Get ready for a powerhouse episode featuring highlights from Joanie Bily’s impactful conversation with Kortney Harmon. Dive into proven strategies and actionable insights designed to help executive search leaders stay ahead in a market defined by rapid change, digital innovation, and evolving client demands.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

- A candid look at talent supply and demand trends—what matters most for continued growth and resilience

- How leading firms are leveraging AI and digital platforms to transform candidate and client experiences

- Innovative approaches to upskilling and training teams for long-term success

- The latest on legislative changes impacting search operations and industry advocacy

The discussion also raises provocative questions: Will traditional business development tactics survive in an AI-powered landscape? What pitfalls should firms avoid when scaling for growth amid economic uncertainty?

Unlock fresh perspectives and forward-thinking strategies—hit play and equip your firm for what’s next in executive search.

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Follow Joanie on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Joanie Bily

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In this episode of The Full Desk Experience’s Industry Spotlight, guest Kelli Schutrop, CEO and founder of Thoughtful Resound, joins host Kortney Harmon to deliver game-changing insights. Kelli draws on 15+ years in talent acquisition marketing to reveal high-impact branding and growth strategies for firm differentiation and sustainable growth.

Key insights you can’t miss:

• Why a brand-facing presence is no longer enough—and how every client-facing team member must become a “mini-brand” to truly stand out.
• Actionable ways to leverage thought leadership and LinkedIn content to attract new business, not just chase it.
• Anticipated industry shifts toward commoditization and consolidation, with tips to help your firm evolve and avoid common blind spots.
• Concrete methods to bridge the gap between personal and firm branding, empowering your team to shine while supporting your long-term growth.

Are you too focused on KPIs that don’t actually drive revenue? How do you balance elevating individual recruiters’ brands without risking client loss if they move on?

Press play now to hear Kelli’s proven branding strategies and prepare your executive search firm to thrive—not just survive—in 2025!

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Tools mentioned in the episode:

1. LinkedIn – Referenced multiple times for thought leadership, brand building, networking, posting content, and sourcing.
2. LinkedIn Learning – Mentioned as a platform where Kelli Schutrop has digital marketing and personal branding courses.
3. Zoom – Used for video calls and recording short video content for LinkedIn.
4. Meta – Briefly mentioned in the context of exploring different channels.
5. Threads – Mentioned as another potential channel (under Meta).
6. Reddit – Mentioned as an emerging platform discussed within the recruiting industry.
7. Indeed – Mentioned as a job board.
8. ZipRecruiter – Mentioned as a job board.
9. Crelate – The company behind the podcast and referenced as both the podcast host and for its recruiting tech.
10. Crelate Copilot – Introduced within the episode as Crelate’s AI assistant/tool for recruiters.
11. Google – Mentioned in a general sense when discussing algorithms.
12. Apollo – Discussed as a platform that was banned by LinkedIn for spam/automation issues.

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Follow Kelli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellischutrop/

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Unlock fresh perspectives on modern executive search operations in this can't-miss episode of The Full Desk Experience. Designed for executive search leaders, owners, and director-level decision makers, this conversation with Vaughn Emery, VP of Revenue Growth at Duffy Group, dives deep into the strategies powering next-level growth in today's recruiting landscape.

Key insights include:

• The Duffy Group’s unique, research-driven executive search model that builds deep, mission-aligned partnerships with clients.
• Transforming sales and process frameworks to balance consistency with flexibility, while keeping teams accountable—without micromanaging.
• The essential role of technology and AI in modern search, and why the human touch remains irreplaceable for quality outcomes.
• Tracking overlooked KPIs, like cost-to-hire and post-placement success, for smarter, client-focused results.
• Executive-level approaches to succession planning and long-term client value creation.

Are you future-proofing your processes, or has your tried-and-true approach hit its ceiling? How much will AI truly change the game for executive search, and where is the human element irreplaceable?

Press play now to hear first-hand strategies and practical wisdom you can use to elevate your search firm’s success.

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Tools mentioned in this episode:

1. Crelate – Mentioned as both the company the host is from (Kortney Harmon, Director of Industry Relations at Crelate) and the platform behind the podcast.
2. Crelate Copilot – Crelate's AI assistant (“Copilot brings you recruiter intelligence…”).

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Follow Vaughn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaughnemery1/

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Looking to break through to your next revenue milestone or sharpen your firm’s competitive edge? This episode is a must-listen for executive search leaders, owners, and directors ready to thrive—not just survive—in 2025.

Key takeaways:

• AI as a Game-Changer: Hear how integrating AI thoughtfully (while keeping humans in the driver’s seat) is reshaping the entire talent pipeline—without sacrificing the personal touch that defines executive search.
• Value Propositions & Client Relationships: Discover why revisiting your firm’s unique value, saying “no” to bad business, and delivering genuine consultative partnership is critical to growth and differentiation.
• Metrics that Matter: Learn how top firms rely on clear ratios and KPIs to predict sustainable growth and quickly course-correct, ensuring consistent, high-quality performance across the board.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Get insider perspectives on operational pivots, team optimization, and bringing new talent into the business—especially during turbulent markets.

Questions to ponder: Can AI ever fully replicate the intuition of a seasoned recruiter? What risks (or rewards) come from walking away from legacy clients or underperforming business models?

Tune in for actionable strategies, candid war stories, and fresh perspectives to help your firm stand out—and scale up. Listen now!
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About the Panelists:

Todd Dawson began his professional career in law enforcement for 7 years and then nearly 7 years in insurance investigation prior to becoming a recruiting in 1985. Todd ran a successful insurance desk for 20 years and purchased the MRI franchise in 2002 from the office founder. During Todd's career with MRI, he was recognized as an MRI Regional winner 7 times, MRI National Account Executive of the Decade for the 90's, MRI CSAM of the Year in 1998 and MRI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. Todd's office was recognized as a Top 10 Office of the Year at MRI each of the office's last 2 years as an MRI franchise office. Todd is currently the Legal Practice Leader for WBP.

Jen Meyer brings over 28 years of expertise in the search and recruitment industry. Before becoming a part of Govig & Associates, she served as the president and co-founder of North Coast ExecuSearch, Inc. for more than 13 years. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with a diverse array of organizations across various industries and scales, with notable focus on VP/C-Suite roles for firms under private equity ownership. Her impact has even propelled certain entities to double in size and achieve a revenue of over $1 billion. Recognized for her unwavering dedication and philanthropic endeavors, Jennifer is particularly esteemed for her role in mentoring top talents, nurturing their growth, and cultivating long-lasting business relationships that yield mutual benefits. Her resolute commitment to her profession and the industry ensures exceptional outcomes for all involved.

Brian Kirlik is a forward-thinking talent strategist who believes the entire hiring system is fundamentally broken—on both the candidate and employer sides. Throughout his career, Brian has observed that while candidates lament the lengthy and frustrating application process, companies simultaneously complain of a weak talent pipeline. He sees this disconnect as both sides talking past each other, perpetuating the very problems they hope to solve. Determined to break the cycle, Brian is reshaping the way organizations and individuals approach hiring. He’s a strong advocate for the transformative power of AI, believing it holds the key to connecting talent with opportunity on demand and in real time. But for Brian, the real solution lies at the intersection of innovation and empathy: boldly implementing AI while keeping the human element firmly in the driver’s seat. He is committed to finding that balance, confident that with the right approach, both companies and candidates will benefit—and the future of work will be brighter for all.

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Tools mentioned in this episode:

1. ChatGPT – Directly mentioned by Jen Meyer as one of the AI tools they use internally.
2. Perplexity – Also specifically mentioned by Jen Meyer as a tool they use for research and summarization.
3. Crelate – Mentioned as the team’s ATS (Applicant Tracking System), with specific reference to “Crelate Co-Pilot,” their AI assistant for recruiters.
4. LinkedIn – Referenced multiple times as a social platform for business development, recruiting, posting, and networking.
5. Claude – Briefly mentioned by Kortney Harmon as a favorite AI platform especially for generating content and handling projects.

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Follow Jen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmeyergovig/
Follow Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankirlik/
Follow Todd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawsontodd/

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Unlock the future of executive search operations with this episode of The Full Desk Experience. Dive into actionable strategies and decision points that will help you harness AI to drive your firm’s growth and competitive advantage.

Key highlights:

• Discover the six essential decisions for integrating AI in your recruiting workflow, from optimizing at the recruiter or firm level to choosing the right ownership model for your AI tools.
• Why focusing on mastering core AI platforms is far more valuable than chasing the endless parade of new “wrapper” apps.
• Practical frameworks for assessing where AI will deliver the highest ROI: from streamlining candidate presentations to enhancing your business development and back-office operations.
• Insightful guidance on conducting a strategic, firm-wide AI audit versus simply winging adoption as you go.
• The critical value of “influence over efficiency”—how AI can drive not only productivity but better outcomes in client and candidate management.

Is now the time to standardize your firm’s AI knowledge, or nurture entrepreneurial recruiters? Will specialized AI tools survive the coming market shakeout?

Tune in to get clarity—and learn how to put these strategies to work in your own practice.

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Tools mentioned in this episode:

AI Tools & Large Language Models

• ChatGPT (by OpenAI)
• Gemini (by Google)
• Claude (by Anthropic)
• Copilot
• Perplexity
• DeepSeek

Recruiting/Industry Tools

• Crelate Copilot (Crelate's AI assistant for recruiting)
• Zoom (specifically for the AI Companion functionality)
• Metaview
• ZoomInfo
• Apollo
• LinkedIn Recruiter

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Follow Tricia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciatamkin/
Follow Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonthibeault/
Learn more about Moore Essentials here: https://mooreessentials.com/

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Unlock the secrets to scaling success in executive search with industry leader Mike Gionta, Founder of The RecruiterU. In this insightful conversation with Kortney Harmon, Mike shares his journey from the early challenges of owning a recruiting firm to building a thriving, self-sustaining business.

Whether you're a solo executive search professional or leading a growing team, this episode delivers actionable strategies designed to elevate your practice. Gain a deeper understanding of how to manage the emotional ups and downs of recruiting, implement KPIs and metrics that drive growth, and keep your team motivated—without falling into the trap of micromanagement.

Mike reveals the proven blueprint that allowed him to step back from daily operations while productivity continued to rise. Packed with practical advice and real-world wisdom, this is your go-to guide for transforming your recruiting business from the inside out.

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Follow Mike on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Mike Gionta

Learn more about the Exclusive Recruiting Production Summit here

Check out The RecruiterU here

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This episode dives into the real challenges recruitment professionals face—like perfectionism—and why consistency and authenticity are key when it comes to content creation. Dandan shares her journey from young recruiter to founder of DG Recruit, offering powerful insights into using social media and content to elevate your executive search practice.

Discover proven strategies for building a strong personal brand, creating impactful content, and navigating the modern recruitment landscape. Whether you're scaling your search firm or aiming to hit new revenue goals, you'll walk away with actionable takeaways and fresh inspiration.

Tune in and learn from industry leaders as they share the tools and tactics redefining success in executive search.

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Follow Dandan on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Dandan Zhu

To learn more about agency recruitment check out: https://www.agencyrecruitmentacademy.com/

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Welcome to another insightful episode of The Full Desk Experience, where we dive deep into the talent industry with top leaders shaping the field. Kortney Harmon is joined by Jeff Kaye, a powerhouse in executive search with leadership roles at Kaye/Bassman, Next Level Exchange, and Sanford Rose Associates.

This conversation unpacks the challenges and opportunities in recruiting, from technological advancements to niche specialization and strategies for profitable, sustainable growth. Whether you're a seasoned recruiter or new to the field, you'll gain valuable insights to refine your approach and elevate your success.

Tune in as we explore the evolving world of executive search and what it takes to thrive!

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Follow Jeff on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Jeff Kaye

Check out the Next Level Exchange Website here

For Starfish Partners Website here

For Stanford Rose Associates click here

For Dimensional Search click here

For Recruiter University click here

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On this episode, we’re diving deep into the ever-evolving legislative and regulatory landscape shaping the staffing and recruiting industry. Joining us is Toby Malara, Vice President of Government Relations at the American Staffing Association. With over two decades of experience in government affairs and legal counsel, Toby unpacks the latest legislative changes, regulatory shifts, and challenges facing staffing firms today. From DEI programs and immigration policies to independent contractor regulations, pay transparency laws, and business-to-business service taxes—there’s a lot to cover.

If you’re in staffing or simply want to understand the policies shaping the industry, this conversation is a must-listen. Sit back, tune in as we break down the key trends influencing the future of staffing and recruiting.

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Follow Toby on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Toby Malara

For more information on the Staffing Law Conference click here

To become a member of ASA click here

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Kortney Harmon sits down with Clark Wilcox, founder of The Digital Recruiter, to explore the transformative power of LinkedIn in modern sales marketing strategies—especially for recruiting businesses. Together, they dive into the benefits of LinkedIn as the top B2B platform, the evolution of digital recruiting, and how recruiters can leverage modern tools to build meaningful relationships and scale their agencies effectively. 

No matter where you are in your recruiting journey, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving talent industry. Clark offers valuable insights on leveraging LinkedIn, building meaningful connections, and creating a systemized digital approach that drives real results. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding from a true industry expert and discover actionable insights to drive your staffing strategy forward.

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Follow Clark on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Clark Wilcox

Check out The Digital Recruiter Website here

Listen to The Digital Recruiter Podcast here

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