Are You Staffing -- Online?

Two years ago anecdotal evidence found that online staffing had barely penetrated the contingent market, with contingent workforce managers paying little or no attention to this new talent source. Fourteen months ago, I suggested CW managers embrace online staffing or be flattened. (Remember folks, you heard it first at SIA!)

The tide has turned. SIA’s buyer survey revealed that 41 percent of large buyers in 2013 said they were aware of online staffing, up from 32 percent in 2012. Of those CW managers who had heard of it, only 16 percent of hiring managers they serve had heard of online staffing.

But here’s the kicker. Of the hiring managers who are aware of online staffing, 45 percent are using it as a resource — for getting various projects and tasks completed — versus 8 percent of CW managers. Hiring managers are finding it an effective and efficient way to augment their staff.

There are those who believe online staffing could change the model of how CW labor is obtained and managed. Perhaps it’s true. More important, online staffing is on its way to becoming a significant part of the staffing ecosystem. Both buyers and suppliers of temporary labor need to be aware of online staffing. Familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of this new reality. You don’t want to be caught unawares. This new way of getting work done is on track for becoming a major force in contingent labor.