One of the biggest expenses for most companies is staffing. It’s no different for nonprofit organizations. But it’s not always the cost that results in sleepless nights. How do you really know that you have found the perfect person for your organization? And, do you really need to to add another full time employee?
Nonprofit organizations tend to rely on full time employees, alongside an army of volunteers and interns. This reliance is based on the resource patterns of the past, and it could be boxing you in. Right now, most nonprofits are entering and reviewing data to close out year end. Event planning season is right around the corner. And all of the technology and CRM upgrades — let’s not even delve into that abyss. These activities all have something in common — there is a seasonal or project-specific need.
Smart Executives Meet Smart Staffing Agencies
Smart staffing agencies provide alternatives. Gayle Brandel, CEO of PNP Staffing Group, has built her company around the needs of the nonprofit sector for twenty years. Clients can contract project-based temps who are specialists in everything from data entry, marketing, event planning, even donor development. And if you are losing sleep over finding the perfect full time executive, stop. You can try executives out first with a temp-to-hire program.
The New York Times reported that from 2001 to 2011, the number of nonprofits in the United States grew 25% while the number of for-profit businesses rose by half of 1 percent. The nonprofit sector continues to be the fastest-growing part of the U.S. economy. This means that competition for talent will increase. Executives are looking for creative ways to accomplish their mission, control budgets, stay-on-task, and make smart hires.
Bottom line, there are new choices in staffing — from traditional executive search and placement to tapping a specialist for a week or month. These options don’t diminish the importance of full-time employment. It unlocks your choices in how, when and where you get work done. It’s time to reframe the discussion. Add that to today’s tasks.