The Contingent Compass Podcast

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Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde

🚨 The most expensive contingent workforce strategy… isn’t MSP vs. internal.

It’s in-between.

Too many companies are stuck in workforce purgatory:

 ✅ Partial MSP coverage
 ✅ Rogue hiring manager behavior
 ✅ No clear owner
 ✅ Everyone thinks it’s working

But here’s the reality:

Half-built programs quietly bleed money, increase compliance risk, and stall growth.

If that’s where your organization is right now — not broken, but definitely not optimized — then this week’s episode of The Contingent Compass is for you.

In this episode, I break down:

• Why partial MSP models are often riskier than no MSP at all
• How to tell if you’re in a “grey zone” program (and what to do about it)
• What a well-structured hybrid model actually looks like
• How global compliance gaps hide inside fragmented systems
• Why getting it right has nothing to do with buying more tech or suppliers

💡 Even if you’re not ready to change anything yet — you’ll leave with a framework to assess where you really stand.

Or search The Contingent Compass wherever you get your podcasts.

New episodes every week. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde

Ask Me Anything: The Truth About Contingent Labor, Integrity, and Backing the Underdog

In this special AMA episode, Kieran answers 20 of the most raw, relevant, and revealing questions sent in by listeners — covering everything from:

• Why he really started The Contingent Compass
• What too many HR and Procurement leaders are still getting wrong
• When DE&I efforts are just window dressing
• How to spot vendor complacency (and end it)
• What integrity actually looks like when no one’s watching

Whether you're running a 120,000-worker program or just trying to survive a hiring manager free-for-all, this episode will leave you with practical insights and a few uncomfortable truths.

If you’ve ever felt like the underdog in a world of industry giants — this one’s especially for you.

New episodes every week. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde

Are you unknowingly sitting on a multi-million dollar compliance risk?

In this episode, we dig into the hidden—but very real—compliance dangers lurking in contingent workforce programs. From misclassification and co-employment risks to GDPR fines and global tax exposure, this is the side of contingent labor most HR and Procurement leaders don’t talk about… until they’re forced to.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why contingent workforce compliance is now HR’s responsibility (whether you like it or not)
 ✅ What Nike, Meta, Google, and FedEx got wrong—and how to avoid their mistakes
 ✅ The 5 red flags that scream “compliance exposure”
 ✅ What happens if you bury your head in the sand
 ✅ A 5-point health check to assess your current risk
 ✅ Pro tips to fix it—this quarter, not next year

This episode is your no-fluff, executive-level guide to de-risking your contingent labor strategy and protecting your brand, your budget, and your boardroom credibility.

Because compliance isn’t about fear—it’s about freedom.
Freedom to scale. 🌍
Freedom to operate globally. 💼
Freedom to lead with confidence. 🚀

New episodes every week. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde

Spray, Pray & Pay: Why Forcing Staffing Suppliers to Focus on Quality Changes Everything

Ever feel like your inbox is being carpet-bombed with resumes the second a role opens?

You’re not alone — and you’re not crazy.

In this episode, we unpack the truth behind the “Spray and Pray” supplier mindset — and why it’s killing candidate quality, wasting time, and silently bleeding your workforce program of value.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why high-volume resume slinging doesn’t mean better hiring
✅ The 3/3 Principle — a simple but powerful model to force supplier accountability
✅ How to roll it out (without causing supplier rebellion)
✅ What silent costs your program is already paying by tolerating the chaos
✅ What kind of leader you need to be if you want a truly high-performing contingent workforce

If you’re in HR, Procurement, or leading a PMO — this is your roadmap to demanding better.

It’s time to stop rewarding speed over suitability.

🎧 Listen in, rethink your model, and raise the bar.

New episodes every week. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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🚨𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 🚨 Contingent Labor MSP's are dead ...

At least the traditional ones are ...

For years, Managed Service Providers were the gold standard in contingent workforce management. But as the world of work shifts beneath our feet, one big question looms:

👉 Are traditional MSPs keeping up—or holding you back?

In today's episode, I unpack:

⚙️ Where the cracks are forming in the old MSP model
🚀 How innovative companies are reimagining workforce strategies
🤖 What role AI, direct sourcing, and talent platforms are playing
📊 The metrics that matter when evaluating your current MSP

You’ll also get a simple checklist to help you assess whether your provider is a partner for the future—or a legacy system with a facelift.

New episodes every week. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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#ContingentWorkforce #MSPStrategy #FutureOfWork #ProcurementLeaders #HRLeadership #WorkforceTransformation #TalentStrategy #StaffingSolutions #ContingentCompass

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Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde

Your Contingent Labor staffing agency fees are out of hand There’s a smarter, leaner way. 

Let me explain ...

Direct sourcing isn’t a buzzword.

It’s the cost-saving, agility-boosting strategy your CFO wishes you'd implemented yesterday.

In today's podcast episode, I break down: 

✅ How to use your brand (not your budget) to attract top talent

✅ The tech stack that slashes time-to-fill

✅ Why building a talent community is your secret weapon

✅ How analytics turn hiring into a strategic edge

If your organization is still burning cash on bloated markups and long hiring cycles, this is your wake-up call.

Let me know—what’s holding you back from going direct?

New episodes every week. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde

🔻 Tariffs Just Got Personal… For Your Workforce.

And if you lead Procurement or HR, you’re about to face one of two choices:

1️⃣ Cut contingent workforce headcount
2️⃣ Cut contingent workforce costs

But what if there’s a smarter third option?

👉 What if you could reduce costs by up to 30% without sacrificing a single person?

In my latest episode, I break down: 

✅ Why this trade war is creating an unseen workforce crisis
✅ The strategic (not reactive) response leaders should take
✅ 6 proven ways to reduce CW spend without slashing heads
✅ The timeline, checklist, and hidden traps to avoid
✅ Why this isn’t just a crisis—it’s your leadership moment

Because in times like these, the organizations that panic will cut corners.
The ones that lead? They’ll come out stronger, smarter, and future-ready.

💡 If you want to be the leader people remember for bringing calm, clarity, and savings—this is for you.

New episodes every week. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde.

In this episode of, we unpack the ROI that too many contingent workforce programs aren’t measuring — but should be. From cost savings and compliance wins to workforce agility, DE&I, and long-term strategic value, I break down 10 areas where your program should be delivering results — and the KPIs that prove it.

We’ll cover:
💰 Smarter cost savings (beyond bill rates)
⚠️ Risk mitigation you can quantify
📈 Productivity and performance tracking
🌍 DE&I and ESG as ROI drivers
🎯 How to present your impact to the C-Suite (without PowerPoint fatigue)

It’s time to stop being tactical and start being transformational.

🎧 Whether you lead HR, Procurement, or an in-house PMO — this is the episode that gives you the language, the numbers, and the confidence to prove your program’s worth.

New episodes every week. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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#ContingentWorkforce #VendorManagement #ProcurementStrategies #CostSavings #HRLeaders #BusinessSuccess

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Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde

🎧 Unlocking Hidden Savings in Your Vendor Agreements 💰

Are hidden costs quietly draining your workforce budget? Many companies are unknowingly losing thousands — sometimes hundreds of thousands — through outdated contracts, excessive SLAs, and sneaky fees.

In this episode of The Contingent Compass Podcast, I reveal 16 powerful strategies to uncover those hidden savings — without compromising service quality or damaging supplier relationships.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

 ✅ How to audit your vendor agreements for overlooked costs
 ✅ Smarter negotiation tactics that maintain partnerships
 ✅ Why supplier innovation may be your biggest untapped savings strategy
 ✅ How to build performance incentives that reduce costs AND improve results
 ✅ Plus — how to embrace real-time pricing models and ESG-focused partnerships to drive even greater value

💡 If you’re responsible for contingent labor, procurement, or vendor management — you can’t afford to miss this one.

Have you ever uncovered unexpected savings in a vendor agreement? I'd love to hear your story — drop a comment below! 👇

New episodes every week.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

Follow Kieran Scally-Carde on LinkedIn

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Watch this podcast on YouTube

#ContingentWorkforce #VendorManagement #ProcurementStrategies #CostSavings #HRLeaders #BusinessSuccess

Send us a text

Hosted by Kieran Scally-Carde

🚨 Are You Struggling to Gain Support for Your Contingent Workforce Program? 🚨

Convincing internal stakeholders to back your contingent workforce program can feel like herding cats... while blindfolded... on roller skates. 🐱🛼

But here's the truth: Without internal support, even the best workforce strategy will struggle to get off the ground.

So how do you win hearts and minds?

✅ Identify the right stakeholders—and speak their language. 

✅ Align your program with core business objectives. 

✅ Use data to build a rock-solid business case. 

✅ Tackle objections head-on before they derail your plan. 

✅ Secure quick wins to build momentum and prove impact.

THis episode is packed with practical strategies to help you secure internal buy-in and turn your contingent workforce program into a strategic advantage.

If you’re tired of battling resistance and want to unlock real results, this guide is for you.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in gaining stakeholder support for your contingent workforce program? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

New episodes every week.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe for weekly expert tips on Contingent Workforce optimization, cost-saving strategies, and cutting-edge trends in HR and Procurement and please leave a review.

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Watch this podcast on YouTube

#ContingentWorkforce
#VendorManagement #MSP #WorkforceStrategy #ContingentCompass
#VendorNeutralityEvolution #ProcurementLeadership #HRLeadership