One of the prevailing themes at Staffing Industry Analyst’s Contingent Workforce Strategies (CWS) Summit is the need to effectively manage contingent labor. Each year, it feels like the time to get your contingent labor program under control is now. But, if there were ever more truth to that statement, 2016 is the year to make contingent labor management a priority; here’s why.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), state crack-downs on independent contractors, and the expanding contingent workforce population will be discussed at the 2016 CWS Summit. Whether your focus is on a new contingent labor program or even a second- or third-generation managed staffing program, this year’s tracks (or topics) seem to accurately reflect the present-day concerns of HR and procurement buyers and managers.

2016 CWS Summit Tracks

• Application & Efficiency Track
• Talent & Quality Track
• Technology & Innovation Track (FMS)
• Research Track
  
  

How to Manage Your Contingent Labor Program

So, where do you start (or continue) the conversation on better contingent labor management? Here are a few suggestions for moving your discussion forward, based on where you are in the evolution of your use of contingent labor:

If you’ve never had a contingent labor program: Look for more information on sites like Staffing Industry Analysts and their blog, the Staffing Stream. We also have an eBook, called “The 4Cs: Getting the most from your program and your MSP.” It will give you some important areas to consider even if you are just getting started.

For New Contingent Labor Programs

Get executive buy-in for the program and go in with the mindset that it’s a partnership. Many new programs falter either right out of the gate or after the first year when there is low program adoption or when saving money and beating down suppliers is the only goal.

If you’ve already experienced some type of managed staffing program or engaged an MSP, I would also encourage you to look at some of the discussions on the Staffing Stream and the take advantage of the resources available from leading Vendor Management System (VMS) tools like IQNavigator. Our eBook “MSP and Managed Services: From Cost Cutting to Partnership,” is also a good resource for ideas. You are likely at the crossroads with your program model and technology, so you may have more to consider.

For Existing Contingent Labor Programs

Don’t get hung-up on labels and the “best” way to setup a managed staffing program. There is no one way and your needs may be changing. Technology plays an important role too, but whether you engage an MSP or self-manage your program, there’s an element of service and quality that can mean the difference between failure and success.

Some of the best advice I can give you is that there is no “one” way to setup a managed staffing program and no “one” MSP that has the exact program and resources you need right out of the box. It will take some work, but the good news is that there’s a lot of good information out there, you just have to find it.

The bottom line here is that whether or not you believe that contingent or temporary labor is now a staple of the American workforce, it will likely always be a part of it. How you leverage and engage this important part of the workforce can help or hurt your other recruiting strategies.

Good luck, and remember there's a lot of be learned at this year's CWS Summit and Gig Economy events Summit and Gig Economy events in Las Vegas. But until then, don’t gamble on your company’s future -- take control of your contingent labor program right now.

This blog was written by Matt Rivera. Matt serves as Vice President, Marketing and Communications and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Yoh’s marketing and brand communications. Matt holds a degree in Journalism/Public Relations and has been working in the staffing industry for more than 25 years. Prior to this role, Matt held many different roles from branch recruiting and proposal writing to technology management and online marketing.