When it comes to finding and engaging talent, staffing (temporary staffing along with place and search) are just one part of a larger “ecosystem” of workforce solutions identified by Staffing Industry Analysts in a report last year.

Other parts of the ecosystem include talent acquisition technology, contracting/consulting, process outsourcing, payrolling/compliance and other workforce solutions.

Staffing Industry Analysts in 2015 created and introduced the Workforce Solutions Ecosystem, a complex web of third-party workforce solution providers. At the center of the ecosystem, Staffing Industry Analysts positioned the staffing industry along with five other complementary segments: Talent acquisition technology, process outsourcing, payrolling/compliance, contracting/SOW consulting, and other workforce solutions such as outplacement and training. These complementary services lines in the ecosystem provide opportunities for staffing firms to expand outside their core staffing expertise.

Some firms perceive that bundling these various service categories within the ecosystem is quite natural while others will view them as uncomplementary or non-core, said John Nurthen, executive director, global research at Staffing Industry Analysts.

Service categories notwithstanding, “The staffing industry is fluid and constantly evolving, especially when you take into account new global business models,” said Subadhra Sriram, editor and publisher, media products, at Staffing Industry Analysts.

Sriram will lead a panel called, “Exploring New Opportunities in the Wider Workforce Solutions Ecosystem,” on Feb. 23 at the Staffing Industry Executive Forum in Phoenix.

“This session leverages the varied expertise the panelists bring to the table, to help people understand how to take some of these hot prospects off the ground in a practical fashion,” Sriram said.

Panelists will include:

• Mahfuz Ahmed, CEO, DISYS LLC
• Allie Ben-Shlomo, EVP/COO, PRO Unlimited
• Brian Hoffmeyer, VP, Product Marketing, IQNavigator
• John Younger, Founder & Chairman, Accolo