FDE+ | From Rolodex to AI: Why Relationships Still Win in Recruiting with Denise Chaffin, CEO of Top Source Talent

FDE+ | From Rolodex to AI: Why Relationships Still Win in Recruiting with Denise Chaffin, CEO of Top Source Talent

What happens when recruiting becomes faster—but less personal? Host Kortney Harmon sits down with Denise Chaffin, CEO of TopSource Talent and host of the Talking TA podcast, to explore why relationship intelligence remains one of the most valuable competitive advantages in an increasingly automated industry. Drawing on nearly four decades in talent acquisition, Denise traces the evolution of recruiting from Rolodexes and classified ads to AI-powered platforms. She shares why trust, transparency, and follow-through still shape candidate and client experiences—and how recruiters can use technology to strengthen relationships rather than replace them. From building influence through consistent communication to turning ATS platforms into relationship memory systems, Denise offers a practical framework for balancing efficiency with authentic human connection. Discover why the recruiters who thrive in the AI era will be the ones who use technology to scale trust—not replace it. ________________ Follow Denise Chaffin on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Denise [https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisechaffin/] Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate [https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/] Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here [https://join.crelate.com/best-recruiting-and-staffing-software-demo] Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience [https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience]

FDE+ | Interrupt the Pattern: The Human Side of Recruiting in an AI World with Shad Tidler - Lushin

As AI handles more outreach and automation, the recruiters who stand out will be the ones who build stronger human connections. Host Kortney Harmon sits down with leadership consultant Shad Tidler to explore practical strategies for earning trust, adapting communication styles, and creating more meaningful client relationships in today’s recruiting landscape. Shad shares actionable insights on interrupting predictable sales patterns, using DISC principles to improve communication, and building trust through consistency, empathy, and transparency—without losing efficiency in an AI-driven world. Discover how relationship-driven recruiters can create stronger client alignment and stand out in the age of AI. ______________ Follow Shad Tidler on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Shad [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadtidler/] Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/] Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here [https://join.crelate.com/best-recruiting-and-staffing-software-demo] Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience [https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience]

FDE+ | Monetizing Trust: Revenue Runs on Relationships with Rob Reznick, Founder Beacon

What happens when AI makes recruiting faster—but trust becomes the real differentiator? In this FDE+ session, Kortney Harmon sits down with Rob Reznick, founder and CEO of Beacon, to unpack why referrals, reputation, and human connection still drive the strongest business results in recruiting. Drawing from his background in tech, finance, and startup leadership, Rob explores the hidden cost of over-automation and why relationship-driven recruiting continues to outperform transactional outreach. From LinkedIn experiments to practical referral strategies, he shares how recruiters can strengthen credibility, build stronger networks, and create long-term business growth through trust. ________________ Follow Rob Reznick on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Rob [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robreznick/] Check out Beacon here [http://Beaconnection.com] Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate [https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/] Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here [https://join.crelate.com/best-recruiting-and-staffing-software-demo] Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience [https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience]

FDE+ | Why No One Wants to Talk to You: Rethinking Staffing Sales in a Skeptical Market with Brad Bialy, Haley Marketing

Why has earning a conversation become the hardest part of staffing sales? In this featured session from the FDE+ Q1 Virtual Conference, Kortney Harmon sits down with Brad Bialy to unpack why today’s buyers are more skeptical, distracted, and informed—and what that means for relationship-driven revenue. Brad challenges outdated sales playbooks and introduces a system-first approach to winning attention. He breaks down the reality of the 72-touchpoint journey, along with the role of trust, consistency, and buyer psychology. The result is a clear path for how top firms are aligning sales and marketing to earn—not chase—conversations and build meaningful engagement in today’s skeptical market. Key Takeaways • Build systems, not just sales goals • Use marketing to support and scale outreach • Reduce risk to overcome buyer skepticism • Create clarity to stand out in a crowded market ________________ Follow Brad Bialy on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Brad [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbialy/] Subscribe to the secrets of success here [https://youtube.com/@haleymarketinggroup?si=nHAdOYZysUhAM8lm] Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate [https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/] Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here [https://join.crelate.com/best-recruiting-and-staffing-software-demo] Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience [https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience]

FDE+ | Revenue Drift: The Hidden Threat to Relationship-Driven Revenue with Benjamin Mena, Managing Partner – Select Source Solutions

What happens when your desk gets quieter—but you’re still busy every day? In this FDE+ episode, Kortney Harmon brings a session from the recent virtual conference to the podcast—part of a series turning real, no-fluff conversations into standalone insights—featuring Benjamin Mena on “revenue drift.” Benjamin shares how distractions—AI tools, content, and constant activity—pull focus away from the fundamentals that actually drive revenue. He explains why pipeline slowdowns start months earlier, how inconsistent business development creates feast-or-famine cycles, and why top billers win by protecting simple, repeatable habits over chasing complexity. Key Takeaways • Why revenue doesn’t collapse—it drifts • The 60–90 day lag between activity and results • How inconsistent BD creates unstable pipelines • Why strategy without execution accelerates decline • The habits that keep recruiters in the top tier _____________________________ Connect with Benjamin Mena Follow on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Benjamin Mena Select Source Solutions: here The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/ [https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/] Explore more from Benjamin:  This Is Your Year Summit: https://this-is-your-year-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com [https://this-is-your-year-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/] Elite Recruiter Community: check it out here [https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community] Podcast on Spotify: check it out here [https://open.spotify.com/show/2HNuIjLjoAEE49zqPdX0AB?si=tL40X0pqTpq8A70lNKPb_g] Connect with Crelate Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/] Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience [https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience]