The W.I.N. Strategy for Growth
Growth strategies can seem difficult to implement when you consider the many variables that go into a company’s potential success. At St. Louis Staffing, however, our growth has been a direct result of prioritizing several key efforts. It’s making W.I.N., or what’s important now, the guideline for decisions and goals. It may sound simple, but like most concepts, it’s easier said than done. Prioritizing takes clarity of vision and the discipline to follow through. But those efforts definitely pay off in both the long and short term.
As Coy Adams wrote last week in “Lessons from the Recession”, the staffing industry is positioned to see economic trends before many others. We’ve made the most of that by looking ahead to enter marketplaces where there is potential for growth. By staying well-connected with our customers and anticipating their needs, as well as keeping an eye on new business opportunities, we’ve made a point of occupying spaces in areas like Mexico, Missouri, where we can better service clients beyond the St. Louis region.
This is something we have in common with other growing companies in our industry. According to the Staffing Industry Review, strategic decisions regarding geography are a top reason for the increased revenue of the fastest-growing firms. That, combined with our emphasis on tracking economic cycles, has enabled us to stay ahead of the curve. We’ve always got an eye on the long-term needs of our customers and the industry, even when there is a current slowdown.
What’s most important to me, however, as well as to the Staffing Industry Review’s analysis of direct drivers of revenue growth, is our focus on internal staff. Like other highly successful companies, we invest in our team. Whether it’s helping them attain NAPS certification or holding ‘Lunch and Learns’ to break down employment law, we’re always looking for ways to give them the best knowledge and tools to do their jobs. We use technology as well, such as the Call it All program and other software that enables our staffing consultants and other employees to make more efficient use of their time.
More than just a way to enhance productivity, I believe this emphasis on internal staff is a reflection of our mission of meaningful work. Employees who know they’re being invested in feel more highly valued, and that translates into better relationships within our company and outside of it, with both clients and candidates.
For St. Louis Staffing, W.I.N. means observing trends in the economy and looking outward at the landscape of the marketplace. But at the same time, we always remember that the key to growth and success is to focus within on the real source of our strength: our people.