The realm of digital staffing has been quite robust over the past several years, with Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research pegging the growth of these solutions (which includes talent marketplaces and freelancer networks) at 700% since 2017. And it’s easy to see why: businesses must leverage dynamic talent solutions (and sources!) to engage top-tier candidates in real-time to succeed and thrive in an increasingly competitive and frenetic global business environment.
The concept of “omni-channel talent acquisition” has become table stakes for businesses seeking to thrive in these uneven economic times that are compounded by fierce, global competition from enterprises across the world. No longer do traditional staffing strategies drive enough value for those organizations seeking top-tier talent; the very underlying attributes of omni-channel talent acquisition are threaded within a larger, more expansive approach towards talent engagement that traverses beyond archaic measures.
Platforms such as direct sourcing solutions, talent marketplaces, freelancer networks, and digital staffing outlets are the very foundation of omni-channel talent acquisition. However, leveraging these sources on top of everyday talent engagement methods is just one piece of a larger, more dynamic puzzle; in order for businesses to truly derive next-generation value from expanded talent sources, they require connections between both omni-channel sources and their core systems of record.
Work marketplace market leader Upwork, oft-considered the largest provider of digital staffing technology, recently announced two unique partnerships with major VMS players.
“We’re thrilled to have announced the first of many partnerships with leading VMS and MSPs, with the initial two being SAP Fieldglass and FlexTrack,” said Matt Ryan, Upwork’s VP of Enterprise Solutions. “The partnerships are truly strategic and offer significant advantages to our enterprise customers. Our integration with VMS ensures a highly efficient and effective hiring process and enables businesses to manage on-demand talent effortlessly within their existing workforce structures.”
The new collaborations with SAP Fieldglass and FlexTrack offer a holistic solution for seamlessly sourcing and hiring expert independent talent, and, by integrating Upwork’s global network of skilled professionals with these cutting-edge VMS platforms, enterprise customers can directly access a talent pool spanning over 10,000 skills in more than 180 countries. This integration centralizes workforce management, onboarding, and payments, simplifying processes within existing workflows. Furthermore, the VMS partnerships mitigate risks associated with hiring outside established procurement processes, providing comprehensive control and reducing redundant approvals and hiring workflows.
“Our customers and many leaders recognize the challenges and importance of navigating an intricate web of diverse tools and platforms. Our goal is to help them further engineer an agile, dynamic workforce strategy, providing an end-to-end solution to seamlessly integrate diverse talent, optimize operations, and stay ahead in today’s environment,” said Ryan.
The innovation behind Upwork’s partnerships (and integrations) with SAP Fieldglass and FlexTrack represent the veritable future of not just digital staffing, but talent acquisition, as well. As the extended workforce continues to grow in both size and prominence (Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research peg the penetration of this labor at 49.5% of the overall workforce), enterprises will require real-time, dynamic tools to enhance the overall lifecycle of talent management.
“Navigating the path to enterprise success has become increasingly intricate, and the imperative to grow the top and bottom lines while keeping pace on the competitive landscape remains as urgent as ever,” said Zoë Diamadi, Upwork’s general manager of Enterprise. “This is just the beginning of the partnerships and powerful integration capabilities we plan to introduce, and we remain dedicated to providing solutions that our customers and businesses need in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of work.”
