Just when you think you've got the pattern worked out for your clients, trends change, demand increases and an unexpected crisis leaves a huge scar on the global job market. A combination of travel restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and business slowdowns resulted in huge layoffs, forcing organizations to refocus their operations on sustainability and survival. Recruiting and talent management strategies were among the many that had to be adapted to what is now referred to as a "new normal."
For many companies, contingent workers gave them the agility they needed to navigate through the pandemic. SHRM quoted a recent Oxford Economics survey that revealed an increase of 83% in the use of contingent workers to meet business objectives since last year, and it looks like this trend is here to stay long after the pandemic ends.
If your company is managing temps as part of your reformed workforce structure, here are three steps that we recommend to ensure that your talent management strategy stays on track regardless of the industry you serve.
Step 1: Outline short-term targets rather than long-term objectives
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
- Vincent Van Gogh
Now may not be the best time to start a two- or three-year project plan. In these uncertain times, large investments of time or money can be a huge risk. Instead, create short-term goals and work on achieving them. These will keep you motivated in the long run, and these smaller goals can add toward your larger objectives down the line.
As a temporary staffing agent, set a target to achieve in the upcoming quarter like adding a set number of new temps to your database, scheduling them with a set number of jobs, or bringing in a specific amount of revenue. Creating these smaller milestones keeps your momentum up and ensures that you are always focused on your next target.
Step 2: Revisit often and restrategize when necessary
It's important to have a clear picture of who your clients and temps are. Every business works differently, and as a temp staffing agent, you will have to strategize your temp shift scheduling to suit your client(s). At times, you may have to restrategize as well!
Especially if you are an agency that focuses on staffing for a single industry, it may be a good time to revisit your business performance and any industry trends. Look out for other industries that are in need of temps, and don't be afraid to cater to those clients. The time has come to accept that the gig working model is emerging as a norm in economies all over the world. The focus has shifted away from hiring for the long term in order to expand on temporary gains and meet the demands of the current business landscape.
Step 3: Invest in the right technology and tools
A lot of what managing your temp staffing business comes down to is shift planning. Poor shift planning can cause high labor costs, low productivity, and low temp reliability—all three of which are directly correlated.
When you are managing a huge database of temps and clients, relying on spreadsheets can affect your productivity. Moreover, it can turn out to be a tedious task trying to balance temp time off, overtime, holiday or weekend shifts, and client demand. Relying on a technology tool can feel intimidating at first, but in today's digital era, a software system can transform this stressful chore into one of bliss and ease.
Truth be told, the market is flooded with technological tools, and they all claim to be the best at solving your toughest issues. The key to choosing the right tool is balancing your specific shift planning strategy with the productivity and efficiency you want to achieve.
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Below, we highlight some of the useful features that all tools should come with and show you how they look in Zoho Workerly, our temp staffing solution.
- Temps and Clients modules keep your temp and client details organized in one space.
- Temp availability in the Temps module tells you who is available and who is not during a given day, week, or month.
- The Who's working today? - dashboard widget gives you real-time updates on who is already at work, who has yet to clock in for their shift, and who has clocked out for the day.
- The job details page gives you a breakdown of how much you will charge your client and how much will the temp get paid for a respective job. Billing can be further defined by custom rate rules. In Workerly, we classify them as Overtime and Special Rates, which are customizable at both the client and job level.
- A scheduling board will ensure your shift planning is accurate and simple. You can instantly see how many temps you need to cover a shift without switching between modules.
However, in case you want a quick glance while you're in the Temps module, Workerly has a Client and Job filter so you can easily switch between jobs. This also allows you to view, schedule, and reschedule temps for a particular job right from the Temps module
Features that target remote work are also becoming increasingly essential as more organizations adopt permanently hybrid work arrangements for their employees. For more insight on what to expect in that regard, check out Zoho Workerly's features for managing temps remotely.
Think you'd like to try the solution out for yourself? You can take Workerly for a spin absolutely free.
You can also request a one-on-one demo by filling in your requirements here.
Questions? Feedback? Feel free to reach out to us at support@zohoworkerly.com.
May the tempforce be with you!
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