In this eye-opening episode of Highly Adaptive, Jeff Pelliccio and Erin MacKenzie welcome Eric Gregg, founder of ClearlyRated and the driving force behind Best of Staffing, to tackle a paradox that’s plaguing the industry: why firms with identical strategies, tech stacks, and training can deliver wildly different client experiences from office to office.
Drawing from over two decades of measuring what actually matters in staffing, Eric reveals a startling truth—over half of all quits and fires happen within the first week, with more than half of those occurring on the first day. Yet most firms spend 80% of their time on strategy and only 20% on execution, missing the most critical mile of success.
The conversation dives deep into why staffing faces exponential variability compared to other industries (hint: it’s not just about people being different) and why excellence in execution isn’t about eliminating variance—it’s about focusing on key moments of truth. From Eric’s Galapagos diving adventures with hammerhead sharks to his sister’s profound parenting advice, this episode weaves together powerful insights about never stopping trying, whether you’re 50 feet underwater or leading a staffing firm.
Co-hosting his ASA Staffing World session with Erica Woods from Apex Systems, Eric shares how the best firms create feedback loops between strategy and field execution, turning frontline insights into competitive advantages without overcomplicating the process.
Key Takeaways
First Day = Make or Break – Over half of quits/fires happen in week one, with half of those on day one—focus here changes everything
80/20 Rule is Backwards – Most firms spend 80% on strategy, 20% on execution; winners flip this ratio
KBI Before KPI – Key Business Inputs (responsiveness, first-day contact) drive Key Performance Indicators, not vice versa
Lifetime Value Mindset – Rehires cost less across the board yet recruiters get paid the same—misaligned incentives kill excellence
Problem Solvers > Problem Identifiers – Change makers who bring solutions, not just complaints, have outsized impact
Never Stop Trying – Eric’s sister’s observation: good leaders (like good parents) lead differently but share one trait—persistence
Sponsors
Allied Insight – The Preferred Marketing Partner of Staffing and Consulting Businesses
Excellence in execution starts with marketing that delivers. Allied Insight helps staffing leaders create consistent, remarkable experiences from first touch to final placement.
All Things Staffing – Expert Resources for the Staffing Community
Your hub for insights that turn strategy into execution. All Things Staffing provides the frameworks and accountability tools that help leaders deliver excellence at scale.
