Month: March 2024

In today’s rapidly changing workplace landscape, the emphasis on training employees to adapt to new challenges and expectations is undeniable. From technical skills to soft skills like communication and teamwork, organizations invest significant resources in ensuring their workforce is well-equipped to succeed. However, amidst this focus on employee development, one crucial aspect seems to be slipping through the cracks: training managers on how to effectively train their employees. 

According to a recent survey conducted by Resume Builder, which polled over 1.5k business leaders, a staggering 45% of companies already offer etiquette training to their employees. Furthermore, an additional 18% of companies plan to implement such training in 2024. While this data highlights a commendable effort to cultivate a professional and respectful workplace environment, it also raises an important question: Why aren’t we prioritizing training for managers to effectively impart these skills to their teams? 

Managers play a pivotal role in shaping the culture and dynamics within their teams. They are responsible for providing guidance, support, and feedback to their employees, which directly impacts productivity, morale, and overall performance. Yet, despite the critical nature of their role, many managers are not adequately equipped with the necessary training and resources to effectively train their employees on important aspects such as workplace etiquette. 

So, why aren’t we investing more in training managers to train their employees effectively? One possible explanation is a pervasive assumption that managerial skills are innate or acquired through experience, rather than through structured training and development programs. However, this assumption overlooks the fact that effective leadership is a skill that can be honed and refined through targeted training and coaching. 

Too often a manager is promoted into management based on their individual performance not necessarily on their ability to train, motivate, instruct, and mentor the employees they oversee. An awesome individual contributor does not by default translate to a great manager. In fact, more often, those newly promoted managers still spend more time on their own production and advancement versus those of their employees.    

Consider the implications of this oversight. Without proper guidance and support from their managers, employees may struggle to internalize and apply the principles taught in etiquette training sessions. Furthermore, managers who lack training themselves may inadvertently perpetuate behaviors that undermine the effectiveness of such initiatives, leading to a disconnect between organizational values and day-to-day workplace interactions. 

Additionally, there may be budgetary constraints or competing priorities that prevent organizations from allocating resources to managerial training initiatives. However, investing in the development of managerial skills can yield significant returns in terms of employee engagement, retention, and organizational performance. 

It’s time for organizations to recognize the importance of training managers on how to train their employees effectively. By equipping managers with the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to facilitate meaningful learning experiences for their teams, organizations can foster a culture of continuous growth and development that benefits everyone involved. Management is a skill, (it’s also a really hard job), and requires a different set of skill sets.  We owe it to all of our employees to make sure we are “training the trainers” regardless of tenure or seniority.  

In the dynamic digital landscape, the pursuit of creative talent is both crucial and complex. Traditionally, businesses have turned to creative agencies for their expertise, bundling services at a premium. How do we know this?  We regularly provide talent to these creative agencies who then mark up the hourly rates by as much as 100%.  Not only do staffing companies like Ursus offer specialized talent we also address concerns regarding cost, efficiency, and risk mitigation related to worker classification. Let’s delve into why procurement leadership is reevaluating the traditional approach given that creative agencies are struggling to adapt, and exploring the untapped potential of staffing agencies as an option for great creative talent. 

The Markup Conundrum: One prevalent but often overlooked practice in the creative industry is the markup applied by creative agencies when hiring talent sourced from staffing companies. This markup, typically ranging from 2-3 times the original rate, significantly inflates project costs. With market conditions tighter in the last two years procurement leaders are increasingly scrutinizing these markups and asking why. 

Cost Transparency and Efficiency: By engaging talent directly through staffing agencies, businesses gain transparency into the true cost of labor, eliminating the intermediary markups associated with creative agencies who typically price on project-based or statement of work where labor costs are hidden.  This transparent pricing model enables procurement teams to optimize resource allocation, negotiate competitive rates, and maximize cost-efficiency without compromising quality or talent access. 

Risk Mitigation through Compliance: Procurement leadership is taking a proactive stance in addressing compliance risks associated with worker classification. Engaging talent through staffing agencies ensures compliance with labor regulations, mitigating the risk of misclassification and its associated penalties. Staffing agencies assume responsibility for legal compliance, insurance, and payroll administration, providing businesses with peace of mind and operational stability.  Federal and individual states like California are becoming more stringent on worker classification and companies will continue to be more closely scrutinized.  

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: Procurement leaders recognize the pivotal role of staffing agencies in promoting diversity and inclusion within the workforce. Staffing agencies actively recruit and advocate for diverse talent, championing inclusivity and representation across industries. By partnering with staffing agencies committed to diversity initiatives, businesses demonstrate their commitment to equity, social responsibility, and innovation. 

But wait, my creative agency has a “bench”! It’s hard to believe that agencies continue to use this pitch and get away with it.  A “bench” suggests there is a room full of talent waiting for the moment your company signs an agreement and can immediately spring into action.  How can anyone afford to keep specialized expensive talent on salary and not deployed? The answer is they can’t! And when they do sign a contract and need to assemble a team, they call us!   Working with creative staffing firms eliminates the middle person and results in significant cost savings!  In an era characterized by agility and efficiency, procurement leaders recognize the need for streamlined processes that facilitate rapid talent acquisition. Staffing agencies offer a scalable and agile solution, leveraging advanced recruitment technologies and extensive talent networks to expedite the procurement process. From talent sourcing and screening to onboarding and deployment, staffing agencies optimize every step, minimizing time-to-fill and enhancing project agility. 

Progressive procurement leadership is redefining the paradigm of talent sourcing in the creative industry, moving beyond traditional creative agencies towards staffing agencies that offer transparency, efficiency, compliance, and strategic value. By challenging the status quo and embracing innovative procurement practices, businesses can optimize resource utilization, mitigate risks, and unlock the full potential of their creative endeavors. The era of high markup project work is giving way to a new era of cost-effective, agile, and inclusive talent solutions, driven by evolving needs and priorities and delivered by digitally fluent staffing companies like Ursus!