Will Hayes

COO, IDR

Will Hayes, COO of IDR and 16-year veteran of the staffing industry, is a visionary
leader in the space, renowned for his strategic approach and forward-thinking initiatives. With a focus on driving value through innovation, Hayes has led IDR’s transformation through the strategic implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation technologies.

In 2023, Hayes spearheaded a pivotal centralization and digitization initiative, revolutionizing IDR’s core technology infrastructure. Building on this success, he further advanced IDR’s technological capabilities by delving into AI and Automation technologies, positioning IDR as a trailblazer in the field.

Under Hayes’ guidance, IDR has achieved remarkable growth in the IT Staffing sector, surpassing industry benchmarks with double-digit margins. His strategic use of technology has optimized resource utilization, leading to significant improvements in net income and gross profits.

Recognized as a thought leader, Hayes is sought after for his insights and expertise, contributing to webinars, industry panels, and media outlets like the Wall Street Journal, Staffing Industry Analysts, and other organizations.

Speaker Sessions

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM

Beyond the hype: How to build an AI strategy that adds value in 2024

Harbor 2&3 Ballroom

Artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm in recent months, catapulted by the release of generative AI platforms like ChatGPT. But it’s no longer just a buzzword or fad; it’s here to stay, and staffing firms need to prepare their teams, business, and tech stack to get the most out of AI.

But what does preparing for AI actually mean, and where should you start? How should you leverage things like automation and reporting to prepare your entire organization for AI? How can your team move beyond the hype and start to see AI as something that can really make a difference? 

We’ll break it all down in this informative and actionable breakout session, highlighting the steps you can take right now to set your business up for long-term AI success. 

In this session, you’ll see:

  • Steps you can take to prepare your internal systems for AI, starting with data hygiene
  • Examples of how other staffing firms handled change management on the path to AI
  • Best practices for setting policies for AI governance, risk management, and adoption
  • Use cases for applying AI technology directly into your staffing workflows

The session is most relevant for:

  • Industry: Healthcare, Light Industrial, Professional
  • Platform: Bullhorn (native), Bullhorn for Salesforce
  • Role: C-Suite leaders, managers