7 Ways Business Owners Can Expand Their Workforce

Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, Recruitment Strategy Toolkit (606-slide PowerPoint presentation). Curated by McKinsey-trained Executives Boost Your Hiring Success with the Ultimate Recruitment Strategy Business Toolkit Are you ready to revolutionize your recruitment process? In today's fast-paced business environment, finding the right talent isn't just a task--it's a critical [read more]

Also, if you are interested in becoming an expert on Human Resource Management (HRM), take a look at Flevy's Human Resource Management (HRM) Frameworks offering here. This is a curated collection of best practice frameworks based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. By learning and applying these concepts, you can you stay ahead of the curve. Full details here.

* * * *

As a business owner, you know the importance of having a strong team to help your venture reach its maximum potential. But how do you go about building and expanding that workforce?

Fortunately, you can use several effective strategies to increase the size and effectiveness of your staff.

These seven methods will help you grow your team efficiently and cost-effectively, from utilizing freelancers to developing partnerships with other companies. With the right approach, you’ll maximize productivity without breaking the bank.

Creating a Stronger Workforce through Freelance Talent

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the utilization of freelance talent. Small and medium businesses can leverage the expertise, talent, and skills of experienced professionals to boost productivity and increase efficiency on projects quickly and within budget. In addition, by partnering with freelancers with niche skill sets, companies can find professionals who have already succeeded in off-site or remote partnerships.

Freelance workers bring tremendous value to organizations by providing access to specialized skills that may otherwise be cost-prohibitive to hire full-time staff members. Additionally, small businesses can create highly specialized teams that adjust with project duration or intensity.

As the nature of work shifts towards more flexible arrangements, many organizations are looking for ways to build stronger workforces through potential collaboration opportunities with robust freelance networks.

Utilizing Temporary Employees to Expand Your Team

Hiring a temporary employee can be an excellent solution for businesses looking to expand or supplement their teams quickly. It allows a business to bring in new expertise without making any long-term commitments, allowing them to meet the needs of every individual project while remaining flexible and agile. Temporary employees also add an extra level of customer service, as hiring a specialized person can help improve the customer experience due to increased technical skills or problem-resolution times. As such, they are hiring temporary employees is often advantageous for businesses to grow or strengthen their teams in specific areas.

Developing Strategic Partnerships with Other Companies

Partnering with other businesses is a strategic way for companies to expand their workforce and create new opportunities for employees. In addition, by forming collaborations with other organizations, companies can capitalize on both entities’ strengths to enhance services and products for their respective customer bases.

These partnerships also increase networking potential as each company has access to more resources and contacts, allowing them to explore new markets and create additional job opportunities. However, to ensure successful partnerships, organizations must develop an understanding of each other’s core values in alignment with their established goals to come together creatively and cooperatively.

Ultimately, developing strategic partnerships with other companies can prove beneficial in many ways beyond just increasing the workforce size, and companies should take advantage of such possibilities.

Hiring Remote Workers for Increased Flexibility

Remote working has become an increasingly attractive option for businesses looking to optimize efficiency, enhance productivity and enjoy cost savings. In addition to financial benefits, employers can welcome talent from across the nation or worldwide without requiring employees to report to a set workspace physically.

Remote team members can take ownership of their projects and provide unique insights that result in highly effective solutions. Companies that successfully embrace this working mode provide a modernized approach and demonstrate their commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.

Remote working is here to stay, unlocking corporate potential as businesses discover new levels of success with increased engagement from remote workers.

Leveraging Online Platforms to Find the Right Candidates

In the current technological age, many businesses find that leveraging online platforms is the most efficient way to identify and acquire qualified candidates for open positions. This approach has several major benefits over traditional methods of searching for talent, including reaching more people in a shorter amount of time.

Additionally, online platforms allow businesses to use filters and search criteria to narrow down potential applicants and target those with certain skills or qualifications that would make them the right fit for their organization. With these capabilities, employers can quickly and accurately hone in on their ideal hire.

Making Use of Internships and Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship or internship program is an invaluable way to expand the number of workers in any field. Many companies benefit from teaming up with educational institutions to create such a program, allowing them access to new ideas and perspectives. It also enables students and recent graduates to gain practical experience, allowing them to develop skills that can be beneficial later in their careers.

Additionally, interns and apprentices often bring fresh energy and enthusiasm, which can positively impact company morale. Finally, by using these programs, companies can better anticipate future workforce needs and ensure their current employees stay up-to-date with the industry’s development and advancements.

Investing in Professional Development Programs for Existing Employees

Investing in professional development programs for existing employees can be an extremely beneficial strategy for companies looking to get the most out of their workers. While keeping up with technological advancements and staying abreast of current industry trends are important aspects, professional development courses can also enhance overall morale and motivation, which help improve productivity.

Companies should strive to make sure that personal growth opportunities exist for employees so they can gain new skills, better manage job responsibilities, and build connections with coworkers. Ultimately, this leads to engaged and high-performing staff fully invested in the company’s success.

Want to Achieve Excellence in Human Resource Management (HRM)?

Gain the knowledge and develop the expertise to become an expert in Human Resource Management (HRM). Our frameworks are based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. Click here for full details.

The purpose of Human Resources (HR) is to ensure our organization achieves success through our people. Without the right people in place—at all levels of the organization—we will never be able to execute our Strategy effectively.

This begs the question: Does your organization view HR as a support function or a strategic one? Research shows leading organizations leverage HR as a strategic function, one that both supports and drives the organization's Strategy. In fact, having strong HRM capabilities is a source of Competitive Advantage.

This has never been more true than right now in the Digital Age, as organizations must compete for specialized talent to drive forward their Digital Transformation Strategies. Beyond just hiring and selection, HR also plays the critical role in retaining talent—by keeping people engaged, motivated, and happy.

Learn about our Human Resource Management (HRM) Best Practice Frameworks here.