In this episode of The Full Desk Experience’s Industry Spotlight, Chris Hesson joins Kortney Harmon to cut through the AI hype and reveal how recruiters are truly reshaping their day-to-day processes. Chris brings years of experience working with hundreds of recruiting teams, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is streamlining workflows, surfacing new insights, and freeing recruiters to focus on the one thing AI can’t replace: relationships.

Key insights you can’t miss:

• How AI is helping recruiters move from fragmented, “spray and pray” sourcing to structured, targeted outreach
• Real numbers on time savings—up to 11 hours a week— and what top firms are doing with that extra capacity
• The evolving role of operations leaders in aligning tech, data, and process for sustainable success
• Why relationships remain the differentiator, and how AI can strengthen—not weaken—the human touch

Is your team chasing every new AI tool without a clear process? Are you saving time but not reinvesting it in the conversations and relationships that drive revenue?

Press play now to hear Chris’s proven insights and discover how to future-proof your recruiting desk in the AI era.

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Welcome back to another episode of The Full Desk Experience! In this Industry Spotlight, host Kortney Harmon sits down with Lauren Jednat to unravel the true impact of AI sourcing agents on the recruiting world.

With tales from the trenches and insights from daily conversations with recruiting leaders, Lauren and Kortney dive deep into how AI is augmenting—not replacing—the human touch in staffing. From slashing hiring costs and boosting efficiency to shifting recruiter roles from repetitive sourcing to building strategic relationships, you’ll hear how the old ways of recruiting aren’t keeping up and why embracing AI is now essential for staying competitive.

Whether you’re curious about AI’s ROI or worried about falling behind, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples to help you rethink your approach for 2025 and beyond. Don’t miss out on this timely discussion about the future of recruitment technology and the steps you can take right now to modernize your desk.
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Step confidently into the post-AI era with this episode of The Full Desk Experience. Join CEO Aaron Elder and host Kortney Harmon as they uncover how AI is not just changing, but fundamentally reinventing, the rules of recruiting—transforming processes, expectations, and business models in real time.

Key Insights:

Discover why every search firm’s true competitive edge is their proprietary data and the conversations they own—not just access to the latest AI tools.

Learn how AI agents are reshaping sourcing, business development, and operational efficiency, enabling firms to outpace change by deploying narrowly-focused, high-impact agents across the talent lifecycle.

Explore strategies for moving beyond the outdated “KPI hamster wheel” and how leaders should refocus on solving future-forward, strategic client problems.

Hear candid advice on balancing automation with human expertise—and why blindly trusting AI outputs can lead to costly missteps.

Unresolved questions that spark reflection:
As AI becomes ubiquitous, what truly differentiates your firm’s client value proposition?
With rapid AI evolution, are you thinking far enough ahead—beyond today’s inputs to tomorrow’s outcomes?

Ready to future-proof your executive search firm? Tune in now to catch the strategies, pitfalls, and opportunities redefining the industry.
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In this FDE Express episode, we’re having a direct, no-nonsense conversation about where recruiting teams really stand in the “post-AI era.” With AI moving from buzzword to business essential, there’s a growing divide between firms still debating AI and those already reaping huge efficiency gains.

Kortney will break down what the post-AI era actually means for your talent business, reveal some eye-opening stats about AI adoption in recruiting, and help you spot the warning signs if your team is falling behind. I’ll also walk you through a clear roadmap to help your business catch up—fast! If you’re ready to stop debating and start implementing, this episode is the wake-up call you can’t afford to miss. Let’s get started!

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Step into the future of recruiting with this episode. Whether you're a recruiting leader, firm owner, or decision-maker, this episode is for those who are determined to keep their firms thriving in a rapidly changing, AI-driven landscape. Host Kortney Harmon cuts through the noise to reveal why clinging to yesterday’s metrics and technology isn’t just outdated—it could spell extinction for your business.

Key Insights:
- Discover why traditional KPIs (like call and submission counts) no longer drive success, and may actually hinder your firm’s growth.
- Learn how “living platforms” that continuously evolve with AI are separating thriving search firms from those falling behind.
- Recognize the warning signs your operations are stuck on the KPI hamster wheel—and what to do about it before your competitors outpace you.
- Find out the essential steps to transform your metrics and recruiting workflows for the AI era.
- Understand why redefining the recruiter’s role is critical for long-term relevance and client impact.

Can your current tech stack evolve on its own, or is it dragging your firm into irrelevance? Are you measuring what matters—or just what’s easy?

Listen now to uncover the strategies that will keep your executive search firm ahead of the curve. Don’t get left behind—the future isn’t just coming, it’s here.
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Get ready to reimagine the future of strategic recruiting. In this pivotal episode of The Full Desk Experience, Crelate CEO Aaron Elder joins host Kortney Harmon to share cutting-edge strategies for thriving in the rapidly evolving, post-AI era—essential listening for owners, directors, and executive-level leaders.

Key insights you can’t miss:
-The Post-AI Paradigm: Why AI is already as essential as electricity, and what “post-AI” really means for search firms’ competitiveness and client expectations.
-Redefining Value: How winning firms use targeted, specialized AI agents—not hype—to create lasting value and deeper client relationships.
-From Boxed Data to Living Platforms: The shift from static CRM systems to dynamic, evolving platforms that continuously deliver new insights and productivity.
-Human + Machine Synergy: In high-trust fields like executive search, where does AI support human expertise, and when is the “human touch” irreplaceable?
-Operational Transformation: From outbounding to back-office, every business process is up for reinvention.

Do you know if the roles you fill today will even exist in two years? How will your team adapt as AI and automation accelerate client demands—and shift the very nature of work?

Hit play to hear how leading firms are pivoting now—and what you should be asking to stay ahead.
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Ready to take your executive search firm to the next level? In this can't-miss Industry Spotlight episode, host Kortney Harmon sits down with powerhouse Brent Orsuga—founder of Pinnacle Growth Advisors—to unpack the bold strategies and mindsets driving exceptional results in executive search.

Key takeaways for executive search leaders:

- From Recruiter to Trusted Advisor: Brent breaks down the difference between being an "influencer" and a true person of influence, sharing how to create real marketplace value and foster deeper client trust.

- High-Performing Team Dynamics: Learn Brent's approach to metrics, accountability, and building teams that consistently deliver quality over quantity—moving beyond outdated call times to results-driven presentations.

- Bullseye Hiring in 2025: Discover how elite firms are helping clients "upgrade" their talent rosters, and why being a specialist (not a generalist) is critical in today's market.

- The Power of Pipeline Control: Brent reveals why having more top-caliber candidates than you think you need—and detaching from individual outcomes—leads to long-term, sustainable success.

Is your brand positioning you as a partner or just another vendor? Are you relying on AI as a shortcut—or mastering the human elements tech can never replace?

Listen now to get actionable insights and rethink what it takes to win big in executive search!

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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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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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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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