At this year’s ACSESS conference in Montreal, staffing leaders gathered to explore the future of talent, technology, and team performance. From Olympic-level coaching principles to real-world AI implementation advice, one theme rang clear: momentum belongs to the bold.
Here are five insights from the conference worth considering as you chart your organization's next growth phase.
1. Embrace the Chaos — It’s Where Growth Lives
“Don’t just survive in chaos—thrive. Accept the things you can’t change as quickly as possible and make the best of it. Our mindset can determine the outcome we will have.”
— Dominick Gauthier, Opening Keynote: Maximizing Your Potential
In a market full of unpredictability, mindset isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategic lever. The 1998 Olympian and performance expert Dominick Gauthier's keynote reminded us that leadership today is about helping teams adapt quickly, stay focused, and execute with resilience.
2. Niching Isn’t Limiting—It’s a Growth Strategy
“Why put all your eggs in one basket? Because you’ll get 100% of that piece of the pie by niching, versus fighting over a sliver in a saturated market.”
— Julie Labrie, Breakout Session: Why Specialty Will Become Recruitment’s Next ‘It’ Word
Specialization in staffing isn’t just a smart marketing move—it’s a competitive moat. Leaders who invest in building niche expertise gain pricing power, candidate trust, and client loyalty.
3. AI Can’t Replace Insight—Use That to Your Advantage
“Find something that AI can’t do—and focus there.”
— Julie Labrie, Breakout Session: Why Specialty Will Become Recruitment’s Next ‘It’ Word
While automation can handle volume, it still can’t replace human judgment, local insight, or nuanced candidate assessments. The most successful firms will leverage AI to streamline tasks, while leaning harder into uniquely human strengths.
4. Want AI Adoption to Stick? Lead With Transparency
“People typically don’t like what they don’t understand, so it’s best to show them what AI can do rather than tell them. That’s how you create champions.”
— Panel Discussion: A Human Approach to AI in the Workplace
Technology adoption isn’t just about tools—it’s about trust. Andre Couillard, Michael O'Leary, and Alessandra Willsher shared their perspective on how leaders who bring staff into the conversation early and showcase AI's benefits in action build stronger, more adaptable teams.
5. Specialization Creates Momentum
“Specializing helps you land more placements with less effort. When you recruit for one position, you’ll easily be able to recruit for others too.”
— Julie Labrie, Breakout Session: Why Specialty Will Become Recruitment’s Next ‘It’ Word
Focusing your business isn’t narrowing your opportunity—it’s multiplying your effectiveness. With each specialized placement, your network grows stronger, your reputation sharpens, and the next opportunity becomes easier to close.
Final Thought
As the staffing industry faces AI disruption, economic shifts, and evolving talent expectations, the path forward is clear: embrace change, go deep where others stay broad, and keep people—your teams, candidates, and clients—at the center of every strategy.
The firms that do that won’t just survive the next wave. They’ll lead it.
Curious how a streamlined back office has a positive impact across your entire business? Book some time with me for a 1:1 consultation.
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