This post was originally published on this site
This article is based on a conversation between Brad Bialy and Barry Asin on Take the Stage, a podcast/vodcast presented by Haley Marketing. For this episode and others search for “Secrets of Staffing Success” on your preferred podcast player or watch past episodes on YouTube.
Let’s face it—competing against staffing giants with massive budgets and cutting-edge technology feels like an uphill battle. How can small and mid-sized staffing firms stand out when larger competitors are spending millions of dollars on AI, automation, and marketing?
I sat down with Barry Asin, staffing industry expert and co-author of Breaking Through: Leadership Disciplines from Top Performing Staffing Firms, to discuss how smaller firms can win big by finding and owning their niche.
Can Small and Mid-Sized Staffing Firms Keep Up?
Barry doesn’t try to sugarcoat the challenge. The industry’s largest firms are investing heavily in technology and automation. “One of the companies we’ve studied, Aya Healthcare, went from $500 million to $11 billion in just a few years,” Barry explained. “They’re spending $150 million a year on technology alone. That’s not something most staffing firms can compete with directly.”
Does that mean smaller firms are doomed? Absolutely not.
“The key is not trying to match the giants dollar-for-dollar,” Barry said. “Instead, smaller firms need to find their niches in which they can be the best in the world.”
How to Find—and Own—Your Niche
If you’re a small or mid-sized staffing firm, here’s how you can carve out a profitable space in the market:
-
Get Hyper-Specific About Your Market
“There’s always a way to find a profitable niche,” Barry said. “If you can be the best staffing firm in a particular vertical, clients will seek you out.”
-
Be Faster and More Flexible Than the Big Guys
“A smaller firm can outmaneuver the big guys by being faster, more responsive, and more personalized in their approach,” Barry explained.
-
Leverage Tech (Without Overspending)
“The great news is that all this technology is out there and accessible,” Barry said. “You don’t have to build it from scratch. You can rent it, integrate it, and use it to enhance your business.”
What’s Your Slice of the Pie?
At the end of the day, staffing is a massive industry with plenty of opportunity for firms of all sizes. “Yes, the industry is evolving, but there’s still plenty of room for small and mid-sized firms,” Barry said. “You just have to find your slice of the pie … and own it.”
Let’s Talk in Miami!
Want to hear more about how smaller staffing firms can thrive in 2025? Join us at SIA’s Executive Forum, March 10-13 in Miami Beach! I won’t be there, but David Searns and our team will, and we’d love to chat about strategies for success.
Let’s connect! Reach out to schedule a time to meet in person.
The post Competing with Staffing Giants: Find Your Niche appeared first on Haley Marketing Group.
