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Getting Ready for the “Next Wave” in Staffing: How to Prepare Your Systems and Yourself


The landscape of staffing has evolved significantly, and traditional processes are often no longer sufficient to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market. Many staffing firms have even reported substantial losses in business—up to 40%—to competitors who have adopted mobile self-service marketplace technology. To address these challenges and capitalize on opportunities, staffing businesses are increasingly turning to innovative staffing platforms. This transformation can streamline operations, enhance client and candidate engagement, and drive substantial growth.


The Case for Self-Service Marketplaces


Why Change is Needed

Traditional staffing processes can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. As the staffing industry becomes more competitive, embracing a self-service marketplace model offers a way to stay ahead. Self-service platforms enable both clients and candidates to manage their interactions with staffing firms more independently, reducing the reliance on manual processes and improving overall efficiency.


Success Story: Professional Clinical Staffing

Professional Clinical Staffing, a per diem healthcare staffing agency, provides a compelling example of the benefits of adopting a mobile staffing platform. In a recent webinar, the founder and CEO of Professional, shared insights into how the transition to a mobile platform has positively impacted their operations. The results speak for themselves:

  • 35% Increase in Onboarding: Professional now onboard 35% more workers each week thanks to streamlined processes.

  • 60% Client Portal Usage: A significant 60% of clients now utilize the client portal, with 67% reporting an increase in shifts filled.

  • 100% Improvement in Communication: All clients have reported better communication with Professional following the implementation of the new system.


Professional’s Journey to a Self-Service Model


Initial Challenges

Before adopting the new platform, Professional’s staffing operations relied heavily on manual and semi-manual processes. This approach led to significant challenges in managing credentials, schedules, and communication. With disparate systems that didn’t integrate, the agency faced slow onboarding, communication hurdles, and difficulties in shift management.


The CEO highlighted the issues: “Segmenting the process definitely slowed down onboarding and sometimes we lost candidates. Clients also struggled to quickly see their available and upcoming schedules.”


Change Management Strategies

Professional’s successful transition to a self-service model involved careful planning and execution. Here are the key strategies they employed:

  1. Collaborative Decision-Making:

    • Engaged all team members in the transition process to foster ownership and acceptance of the new platform.

  2. Feedback Collection and Open Communication:

    • Actively sought input from staff to identify issues and barriers, maintaining transparency throughout the transition.

  3. Strategic Planning:

    • Developed a detailed implementation plan outlining each step to prepare the team for the change.

  4. Data Migration and Cleanup:

    • Used the transition as an opportunity to clean and reorganize existing data, ensuring a smoother shift to the new system.

  5. Phased Rollout:

    • Implemented the platform in stages, starting with a small group of tech-savvy nurses to test and refine the system before full-scale deployment.

  6. Training and Support:

    • Created training materials and conducted sessions to ensure that staff were confident and competent in using the new platform.


The Impact of the Transformation


Enhanced Efficiency and Growth

The adoption of the self-service model led to significant improvements in Professional’s operations:

  • Improved Scheduling Efficiency: The new system enhanced scheduling processes and job fill rates.

  • Increased Access to Candidates: The platform expanded access to new, qualified candidates, contributing to organic growth.

  • Streamlined Communication: The branded app facilitated better communication and referrals, resulting in a 35% increase in new hires onboarded each week.


The CEO noted, “We’ve streamlined the process and seen a substantial increase in onboarding. The client portal has improved transparency and collaboration, with 67% of clients reporting more shifts filled due to better access to schedules.”


Advice for Staffing Agencies


Embrace Technology Proactively

Adopting digital platforms is essential for growth and competitiveness. Staffing agencies must proactively identify areas for improvement and integrate technology to address challenges. Concerns about technology adoption should be mitigated by understanding the benefits and being prepared to demonstrate these to clients and candidates.

Nicolina’s advice: “You have to get on board with technology. Many clients from tech-savvy generations are looking for these solutions, and embracing technology can lead to greater acceptance and success.”


Ready to Transform?

As the staffing industry continues to evolve, transforming your business into a self-service marketplace can provide a competitive edge. By adopting advanced platforms and embracing digital transformation, you can enhance efficiency, improve client and candidate experiences, and drive growth. Discover how our mobile staffing solutions can support your transformation journey and help you stay ahead in the industry.


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