COATS Standard and COATSsql with StaffMetric offer integrated electronic timesheets!

 

 

In good times or bad, automating your timesheet processes makes good sense and it's a rapidly growing trend in the industry! 
 
How much do you spend on preparing for payroll each week?  And how much office-stress does it create?  If you haven't considered using electronic timesheets yet, you should be.  By its very design, automation replaces the manual processes and related expenses of processing your payroll, allowing you to concentrate on your revenue-producing front-office activities!  Now that's smart business.
 
StaffMetric leads the industry with its staffing-specific time and attendance applications and has enjoyed an integrated relationship with COATS since 2004.  Our seamless integration between the two applications means that your Clients, Employees, Jobs, Assignments, Bill/Pay rates, Start/End dates, etc. are synchronized so the data is entered only once, eliminating the data-rekeying process.
 
But the benefits of electronic timesheets don't stop in your back-office.  Automating your timesheets also; reduces inaccuracies and fraud, eliminates the timesheet collection and verification processes, creates on-demand reports for your Agency and clients', reduces the time between payroll and invoicing, differentiates your Agency from your competitors', and much, much more.  

So why invest your valuable human resources managing inefficient paper processes when studies show that automating the timesheet and payroll processes can reduce your back-office expenses by as much as 46%... Now that's a strong ROI!   Want to know how much savings you're missing each month?  Contact StaffMetric to learn more at 1.866.546.3846 (1.online.time) or at sales@staffmetric.com.

 Client Spotlight

It was a pleasure to hear from an 11 year industry veteran Henry Graeber, with Pro Image Solutions.

Currently, what is your firms largest challenge?  Considering the current economy, meeting last years revenues.
Currently, what is the largest challenge facing our industry?  Not having clients look at our industry as just a commodity, like who's got the cheapest price on paper towels.
Do you have a favorite networking group or association and why?  TempNet.  This group is outstanding, owners from all over the United States sharing ideas, issues, and developing new strategies.
What advice would you give someone entering the industry?  Be patient and find mentor.  Things will not happen overnight and networking is key.  Be sure to watch your cash flow and be very slow to buy anything the first couple of years that you don't really have to have unless it brings in revenue. 
How do employees of your firm keep updated on industry law or certifications?  Our staff have CSP Certifications from the American Staffing Association.  They go to Staffing Industry Conferences, receive trade magazines, legal seminars both onsite or webinars.
If you had a crystal ball, what would it tell you about our industry over the next year?  In the next year I see our industry going through a slow down, a lot of restructuring either through buy-outs or closings, and change in the way we sell our business to the end users.  For those who continue to grow, it will be because they were able to change their approach to sell the client what they need now not what they asked for in the past.             
Favorite business book?  Rich Dad, Poor Dad
 

    
Walker Business & Staffing Services, Inc. has been in the staffing business for over 16 years and is a valued COATS client. Voni Walker below answers our questions:
 
My favorite thing about staffing is interviewing applicants and finding out their likes and dislikes and matching them up with a client.  There is nothing better to me than finding a person a job and witnessing their joy and satisfaction. What is even better is when they are matched with the client and I receive feedback from the client and the employee on how happy and successful both are.  Ninety percent of our business is repeat and word of mouth so I get great satisfaction from that statistic alone.
 
Our firm's largest challenge is finding available, reliable and qualified candidates locally who want to work.  We operate in a very rural area of New York State and two of our larger clients pay minimum wage $7.15/hr or slightly higher.  Add high gas prices to this and it is getting very difficult to retain employees at these locations.
 
We rely so heavily on the American Staffing Association for educational and legal guidance.  We have been members since 1994 and is one association we will never be without.  They are an invaluable resource for any information we need to operate our business effectively.  We are also able to attend their webinars so the entire office can participate and not have to pick and choose who gets to go.  Our office staff is encouraged to log on to the website each week to see updates that apply to our states and our industry. 
 
Locally, our Chamber of Commerce is invaluable for generating local business contacts and monthly business after hours networking opportunities.  I have been a board member for 8 years. 
 
Advice I would give someone entering the industry would be, maintain a positive attitude/outlook no matter what.  You will have good years and bad years, never let your competition or clients see you sweat and be honest if you can't help a client with a placement.  If you are honest upfront the client will call you the next time they have a staffing need because of that honesty. 
 
The best advice I was given kind of goes with the above advice I would give.  Never tell anyone that business is bad even if it is.  When someone asks how business is say "Great".  You never know if the person asking is your next client and if you say business is bad they may not call you for staffing assistance.
 
I have several favorite business books but my current one is Motivating the "What's in it for Me?" Workforce.  It is giving me a good insight to the younger workforce and what motivates them.  It is requiring me to step out of my box and understand how they think and work.