6 smart strategies for reducing costs through your non-permanent workforce

We recently hosted a breakfast roundtable in partnership with Staffing Industry Analysts on, ‘Smart strategies for reducing costs through your non-permanent workforce’.

In today's dynamic business landscape, the utilisation of non-permanent workers is becoming increasingly prevalent as more organisations seek flexible, agile, and cost-effective workforce management strategies. 

We discussed smart strategies for cost reduction, how to effectively triage hiring requirements, how to unlock real value from your total workforce and the most effective direct sourcing strategies for cost reduction.

Below are six key takeaways that businesses can utilise to reduce costs through their temporary workforce.

1 - Analyse Cost Savings Opportunities

To effectively reduce costs, it's crucial to identify key cost drivers in non-permanent workforce management. These may include recruitment fees, onboarding expenses, internal overhead to manage supply chains, and the differences in rates and charging mechanisms for the different engagement routes.

By analysing cost-saving opportunities such as optimising recruitment channels, negotiating better vendor contracts, and implementing payments based on deliverables, organisations can reduce expenses associated with their non-permanent workers. 

2 - Leverage Technology for Efficient Workforce Management

Employing effective technology for tracking, reporting, onboarding and approvals enables organisations to enhance their resource allocation, track productivity, monitor output and maintain compliance with labour regulations. Working with an experienced partner to truly optimise the technology and drive the greatest benefits and value can be the key to achieving the most effective outcomes.

Automation of routine workforce processes like timesheet approvals, payroll calculations, finance processes, requirement creations and reporting can enhance efficiency and accuracy while reducing administrative burdens and improving the user experience. Integrating automation tools can improve operational effectiveness.

3 - Create Agile Solutions

When it comes to reducing costs through your non-permanent workforce, implementing flexible work arrangements can be a game-changer. By creating agile solutions, you can optimise resources based on demand, ensuring that you're not overspending when it's not needed.

4 - Establish Key Performance Metrics

To ensure cost-effectiveness with your non-permanent workforce, it's crucial to establish key performance metrics to track their contributions. By monitoring the process performance closely, you can identify areas for improvement and address inefficiencies. 

5 - Implement Smooth Onboarding and Offboarding Processes

Offboarding non-permanent workers smoothly is just as important as onboarding them effectively. By having clear exit procedures in place, you can minimise disruptions, protect company assets, and maintain positive relationships for future collaborations.

6 - Plan for Succession and Talent Pipeline Development

Strategic succession planning ensures that your organisation is always prepared for changes in staffing. By developing a talent pipeline for non-permanent roles, you can seamlessly transition between workers, reduce recruitment costs, and maintain operational continuity.

Embracing the evolving landscape of workforce management and prioritising efficient and integrated utilisation of non-permanent solutions can position businesses for long-term success in today’s competitive and ever-changing market environment.

The next roundtable in our series will be held in February 2025. You can also read ‘Smart strategies for reducing costs through your non-permanent workforce’ on the SIA’s Staffing Stream here.