The future of talent management isn't coming - it's already here, and it's powered by AI.

Remember when we thought AI was just for coding, chatbots, and data analysis? Well, it's time to think bigger. Retrograde, an AI-powered talent management platform co-founded by UK influencer Grace Beverley, is reshaping the industry as we speak. If you're a talent manager or agency founder, this is your wake-up call.

Today, we're diving deep into Retrograde and what it means for the future of talent management. We'll explore:

• How Retrograde's AutoPilot is revolutionizing creator management

• The benefits and challenges of AI in talent management

• What traditional talent managers need to do to stay relevant

Let's dive in.

3 Ways AI is Transforming Talent Management (And Why You Should Be Worried)

The talent management landscape is shifting dramatically, and Retrograde is at the forefront of this change.

Founded to tackle the inequality and unfair treatment many influencers experience working with talent managers, Retrograde represents a true paradigm shift in the way the business works.

Here are three reasons all managers and agencies should be paying attention:

1. The AI Talent Manager: Efficient and Scalable Beyond Human Limits

Retrograde's AutoPilot operates 24/7, providing real-time updates on brand collaborations via WhatsApp and Telegram (SMS coming soon). Unlike human managers, it never misses a deal or overlooks an opportunity.

AutoPilot doesn't play favorites. Every creator, big or small, gets the same attention. No more $50,000 deals lost due to slow responses or opportunities withheld because the talent manager decides it isn’t a fit.

While human managers struggle to handle 5-8 creators effectively, AutoPilot can manage thousands or even millions. It never sleeps, never overlooks an opportunity, and always lets creators decide what's worth their time.

2. Streamlining the Simple, Freeing Humans for the Complex

Let's face it: many influencer activations are pretty straightforward. This is where Retrograde shines. AutoPilot handles negotiations, flags problematic contracts, and manages the day-to-day effortlessly.

But humans aren't entirely out of the game. For high-priced, custom activations that require nuanced understanding and personal touch, human managers still have a crucial role to play.

That said, premium deals are limited and increasingly competitive. As margins shrink on high-end activations, the mid and long-tail deals become crucial for agencies' sustainability. These more formulaic deals are precisely where AI excels.

The message is clear: adapt or risk being left behind. Agencies need to leverage AI for routine tasks while honing their unique human skills for complex deals. It's not about replacing humans, but about redefining their role in an AI-driven landscape.

3. The Economics: A Wake-Up Call for Traditional Managers

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: that 20% cut. With Retrograde charging only 10%, traditional managers are under pressure to prove their worth.

Talent churn is already a pain point in this industry. Why? Because many agencies are interchangeable. If you can't clearly articulate and demonstrate your unique value, you're at risk of becoming obsolete. 

Retrograde isn't just offering a lower price; they're providing a consistent, always-on service that many human managers struggle to match.

So, what makes you irreplaceable? Is it your industry connections? Your creative strategy? Your ability to handle complex, nuanced negotiations? Whatever it is, you need to identify it, refine it, and make it the core of your offering.

Remember, Retrograde is offering a 5% referral fee to anyone who brings creators to their platform. They're not just competing with you; they're inviting you to join them. If you can't beat them, you might end up joining them – but on their terms, not yours.

My Take: Don’t Just Sit There And Take It

The bottom line is clear: AI is not just enhancing talent management–it's redefining it. The question isn't whether AI can provide enough value to creators to put you out of a job, but rather: what should you do about it?

The rise of AI in talent management isn't just a challenge - it's an opportunity for innovation. 

Here's what I think agencies should do:

1. Embrace the Hybrid Model: Don't fight AI, integrate it. Onboard AI for routine tasks, freeing up your team to focus on high-touch, creative aspects of talent management. This combination of AI efficiency and human creativity could be your new secret weapon.

2. Build Your Own AI: Why let Retrograde have all the fun? Consider developing your own AI assistant. It doesn't have to be as advanced as AutoPilot right away, but start somewhere. This approach not only shores up your weaknesses but could become a new revenue stream.

3. Beat Them to the Punch: Retrograde's current focus is on streamlining standard deals, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they add a premium arm for high-value, custom activations. Why not beat them to it? Develop a tiered service model that uses AI for standard deals and offers high-touch, human-led service for premium opportunities.

Here's what we covered today:

• AI talent managers like Retrograde's AutoPilot are already operational and threatening the traditional 20% cut model.

• AI offers unmatched efficiency and scalability, serving creators of all sizes equally and consistently.

• The role of human talent managers is under serious threat unless they can clearly articulate and prove their unique value.

• Talent agencies can compete by honing in on what they do best that justifies their fee and also build their own in-house tech to compete with threats from new tech startups like Retrograde.

The future of talent management isn't purely AI or purely human - it's a strategic blend of both. By proactively adopting this hybrid approach, you're not just defending against disruption; you're positioning yourself at the forefront of the industry's evolution.

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