Staffing Made Simple.

AI That Delivers, Solving RFP Headaches, and What Buyers Really Want

The contingent workforce space is full of AI talk, but buyers and staffing firms are still dealing with the same core problem: too much noise and not enough clarity. Firms are trying to stand out, buyers are trying to sort real capability from claims, and RFPs are still one of the most time-consuming parts of the process. So, what actually matters when decisions get made — and what doesn’t? In this episode, co-hosts Rob Geist and Casey Wagonfield sit down with Mickey Pelletier, Founder & CEO of CWM Strategies and cwRFP, to break it down. With 17+ years across MSP, VMS, and the client side, Mickey shares where AI can genuinely help without adding more noise, what buyers actually look for in staffing partners, how firms can differentiate once they’re in a program, and how to make the RFP process less painful for everyone involved. For anyone trying to win more deals, simplify RFPs, or use AI in a way that actually helps, this is a must-listen.

Contingent Work Is Thriving — But the Playbook Is Changing

Contingent work isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s becoming a more critical part of how organizations operate. But while demand remains strong, the way these programs are designed, managed, and measured is shifting fast. Buyer expectations are evolving, labor models are getting more complex, and the old approaches that once worked are no longer enough to stay competitive. The opportunity is still there, but only for those willing to adjust how they show up and deliver value. In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, co-hosts Casey Wagonfield and Rob Geist are joined by Meea Evans-Cone from CEVA Logistics to explore how contingent workforce programs are evolving in real time. Drawing from experience on both the staffing and buyer sides, Meea shares what’s changing inside large-scale programs, how organizations are rethinking standardization versus local flexibility, and what it really takes to stand out today — from aligning with buyer expectations to delivering measurable quality and retention in light industrial environments.

From Pitch to Partnership: Turning Ghosted Prospects into Real Client Relationships

Are your prospects ghosting you? Are sales cycles dragging on while “just checking in” emails disappear into the void? Deals take longer, inboxes stay silent, and selling on price feels like a race to the bottom. Staffing sales has shifted — and if you’re still relying on old tactics, you’re already behind. In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we unpack what it really takes to sell consultatively in today’s market, how to differentiate beyond filling orders, and how aligning sales, marketing, and ops can turn stalled conversations into real momentum. That’s why we invited Mark Winter, Principal CEO of WinSource Group, to join the conversation. With more than 20 years in staffing — from running branches to leading sales enablement for a multi-billion-dollar organization — Mark shares practical strategies for building stronger pipelines, tightening execution, and helping teams sell with confidence in a tougher market. If you’re tired of being ghosted and competing on price, this episode delivers insights you can put to work right away.

New Year, New Rules: Evolving Legal Risks for Staffing Agencies in 2026

A new year brings new opportunities for staffing agencies — but it can also bring new rules, increased enforcement, and more ways to get caught off guard. In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we sit down with legal experts Lia Elliott and Joanna Monroe of Staffing GC to break down the toughest states for staffing agencies, emerging compliance pressure points, and the legal landmines tied to immigration changes, I-9 requirements, and non-competes as 2026 gets underway. We also take a clear-eyed look at AI — where tools meant to improve hiring speed can quietly introduce bias and legal exposure if they’re not governed properly. If you own, lead, sell for, or recruit in staffing, this episode lays out what’s changed, what’s coming, and where to focus before small issues turn into big risks.

The SIA Playbook: How Buyers and Staffing Agencies Can Win Together

What if you could sit down with someone who talks daily to enterprise buyers managing contingent workforce programs and the staffing firms competing for their business, and get the inside scoop? In this episode of Staffing Made Simple, we dive into the latest Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) data on the economy, break down VMS and MSP trends, and show why technology and AI are now essential for agencies that want to specialize and show up as true partners — not just vendors. To tackle these topics, co-hosts Casey Wagonfield and Rob Geist of SimpleVMS sit down with Kersten Buck, Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Solutions at SIA. Kersten breaks down what the data says about buyer and staffing trends, how the contingent workforce landscape is evolving, and what agencies need to do right now to stay ahead and thrive in a fast-moving market.