Imagine this: A well-established staffing agency, with years of industry experience, suddenly loses nearly 40% of its business (from 8500 shifts to 5000) to a neighboring agency in one month. The reason? They didn’t have a mobile app. This is a real-life cautionary tale that showcases a growing trend in the staffing industry. In an era where digital transformation is not just an advantage but a necessity, not having an app could mean your competitors will be eating your lunch.
What is going on in the staffing industry?
The rise of mobile platforms has revolutionized how agencies connect with candidates and clients. In 2021, 67% of job seekers applied for work through their mobile devices. ActivateStaff customers have seen how platform adoption can reduce their cost per hire by 5x and even grow their revenue by as much as 30% in eight weeks.
In recent years, the staffing industry has focused on improving the candidate experience due to a persistent shortage of candidates. Agencies without a mobile candidate experience are falling behind, needing to spend more on marketing and job boards to keep up. On top of that, clients are increasingly choosing agencies that offer streamlined, efficient services through technology, which often leads to lower bill rates. Agencies not adopting this tech are at a growing disadvantage in attracting and retaining both candidates and clients.
Consequences of not keeping up
The story we shared about an agency losing nearly half its business is a reminder of the consequences of ignoring technological advancements. This agency, which relied on traditional staffing methods, found itself outpaced by a competitor who offered a mobile experience to their candidates but also began losing clients who were shifting towards a more platform-based model.
“Our 4th quarter revenue was down 50% from 3rd quarter. It is definitely linked to losing clients to ShiftKey and other platform players.”
These clients are looking for flexibility in creating schedules and prefer drawing from a talent pool independently, rather than having to communicate with the agency each time. This shift resulted in a significant loss of revenue and left them scrambling to launch their own app.
Moreover, a major trend in 2023 saw major agencies acquiring staffing platforms and talent marketplaces. This trend isn’t just about staying current; it’s about leveraging technology and automation to meet the evolving demands of candidates and clients.
Benefits of having an app
Apps are a game changer for the staffing industry. It offers:
- Accessibility: A mobile staffing platform puts your agency into the pockets of candidates 24 hours a day.
- Efficiency: Streamline staffing processes from onboarding to redeployment such as job listings, applications and scheduling.
- Enhanced User Experience: Provide a smoother and more engaging experience for candidates by using AI and automation for personalized job recommendations and quicker responses.
- Brand Extension: Apps serve as an extension of your brand, providing a great tool for finding net new candidates.
Learn more about using mobile apps to reduce candidate acquisition spend.
Getting started with a mobile staffing experience
To ensure a smooth transition and effective implementation, follow these steps to align your strategy with your business objectives:
Step 1: Understand your goals
Begin by understanding the specific needs of your candidates, clients and your internal team. What are you ultimately trying to accomplish by launching an app? Think about what types of features will bring the most value. Pin down your goals first and then start investigating your options.
Step 2: Consider a white-labelled solution
Building a platform in-house is a huge undertaking and requires a lot of resources. Instead, consider a white-labelled solution. These are pre-built, customizable solutions developed by experienced tech companies. This way you can get your app up and running in no time, without the headaches of starting from scratch.
Step 3: Test, launch and refine
Before a full-scale launch, consider a test/pilot phase. Gather feedback from a small batch of users and then make any necessary adjustments. It’s important that when you do launch, your branded app isn’t just good – it’s perfect and ready to make waves.
Don’t let your agency fall behind the digital race. Book a chat with our experts to learn more about mobile staffing platforms.
