How Flexible Hiring Supports Long Term Success
Contract staffing could be the most effective solution to economic uncertainty and a rapidly evolving workplace. With the need for agility and faced with continuing skills shortages, many companies of all sizes are discovering that sourcing temporary or contract employees delivers the speed and flexibility of hire that drives success and the bottom line.
Could temporary staffing help to reduce your costs, remain competitive, and employ talent when you need it? Let’s discuss why it could make the most sense for your business.
Cost Savings: Do More with Less
Let’s start with one of the biggest reasons that companies turn to temporary staffing as a solution: cost.
Hiring permanent employees comes with a hefty price tag. You have salaries, benefits, training, onboarding, taxes, unemployment insurance, and staff turnover to consider. These add up – fast.
Temporary staffing removes a huge wedge of these costs, letting you meet fluctuating workloads for only as long as you need people.
When we work with a client, they get access to a talent pool that is ready to go. This speeds up the process of getting the right people, and also saves on hiring costs.
One of our healthcare clients needed to digitize more than 20,000 patient records, and had to do so within three months to meet a compliance deadline. It didn’t make sense to hire permanent employees for the project. Instead, we sourced a small team of highly experienced admin staff who completed the project on time and under budget. No long-term overhead, no disruption – just the result they desired.
Flexibility That Matches Business Cycles
Temporary staffing solutions are especially valuable for seasonal peaks, project work, or to cover an employee on extended leave. At times when your staffing needs are unpredictable (when aren’t they?), having the ability to adjust your workforce numbers quickly can give you a serious advantage.
This flexibility of hiring temporary employees lets you scale your teams up and down, without hiring permanent employees you may not need in six months.
Many of our clients rely on us to supply the staff they need to boost their capability just when it is needed. We can often respond within 48 hours to a need to keep a client moving forward without disruption to their operations.
Access to Specialized Talent, On Demand
Sometimes you need specific specialist skills, but only for a limited period. It may be when preparing for an audit, during a product launch, or to get a project over the line. You need expertise, but not a full-time employee. A temporary or contract hire is the answer.
From financial experts to HR consultants to bilingual customer service reps, we’re here to ensure our clients’ projects don’t lose momentum – with temporary hires that bring the qualifications, skills, and experience needed.
With three decades of experience in sourcing staff for clients, and recruiters who are constantly developing their reach and networks of professionals, you’ll find our access to highly-specialized talent is second to none. And because we invest in our temps and contractors (including offering exceptional benefits), you can take advantage of people who are engaged, reliable, and ready to deliver.
Try Before You Hire: Lower-Risk Hiring Decisions
Hiring permanent employees always involves an element of risk. Even the most promising of candidates can end up being a poor fit. Contract-to-hire allows you the opportunity to assess a candidate for performance and cultural fit before you make an offer.
This approach makes permanent hiring decisions more certain, reducing damaging employee turnover and ensuring your team benefits from high-performing and highly motivated additions.
It’s not by accident that around 80% of our contract-to-hire placements are converted to permanent staff. It’s because we work hard to ensure that the temps we supply are well matched to the client and the role.
When Should You Consider Temporary Staffing?
It’s crucial to note that temporary staffing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Your needs are unique, which is why we take a staffing consultancy approach. However, typical situations in which temporary solutions provide optimized value include:
- A short-term project with a defined timeline
- Seasonal or cyclical workload spikes
- Coverage needs for medical, parental, or sabbatical leave
- Piloting a new department, process, or technology
- A hiring freeze that doesn’t apply to contingent labor
Four Questions to Answer to Decide If Temporary Staffing Is the Best Solution
If you are considering your staffing requirements and want to evaluate temporary staffing as a solution to your needs, we’ve found that the following four questions are critical to making the correct decision:
- Is the role tied to a specific deliverable or event?
- Is the long-term need uncertain?
- Would you benefit from evaluating a candidate before committing?
- Do you need to move fast?
Answer yes to any of these, and you should seek a deeper conversation about your needs with a specialist staffing agency.
Temporary Staffing Solutions: More Than Just Filling a Seat
At Lakeshore Talent, we pride ourselves on being a strategic partner to our clients. Our recruiters are highly experienced within their specific sectors – meaning you will work with someone who knows your industry and speaks your language.
We also work hard to ensure that the contract staff we supply are a great fit for not only your role, but also your company culture. Because, while contract hires may only be required for a short time, temporary staffing isn’t a band aid for a near-term need – it’s an integral part of business strategy.
Whether you’re dealing with rapid growth, planning for uncertainty, or simply want to explore new ways to strengthen your workforce, we’re here to help. Let’s talk about how temporary staffing can help you adapt, scale, and succeed – on your terms.