How to not sell your staffing company

Current condition of the economy is unbearable, most companies are just looking for endure the tough times instead of going the innovative way. Business owners are looking to cut costs and not affect the survival of their company; can both the things happen? Can we outsource some tasks of our business so that we can concentrate on our core competencies?  In fact we should look to broaden our business and identify additional revenue areas in order to bring additional funds into the company?  Lot of funding agencies might lose confidence in us, so what do we do? Sell my company?

As a staffing service provider, you realize soon that cash flow is imperative.  A bad economy means that staffing clients are taking more time to pay their invoices, which in turn means less cash flow for us. In such a scenario, if we payroll-like expenses are delayed or carried over for longer periods of time, it can put one out of the business.  Additionally, it makes it harder for the small staffing owners to take on larger staffing grants, as more resources are needed to fund the process.

So how to cut the costs? That is what everyone seems to be asking. Lay off recruiters or sales people? Cut back on the internal staff?  Cut back on travel expenses? Operate remotely or virtually on the web? Or should I try a combination of all of these things may help in the short run, but realize that when you cut headcount, ultimately someone in the organization will have to take over those duties, who will it be then? The staffing companies have to take tough decisions for the company that may drag one away from growth opportunities in other areas.  It's cost vs. benefit call, but one that has to consider for the long run, and a very tough decision.

What about outsourcing? There is already a huge cry about it, as a staffing owner, revenue is brought in when you place a candidate, whether on a permanent or temp basis with a client.  Staffing providers bill for those services, and bringing revenue into the company.  If on a permanent basis, the only "cost" to you would be the commission paid to a recruiter who placed the candidate. If a candidate is placed on a contract basis, they become our employee, and costs such as payroll, payroll taxes, and workers salary are involved.  Instead of hiring a full time accountant or pay rolling clerk, perhaps we can consider outsourcing your back office services and processes, pay rolling, and payroll taxes to a third party.  

If my business was strong before the recession, chances are that it will be strong after the recession.  So instead of looking for short term solutions, I (we) can instead look to hang on to the business, developing it where I can, cutting the right expenses, and keeping a survivor's attitude will likely be the best answer, because in the end, the strong will survive. Staffing solution providers have to and will answer all these questions.

Staffing business can be tricky—It is something like employing the employers. So you are actually not in control with respect to who is needed and who is not. So you business directly depend on the demands of the client and not the customer, unless you would be getting into a different kind of sector. But we believe we can still survive in the tough times if we can get through the initial down time period.