What began as the answer to a temporary need is fast becoming an indispensable part of successful workforce strategies. As businesses look for ways to maximize productivity while maintaining a lean, cost-effective work structure, staffing firms are stepping up with viable solutions. Employers are realizing there is more to staffing than just short-term workers—it may just be the secret to long-term competitive advantage!

How are staffing companies helping organizations do this? Michael Chalmers, owner of Spherion® in Middle Georgia shares his perspective. “As a former Branch Manager of Spherion, I have experienced what it’s like to be both an employee and an employer of staffing services. As an employee, it presented me with a wealth of experience and opportunities. Every day, I had the privilege of connecting people to jobs that made a positive difference in their lives. And, it inspired me to become an owner. Today, I do the same thing, only with more passion and resources to impact the community for good—and it never gets old.”

“My team and I are personally invested in helping employers find talent that improves business performance, while placing people in jobs that foster greater satisfaction and success in their career. It’s very rewarding when you can help others achieve their goals in ways that make the economy stronger. The benefits of staffing to employers are huge, and they trickle right down to the bottom line,” said Chalmers.

What are the top reasons companies integrate staffing into their workforce strategy?

Extensive Recruiting Expertise 

With a staffing firm, the first benefit you will realize is the depth of recruiting expertise which immediately becomes yours. Sourcing, recruiting and hiring talent is their core business. Plus, they have the tools to quickly identify top candidates. So, you can focus on growing your business.

Access to Unseen Talent

Staffing companies are constantly building relationships with the people in their community, whether happily employed, anticipating a job change, between jobs or new to the area. Those relationships translate into deep reservoirs of talent not necessarily visible on job boards. You’ll also benefit from candidate referrals, a goldmine of hidden talent. And, your search will be supported by media that reaches talent in the most relevant venues.

Adjust Your Workforce to Meet Business Demands

Another key advantage to engaging a staffing firm is the flexibility it presents amid changing seasons of business. While permanent employees are fixed costs, staffing companies offer variable resources which can be scaled up or down as demands fluctuate. So, when peak seasons hit, productivity remains high. And, during slower periods, you’re able to reduce staff and costs without the threat of downsizing.

Reduce the Risks Associated with Hiring

Making a poor hire is costly. One way to avoid this risk is to solicit the support of a staffing company with a rigorous talent selection process that thoroughly assesses and validates a candidate’s credentials. They also offer temp-to-hire solutions, allowing you to preview a candidate’s performance before making a permanent hire. 

Stay in Touch with Trends Impacting the Workforce

A good staffing partner will also keep you abreast of workforce trends that will make you more attractive to top-tier talent. The Emerging Workforce® Study is a great example of this kind of intuitive research. For nearly 20 years, Spherion has been tracking the beliefs and trends of the U.S. workforce, honing in on what keeps workers productive, engaged and satisfied.

If you thought staffing firms were just a source for temps, think again. The industry’s most respected, forward-thinking companies have integrated staffing into their workforce strategies, and they are reaping the benefits on a daily basis.  

Local Spherion owner Michael Chalmers and his team have been serving the recruiting and staffing needs of Middle Georgia employers for more than 10  years. Founded in 1946, Spherion is staffing leader with more than 150 offices nationwide. Individually owned, they offer clients the personalized service of a local business, along with the resources and expertise of a $2 billion workforce leader. To find out how Spherion can help you build a productive, cost-effective workforce, contact 478-956-1700 or visit them online at spherion.com.