunned for a razor-sharp user experience. Tech crews and CTOs swap war stories, honing the blade.
Future’s Calling: Jobs should slam like Amazon orders—fast, fierce, flawless. Truckers haul the world, but shortages loom. Time to burn the rulebook.
Gig Life Unleashed: F Staff plays both sides—permanent gigs and gig-hustlers. Drivers thrive on chaos—new roads, fresh loads, schedules bending for side gigs like cooking or coaching. Women drivers? Up 10% in three years. The tide’s turning.
Labor Apocalypse: Boomers are bolting, triggering a “labor tsunami”—shoutout to a Lightcast legend. Trucking’s graying fast, and young blood’s caged by insurance overlords. Bills might drop the age to 18-19, but safety and training can’t slack.
Tech Meets Guts: Crash avoidance tech could greenlight rookies—if it’s ironclad. Newbies need miles, not babysitting. Training’s gotta step up.
Automation’s Edge: Self-driving rigs and Optimus bots? They’re creeping in, slow and savage. Waymo’s Arizona crash test proves it—data trumps humans, but perfection’s a pipe dream. Hurdles: $200K trucks, fleet turnover, and last-mile jams (good luck shifting that red Honda, robot).
Humans Stay in the Fight: Imagine trucks pinging humans for backup via F Staff. Automation’s a weapon, not a coup. Humans hold the throne.
F Staff’s Playbook: Supply (drivers) and demand (businesses) smash together in an app that doesn’t flinch. Drivers gig as W2s, feasting on variety. Businesses swipe and book—automation’s pure adrenaline.
Key Takeaways: F Staff’s a fist to trucking’s stale face—tech reigns supreme. Humans plus automation equals unstoppable. Want in? Spot a problem, blitz it with an MVP, and ride the storm.
Connect with Tony at Timpl and check out our BLOG for more great content.
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The Golden Era of Manufacturing
Meet Jason from Kelly Safety
Let’s salute American manufacturing—the lifeblood of small towns that wither without it and the spark behind a so-called "Golden Era" revival. Picture a fancy banner waving proudly for U.S. production, because apparently, making stuff here isn’t just nostalgic—it’s a full-on economic pyramid party. Blue-collar backbone, white-collar polish, and execs at the top all thrive when factories hum. Who knew capitalism could feel so patriotic?
Cue the safety maestro, a one-time electrician who swapped wire-stripping for life-preserving. His hard-hat collection is a resume in colors: yellow from the sparky days, brown from mining’s rough embrace, and white for when he donned the safety cape. No dents here, folks—proof his head’s too thick for bad decisions to stick. His backstory? Less superhero origin, more “I actually care if you keep all your digits.” It’s a heartwarming tale with a side of steel-toe swagger.
We dive into the manufacturing resurgence, dodging the political quicksand for straight-up facts. Bringing plants stateside isn’t just a PR stunt—it’s a lifeline for ghost towns left by offshoring. Safety’s the unsung hero here, and it’s not about clipboard-toting narcs. It’s boots-on-the-ground chats with machine runners, shredding the “here comes the safety cop” vibes. No one’s zipping vests in fear; it’s about real dialogue, not a lecture hall snooze-fest.
Our expert cut his teeth in mining and heavy industry—places where hard hats double as windsurfing gear and insurance rates could bankrupt a small nation. It’s all tied to a grander vision: America’s strength hinges on a manufacturing backbone, and that backbone needs a safety culture sharper than a fresh drill bit. Think less “gotcha” and more “let’s talk”—empowering workers to holler when something’s off, like a wobbly guard or a rogue steam valve, without sweating a pink slip. That’s “stop work authority” done right—because ignored hazards escalate from oops to ambulance faster than you can blink.
OSHA’s name pops up, and our guy’s been the fixer when chaos hits—like a steam valve snafu that skipped the lockout memo. Lockout/tagout crash course: kill the power, lock it down, test it, and don’t be the guy who forgets. It’s not just electrical—pneumatics, hydraulics, the works. One lock per shift, no trust falls with the next crew, because humans are lovably flawed. Botch it, and the tales turn dark—think less “funny anecdote” and more “where’s the medic?”
Then we zoom to tomorrow: Elon’s Optimus robot, a $20K marvel that’s half Jetsons dream, half job-market nightmare. Cool for fetching your beer, less so when it could gut factory payrolls. Trade schools get a fist-bump—level up, people, because robots don’t unionize (yet). History says we’ll adapt, but safety’s due for a remix when your coworker’s a tireless machine with no concept of “watch your step.”
We cap it with a tease for Save the Hard Hats, a podcast in the pipeline to immortalize blue-collar yarns—hilarious, hairy, or hella insightful. It’s about keeping the legacy of America’s builders alive, one close-call story at a time. Want more? Swing by KellySafety.com or ping @KellySafetyguy on the socials for training, consulting, or just to trade war stories. This isn’t your dad’s safety briefing—it’s sharp, witty, and wears its grit like a badge.
Check out our BLOG for more great content like this!
Connect with Tony from Timpl
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Ranger’s AI Assault on Industrial Niche Captures VC Funding
Meet James Zhan
Ranger AI
Get ready to have your mind blown as AI storms the business battlefield, leaving no stone unturned. This episode dives deep into a niche so gnarly it’ll make your teeth grind: industrial tendering. We’re talking multimillion-dollar deals, endless stacks of specs, and a process that’d test the patience of a saint—until Ranger rolled in to kick ass.
Meet the mad genius who’s rewriting the rules. From grinding through bid docs for a Budweiser plant (beer fantasies drowned in paper hell), he’s now swinging agentic AI like a battle axe. Why this niche? ‘Cause being first isn’t just a flex—it’s a freakin’ knockout punch, and he’s got the funding to prove it. This ain’t theory; it’s a revolution in motion.
Enter Ranger: not some wimpy AI toy. This is agentic AI—digital badasses, each a master of legal, engineering, procurement, whatever—ripping through tenders, sniffing out risks, and spitting out proposals before you can blink. It’s not here to steal your job; it’s here to arm you for the big fights while it crushes the grunt work. Energy, pharma, civil, process engineering—Ranger’s rewriting the playbook and taking names.
Picture this: months of tender slogging slashed to days, your plant roaring at peak power, and your team free to chase the wins that matter. This episode’s a gut punch of insight—raw, real, and damn addictive. Want in? Hit their LinkedIn, website, or fire off a shot to [email protected]—score a demo if you’ve got the stones. The future’s not waiting, and Ranger’s leading the charge. Buckle up.
Talk to Tony from Timpl about staffing or podcasting.
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Mastering Sales, Tools, and Trust: Winning Strategies for Staffing Success in 2025
Christian Coley SourceFlow
Staffing’s a grind, and 2025 isn’t here to coddle you. This episode slices through the noise with raw sales tactics, tools that don’t waste your time, and the trick to earning trust when people cling to old tech like it’s their last cigarette. We’re talking real strategies to flip the script on slow cycles, skeptical clients, and the same old playbook everyone else is running.
What’s Inside:
Sales That Don’t Suck: How to keep your pipeline moving when the economy’s dragging its feet. No fluff—just results.Tools Worth a Damn: LinkedIn hacks, video demos that land, and why free trials beat shiny sales pitches every time.Trust When They’re Stubborn: Resistance to change is human. We’ve got the moves to make them budge without a fight.Events That Aren’t Lame: Inside a Boston networking gig that’s more brains than bullshit—steal the blueprint.Thought Leadership, No Ego: Podcasting’s not just noise—it’s how you stay relevant when they’re ready to buy.Why Listen:If you’re in staffing or recruiting, this is your edge. No rah-rah hype—just sharp, usable intel to outmaneuver the pack and close deals while others fumble. Ignore it, and good luck with that 2024 rerun life.
Call to Action:Play it. Use it. Don’t cry when it works. Hit up our next event or lurk online—we’re not hard to find. 2025’s yours if you stop screwing around.
Check out Timpl and our BLOG for more content.
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Meet Raleen Gagnon from Talent Edge AI.
AI’s Wrecking Ball: HR tech’s old guard is toast—this beast is moving at warp speed, fueled by rogue entrepreneurs and brainy algorithms. Staffing’s getting a gut punch of innovation, and it’s about damn time.
Talent Edge Unleashed: Meet the slick rebel in the room—a tool that shreds hiring lag. It’s packing AI heat to source candidates faster than a caffeinated cheetah, with market intel that hits like a sledgehammer.
Data with Swagger: Forget guesswork—this is cold, hard workforce insight. Supply, demand, comp trends—it’s all laid bare, giving small firms a fighting chance and big dogs a global edge. No fluff, just firepower.
Screening on Steroids: AI’s not just skimming resumes; it’s dissecting psychographics—posture, eyes, vibes—turning interviews into a high-stakes data duel. Hours to minutes, boom, done.
Global Game Face: Spin the globe, pick your battleground—185 countries, one dashboard. It’s a talent heist with no borders, serving up hiring hotspots and pay dirt for those bold enough to grab it.
Profit’s New Playbook: Slash costs, juice margins, speed up revenue—this isn’t charity, it’s a calculated strike. Staffing execs’ post-COVID nightmares? Consider them torched.
Recruiter’s Edge: Candidates begging for more cash? Shut it down with real-time market ammo. This tool’s got the receipts—75 jobs, here’s the pay, take it or leave it. Power shift, activated.
Future-Proof Grit: AI’s evolving faster than a viral meme—monthly updates, new tricks, no mercy. It’s tracking user moves, sniffing out needs, and spitting out upgrades that keep it ahead of the curve.
Hesitation’s a Trap: Some suits are spooked—legal whines, bad AI vibes, or just too many toys already. Smart ones? They’re testing the waters, tweaking the dials, and owning the chaos.
Workforce Rebellion: This isn’t a tweak; it’s a takeover. From blue-collar gigs to exec hunts, AI’s rewriting the staffing script with a snarl—adapt or get left in the dust.
Start workforce planning with a staffing leader and contact Tony today.
Head over to the Timpl BLOG and find more great content.
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Welcome back to jobTopia for another round of me slicing through the noise like a buzzsaw on a bender. Today, I’m tackling AI’s takeover of staffing—not exactly ‘Terminator,’ more ‘overcaffeinated intern on steroids. I’m here to drag you into the future.
Matt Dichter, VP Sales
Staffing Engine
Check out Matt's first visit on jobTopia (pre-video)
AI and Automation in Staffing
Alright, folks, I dove headfirst into the wild world of AI and automation in staffing, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer—or maybe a game-ender for the old-school “hire more bodies” crowd. Picture this: AI agents, some half-baked, some fully baked, zipping around like caffeinated minions, churning out job descriptions and posting them faster than you can say “LinkedIn spam.”Staffing Engine’s got these slick “agentic” toys—think helpful sidekicks, not Skynet overlords—teamed up with chatbots that actually talk to your ATS without ghosting it.I’m over here preaching to the execs: get your hands dirty with AI or watch your team mutiny. The tech’s moving at warp speed, and I’m practically begging folks to invest now—downturn be damned—or get left in the dust. We’re talking job-matching wizardry, e-commerce-style candidate stalking (you’re welcome, fashion industry), and agents chatting sans APIs like they’re in a secret club. It’s the future, and I’m living for it.Sales Environment and Buying AI Solutions
So, I took a hard look at the SaaS and AI sales jungle, and it’s a freaking circus out there. Everyone’s drooling over AI, but the market’s so flooded with newbies, it’s like a bad Tinder swipe-fest—too many options, not enough clarity. I’m yelling from the rooftops: stop pitching shiny gadgets and solve my damn problems!Buyers, listen up—figure out what’s choking your biz before you drown in demos. Staffing Engine’s crew has a smart play: a discovery call before they strut their stuff, and if it’s not their gig, they’ll toss you to a partner like a hot potato. I dropped their LinkedIn and email deets—hit them up, because I’m not your secretary. It’s a tailored vibe, and I’m here to cut through the noise.Check out the BLOG for more details.
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The Labor Market Tsunami You Didn’t See Coming: The Rising Storm
Ron Hetrick
Lightcast
Check out more content on the Timpl BLOG
Buckle up, folks—this podcast isn’t your average snooze-fest about workforce trends. It’s a razor-sharp, caffeine-fueled dive into the chaotic mess that is today’s labor market. From humidity horror stories to a full-on dissection of the impending "Rising Storm" (yes, it’s a published paper, and yes, it’s as intense as it sounds), this episode is a wild ride through the demographic dumpster fire threatening to sink industries faster than you can say "Boomer retirement.”
Weather Woes & Southern SweatThe episode kicks off with a brutal reality check: southern humidity isn’t just weather—it’s a full-contact sport. Think waterboarding by nature, where stepping outside feels like drowning in your own sweat. It’s the perfect chaotic prelude to the labor storm brewing on the horizon.
The Rising Storm UnveiledEnter The Rising Storm, the book that’s less a gentle forecast and more a screaming siren about the labor market’s impending doom. It’s the evolution of "Demographic Drought" and "Who’s Going to Do the Work?"—research so sharp it could cut through corporate BS like a hot knife through butter. Spoiler: a tsunami’s coming, and it’s not bringing surfboards.
Hurricane of Labor ShortagesPicture this: a Category 5 labor hurricane barreling toward us, with outer bands already smacking us silly (looking at you, 2021-22). The culprit? Boomers clocking out faster than you can say "retirement party," leaving a gaping hole no one’s ready to fill. It’s not just a shortage—it’s a full-on crisis, and the clock’s ticking.
Cat 5 Industries: Construction & HealthcareHere’s where the rubber meets the road—or rather, where the storm slams the shore. Construction and healthcare get the Cat 5 label because they’re screwed: local talent only, skillsets required, and no AI or outsourcing to save the day. Meanwhile, IT and finance are sipping cocktails in Cat 1 land, barely noticing the drizzle. Harsh? Maybe. True? You bet.
Healthcare’s ER MeltdownHealthcare’s a hot mess, and the ER is ground zero. With 70% of visits being unnecessary (thanks, hypochondriacs!), burnout’s rampant, and home health aides are the only growth industry that doesn’t pay squat. It’s a grim preview of a dependent population explosion by 2030—hope you like waiting rooms.
The Inconvenience ApocalypseRemember 2021-22? Empty restaurant tables, uncleaned hotel rooms, and hospital beds with no nurses? That’s the labor shortage’s outer band, and it’s just a taste. Life’s about to get inconvenient as hell—adjust your expectations, or prepare to rage-quit society.
Trade Schools: The Great SnubWhy aren’t kids flocking to trade schools? Blame peer pressure, clueless guidance counselors, and parents who’d rather die than see their kid wield a wrench. “It’s hard” is the rallying cry of a generation that thinks offices are glamorous (spoiler: they’re not). The result? A construction crisis with no quick fix.
Teens Skipping the GrindTeens today dodge first jobs like they’re allergic to minimum wage. With 4.4 million more 16-19-year-olds than the ‘60s but barely any working, we’ve lost the pipeline to trades and retail. No exposure, no interest—good luck filling those Cat 5 gaps.
Skills-Based RevolutionEnter the skills-based gospel: stop renting talent like it’s a cheap Airbnb and start drafting like the NFL. Companies that audit skills, not résumés, and invest in growth win loyalty. Those stuck in the “three years of SAP” trap? They’re just begging for turnover—and a reality check.
Dangers of the DiamondMid-level hiring obsession is the corporate equivalent of chasing fool’s gold. New grads? Too green. Seniors? Too old. Everyone wants the “sweet spot,” but 80% of job postings demand experience that locks out hungry talent. Spoiler: that diamond’s a dud—mentor, don’t poach.
Future-Proofing: Ditch the Crystal BallForget chasing the “next big skill”—it’s a fool’s errand. Focus on core competencies, adjacent skills, and adaptability. That Python guru can learn R in a week, and your SAP snobbery is just costing you talent. Skills audits and taxonomies are the real MVPs here.
Lightcast: Labor Data NinjasCue the shameless plug for Lightcast, the labor data wizards who’ll tell you exactly how many Python-SQL devs are up for grabs in San Diego—and what they’re worth. From skills breakdowns to market intel, they’re the secret weapon HR wishes it had time to use.
Wrap-Up & Humidity ReduxThe storm’s still rising, but at least the humidity’s holding off ‘til May. Grab The Rising Storm (linked below) for the full scoop—it’s 50 pages of brilliance with graphics even your boss can handle. Or hit Spotify for the audio version if reading’s too 20th century.
Resources
The Rising Storm Report: – Dive into the labor tsunami, complete with charts that’ll make your eyes pop.Spotify Audio Version: – For when you’d rather listen to the apocalypse than read it.Final Thought:This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a wake-up call with attitude. The labor market’s about to get messier than a Category 5 hurricane in a trailer park, and if you’re not ready, good luck swimming. Tune in, wise up, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll survive the storm.
Connect with Tony from Timpl.
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Hey jobTopia nation! In this episode HR tech takes center stage.
Join Gabe and Arne for an international episode.
This installment kicks off with a glorious fumble—tech glitches and a rant about the state of things set the tone, but we pivot hard into a global tour of staffing trends. It’s a wild ride through optimism, data dilemmas, and AI’s relentless march, all wrapped in a package that’s equal parts slick and sarcastic. Think of it as your quarterly review, but with better beats and less corporate jargon.
From economic growing pains to recruiters morphing into soft-skill superheroes, this episode doesn’t pull punches. It’s a masterclass in doing more with less, sprinkled with just enough humor to keep the existential dread at bay. Here are the top 10 moments, ranked by how long we lingered on them—because time’s the only currency that doesn’t lie.
Top 10 Moments
AI’s Grand Takeover (and Data’s Dirty Secret)The big kahuna: AI’s here to save the day—or at least 17 hours a week per recruiter. Matching’s the golden child (4.5 hours saved), but 36% of agencies admit their data’s a dumpster fire holding it all back. Clean it up, folks, or it’s just fancy spam.2024 Was a Beast, 2025 Might Be BetterLast year was a slog—tighter margins, pickier candidates, and “more with less” on loop. But the grid report’s got hope: 38% predict 10%+ growth, 31% aim for up to 10%. Fingers crossed, or we’re all just whistling past the graveyard.Candidates Want Speed, Agencies Want RelevanceCandidates are screaming for fast placements (81%) and weekly chats (79%), while agencies obsess over search-and-match to deliver. It’s a race against irrelevance—lose the data game, and you’re toast.The Soft Skills RevolutionBoolean search nerds, your time’s up. AI’s handing you a mic and a coffee—time to charm candidates instead of wrestling syntax. Recruiters are leveling up, and it’s about damn time.Growth Loves AutomationWinners don’t sleep: 41% more likely to use AI, 96% of 2024’s revenue champs leaned in. Ignore this at your peril—your competitors aren’t napping.Fear of Falling Behind vs. Fear of ChangeA juicy tug-of-war: dread being the last to the AI party, but also panic over botched implementations. Spoiler: start with the boring wins (transcription, anyone?) and ease into the fancy stuff.Data Cleanup: The Unsung HeroStale records? Kiss your AI dreams goodbye. Real-time updates and transcription tech are the MVPs here, turning chaos into a goldmine—if you’ve got the guts to fix it.Margins, Diversification, and Tech LifelinesClients squeeze harder, candidates ghost more—agencies are diversifying into project work for fatter profits. Tech’s the rope pulling them out of the pit.Incentivizing the FutureOld-school recruiters cling to their ways like life rafts. Solution? Bribe ‘em with bigger bonuses for using the shiny new tools. Sneaky, but it works.Opening Chaos: Tech Fails and DJ DreamsThe episode stumbles out of the gate—cursing the U.S., fumbling music cues, and a desperate plea to “get this thing going.” It’s a hot mess, but we recover like champs.Please visit our blog for more!
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Buckle up, folks, because this episode is a wild ride across the Atlantic and straight into the heart of HR’s techy transformation! We’re diving headfirst into the world where humans and robots (well, AI bots) join forces to make work less of a slog and more of a sci-fi adventure. Picture this: daylight savings has us springing forward, and we’re not just talking about losing an hour of sleep—we’re leaping into a future where HR isn’t just paperwork and coffee stains, but a slick, tech-powered powerhouse.
Meet Alan Walker, CEO of Udder
First up, we unpack the chaos of internet outages (colorful language included, but we kept it PG for your delicate ears) and how the UK apparently has it all figured out—or do they? Spoiler: Spring hasn’t quite sprung over there yet, but their HR game is blooming with tech wizardry. Across the pond, we’re connecting the dots on how HR pros are ditching the old-school grind for shiny new tools that make hiring, firing, and inspiring a whole lot smoother.
Ever wondered how AI is shaking up the talent acquisition scene? We’ve got the scoop on “agentic AI”—fancy talk for bots that handle the grunt work like screening resumes, scheduling chats, and even sweet-talking candidates with personalized vibes. It’s like having a super-smart intern who never sleeps (or complains about the coffee). Plus, we’re spilling the tea on how these digital minions can level the playing field, giving every applicant a fair shot—no more “first 100 resumes only” nonsense.
But wait, there’s more! We geek out on the nitty-gritty of digital transformation—think less “fear of change” and more “fear of missing out on the cool stuff.” From whipping up slide decks with AI magic (goodbye, PowerPoint purgatory) to tackling monstrous RFPs without breaking a sweat, we’re serving up practical hacks for the modern workplace. And yes, we even sneak in a hot tip: check out tools like Gamma and Eleven Labs if you want to impress your boss or just sound cooler than you already are.
On the business front, we get real about growing a company without a sales team—yep, it’s all about killer work and referrals so good they’d make your grandma proud. No silver bullets here, just solid advice on staying front-and-center with your network and building partnerships that don’t fizzle out faster than a cheap sparkler.
Oh, and we’ve got a juicy teaser for next time: something about custard and a name that’s udderly ridiculous (see what we did there?). Trust us, you’ll want to tune back in for that story. For now, grab your headphones, HR heroes, and get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even code your way to a better workday. This is “Tech Across the Pond,” where HR meets hilarity—and a little bit of AI spice!
Connect with us:Website: udder.rocksEmail: [email protected]: Look for the bald guy with glasses named Alan Walker (he’s one of a kind!).
Next Episode Hint: Custard chaos awaits—don’t miss it!
Looking to upgrade your hiring? Contact Tony, today.
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Rob Mann from Leap Advisory Partners joins Tony Moore on Timpl's podcast, jobTopia, to discuss the onslaught of AI advances and the actions every business must take now. Don't be a dinosaur when the meteor hits!
Intro and Music Tradition: A quick intro highlights a playful insistence on playing traditional music, emphasizing its personal significance.Introduction of Leap Advisory: An introduction features Leap Advisory PartnersDigital Transformation and Client Needs: Discussion focuses on aiding companies at revenue inflection points (10M-100M+) lacking internal tech strategy, needing digital transformation for growth.AI Adoption and Policies: Conversation shifts to AI’s rising adoption (58-60% per recent reports), stressing the need for policies to address data privacy risks.Staffing vs. Recruiting Explained: Recruiting (direct hire, low barrier) is contrasted with staffing (complex, recurring revenue), outlining their operational and revenue distinctions.Workforce Transformation Gains: Emphasis is placed on speed as a primary benefit of digital transformation, with clean data driving efficiency and a distinction between legacy and real-time data in AI.AI Chatbots and Zero Admin Vision: Exploration of AI chatbots’ reliance on data cleanliness for personalization leads to a vision of a tech stack eliminating administrative tasks through automation.Automotive Staffing Insights: Automotive staffing’s complexities and hands-on learning are examined, connecting to practical workforce transformation experiences.Work for Pay vs. Outcome: Work-for-outcome (gig-like) and hourly pay models are compared, with predictions of AI-driven changes in workforce and software pricing structures.Staffing Sales Summit Takeaways: Recap of the Staffing Sales Summit praises its high-quality content (mindset, branding, sales) and networking, delving into subconscious mindset training.Podcast Plugs and Wrap-Up: Promotion of “You Own the Experience” podcast centers on tech and people intersection, with plans for a future tech-focused episode.Music from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/get-the-funk-inLicense code: SF3WUKBUJQULFHXE
Visit www.timpl.com to learn more about our staffing solutions for your business.
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What is an AI Powered Chatbot for Sales and how will it streamline the sales process? Jason Moolenaar from Sentient Sales Technology joins the Timpl podcast - jobTopia - to discuss how chatbots will transform business.
Discover how AI-powered chatbots revolutionize sales by slashing response times to inbound leads, ensuring you beat the competition to the punch.Learn why 5-minute responses are the new gold standard—ditch the 30-minute delays and watch conversion rates soar.Boost efficiency with chatbots that filter leads fast, asking 2-7 key questions to qualify prospects and book meetings instantly.Say goodbye to manual follow-ups—automate lead nurturing via text or web chat and free up your team to close deals.Unlock the power of AI to streamline hiring, engaging job candidates in real-time, and scheduling recruiter calls effortlessly.Supercharge your sales funnel with technology that bridges marketing and sales, eliminating bottlenecks and driving ROI.Leverage AI for internal wins—train chatbots on product docs or handbooks to save hours and empower your team.Explore a future where chatbots dominate every business facet, from healthcare to hospitality, with smarter, faster communication.Adopt cutting-edge tools that deliver calendar invites from inbound leads in hours—sales empowerment starts here.Optimize your process with expert insights—audit workflows, integrate AI, and watch your business scale in 2025.Check us out on our website - https://blog.timpl.com/ai-powered-chatbots-for-sales?hs_preview=kpmZIyTx-186408451239
Music from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/get-the-funk-inLicense code: SF3WUKBUJQULFHXE
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If you are new to SEO or handle SEO yourself, this is the perfect episode for you. SEO, quite simply, helps your website content rank higher in Google search queries. Let's say you wrote a fantastic blog like this one here. You want customers or potential candidates to find your content and discover your amazing company. Until now, SEO has been largely a manual process. Meet Jacob Ralph, CEO and Co-founder of Getfancy.ai
Jacob explains how difficult manual SEO is and why automating the process is crucial to staying one step ahead of your competition. He and his team have created the perfect local SEO AI tool. I can't wait to use this at Timpl!
More information on the Timpl BLOG
Watch on youtube
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Dive deep into the complexities and challenges of modern sales, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn. WATCH YouTube DEMO Guest: Robert DeckRobert is a staffing and IT entrepreneur who created a game-changing AI for LinkedIn users.
Company: Click2.ai
We critique traditional sales methods, highlighting how they've evolved from simple phone calls to a digital landscape where personal connection is often lost. Tony laments the days when one could call a company, ask for a person, and have a 50% chance of getting through. Now, in an era dominated by digital communication, the chances of reaching someone by phone have dwindled to less than single digits.Enter the game-changer: AI. Tony introduces Robert Deck, a tech-savvy entrepreneur who has transitioned from staffing to revolutionizing sales through artificial intelligence. Robert shares his journey, explaining how he incorporates AI into his recruitment firm to dramatically increase efficiency. His passion for technology leads him to develop a tool called click2.ai, which is his answer to the spammy, impersonal nature of LinkedIn interactions.Robert demonstrates click2.ai live, showing how it can transform the sales process on LinkedIn by automating personalized comments, connections, and engagement based on user profiles and posts. The tool allows for customization of tone, style, and even dialect, ensuring that the AI's interactions feel genuine and reflective of the user's personality.The demonstration is eye-opening. Click2.ai can sift through LinkedIn profiles, identify active users based on their recent posts, and engage them in a way that feels natural and personal. It's not just about spamming connections but about fostering genuine interactions. The tool is designed to work not just for recruiters but for any sales professional looking to scale their outreach without losing the human touch.Tony is visibly impressed, noting how this tool could help salespeople focus on what truly matters – building relationships rather than managing contacts. They discuss how this could be a top-of-funnel strategy, turning the cold, impersonal digital outreach into something more engaging and potentially fruitful.As the episode wraps up, Robert invites listeners to try click2.ai for themselves, providing easy access through his LinkedIn profile or website. Tony thanks Robert for the insightful demo, emphasizing how this could redefine sales in the digital age, making it more about meaningful connections than mere numbers.Click2.ai delivers a new dawn for sales professionals, where technology helps sales scale and navigate the digital world with a human touch. -
AI has infiltrated every aspect of digital work and life, but AI Agents offer the most promise of automation replacing manual digital labor.
Brandon Metcalf from Asymbl joins the jobTopia podcast to discuss the current reality of AI Agents.
SHOW NOTES
Talent Rover: An HR tech company initially founded, which was later acquired by Bullhorn. The founders have since started new ventures due to their entrepreneurial drive.New Ventures: After selling Talent Rover, I was involved in other projects, including founding Blueprint Advisory, a Salesforce consulting firm. This led to further engagement in staffing solutions through Salesforce partnerships.Salesforce Ecosystem: The conversation delves into how Salesforce has evolved, emphasizing its role not just as a CRM but as a comprehensive business operating system. This evolution includes various tools like Chatter, Salesforce 1, Lightning, and AI enhancements like Einstein, leading to the concept of a "digital workforce."AI Agents: A significant portion of the discussion is on AI agents, which are not merely chatbots but intelligent entities capable of performing tasks autonomously based on data and AI logic. This includes examples like writing emails tailored to specific interactions or managing data across platforms like Slack for better workflow.Tech Stack for Staffing: For staffing firms interested in adopting this technology, the advice is to start with understanding the problem to solve, ensuring data integrity, and leveraging platforms like Salesforce for their agent capabilities without needing extensive coding knowledge.Future Implications: The dialogue touches on how AI integration will fundamentally change how businesses operate, emphasizing the blend of human and digital labor for competitive advantage. The importance of data normalization and security is highlighted to prevent misuse or leakage.Closing Thoughts: The conversation ends with an invitation to explore more on AI agents in future episodes, acknowledging the transformative potential of this technology in staffing and recruitment while addressing human concerns about interaction with AI.AI Agents in HR Technology:
From Chatbots to Agents: AI agents represent an evolution from basic chatbots, which were primarily used for simple, scripted interactions. Agents are designed with greater autonomy, intelligence, and the ability to perform tasks independently or in collaboration with humans.Role of AI Agents: These agents leverage AI to not only respond to queries but also to execute tasks, make decisions, and learn from interactions. They use technologies like natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and large language models to understand context, interpret data, and act accordingly.Key Attributes:
Autonomy: Unlike traditional AI systems that require human oversight for each action, agents can operate autonomously. They can be programmed or learn to manage workflows, from scheduling to data analysis.Task Execution: Agents can perform a variety of tasks such as writing emails, managing candidate databases, scheduling interviews, or even providing personalized job recommendations based on past interactions and data.Learning and Adaptation: They learn from the data they process and the outcomes of their actions, improving their decision-making and task execution over time. This continuous learning makes them effective in dynamic environments like recruitment, where human behavior and job requirements are variable.Integration with Systems: AI agents are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems. In Salesforce, for instance, they can work within the platform or extend functionalities via APIs, interacting with both structured data (like CRM entries) and unstructured data (like emails or Slack messages).Applications in Staffing and HR:
Candidate Engagement: Agents can handle initial candidate interactions, screen applicants, and even conduct preliminary interviews through text or voice communication, enhancing engagement and speeding up the hiring process.Data Management: They can manage and update databases, ensuring data integrity by cross-referencing information from various sources, updating candidate profiles, or tracking job statuses.Predictive Analytics: Using historical data, agents can predict candidate fit, retention likelihood, or potential job satisfaction, helping recruiters make informed decisions.Workflow Automation: From automating follow-ups to managing interview schedules and feedback loops, agents can significantly reduce manual labor, allowing human recruiters to focus on strategic tasks like relationship building.Challenges and Considerations:
Data Privacy and Security: As agents deal with sensitive personal data, ensuring compliance with data protection laws like GDPR or CCPA is crucial. There's also the challenge of safeguarding this data against misuse or breaches.Human-AI Interaction: There's potential resistance from both candidates and recruiters due to the impersonal nature of AI. Trust and transparency in how AI decisions are made need to be established.Bias and Fairness: AI systems can perpetuate existing biases if not carefully designed. Algorithms must be continuously audited for fairness in candidate selection or job matching.Skill and Knowledge Transfer: Training AI agents to understand the nuanced requirements of different jobs or the subtleties of human interaction in recruitment is an ongoing challenge.Future Trends:
Conversational UI: Moving beyond traditional interfaces, the future involves more conversational interactions, making the technology more intuitive and less cumbersome for users.Multi-Agent Systems: Companies might employ multiple specialized agents that work together, each with specific roles, enhancing the complexity and capability of business operations.Ethical AI: There will be an increasing focus on developing AI agents that adhere to ethical standards, promoting inclusivity and fairness in recruitment practices.Integration with Emerging Tech: As technologies like blockchain for secure data handling or VR for virtual interviews evolve, AI agents will integrate with these to provide more comprehensive solutions. -
John Gates and I discuss practical steps to follow when negotiating an offer. Salary CoachHappy New Year! This is when many consider changing jobs, potentially waiting until after receiving bonuses in January. It's predicted that there will be significant job turnover and changes in 2025.John Gates, who has a background in recruiting from entry-level to managing thousands of job offers at Fortune 500 companies, shares insights on salary negotiation.Common mistakes in job offer negotiations are highlighted, including the tendency to accept offers immediately without negotiation. Gates advises on how to ask questions to gain time for better negotiation, even if the company says the offer is "their best".Gates emphasizes that negotiation should begin from the first interaction with a company, not just at the offer stage. He suggests avoiding "open" or "negotiable" on salary applications; instead, one should provide a number that gets them considered but isn't too high.The strategy of using a salary range during discussions is advocated to keep negotiation leverage. Gates explains psychological concepts like "memetic desire" to increase one's perceived value by subtly showing competition for your candidacy.The conversation touches on the dynamics of power in interviews, where the candidate gains leverage as the company shows buying signals or interest.Gates discusses his coaching services, aimed at guiding people through job offers, particularly in high-stakes situations like C-suite negotiations, where fear of losing an offer can lead to leaving money on the table.An example is given of a COO who nearly missed out on substantial additional compensation due to reluctance to negotiate further.The challenges for out-of-work C-suite executives are discussed, including the dynamics with executive search firms and the necessity for strategic job hunting.
Schedule time with Tony to discuss your staffing and direct need hiring needs for a free Q&A.
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The shocking truth is that 30-40% of IT candidates are FRAUDS! You read that correctly. This is bananas. Listen to what they do! And what you can do about it. Emmanuel ToutainTurboCheckFake Candidates, Real Problems: There have been stories about sophisticated scams, including one involving North Korean agents, and the rampant issue of people juggling multiple jobs to scam companies.Tech to the Rescue: With AI and automation, the company offers solutions to detect fraud early in the recruitment process, saving time, money, and headaches. They've got tools for digital verification, reference checking, and document validation, all designed to keep the real talent and the frauds apart.A Call to Vigilance: The takeaway? Always be on your toes. In a world where fraudsters are as cunning as they are bold, vigilance combined with tech is your best defense against hiring headaches.Where to Connect: Check out www.turbocheck.com, where the experts in fraud detection are ready to help.
Contact Tony to discuss hiring, staffing, or being a guest on the show!
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David Searns is a marketing expert with Haley Marketing who claims that 2024/2025 will be extremely challenging as a marketer. Why? He offers his advice. Stop Saying This and the Art of Getting NoticedMarketing Pet Peeves: The speakers discuss their annoyance with generic email greetings like "Happy Friday" and phrases like "moving this to the top of your inbox."Email Marketing: They talk about the challenges and strategies of cold emailing, including bringing strategy in-house for more personalized approaches.Business Background: David shares his history in the staffing industry, mentioning that his parents owned a temporary staffing agency, influenced his career choice. His company was founded in 1996, during which time marketing in staffing was virtually non-existent.Evolution of Staffing Marketing: The conversation covers how marketing in the staffing industry has evolved, especially with the integration of AI and the need for personalization amidst high competition.Target Audience: They discuss targeting in staffing marketing, identifying key decision-makers beyond HR, like CFOs or department heads, depending on the staffing specialty.Engagement and Attention: Strategies for capturing attention include using physical mail, event marketing, and leveraging other people's stages (OPS) where the audience is already engaged.Sales Differentiation: They emphasize the importance of differentiating not just the service but the sales process itself. An example given is a staffing CEO using Six Sigma expertise to offer plant efficiency solutions before pitching staffing services.Industry Knowledge: The need for recruiters to speak the language of the industry they serve is highlighted, with an example of a staffing company transitioning to manufacturing outsourcing.Content Strategy: The effectiveness of webinars for engagement over traditional newsletters is discussed. They suggest focusing on tactical, problem-solving content for higher engagement.Webinar Best Practices: Tips include having diverse speakers, curating content from clients or AI, and managing live questions to keep the audience involved.Advertising Platforms: LinkedIn is favored for business-to-business staffing sales due to its professional audience, though there's an acknowledgment of LinkedIn's evolving nature. X (formerly Twitter) is noted for its targeting capabilities based on followers.Retargeting: Challenges and strategies for retargeting in staffing, particularly the need for sufficient website traffic to make retargeting viable.Expertise Areas: David's company is most experienced in commercial staffing (light industrial and clerical) and healthcare.Content Resources: They mention resources like webinars and eBooks available on Haley Marketing's website, which require a name and email to access, leading to a newsletter subscription.Future Experiments: There's a mention of experimenting with AI for lead tracking to engage with silent website visitors.Schedule time to chat with Tony about your staffing needs.
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Dan MoriStaffing Mastery and National Independent Staffing AssociationStaffing Sales Summit The future of staffing and sales in 2025! Dan and Tony are staffing experts and they discuss what to expect in 2025.Sales Conference: An upcoming sales-focused conference in Orlando for the staffing industry is announced.Industry Challenges: Post-recession, sales have become more challenging than recruiting, hence the conference's focus on sales.Conference Feedback: The previous conference was successful, with an emphasis on actionable content, and planning for an improved 2025 event.Technology in Staffing: Tools like Glide Talent and Avionte's platform are discussed for enhancing talent and client management.Future of Staffing: The importance of being referable, leveraging passive talent networks to reduce attrition, and enhancing client relationships is emphasized.Event Details: The Staffing Sales Summit is scheduled for February 26th to 28th, 2025, in Orlando with limited attendance for quality interaction.Expanded Summary on the Topic of ReferralsImportance of Being Referable: Referrals are likened to an untapped resource, driven by genuine experiences rather than direct incentives.Emotional Investment: Exceptional service leads to emotional investment, naturally encouraging referrals through positive experiences.Marketing and Social Proof: Referrals serve as powerful social proof, boosting a company's online reputation and credibility.Client and Candidate Experience: Emphasis on creating memorable interactions to foster referrals.Referral Programs: Effective programs stem from genuine satisfaction rather than forced incentives, ensuring authenticity.Leveraging Technology: Technologies like Glide Talent manage top-funnel talent, improving candidate experience and interaction.Passive Talent Management: Cultivating communities of passive talent for better referral outcomes and lower turnover.Challenges and Solutions:Active Job Seeker Trap: Referrals offer more stability than job board placements.Building Trust: Addressing trust issues by demonstrating reliability through exceptional service.Marketing Fundamentals: A shift towards clearer messaging and stronger digital presence.For more information about Tony and his Staffing Services at TImpl - Click here.
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