Episode summary: Jon Bennett, CEO of Retinue Solutions, discusses his career journey and the services provided by Retinue. He shares his background in recruitment and the evolution of the staffing industry from transactional to strategic partnerships. Jon also talks about Ryalto, a product that helps frontline workers find flexible shifts and improve communication with employers. The conversation covers topics like talent scarcity, the impact of Brexit and COVID-19, and the role of AI in the future of work.

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background

01:17 Career Paths in the Staffing and Recruitment Sector

07:13 From Transactional to Strategic Partnerships

11:05 The Journey of Ryalto

19:56 Retinue: Comprehensive Workforce Management Solutions

22:26 The Competitive Advantage of a VMS

23:01The Four C’s Promise

26:31The Evolution of the Staffing Sector

27:40 The Challenges of Talent Scarcity

29:05 The Role of AI in the Future of Work

31:19 Reducing Friction in Talent Acquisition

43:32 Predictions for the Future of Work

Key points discussed:

• Jon Bennett shares his career journey in the staffing and recruitment industry, from starting as a graduate recruiter to becoming the CEO of Retinue.
• The industry has evolved from transactional relationships to strategic partnerships, with a focus on providing comprehensive workforce management solutions.
• Retinue offers a range of services, including managed service provisions, recruitment process outsourcing, statement of work management, talent consulting, and technology solutions.
• The acquisition of Ryalto by Engage has allowed Retinue to expand its client base and offer a wider range of services. Having their own VMS gives Retinue Solutions a competitive advantage in the market by allowing them to control the delivery, implementation, support, and configuration of their services.
• Retinue Solutions offers the four C’s promise to clients: continuity of supply, compliance, control through tech, and cost reduction.
• The staffing sector has evolved incrementally rather than experiencing a big bang moment of change.
• Talent scarcity is a significant challenge in the current workforce, exacerbated by factors such as Brexit, COVID-19, and the cost of living crisis.
• AI has the potential to significantly impact the future of work, but there is a need to find a balance between utilizing AI for efficiency and preserving the human element in recruitment.
• Reducing friction in talent acquisition, such as automating processes and creating a seamless experience, will be crucial for success in the future of work.