Economy better-ish. AI everywhere. Be smart...grow faster.

Okay, there you go. There's my one sentence recap of this year's Staffing Industry Analysts Executive Forum.

But one line...one SMART IDEA...or even one webinar doesn't do justice to the incredible experience that is the Exec Forum.

One webinar may not be enough, but you can watch our recap webinar on demand!

10 quick lessons and takeaways

Each week in our SMART IDEAS newsletter, we try to cover one concept or topic in a fair amount of detail...although I apologize that some of these have gotten a bit lengthy.

Today, we're going to do something different. I am going to give you a list of one-liners -- ideas our team took home from the Exec Forum that will (hopefully) inspire you to drive improvements into your business.

Are you ready?

Lesson 1: AI is more than "nice to have"

As I wrote last week, there were 23 AI vendors in the Exhibit Hall. 23! Everyone I spoke with was implementing or at least experimenting with AI. Love it or hate it, AI is becoming core to recruiting and back-office operations. Sales, you're next!

Lesson 2: Buyer beware

With 23 vendors, it was hard to tell one from the next. Of the 15+ recruiting agent products, I will guess that 10 or more will be gone by next year. So, if you're searching for the right AI tools, make sure they are supported by the right AI vendors.

Lesson 3: We're growing again...yay!

Fantastic to see SIA forecasting positive growth across almost all sectors for 2026. While the overall growth rate is just 2%, that's the best we've seen in years. But growth won't come to everyone. Succeeding this year will require better approaches to sales, marketing, and fulfillment.

Lesson 4: When it comes to AI, everyone feels behind

AI is changing so rapidly that, unless you're an AI researcher working at one of the labs, you're behind. But that's okay, everyone else is behind too. You don't have to get ahead to succeed. You just have to find ways to incorporate AI into your business to improve performance.

Lesson 5: Change is everywhere

Clients' needs and expectations are evolving, and the industry must evolve with it if we are going to stay relevant. For some that will mean changes in operations, for others it will mean moving into new lines of business.

Lesson 6: From staffing to solutions

Many of the fastest growing staffing companies have expanded from contingent staffing and direct hire to providing SOW and project solutions. By moving up the food chain, they are differentiating their services, creating new opportunities, and increasing margins.

Lesson 7: To accomplish big goals, be EPIC

Kudos to Jeff Bowling who shared an inspiring story about growing his business from $77M to $100M in one year through a combination of thinking big, creating a unifying challenge and theme, implementing bottom-up budgeting, getting everyone involved in making results happen, and creating a systematic approach to accountability.

Watch the recorded video for more on this one. It was truly EPIC!

Lesson 8: Tomorrow's winners will be transformational, not transactional

Clients are frustrated with vendors who throw bodies at problems. They want partners who reduce friction, bring insights and data, and align with business outcomes. The lesson? Move from order taker to strategic advisor.

Lesson 9: Speed and AI will define the next era in staffing

AI is not just technology, it's digital labor. The companies that are already winning are increasing productivity with fewer resources and redesigning roles from doers to orchestrators.

Lesson 10: You can't go to Austin without eating at Terry Blacks

Keeping Austin weird, Terry Blacks is a Michelin restaurant where you can eat at picnic tables with paper plates and plastic cutlery. But oh, it was soooo good!

Bonus lesson

At industry events, often the best lessons are not learned in the keynotes or breakout rooms. They're learned through interaction with friends and colleagues over breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and even the late-night bar scene.

While AI may be transforming how we work...and even how we think, it can't replace the human experience gained from events like the SIA Executive Forum.

Whether it's next year's Exec Forum, this fall's Staffing World, your local state events, or owner groups like TempNet and ASGroup, get out and get involved with your peers.

There are so many lessons to learn!