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Recruitment Challenges: Overcoming Talent Shortages, Rising Costs, and Evolving Expectations

by Veronica Blatt

image of a professional man holding a cell phone in a modern office environmentToday’s guest blogger is Tim Lane founder and director of Park Lane Recruitment based near Manchester UK. Park Lane Recruitment is a specialist recruiting firm in the technology space with niche areas of cybersecurity, fintech, space and defense IT, as well as generic IT sales, tech and managerial. Tim is currently serving as secretary/treasurer on the NPAworldwide board of directors and is a 30+ year veteran of the recruiting industry. In the post below, Tim shares his thoughts on recruitment challenges including talent shortages, salary and budget, compliance issues and more.

If you think hiring is just about posting a job ad and waiting for the perfect candidate to waltz in, think again. Companies in the UK and USA are discovering that recruitment is more like speed dating—awkward, unpredictable, and full of surprises. Read the rest of this entry »

Succession in Motion: Planning the Future in Family-Owned Business

by Veronica Blatt

Professional man and woman shaking hands in a modern officeToday’s guest blogger is Bill Benson with WilliamCharles Search Group located in Grand Rapids, MI and Pittsburgh, PA. WilliamCharles is an executive search and professional recruiting firm specialized in finding managerial and executive talent in finance, HR, operations, sales/marketing as well as president/CEO roles. They have a concentration of clients in Michigan, but they also work across the US. Bill is a former chair of the NPAworldwide board of directors. Read Bill’s advice below on succession planning in family-owned businesses.

As we enter 2026, one of the most pressing and often most complex leadership challenges facing family-owned businesses is succession planning. It’s not just about titles and timelines. It’s about legacy, identity, readiness, and relationships.

With millions of baby boomers preparing to retire over the next few years, many of whom hold senior roles in privately held and family-run enterprises, the pressure is building. These transitions are inevitable. The challenge is to approach them with clarity, structure, and care, setting your company up for many more years of success.

Let’s take a closer look at the unique succession dynamics in multi-generational family businesses and how to navigate them with confidence and integrity. Read the rest of this entry »

Ontario’s New Job Posting Requirements (Effective January 1, 2026)

by Veronica Blatt

Our guest blogger is Stefanie Howse, principal of IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. IN DEMAND is a boutique, quality-driven firm providing highly personalized recruitment services to clients across Canada, the United States, and internationally since 2001. The firm specializes in professional, technical, and executive placements across multiple industries. Stefanie is a multi-award-winning recruiter—Top Recruiter Canada 2019 and 2022, Top Recruiter North America 2024—and has served as Area Leader for Canada within NPAworldwide since 2015. Today she addresses the new job posting requirements that have gone into effect in Ontario (Canada).

Here’s a comprehensive, practical overview of the new publicly advertised job posting requirements in Ontario (and how they compare with broader Canadian trends) — including what employers must do, what the rules mean for hiring, and why they matter.

Ontario is introducing significant new job posting obligations under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) (as amended by the Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 and related regulations). These apply to publicly advertised job postings — meaning external ads visible to the general public. (Business Law firm | Stikeman Elliott) Read the rest of this entry »

Hiring in 2026: Balancing Cost, Capability, and Culture

by Veronica Blatt

Image of dark-haired man with glasses and gray sport coat, drinking coffee and reading a business reportToday’s guest blogger is Bill Benson with WilliamCharles Search Group located in Grand Rapids, MI and Pittsburgh, PA. WilliamCharles is an executive search and professional recruiting firm specialized in finding managerial and executive talent in finance, HR, operations, sales/marketing as well as president/CEO roles. They have a concentration of clients in Michigan, but they also work across the US. Bill is a former chair of the NPAworldwide board of directors. Bill’s post discusses strategic hiring plans for the next year.

As we approach 2026, hiring leaders are facing more complexity than ever before. Talent shortages persist in critical functions. Salary expectations remain high. Skill needs are evolving and cultural alignment, once viewed as a “nice to have,” is now a top priority.

For executives and HR leaders in mid-sized and family-owned businesses, hiring decisions are no longer just transactional; they are strategic inflection points. Read the rest of this entry »

Why True Recruiter-Client Partnerships Drive the Best Hiring Outcomes

by Veronica Blatt

Today’s guest blogger is Phil Chappel with P. Chappel Associates, a professional recruiting firm based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Specializing in engineering, management, sales, marketing, and support in the technology space, P. Chappel Associates was established in 1996. Clients are located throughout the United States, with concentration on the east and west coasts. Several clients are expanding worldwide. Phil is currently serving on the NPAworldwide Board of Directors. He shares his secret to success in recruitment below.

Finding and securing top performers requires more than simply posting a job and reviewing resumes. The most successful hiring outcomes happen when a recruiter and client company establish a true partnership—one built on collaboration, transparency, and shared goals. Read the rest of this entry »

An Effective Internship Program Can Build Your Talent Pipeline

by Veronica Blatt

As a hiring manager, you’re constantly seeking innovative ways to strengthen your recruitment pipeline while managing costs and reducing time-to-hire. Have you considered how an internship program could transform your approach to talent acquisition?

The answer lies in building relationships with potential employees before you need them. Smart companies are leveraging structured internship programs to create a steady stream of qualified candidates who already understand their culture, processes, and expectations. Read the rest of this entry »

Thinking About Hiring In-House Recruiters? Maybe You Should Reconsider.

by Veronica Blatt

Hiring in-house recruiters might seem like the logical choice for controlling costs. After all, third-party recruiters often charge 20–30% of a successful hire’s salary, making their fees appear significant. However, there are plenty of scenarios where outsourcing your recruitment efforts is not only more cost-effective but also more efficient.

Here’s a closer look at when hiring in-house recruiters might not be the best strategy and why partnering with a recruitment agency can give you an edge. Read the rest of this entry »

You Hired The Best – 9 Ways to Keep Top Performers Growing

by Veronica Blatt

Today’s guest bloggers are Bill Benson and Jeff McGraw with WilliamCharles Search Group located in Grand Rapids, MI and Pittsburgh, PA. WilliamCharles is an executive search and professional recruiting firm specialized in finding managerial and executive talent in finance, HR, operations, sales/marketing as well as president/CEO roles. They have a concentration of clients in Michigan, but they also work across the US. Bill and Jeff are both former chairs of the NPAworldwide board of directors. Read the post below for some tips on managing and developing top performers.

Fantastic, you have hired a series of “A” players! Now…how do you motivate, engage and develop those individuals so they thrive and do their best work?  It is critical to hire right, but it is just as important to unlock their potential.  Is your organization designed for top or average performers? Here are nine strategies to maximize performance of your top-level talent. Read the rest of this entry »

Recruitment vs. Talent Acquisition: A Perspective After 25 Years in the Industry

by Veronica Blatt

Today’s guest blogger is Parvathy Krishnan of Cucumber Consultants in Hyderabad, India. Cucumber Consultants has core expertise in executive recruitment, with a focus on placing C-suite executives such as CFOs and other senior leadership roles across diverse industries. Parvathy is currently serving on the NPAworldwide Board of Directors. Here, she discusses the key differences between recruitment and talent acquisition.

Come September 2025, my firm turns 25 :-). Silver Anniversaries do something to one. I’ve found myself reflecting on how much the recruitment landscape has evolved and how some things are still misunderstood.

As we all know, terminologies have changed over the years, and many new ones have come into usage. Some words/ideas have been used interchangeably so much so that the real meaning is often not realised! Read the rest of this entry »

The Importance of Succession Planning in Leadership Roles

by Veronica Blatt

Leadership transitions are inevitable in any organization, whether due to retirement, sudden departures, or planned career moves. For small-to-medium businesses, these transitions can have an outsized impact, potentially disrupting operations, employee morale, and long-term business goals. Succession planning is a proactive strategy to ensure a smooth leadership transition, minimize risks, and maintain stability.

For growing businesses, succession planning isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Here’s why it matters and how your company can effectively prepare for future leadership changes. Read the rest of this entry »

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