The staffing industry reached an estimated $140.7 billion in revenue in 2017 — nearly double 20 years ago — and the penetration rate is rising, SIA President Barry Asin said in a keynote today at the North America Executive Forum in Miami Beach, Fla. But what’s next?

“What got us here to a great spot will not necessarily get us to a great spot in the future,” Asin said.

The keys to success today, he said, are the good economic environment and timeless business disciplines such as those exhibited by top-performing staffing firms: commitment, direction, culture, talent development and execution.

What will get the industry to success in the future includes:

• Timeless leadership disciplines
• Anticipating client challenges
• Disrupt or be disrupted mentality
• Learning to love technology
• Visionary solutions
• Supportive business/legal environment

New technologies such as artificial intelligence, for example, will affect how staffing firms source, screen and match candidates. AI will also impact how firms predict which candidate will perform in specific jobs.

There are also changes afoot as the big three staffing firms — The Adecco Group, Randstad and ManpowerGroup — have fewer branch offices, but more revenue.

“Are we about branches and recruiting or connecting people to work?” Asin asked.

How staffing firms answer this question will determine their success, he said. Asin also examined the impact of online staffing. Large buyers of staffing appear to be adopting online staffing more slowly than VMSs; however, Asin said he sees more of a “convergence” than a disruption. Many traditional staffing firms are starting online staffing business lines while online staffing firms are adding personnel such as recruiters for enterprise customers — such positions are typically associated with traditional staffing firms.

“A combination of technology and a good business environment is the key to the future,” Asin said.

The Executive Forum North America began Monday with a welcome reception and continues through Thursday. Other events included recognizing members of the Staffing 100 list of most influential people in staffing and the Latin America Staffing 25 list of most influential people in the Latin American markets.