Teaching Clients
the
Staffing Firm Way
Job flexibility—it’s an industry hallmark that candidates value and clients love. So why
not use it to your firm’s maximum advantage? Sharing your flexibility strategies can go a
long way toward solidifying client relationships and honing your competitive edge.
By Allison O’Kelly
Job flexibility is second nature to the staffing industry—and that’s a good thing because today’s candidates are increasingly seeking
flexible options. But what seems natural to a staffing firm is oftentimes unexplored territory to a
client company.
As partners and counselors to our clients, staffing professionals are in a unique position to share
these flexible strategies. And by doing so, we’re
not giving away the store; we are solidifying the
client relationship and differentiating our firms.
Sharing job flexibility strategies with clients can be
as simple as a working lunch meeting that is part
of a current contract or as complex as a long-term
consulting relationship. Either way—and all the
ways in between—the staffing firm enhances its
value to the client and lays the groundwork for a
more meaningful, long-term partnership.
Need proof that job flexibility really matters? See
“Job Flexibility’s Broad Appeal” on this page for
data-based evidence. These are current findings you
can share with your clients and prospective clients
to get the strategic conversation started.
Starting Point Strategy
To help ensure effective adoption, organizations
should test and implement job flexibility programs
Job Flexibility’s Broad Appeal
In July 2011, Mom Corps engaged Harris Interactive to administer an
online survey of working adults nationwide. In a three-day period, Harris
collected information from 2,127 individuals ages 18 and over about their
job flexibility preferences.
The results of the survey show that job flexibility options are significantly
important to working professionals today—women and men. Other major
findings: Flexibility is a deciding factor when taking a job and many are
willing to give up salary in exchange for flexible
options. Here are more survey highlights—all
worth sharing with clients:
n 62% of working adults agree that flexibility
is one of the most important factors they
consider when looking for a new job.
n 42% of working adults are willing to give
up some percentage of their salary for more
flexibility at work—about 6% is the average
they are willing to relinquish.
n Perhaps surprisingly, working men (12%) are twice
as likely as working women (6%) to say they would be willing to give up more
than 10% of their salary in exchange for more flexibility at work.
n Those aged 18 to 34 are three times more likely to give up more than 10%
of their salary, even though the unemployment rate for young workers is at
its worst since 1948 and the highest among all age groups, according to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
