Want to stay relevant? Competitive? Profitable? Then it's time to up your contingent workforce game. Stop using contingent workers as a "quick fix" – and make them a strategic part of your workforce: 

Still taking a "checkers" approach to staffing your business? 

In decades past, effective staffing was pretty straightforward. Hiring internal employees and using contingent workers as a "quick fix" was enough to keep your company flexible and competitive. 

But in today's operating environment, the rules of successful workforce management are much more complex. New workforce paradigms, demographic shifts, talent and skill shortages, evolving technology and an unpredictable economy have changed the game: 

• Post-pandemic, remote and hybrid work is now the norm. Fully work-from-home and hybrid models existed pre-2020, but the pandemic accelerated things drastically. Progressive employers are increasing their access to talent – and saving on overhead – by embracing virtual work for both core and contingent employees. 
  
  These employers realize that the traditional work paradigm (full-time employees who work face-to-face) is rigid, expensive and limits access to talent. And in many cases, de-centralized and/or non-traditional work engagements are the smartest business option. 

• The face of our workforce is changing. Baby boomers are retiring. Generation Xers and millennials are now senior leaders. Much of Generation Z is in the workforce, and it won't be long before Generation Alpha starts to enter it. The future of our workforce: 
  - demands greater flexibility and work/life satisfaction.
  - is change-tolerant.
  - embraces (even prefers) project-based, non-traditional employment

• AI and machine learning are intrinsic to talent management. Employers are leveraging these technologies to enhance recruitment processes, optimize workforce planning and personalize employee experiences. Advanced algorithms can identify the best-fit candidates faster, predict employee turnover and provide insights into employee engagement. 
  
  AI also plays a crucial role in administrative tasks, compliance tracking and optimization of workforce allocation – enhancing operational efficiency and reducing overhead costs.

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) is vital in the workplace. Companies are recognizing that a diverse workforce brings varied perspectives, drives innovation and enhances problem-solving. DEIB metrics are increasingly becoming a standard part of performance evaluation and strategic planning.

• Contingent workforce management increasingly relies on gig economy platforms. While not without their drawbacks, platforms like Upwork offer companies access to a global pool of freelancers and independent contractors. 

Clearly, the game has changed. 

Most organizations now view their contingent workforce as a vital part of their enterprise, actively contributing to the achievement of business goals and objectives. 

Workforce Game-Changers

• By 2025, about 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely – 22% of the workforce.
• 56% of employed adults say that focusing on DEI at work is a good thing.
• 95% of HR professionals think AI helps with the application process for candidates.
• 86.5 million people will be freelancing in the U.S. (more than 50% of the total workforce) by 2027.

It's time to up your game. 

Using "reactionary staffing" to address today's workforce challenges is like trying to win a chess match using checkers rules. It just doesn't make sense.

If you're dealing with problems like: 

• talent shortages 
• fluid workforce demands 
• chronic turnover 
• managing ACA compliance and costs (yes, you still need to meet the standards set by the Affordable Care Act!)
• process bottlenecks 

…or if you're looking for more flexible, cost-effective ways to: 

• capitalize on new business opportunities 
• simplify staffing management 
• complete critical projects 
• access specialized skill sets 
• respond more quickly to changing industry, economic and operational conditions 

…it's time to up your game – and talk to your staffing partner. 

Schedule your free workforce consultation with CornerStone Staffing today.

Start playing chess. 

Develop a comprehensive workforce management strategy that supports your business goals. Your staffing partner can work with you to: 

• Analyze your talent supply and demand using predictive analytics, which let you forecast talent needs.
• Identify current and future gaps by leveraging workforce analytics data and tools.
• Weigh your workforce management options. In addition to traditional staffing (i.e., temporary and contract) and placement options, discuss the potential benefits of: 
  • AI-driven recruitment platforms
  • Talent sharing across organizations
  • Blockchain for secure, efficient contractor management
• Create a strategy to build your ideal workforce – one that can pivot as market conditions change, and one that includes continuous learning and development opportunities, a culture of innovation, and the latest technology that streamlines operations and enhances the employee experience.

The right workforce strategy can transform your staffing function from a reactive, "vacancy-filling" role to one that continually aligns your organization's human capital with its strategic goals. It will improve the way you approach total talent management, but more importantly, it will improve your company's ability to respond swiftly and intelligently as our world of work continues to evolve.

Remember, modern workforce management also requires human partners.

AI, machine learning, gig economy tech platforms... there's a lot of technology in today's staffing and recruiting game. That's why a human staffing partner has never been more vital. The human touch brings in-depth understanding, strategic foresight, and the nuanced approach that technology alone cannot replicate:

• Humans simplify complexity. Navigating today's labor market requires more than algorithms and databases. Human staffing partners understand the intricacies of your industry and can simplify the multi-layered process of talent acquisition and management. 
• Humans are strategic. Nothing can match the foresight and intuition of an experienced staffing advisor. By learning the unique contours of your business and its goals, a human partner crafts tailor-made workforce strategies that sustain growth and drive innovation.
• Humans help maximize ROI on human capital. A staffing partner understands that the value employees bring extends beyond their job descriptions. They have the insight to identify candidates who will not only excel in their roles but will also contribute to the company culture and long-term vision.
• Humans bridge technology and, well... humanity. AI-based recruitment tools can sort through thousands of profiles, but they may miss the nuances that make a candidate the perfect fit for a company's specific needs. Staffing professionals use technology as a tool, not as a replacement for human judgment. They interpret data with empathy and context, ensuring that the personal attributes of candidates – their motivations, work style and adaptability – align with the company's culture and values.
• Humans nurture relationships and trust. Your staffing partner serves as a trusted advisor, investing in understanding the intricacies of your company and the candidates they place. This investment in people leads to higher quality placements, lower turnover rates and more successful teams.

Ready to up your game? CornerStone Staffing can help you build a proactive workforce strategy that makes a real impact on your company's performance. Give us a call.