As we approach the final quarter of 2024, now is the time to focus on planning for 2025. Successful staffing firms know that having a solid budget and plan in place is crucial to hitting growth targets and staying ahead of the competition. Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping business strategies, which makes this planning stage even more critical. But how do you begin?
Reflect on 2024
Start by evaluating the current year. Look back on your 2024 goals and the technology solutions you implemented to achieve them. Did your tech investments yield the ROI you anticipated? What worked well, and where did you fall short? Many staffing firms are realizing that they need to pivot or expand to meet their business objectives for the upcoming year. Whether it’s building a more robust sales strategy, streamlining operations, or getting back to the basics of client engagement, this is the perfect time to analyze the past to shape the future.
Align Technology with Business Goals
Before diving into the tech stack, take a step back and ask yourself: Where do you want to drive your business in 2025? Is your goal to expand into new markets, improve operational efficiency, or increase client retention? Once your goals are clear, look at how technology can help achieve those outcomes. Technology shouldn’t be just another tool—it should be an integral part of your strategy.
For example, if growing your client base is a priority, does your CRM offer the automation and integrations needed to help your sales team be more efficient? Or, if improving customer service is key, do you have the right tools in place to manage client communications and expectations in real-time?
Are you getting a Return on your Technology Investments?
In the staffing industry, where every dollar matters, it’s essential to evaluate the ROI of your technology investments. Conduct a thorough analysis of your tech stack to ensure it’s delivering real value. Consider these key questions:
- Are we fully utilizing the capabilities of our current systems?
- Do we have the right integrations in place to eliminate manual tasks?
- Are we seeing measurable improvements in productivity, client satisfaction, or revenue?
If you’re not seeing positive results, it’s time to either optimize the usage of your existing technology or explore new solutions that can better meet your goals. Also, take the time to review your tech stack for any redundancy. If you discover that one technology partner can offer the same functionality as another, consider whether it’s time to streamline and part ways with any overlapping systems. Reducing redundancy can cut costs and increase efficiency.
Budgeting for Success
Your technology plan should also come with a realistic budget. Many staffing firms underestimate how much they need to invest in their tech to support their growth goals. Having a clear budget not only helps you stay focused but also ensures you don’t fall behind on critical updates or miss out on opportunities to innovate.
Make sure to account for things like:
- Upgrading current systems
- Investing in new software or tools
- Implementation and training costs
- Ongoing support and maintenance
Without a well-defined budget, your tech initiatives could stall, leaving you scrambling mid-year.
Focus on the Basics
In an industry as dynamic as staffing, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends and technologies. However, it’s essential to focus on the basics too. Are you using your CRM to its fullest potential? Are your teams regularly following up with leads and clients? Are there any manual processes that could be automated? Going back to the fundamentals is a great way to ensure you’re maximizing efficiency before investing in more advanced solutions.
Start Planning Now
As you look ahead to 2025, take the time to evaluate where you are and where you want to be. Planning now ensures that your technology strategy supports your growth goals, increases efficiency, and ultimately helps you stay competitive in the staffing landscape.
Don’t wait until the last minute to make critical decisions about your tech stack. Start planning today, and make sure your 2025 is as successful as it can be.
Erin MacKenzie is the Vice President of Newbury Partners Client Services, overseeing both the Customer Success and Managed Services divisions. Her team works closely with clients to optimize their technology strategy, conduct comprehensive tech reviews, and provide expert guidance on planning and implementation. Newbury Partners is committed to ensuring clients maximize the value of their technology investments while building strong, lasting partnerships.
If your staffing firm is looking to enhance strategy, streamline your tech stack, or optimize for 2025, contact Erin at erin.mackenzie@newburypartners.com to learn how Newbury can help your organization thrive.
About Newbury Partners
Newbury Partners brings years of experience as technology advisors to the Staffing Industry. We specialize in providing tried and true best practice methodologies through every consulting, implementation, reporting and analytics, development, and strategy engagement. Our commitment to our clients is to provide honest and transparent communication to create lifelong partnerships.
For more information, visit www.newburypartners.com.
Stay connected us on LinkedIn for future updated and news from your Newbury Partners team.
