Unlocking Innovation Via Smart Staffing with Sara Fortier
Thu Sep 04 2025
IN THIS EPISODE...
Sarah Fortier is the CEO of Outwitly Inc. She shares her journey from industrial design to founding Outwitly in 2016, initially as a consulting firm and later focusing on staffing. Fortier emphasizes the importance of proactive contractors, effective onboarding, and maintaining a supportive community through Slack and coaching. She stresses the importance of stakeholder savvy in managing client relationships and the adaptability of blended workforces in response to industry shifts.
Outwitly, Inc. is an eight-figure UX and service design staffing agency. They specialize in helping clients build high-impact teams by placing UX and service designers on long-term contracts.
------------
Full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://BlendedWorkforcesAtWork. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Sara”)
If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to http://RateThisPodcast.com/blended
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Be sure to:
Check out our website at http://BlendedWorkforcesAtWork Follow Karan on LinkedIn, X, and InstagramFollow SDL on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram
ABOUT SHOCKINGLY DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP (SDL):
This podcast is brought to you by Shockingly Different Leadership, the go-to firm companies trust when needing to supplement their in-house HR teams with contract or interim HR, Learning, and Culture experts to assist with business-critical People initiatives during peak periods of work. Visit https://shockinglydifferent.com to learn more.
-------------
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1. Sara’s journey from UX design to building a successful staffing agency.
2. Qualities and mindsets that make external talent thrive in blended workforces.
3. Strategies for helping contractors feel connected and supported, even when remote.
4. Balancing business profitability with contractor well-being and client satisfaction.
5. Tips for effective onboarding and integration of external talent.
6. Advice for organizations considering blended workforces for the first time.
7. What soft skills are most important for success as a contractor?
8. How can companies foster a sense of community among external team members?
------------
FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[2:20] How Sara balances family life and a demanding career
[3:40] Sara’s transition from industrial design to launching a staffing agency.
[6:07] Outwitly’s approach to partnering with organizations to build high-impact teams.
[7:33] Advantages of using contractors for flexibility and business...
More
IN THIS EPISODE... Sarah Fortier is the CEO of Outwitly Inc. She shares her journey from industrial design to founding Outwitly in 2016, initially as a consulting firm and later focusing on staffing. Fortier emphasizes the importance of proactive contractors, effective onboarding, and maintaining a supportive community through Slack and coaching. She stresses the importance of stakeholder savvy in managing client relationships and the adaptability of blended workforces in response to industry shifts. Outwitly, Inc. is an eight-figure UX and service design staffing agency. They specialize in helping clients build high-impact teams by placing UX and service designers on long-term contracts. ------------ Full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://BlendedWorkforcesAtWork. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Sara”) If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to http://RateThisPodcast.com/blended Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Be sure to: Check out our website at http://BlendedWorkforcesAtWork Follow Karan on LinkedIn, X, and InstagramFollow SDL on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram ABOUT SHOCKINGLY DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP (SDL): This podcast is brought to you by Shockingly Different Leadership, the go-to firm companies trust when needing to supplement their in-house HR teams with contract or interim HR, Learning, and Culture experts to assist with business-critical People initiatives during peak periods of work. Visit https://shockinglydifferent.com to learn more. ------------- WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1. Sara’s journey from UX design to building a successful staffing agency. 2. Qualities and mindsets that make external talent thrive in blended workforces. 3. Strategies for helping contractors feel connected and supported, even when remote. 4. Balancing business profitability with contractor well-being and client satisfaction. 5. Tips for effective onboarding and integration of external talent. 6. Advice for organizations considering blended workforces for the first time. 7. What soft skills are most important for success as a contractor? 8. How can companies foster a sense of community among external team members? ------------ FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[2:20] How Sara balances family life and a demanding career [3:40] Sara’s transition from industrial design to launching a staffing agency. [6:07] Outwitly’s approach to partnering with organizations to build high-impact teams. [7:33] Advantages of using contractors for flexibility and business...