Unveiling Staff Augmentation and Relationship-Centric Recruitment in Learning and Development (L&D)
Meet Ann Cathers, the proactive Recruiting Manager at SweetRush, who has carved a niche within the Learning and Development (L&D) and recruiting sectors. Following a brief period devoted to motherhood, Ann seamlessly integrated her dual passions by stepping into the realm of L&D recruitment. She finds fulfillment in a career that resonates with her core values—fostering connection, compassion, and empowering others through career guidance. Ann humorously states, “I get paid to have conversations all day!” She treasures her interactions with top-tier talent from around the globe, believing that recruitment should be about crafting authentic relationships rather than mere transactional placements. “The goal is to find the right match at the right moment, rather than forcing fit,” Ann emphasizes.
Having dedicated eight years to SweetRush, Ann supervises a stellar team of four Talent Solutions Consultants. She relishes the challenge of identifying exceptional opportunities for remarkable candidates. Recent highlights of her work include successfully staffing a managed services engagement for an autonomous vehicle company (over 40 hires) and assembling four distinct learning teams (50+ hires) for a burgeoning EdTech client in record time.
In this Q&A session, Ann elaborates on the significance of relationship-based recruiting and addresses the growing role of AI in talent acquisition.
Can you elaborate on relationship-based recruiting and its significance, especially in L&D?
Many years ago, I recognized that my approach to recruiting is deeply rooted in building meaningful relationships rather than simply making transactions. When you genuinely care for individuals and cultivate long-lasting relationships, you enhance your success. This philosophy aligns with both my personal values and SweetRush’s culture. I refuse to fit a candidate into a role simply for the sake of filling a position; it’s about identifying the right opportunity that resonates with their career path.
Considering the L&D sector is relatively small, I’ve developed a robust network of Learning Experience Designers (LXDs), Learning Consultants, and Training Project Managers. This focus on relationship-based recruiting allows my team to fill roles swiftly—sometimes within a single day.
Additionally, many of the professionals in our network frequently send referrals our way. They trust us, recognizing our commitment to care and mutual respect as well as positive candidate experiences.
Amidst the buzz around AI, what role does it play in talent solutions? Are recruitment jobs at risk?
My team and I wholeheartedly embrace AI, utilizing it to streamline repetitive tasks and administrative duties, allowing us to concentrate on the crucial human aspects of recruitment. We don’t rely on AI for candidate screenings—human interaction remains paramount at SweetRush. AI aids us in drafting job descriptions and formulating interview questions, enhancing our efficiency. However, we rigorously review and adjust AI outputs, fostering a collaborative human-AI synergy. The potential of AI is vast, from analyzing recruitment metrics to crafting effective strategies.
While some may feel threatened by AI, I view it as an invaluable tool, not a replacement. My team shares this mindset, supporting each other as we explore various AI tools, which can initially seem daunting. However, as we recognize how they revolutionize efficiency, the transformation is undeniable. Experimenting with AI can unveil amazing capabilities—start small, delve into webinars, and see where it leads you!
What are common misconceptions regarding staff augmentation, and how can it benefit organizations?
A widespread misconception is that staff augmentation is prohibitively expensive and that onboarding consultants takes too long. Organizations often overlook the hidden costs associated with hiring full-time employees, such as benefits, which can add around 30% to the salary.
In future discussions, I’ll showcase a successful engagement proving that these assumptions can be misleading, with impressive ROI outcomes and significant improvements in learner performance. Ultimately, our expertise lies in recruiting top-tier L&D professionals who can seamlessly adapt and respond to organizational needs.
What is one of your most remarkable managed services success stories?
One of my standout achievements involved collaborating with our autonomous vehicle client to significantly enhance their L&D team’s capacity and innovation. Tasked with ambitious training goals, the client sought to bolster their existing team of 23 Instructional Designers (IDs) with 40 SweetRush IDs, effectively tripling their capabilities overnight. This strategic partnership allowed them to cope with increased workloads and evolving business demands.
The cornerstone of this success was a strategic talent matching process, ensuring skill gaps were addressed while taking cultural fit into account. SweetRush was dedicated to knowledge transfer and mentorship, leading to significant skill upgrades within the client’s team. The former Head of Operational Training noted that her IDs began to flourish as they finally experienced “what good looks like” in Instructional Design.
Daily communication and consistent collaboration fostered a strong connection between SweetRush candidates and the in-house team, culminating in an L&D on-site event that enabled brainstorming and sharing best practices, ultimately increasing operational efficiency.
This collaboration yielded remarkable results, including a 155% ROI for one learning program, which utilized innovative story-driven modules and collaboration-focused team activities. Our coaching-led onboarding accelerated competency achievement, drastically reducing classroom time by over 50%. Additionally, collaborative programs developed with the client led to a stunning 140% uplift in learner performance.
This engagement exemplifies how combining specialized skills, enhanced capacity, and a cooperative environment through staff augmentation catalyzes innovation and exceptional results in L&D.
What qualities do you seek in L&D candidates, and which roles does SweetRush prioritize?
We focus heavily on hiring freelance Learning Experience Designers and senior LXDs. Given the industry’s current technological evolution, it’s essential that LXDs possess AI experience. Candidates should ideally have specific AI certifications or demonstrate their use of AI tools to enhance efficiency.
Moreover, it raises red flags when LXD applicants lack an online portfolio. Sometimes clients require individuals proficient in LXD skills, along with a solid grasp of eLearning development and multimedia authoring tools. For these cases, we are searching for candidates who can craft visually engaging learning content while ensuring instructional soundness.
Any ongoing projects or initiatives readers should be aware of?
I’d like to highlight two significant aspects of SweetRush. First, we are a comprehensive Learning and Performance strategic partner, committed to transforming how organizations and individuals achieve their objectives. We provide customized learning solutions, including staff augmentation and managed services, by assembling a highly skilled and consultative talent pool to strengthen client relationships and deliver exceptional results. Whether you seek an effective end-to-end learning strategy or a dedicated performance consultant, we are your trusted ally in navigating the future of work.
Secondly, we have a dedicated team of AI consultants ready to assist our clients with aspects of AI governance, data analysis, development, and the integration of AI in learning design. We’re actively guiding organizations as they explore new AI opportunities, ensuring safe, proactive adoption.
Conclusion
A heartfelt thanks to Ann Cathers for sharing her valuable insights. For those interested in learning more about SweetRush’s staff augmentation services, explore their talent solutions for popular placements and additional information. Congratulations are also in order for SweetRush, recognized as the No. 1 provider for top eLearning staff augmentation services by eLearning Industry this year!
