This article is based on a conversation between Brad Bialy and Matt Lozar on InSights, a staffing and recruiting podcast built to help you drive more job orders and applications.
The staffing industry is incredibly competitive. The right technology can give you an edge in keeping your sales funnel full, recruiting top talent, and meeting the needs of employers. But it’s about more than grabbing the latest gadget or app. It’s about creating a streamlined, effective technology toolbelt that is true to your needs. You want to adopt new technologies to make your staffing business more effective without wasting time training your staff on every new new thing. Here’s what Brad Bialy and Matt Lozar of Haley Marketing have to say about creating the perfect suite of software for staffing.
Start With a Strong Foundation
A high-performing, well-designed website will convert visitors into leads. Be sure your site has easy conversion paths right on the home page that point to a conversion form. Keep the form simple so people don’t drop off before completion. Matt Lozar says, “I’ve seen forms with as many as fifteen to twenty fields! Keep it simple; reduce that friction. Just get the lead and make a call.” Build a strong website with conversion rate optimization to funnel leads the way you choose.
Incorporate a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that goes beyond managing your contacts; it should also help nurture relationships and streamline communication. According to Brad Bialy, “CRM tools range from affordable, like HubSpot, to high-end platforms like Salesforce. It can even be as simple as a Google Sheet, but you’ve got to have some sort of way to manage leads.”
Content creation is an essential aspect of lead generation – particularly in-bound leads. “Haley Marketing’s websites are incredibly affordable and flexible,” Brad says. “You can add service pages. Specialty pages. SEO-optimized blogs to drive traffic to your website.” You’re doing yourself a real disservice if you set your website and forget it. Your website is your digital storefront, so make it inviting and optimized to turn curious visitors into eager leads.
These tools are the beginning of a solid tech stack for your staffing company. Add IP tracking, remarketing and PPC advertising, and you’ll be well ahead of the game.
You Snooze, You Lose
Speed is essential to success in staffing. Rapid response to leads and inquiries can make the difference between winning a client or talent and losing them to a competitor. “Good talent does not sit around,” said Brad. “Good orders do not sit around. And if you’re sitting back in waiting or just taking your sweet time, that is going to be an issue.”
Automate processes. From lead generation to client reporting, automation saves time and allows your team to focus on high-value tasks.
Add a chatbot. With this technology, prospects can ask questions 24/7. It’s one more way to convert.
Form strategic partnerships. Joining up with a like-minded partner can help you deliver results faster.
Find processes and products that help you move faster. They don’t remove the human element; you still need to reach out and engage. Unless you want to work 24/7, you must find a way to keep leads warm until you can talk to them.
Leverage the Power of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the staffing industry, from automating mundane tasks to providing insights that inform better decision-making. It’s a game-changer for companies of all sizes, making operations more efficient and scalable.
- AI automation. Let AI handle the tedious tasks so you can focus on the fun stuff, like winning over clients and talents.
- AI analytics for talent matching. Like a matchmaking service but for finding the perfect job candidates.
- Visitor tracking on your site. See who’s interested in what you offer, even before they say “hello.”
- Create content. AI can help create content, video, and imagery faster.
Technologies like AI-powered analytics for talent matching and IP tracking tools for visitor identification on your website can transform your business. AI is an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage.
Starting Out? Do it on the Right Foot
Startup staffing firms face unique challenges, from establishing a brand presence to client acquisition. The right software tools can help you navigate these challenges successfully. Select tools that solve immediate problems and can scale with the business. The goal is to build a lean, effective toolbelt that drives your business forward without overwhelming your team.
Here’s how to build your tech toolkit without getting overwhelmed:
- Choose tools that solve today’s problems but can grow with you.
- Look for flexibility and scalability, especially in CRM and marketing automation tools.
- Aim for a slim, efficient collection of tools that pack a big punch.
Tech Stack Takeaways
When assembling your technology toolbelt, prioritize solutions that offer significant value in addressing your unique business challenges. Adopt a ‘less is more’ philosophy to avoid becoming bogged down with too many tools, which can lead to analysis paralysis. Focus on seamless integration and usability across your technology stack, ensuring your team can leverage these tools effectively.
Keep these tips in your back pocket:
- Quality over quantity. Too many tools can clutter your workflow. Stick to what brings real value.
- Integration is critical. Ensure your tools play nicely together for a smoother ride.
- Start simple. You can always add more bells and whistles as you go along.
Creating your ideal software suite is about understanding what makes your staffing firm tick and then lining up the tech that amplifies that voice. As you build that stack, remember to stay true to your needs and keep things streamlined.
Adapt and Thrive in the Staffing Industry
In technology and staffing, evolution is the name of the game. Keep an eye on what’s next while considering what’s working well for you currently. The right technology can be like adding a highly productive member to your team.
“Think about what you want to accomplish, and reverse engineer to figure out the tools that will get you there,” Brad suggested. If you want ten new orders by the end of the year, how many leads do you need for each of those orders? How are you going to get those leads — inbound? Outbound?” Figure out where you are going and what tools are going to get you there.
“That’s where I’ve been with the tech stack lately,” Matt said. “You can add all the bells and whistles and tools, but if they don’t add value or make your job easier, why add them?”
