Picture this: A bustling staffing firm, priding itself on cutting-edge technology. Automation hums in the background, churning out hundreds of emails and logging countless calls. But amidst this digital whirlwind, seasoned recruiter Dave Turano stands at his whiteboard, marking down each meaningful conversation with a simple checkmark.
“We have five automations happening, but is it getting you the return?” This pointed question from staffing industry expert Kortney Harmon echoes through a recent industry discussion, cutting to the heart of a growing dilemma in the field. As Harmon and Turano swap stories, a picture emerges of an industry at a crossroads.
Turano recounts a pivotal moment from his early career. “I realized that as long as I interacted with 15 people every day, I made a fair amount of money,” he shares. “And anything I did to exceed that, the money I made was great.” This personal insight flew in the face of industry norms pushing for hundreds of daily touchpoints.
But the story doesn’t end there. Turano goes on to describe a visit from his manager, who scrutinized his whiteboard of stats. “What happened in May?” she asked, pointing out a month where he had 26 interviews but only 5 placements. This moment of accountability led to a crucial realization about the importance of candidate preparation – a human touch that no automation could replace.
As companies rush to embrace new technologies, these industry veterans warn against losing sight of what truly drives success: meaningful human connections. Their candid discussion reveals key insights for navigating the intersection of tech and talent:
The Automation Trap
- While automation can scale operations, it’s essential to question its real impact.
- Are your automations delivering ROI, or just creating noise?
- Deep, personal relationships still trump mass outreach.
The Data Dilemma
- Data isn’t the enemy – it’s a mirror reflecting our performance.
- The problem lies in how companies introduce and use data and technology.
- Unintentional “weaponization” of data can alienate team members.
Quality Over Quantity
- Arbitrary metrics (like 200 dials a week) miss the point.
- Focus on meaningful interactions rather than vanity metrics.
- Dave’s personal experience: 15 quality interactions daily led to significant success.
The Power of Preparation
- A real-world example: Improving interview-to-placement ratios through candidate preparation.
- Taking ownership of the entire process, rather than compartmentalizing responsibilities.
Listen to the full podcast
This is a gist of just a few minutes of the Full Desk Experience podcast. Listen to it here: https://www.crelate.com/blog/podcast-industry-spotlight-dave-turano-executive-coach-at-jce-consulting-redefining-success-in-staffing-and-recruiting
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