A survey by staffing provider Orion Talent found that 57% talent solutions providers’ clients give them a “B” grade when it comes to overall performance. Only 29% received an “A” grade, 12% received a “C,” and 2% received a “D.” None of the respondents gave their providers an “F.”

The survey included 119 clients of “talent solutions” defined as permanent hire, contingent staffing, executive search, recruitment process outsourcing and managed service provider organizations.

Of the firms surveyed, 71% used permanent hire, 62% used contingent staffing, 40% used executive search, 19% used RPO and 9% used and MSP.

Orion Talent’s survey also found that when it comes to alignment, there is room for improvement. Stakeholders — including HR, the C-Suite, the business and talent solutions providers — are mostly on the same page at the start of engagement, but alignment goes down over time. Respondents rated the overall level of their talent solution program’s alignment to strategic business objectives at 69 out of 100, which would be the equivalent of a “D” grade.

“There is incredible opportunity for providers to elevate themselves as strategic business partners,” said Orion Talent CEO Mike Starich. “Our survey reveals the client-provider relationship declines significantly as the engagement progresses. It starts off great, with more than two-thirds of companies saying alignment is good or excellent. But over time, lack of communication and metrics that work for both sides deteriorate the partnership. Providers and clients must both revisit program goals and [service-level agreements] to manage program changes, and better communication between providers, HR, and executive leadership is essential.”