TechEdge AI Written Interview with Harris Bornstein, Head of Partnerships & Alliances, at Sterling

An interview with Harris Bornstein, Head of Partnerships & Alliances

1. How has your long tenure at Sterling given you a unique perspective on the industry’s changes and challenges?

Having spent 25 years and holding various positions at Sterling, I have witnessed the evolution of the background screening industry. In the early days, before 9/11, our focus was on educating organizations about the importance of screening and why knowing more about their potential hires was crucial. At the time, fewer than 50% of companies we approached were conducting any kind of background screening or drug test and our product offerings were limited to about 10 services.

Fast forward to today, and the landscape of the background screening industry has transformed. Nearly every company, regardless of size, has implemented a background screening program. Our conversation has evolved from explaining “why screen” to demonstrating “why screen with Sterling”. We now offer thousands of customized solutions with seamless integrations through our extensive HR partner network.

Throughout this evolution, I’ve seen significant changes such as the rise of industry specific products and programs and ever-changing compliance laws surrounding our offerings. While speed and accuracy were once the primary concerns, today we help organizations build comprehensive screening programs that adhere to best practices, provide global screening guidance, and up-to-date compliance.

Additionally, technological innovations have revolutionized the industry. Identity verification has become a cornerstone of our services, social media screening is gaining momentum, our clinical screenings are extensive, and we seamlessly integrate with all major ATS/HCM platforms, allowing recruiters to manage the entire screening process through a single platform.

2.  What factors do you believe drive companies to choose larger vendors for certain services and smaller vendors for others?

When it comes to background screening, many small companies start with the basics of a criminal background check. A simple criminal background check might suffice for smaller organizations with less complexity in industries with minimal compliance requirements. Much of the of the information needed for these basic checks is publicly available and many of our smaller competitors rely on industry data providers to supply this information.

As companies grow and begin operating in highly regulated industries, they can’t simply “check a box” and consider the job done. Partnering with a screening provider that can offer a range of services, guidance on regulatory compliance and the ability to scale globally becomes critical. All this needs to be done with accuracy and quick turnaround times. In these cases, a more robust and customized approach is essential to meet the regulatory standards and complete thorough screenings. 

Ultimately, the decision to work with a larger screening provider goes beyond just acquiring data. It’s about gaining access to expertise, customer support, technology, and a global network that can support a company’s long-term success.

3. In a multi-vertical business like Sterling, what strategies do you employ to maintain trust across diverse industries and regions?

Sterling has excelled with educating team members on the specific nuances of background screening for different industries and regions, which is a key reason why companies choose to work with us. We have aligned our teams based on industry and region, allowing our sales, product, marketing, and support teams to become industry experts. The focus not only helps us develop tailored screening programs, but also ensures we maintain them as regulations and best practices evolve. This depth of knowledge is essential, as companies rely on us not just for the services we provide, but for the expertise we bring to the table.

This is especially important in our client support teams. They are able to offer insights on trends, best practices, benchmarking, and extensive industry knowledge to our clients. Additionally, we run roundtable programs with our clients, bringing together industry leaders to discuss emerging themes and share valuable insights.

4.  How can Sterling continue to differentiate itself as a trusted large vendor while also potentially collaborating with smaller vendors?

As one of the largest providers in the background screening industry, Sterling is well-positioned to lead through innovation and expertise. However, in an increasingly competitive and evolving landscape, our challenge is not only maintaining our role as a trusted large vendor but also differentiating ourselves through technology and continuous innovation.

We will continue to leverage technology as we enhance our products, exploring how artificial intelligence can play a transformative role in the background screening industry. From automating complex processes to improving accuracy and reducing turnaround times, AI is poised to play an increasingly significant role in our operations. 

Expanding our global service capabilities and developing industry-specific products will remain key differentiators for us. As one of the largest players in the space, it’s crucial that we continue to provide support that makes even our small and midmarket clients feel like they’re receiving the “white glove” service they might expect from a smaller organization. One of our core values is “the client is always in the room”, a principle we live by every day to ensure we are always focused on what is best for our clients.

5. In an industry where job-hopping is common, what do you see as the major advantages of a long-term commitment to a single company?

When I first joined Sterling in 1999, we were a much smaller company with just 300 clients and 40 employees. I’ve been fortunate to grow alongside the organization, and for me, it’s always been about building strong relationships – with clients, partners, and perhaps most importantly, my teammates. These relationships have been central to both my job satisfaction and success.

Today with about 5,000 employees and over 50,000 clients, I feel well-equipped to navigate the company and industry as a whole. I know exactly where to go for answers and the support and my colleagues know they can come to me for help with just about anything. Even if I don’t have the answer myself, I can at least point them in the right direction.

In managing partnerships, I’ve also had the opportunity to build a strong external network. This has allowed me to become a trusted advisor not just for Sterling-related matters, but also for broader industry questions. These connections have been invaluable in supporting my role and the growth of our partnerships.

6. What role does technology play in ensuring trust and safety across Sterling’s global operations?

Technology and innovation play a crucial role in ensuring trust and safety across Sterling’s Global Network. By leveraging advanced tools and platforms, we can maintain the highest levels of accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in our background screening process. 

The emergence of AI has played a significant role in improving efficiency by automating aspects of the background screening process that previously required manual intervention. Looking ahead, AI will provide more accurate, relevant, and timely insights, enabling faster and more confident hiring decisions. It will also enhance the candidate experience by delivering quick and seamless processes, as well as improving identity verification and screening procedures.

One of the most exciting developments to watch is how AI can further automate and simplify decision-making processes. While humans should always have the final say in hiring decisions, AI can help reduce the risk of data overload by filtering out unnecessary information and highlighting what truly matters. This capability could allow organizations to establish a centralized center of excellence for managing background screening and hiring tasks more efficiently.

This originally appeared on TechEdge AI: https://www.techedgeai.com/techedge-ai-written-interview-with-harris-bornstein-head-of-partnerships-alliances-at-sterling/

This content is offered for informational purposes only. First Advantage is not a law firm, and this content does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Information in this may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

Readers of this content should contact their attorney or lawyer to obtain advice concerning any particular legal matter. No reader, or user of this content, should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information in this content without first seeking legal advice from counsel or lawyers in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney or legal advisor can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this content does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, or user of this presentation and First Advantage.