Tiara Talent Solutions Awards Winners

TIARA TALENT SOLUTIONS AWARDS

SHOWCASING THE WINNERS

Celebrating excellence and exploring the future of Talent Solutions

The city of Atlanta, GA recently played host to a remarkable event that marked a significant milestone for the TALiNT Partners team—their inaugural in-person US Talent Solutions conference and TIARA Awards. This eagerly anticipated gathering brought together 150 influential leaders from the talent solutions world, who converged to share insights, tackle challenges, and honor exceptional achievements. Held at the breathtaking Georgia Aquarium, attendees were treated not only to engaging discussions but also had the unique privilege of mingling with some rather extraordinary guests: a family of beluga whales who gracefully stole the limelight.

FROM VISIONARIES TO MARKETPLACES

The day included a series of captivating keynote speeches by esteemed talent leaders, including representatives from Coca Cola and Signature Aviation. These luminaries delivered invaluable insights, enlightening the audience on the intricacies of creating a strategic vision and building internal talent marketplaces. One particularly memorable aspect discussed was by Taressa Diaz, Coca Cola’s Global Director, Talent Innovation and Careers was their visionary approach to fostering employability rather than simply focusing on tenure. Emphasizing the importance of talent velocity as a key metric, the Taressa underscored the significance of multi-directional growth and the value of roles that provide enrichment, not just those that propel individuals upward in the organizational hierarchy.

For recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) professionals, the conference stressed the need to work with clients in establishing marketplaces that enable seamless internal applications, mirroring the ease of external ones. The concept of “total talent” was explored, with an understanding that the move to hiring for skills may well be instrumental in overcoming organizational barriers, albeit with the recognition that this shift will also present its fair share of challenges. Ultimately, the conference echoed a resounding call for clients’ C-suite executives to embrace their roles as true “talent champions.”

THOUGHT-PROVOKING DEBATES

Engaging in lively debates, attendees delved into a variety of topics that sparked insightful

conversations. One notable discussion centered around pay transparency and its impact on diversity and inclusion efforts. While some argued that a single number fails to capture the complexities of compensation, proponents of transparency highlighted its potential to streamline the hiring process by swiftly eliminating candidates who are unwilling to accept the offered salary. The conversation also pondered the role of technology as a “human superpower,” exploring ways to harness its capabilities effectively. Additionally, the topic of diversity data ignited a dialogue, challenging the misconception that diversity and inclusion hiring inherently lengthens the recruitment timeline. The emphasis was on adopting a more holistic approach beyond job titles and time-based considerations, allowing for a more comprehensive evaluation of candidates.

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE AND PAVING THE WAY FORWARD

The TALiNT Partners’ US Talent Solutions conference and TIARA awards transcended expectations, leaving an indelible mark on all those who attended. The event not only showcased outstanding achievements but also fuelled discussions that will undoubtedly shape the future of talent solutions. From exploring the intricacies of cultural intelligence and borderless hiring to championing the creation of internal talent marketplaces, the conference’s insights laid the groundwork for a more inclusive, agile, and progressive workforce. As the participants dispersed, carrying newfound inspiration and knowledge, it became clear that this gathering had supported lots of collaboration, innovation, and excellence in the world of talent solutions.

TIARA TIME!

Amidst the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, the talent solutions market has defied expectations, displaying remarkable resilience and continued growth. Even during the tech market correction, the US market alone generated an impressive five million new jobs in 2022, with no signs of slowing down as we venture further into 2023. In this ever-evolving landscape, talent solutions providers have seized the opportunity presented by their customers’ hesitation to invest in their own recruiting capabilities, offering innovative services and carving their niche in the industry. Furthermore, the competitive landscape is undergoing a transformation, with a multitude of providers challenging the market share of global giants, although the top ten firms still dominate complex, multi-country contracts.

EXCITING TIMES AT TALINT PARTNERS

For TALiNT Partners, the year 2023 has brought unprecedented excitement as we proudly host our US Talent Solutions Awards and an accompanying in-person awards evening at the prestigious Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA. This special event also features a conference where industry leaders gather to discuss and debate the pressing issues facing the sector. Introducing a new format this year, the inclusion of a debate proved to be a resounding success, sparking insightful conversations and inspiring fresh perspectives.

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION

The roster of finalists this year exemplifies the vibrant and dynamic nature of the talent solutions sector, showcasing remarkable levels of innovation and dedication to customer service. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our independent judging panel of HR, talent acquisition, and industry leaders, whose invaluable insights and wisdom contribute to the selection of our deserving category winners. Their detailed feedback ensures that the TIARA awards remain unparalleled in the industry, capturing the essence of excellence in talent solutions.

ACKNOWLEDGING OUR PARTNERS

TALiNT Partners extends its appreciation to our valued sponsors: Beeline, Dasro, IMCS Group, Omni Inclusive, TalentNet, ScoutLogic, TekWissen – and, most notably, our headline sponsor, Cornerstone on Demand. Their unwavering support of our US TIARA Talent Solutions Awards program has been instrumental in its success, enabling us to recognize and honor the accomplishments of businesses in the sector.

THE VITAL ROLE OF TALENT SOLUTIONS

Our finalists have once again demonstrated unequivocally why the talent solutions sector is a cornerstone of employers’ resourcing strategies. The entire TALiNT Partners team takes great pride in playing a part in showcasing these exceptional businesses

and ensuring that they receive the recognition they truly deserve. It is with immense joy that we crowned the worthy winners at our event on June 8th, creating a memorable celebration of their achievements.

The talent solutions market continues to thrive and evolve, adapting to the demands of a rapidly changing world. As we look towards the future, we are inspired by the resilience, innovation, and dedication displayed by industry leaders. The TALiNT Partners’ US Talent Solutions Awards serve as a testament to the remarkable accomplishments within the sector, setting the stage for even greater achievements and advancements. Together, we are shaping the future of talent solutions and propelling businesses towards success in the dynamic world of resourcing.

With that said, we are delighted to showcase this year’s winners – truly the best of the best in Talent Solutions. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

Ken Brotherston

CEO at TALiNT Partners

These prestigious awards recognise outstanding achievements in sourcing, recruiting, employer branding, DE&I, candidate experience, and more!

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The Lifetime Achievement Award

Sue Marks

Founder of Cielo

As well as her commitment to hard work, Sue also has incredible strategic vision and, from the very beginning, she understood how important technology would be in delivering a scalable service to her clients.

At the heart of Sue’s vision is a desire to create a culture where people can achieve more than they ever thought possible, which is of course, the biggest challenge for anyone looking to build a world class business. But as Sue puts it, getting the soft stuff right delivers hard results.

Power the future ready workforce.

A skills-forward, AI-powered, experiential system built for the new ways we work.

Develop the skills of tomorrow

Connect learning and growth

Optimise business agility

One platform. Limitless potential.

The Cornerstone Best Use of Technology Award

The organization set out to achieve key objectives, including reducing time to fill for full-time and contract roles, increasing hires from known candidates in the client’s legacy systems, improving redeployment rates, and minimizing reliance on third-party suppliers.

Before implementing, High5 observed the client’s challenges and found that contract positions took an average of 30 days to fill, while full-time roles took 55 days. Only 2% of hires came from known candidates, with a redeployment rate of 12%. The organization worked with 56 third-party suppliers, utilizing systems like Workday and Fieldglass.

High5 was integrated into the client’s contingent career site, ATS, and VMS, enhancing visibility into known candidates and contractors without requiring direct user engagement. Talent pools were created based on common hires from the past three years, including known and actively recruited candidates, improving recruiting speed.

Their talent pools and curation teams had an exclusivity period, leveraging AI and matching capabilities to efficiently match requisitions with known and recruited candidates.

After 12 months, time to fill for contract roles decreased to 12 days, full-time roles to approximately 25 days. Hires from known candidates increased to 12%, and redeployment rates reached 25%. Third-party suppliers were reduced to 18.

High5’s innovative approach, integrating seamlessly with existing systems while minimizing user engagement, generated interest among the client’s sponsorship team. Leveraging known talent for full-time and contract positions proved successful, motivating further exploration for future improvements.

Judges’ comments: High5’s entry was recognized by the judges for demonstrating a genuine strategic shift in how to seamlessly deliver a new technology solution to clients that delivers very clear results.

This Award recognizes companies that solve a business issue through the implementation of a unique, new tech solution or who uses existing tech in an innovative way.

The Scoutlogic Client Service Award

In 2022, a major healthcare and retail enterprise faced new hiring demands and established critical goals aimed at better alignment with the candidate-driven hiring landscape characterized by wage growth and a shortage of candidates, particularly in high-skill talent pools. At the same time, new leadership and a focus on improving governance were also critical priorities.

Working closely with the organization, Sevenstep achieved significant outcomes as they continuously adjusted hiring strategies, examined the effectiveness of their TA spend and met critical talent goals. The effort resulted in one third increase in positions filled, including more than 8,000 roles and a twoweek reduction in the hiring cycle.

A focus on governance, operational rigor and technology improvements proved essential in achieving results for the organization’s clinical and support roles. Machine learning algorithms categorized requisitions, stakeholder engagement was revamped, and recruiters were aligned with specific business areas. The partnership between Sevenstep and the client continues to strengthen as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of 2023.

Judges’ comments: “This was a first-class example of bringing technology, processes and people together to solve a complex problem in a highly competitive market.”

This Award celebrates those winning support and recognition from their clients for clear, dependable, and timely results.

The TalentNet Best New Talent Solutions Provider

Relode is a company recognized for its dedication to building a diverse and high-quality workforce in today’s challenging labor market. With two job openings for every unemployed individual in the U.S., as reported by the Federal Reserve, and workforce participation remaining below pre-pandemic levels, Relode understands the pressing need for a diverse team.

To address these challenges, Relode combines advanced technology with the personalized approach of a boutique staffing firm. Their proprietary technology connects employers with a growing network of over 4,000 specialized and diverse recruiters, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to match candidates to requisitions. This comprehensive approach considers not only skills but also career trajectory, public job data, performance data, and proprietary information, ensuring the delivery of qualified candidates efficiently.

Relode’s platform has experienced substantial growth, with over 28,000 users across the U.S. and a 20% increase in new Relode Recruiters joining since 2021. This diverse team composition enhances their ability to access

untapped candidate pools, supporting clients’ hiring goals and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI&B) initiatives.

Results from a recent demographics survey demonstrate Relode’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, with 66% of recruiters being female and 55% identifying as Black, Hispanic, Latinx, Latino, Asian, or Mixed. Additionally, 68% of recruiters are over the age of 35, and 62% specialize in recruiting candidates from marginalized groups.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and intense market competition, Relode has achieved remarkable results. They deliver one hire for every four candidates submitted and one hire for every two interviews, showcasing their commitment to excellence. Despite a shift in revenue mix, Relode has maintained a 19% compound annual growth rate since 2019, with accelerated growth projected in Q3 of 2023.

Judges’ comments: Judges loved the concept of combining the power of technology with the advantages of a boutique staffing firm which can also deliver more diverse candidates.

This Award recognises either new divisions of larger corporates or standalone mid-market providers who have entered the market within the last five years.

The Dasro Best Talent Attraction Strategy Award

Wiley Edge’s innovative Hire-Train-Deploy (HTD) approach addresses this issue by helping companies attract and retain top talent in technology, business, healthcare, financial services, and banking.

Unlike traditional hiring practices, Wiley Edge’s HTD model focuses on skills rather than academic pedigree. By bridging the gap between education and careers, Wiley Edge recruits graduates from diverse backgrounds, trains them in specialized skillsets required by multinational corporate clients and deploys them to those clients. This approach significantly reduces the time for new entrylevel hires to make an impact, providing organizations with job-ready talent.

The HTD model also promotes diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. It creates pathways for emerging tech professionals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, equipping them with training, tools, and resources for long-term success.

Wiley Edge’s HTD model has garnered recognition in the market, tripling the portfolio of corporate partners since 2020 and quadrupling the number of college graduates trained and placed in multinational corporations. Despite economic challenges, employee placement has experienced doubledigit growth, with over 60% of IT placement candidates globally coming from historically underrepresented populations.

Wiley Edge’s HTD approach drives measurable impact for both clients and alumni. By prioritizing innovation, the company helps trainees succeed and keeps corporate partners competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.

Judges’ comments: Wiley Edge were commended for their results in their hire-traindeploy model to not just improve attraction but also improve engagement and effectiveness.

This Award celebrates the most impactful talent attraction strategy, whether engaging in early career talent, elevating a client’s brand or providing a positive candidate experience.

The Beeline Talent Solutions Innovation of the Year Award

With 28 years of staffing industry expertise and 15+ years collaborating with the global autism/ disability community, providing innovative, collaborative, and safe inclusive hiring solutions through Rangam’s SourceAbled program. Their unique approach grants employers’ access to diverse talent pools, including neurodivergent/ autistic individuals, people with disabilities, transitioning military veterans, and marginalized groups.

As a Disability:IN-certified DOBE, Rangam achieved remarkable results in 2022, with 101 on-site hires and a 9% contract-to-hire conversion rate, surpassing industry benchmarks. They onboarded 24 new global clients, acting as talent suppliers for 14 of them while implementing inclusion training and consulting services for the remaining 10.

Rangam conducted workshops, training over 250 providers worldwide, and provided training

to 2,500+ employers and their employee resource groups (ERGs). For a major pharmaceutical client, they trained 400 hiring managers and 600 employees with a submission-to-interview ratio of 38%.

Rangam’s commitment to innovation led to collaborations with universities like Stanford and UCLA, driving research, recruitment, and technology development opportunities. They designed an enterprise program for a pharmaceutical client, offering an end-to-end talent management solution delivered through a Client Program Portal.

Judges’ comments: This was an absolute stand-out entry in this category, with a compelling and passionate entry that demonstrated true innovation through their SourceAbled program. The metrics and evidence supporting their entry were extremely powerful.

This Award recognises a stand-alone innovation across any aspect of your internal or external processes, enabling you to better meet the needs of your clients and/or retain key employees.

The Omni Inclusive DE&I Award

Acro demonstrates a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion. Within its 2,000 vendor network, approximately 25% of the businesses are owned by women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and small businesses. These suppliers actively participate in Acro’s managed programs across the U.S., providing staffing services for various skill sets. The supplier database includes diverse firms in categories such as Hubzone, Veteran, and 8A Small Businesses, with strategic suppliers capable of serving multiple countries.

Acro understands and supports Supplier Diversity Programs (SDPs), building strong relationships through mutual respect and mentoring. Over 30% of the spending goes to diverse firms. Acro also designs utilization plans and programs as required by client contracts. These efforts have resulted in partnerships with

diverse, small, disadvantaged, woman-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteranowned, HUBZone, 8(a), and other socially/ economically disadvantaged businesses.

The supplier diversity program offers advantages such as mentoring, training, and concrete benefits. Currently, 62% of the total procurement spend is directed to women and minority-owned suppliers.

Acro actively seeks diversity recruitment partners and collaborates with professional associations to attract a diverse talent pool.

Judges’ comments: A great example of living their values in their own business activities with a high ratio of diversity spend with over 25% of suppliers being diverse.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

This Award recognises companies who demonstrate a clear impact against a progressive DE&I agenda.

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S U B S C R I B E

B E L O W

The Early Careers Initiative Award

Wiley Edge tackles the pervasive challenge of talent shortages and skills gaps, especially in technology, banking and business and digital skills. Their Hire-Train-Deploy (HTD) approach helps companies attract and retain top talent across various industries. Unlike traditional methods, their HTD model allows entry-level hires to make an impact within one month, bridging the gap between education and careers.

The market has recognized Wiley Edge’s impact, with tripled corporate partnerships and quadrupled placements of college graduates in multinational corporations since 2020. Despite economic challenges, Wiley Edge has achieved over 60% growth in employee placements compared to the previous year. Notably, 60% of their IT placement candidates globally come from historically underrepresented populations.

The HTD approach complements in-house university programs, providing customized training pathways and addressing talent and

skills gaps in fields such as software development, cybersecurity, AWS, and DevOps, and banking. Wiley Edge Academy’s eExpert instructors at the Wiley Edge Academy teach both technical and soft skills, enabling trainees to stand out and continuously refine their skillsets.

Wiley Edge’s HTD approach widens talent pools and diversifies tech teams by recruiting graduates from various universities, advancing equity and providing opportunities for all qualified candidates. In uncertain economic times, Wiley Edge’s HTD model ensures companies have control and predictability throughout the year, making it resilient and valuable for today’s employers.

Judges’ comments: Wiley Edge clearly lived up to their mission of supporting early talent, and their program demonstrated both high levels of training and multiple successful placements.

This Award recognizes success in engaging with emerging talent, whether through graduate, apprenticeship or other programs.

The TekWissen ESG Initiative of the Year Award

WINNER

In 2022, significant milestones were achieved by Airswift in several key areas.

Environmentally, a global e-waste management policy was implemented in accordance with local regulations. Earth/Climate positivity was achieved through the tree planting program, offsetting CO2 emissions from offices and corporate travel. Measures like the ‘Print/Hold’ initiative and a global agreement with DocuSign reduced paper consumption. Regional e-waste policies were also enforced.

Socially, participation in the Fit2Be Cancer health initiative increased by 20%, and gender balance was achieved with 50% representation of women on the operating board and management team. Diversity, equity, and inclusion were prioritized, providing training for recruitment leaders that yielded valuable insights. The equal opportunities monitoring survey witnessed a 14% increase in responses, reaching 61%. 179 internal promotions and moves were facilitated, ensuring professional growth.

Mental health and well-being were prioritized, with 74% of employees accessing resources for support. Partnerships with Disability Confident and a veteran candidate partner further enhanced inclusion. Additionally, 349 non-confidential positions were advertised internally, and a global flexible-working strategy was implemented.

They boast 62% female representation, exceeding industry standards, along with a workforce of 56 nationalities. Mental health support was enhanced through a team of trained Mental Health First Aiders. In 2022, Airswift’s annual Earth Week event, featuring activities like recycling drives and tree planting, saw employees donate 1,500 hours of their working weeks towards sustainability efforts. Over 38,624 trees were planted through partnerships with Our Forest.

Judges’ comments: Airswift has a well-rounded and wide-ranging ESG strategy with ambitious goals and meaningful outcomes across a number of areas.

This Award recognizes organizations who demonstrate a clear commitment to ESG, creating a positive impact both through their own organization, as well as through their clients.

Connecting the talent ecosystem

We bring together a global network of leading employers and solution providers to enable them to make better talent and technology decisions.

The Best Talent Solutions Firm To Work For

WINNER

Sevenstep fosters an employee-driven culture rooted in fundamental values that enable employees to thrive in their roles. The company emphasizes ownership, encouraging employees to build relationships across all levels, locations, programs, and tenure. Incentives like competitions, spot bonuses, and engaging events motivate teams to exceed production goals.

Opportunity is a top priority at Sevenstep, with a focus on employee wellbeing and growth. The company provides a strong support network through mentorship programs and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). It excels at hiring and training entry-level employees, nurturing their development into senior roles. Approximately half of the senior leadership team began their careers at Sevenstep.

Flexibility is offered through part-time and full-time opportunities, as well as discretionary paid time off (PTO). The FLEX employee option introduced in 2021 supports scalability, while

“Pawternity Leave” demonstrates a commitment to supporting pet care.

Training and development programs empower their teams to innovate. They offer a range of educational courses, including programmatic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) training. In 2022, the company introduced new programs covering topics such as applied neuropsychology, resilience, and trust-building. Over 3,250 employees attended 550 training sessions.

Retention strategies focus on valuable new employees and clients. Enhanced new hire training, engagement tactics, and promotions contribute to employee satisfaction and growth.

Judges’ comments: Sevenstep’s investments in hiring, training & developing their employees are producing powerful results in both retention, and promotions, which in turns enables them to support their expanding client base and the scope of programs they can deliver.

This Award recognizes both enterprise and scale up talent solutions providers who can demonstrate innovation and impact in the attraction, induction, development and retention of their own talent.

The IMCS Group Long-Term Partnership Award

WINNER

A leading US outsourcing company in the government health and human services sector, has built a successful partnership with Guidant Global MSP since 2007. Together, they have collaborated on diverse initiatives, including COVID contact tracing, worker screening, and setting up European headquarters in Ireland. Their joint efforts also led to the development of a rapid-response model for FEMA’s hurricane response program in 2017.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Guidant Global swiftly adapted their services to support state and federal governments. Notably, they played a vital role in efficiently administering unemployment insurance for the California state government, recruiting and onboarding over 5,000 contractors in a short span.

Continuity of dedicated personnel has been a key strength of their partnership, with Jody Wolf serving as Program Director since its inception and Chris Carroll as the consistent program sponsor. Regular meetings ensure effective communication with suppliers, while

FINALISTS

Jody’s active participation in the client’s DE&I team calls demonstrates the shared commitment to inclusivity.

Collaboratively addressing challenges, they have focused on improving retention rates by aligning job descriptions with market equivalents and promoting the employer brand. This approach has enhanced engagement and retention of skilled professionals.

To optimize service delivery and strengthen the partnership, Guidant Global working alongside the company, have restructured their organization. They have dedicated teams for talent delivery and client relations, ensuring a focus on meeting current needs and developing strategies aligned with the client’s objectives.

Judges’ comments: Guidant Global’s entry was an exceptional example of both consistently delivering results for their client whilst not being afraid to confront complex challenges and to pivot when necessary.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

This Award looks for evidence of a genuine partnership of at least five years.

Power the future ready workforce.

A skills-forward, AI-powered, experiential system built for the new ways we work.

Develop the skills of tomorrow

Connect learning and growth

Optimise business agility

One platform. Limitless potential.

The Cornerstone Talent Solutions Provider of the Year

WINNER

Having won in two other categories, the judges felt Sevenstep were able to show how their innovative approaches can consistently drive

better internal engagement with their employees and clear results for their clients, truly a winning combination.