The rise of an entrepreneurial generation that is more proactive has led to an increase in startups, large and small, across many industries. The internet makes it possible for the average person to start a business, and everyone has been coming up with ideas for lucrative ventures. 

So, you have a budget that isn’t very big and a business plan. If you’re considering expanding your team, you’re on the right track. Staff augmentation can be helpful for both cost-saving and strategic planning that will help your business succeed. This is because it is a unique talent option for startups.

When considering staff augmentation, organizations like turnkey-labs.com are experts in offering the ideal teams or individuals that will fit well with your existing team. What is staff augmentation, you ask? Let’s unpack it for you.

What is staff augmentation?

Staff augmentation is a novel approach to the business management of hiring outside help to meet a company’s demands. The hiring process is typically handled by the businesses or clients themselves, giving them a lot of leeway in selecting talented people to carry out particular tasks.

 In short, staff augmentation is the process of expanding a workforce using workers from outside the company, either temporarily or permanently. It is an outsourcing strategy that offers a great deal of flexibility and enables international collaboration. 

In essence, staff augmentation involves two businesses coming to an agreement, and the vendor hires the workers on a contract basis. Consequently, by using this solution, you can lower the expense and risk of recruiting new employees.

The main selling point of this new recruitment style is its adaptability to the changing demands of an organization. It has become popular among many new businesses because it increases the range of skills available by using project-based systems to outsource freelancers and subject matter experts with less risk.

What makes staff augmentation ideal for startups? 

It makes sense to look skeptically at a novel idea and to safeguard your hard-earned investments. However, here are some things to consider as a venturing entrepreneur if you’re on the fence about outsourcing to a staff augmentation service:

1.   It saves money

 Staff augmentation doesn’t just result in cost savings from lower hiring expenses. It is vital to consider additional elements, such as office upkeep, integration trips, or non-wage benefits. By selecting this approach, you only pay for the specific work you contract for. You can reduce expenses in this way without compromising quality. 

You hire someone with the appropriate skills to complete the task, streamline ongoing processes, or start a new project. With staff augmentation, you only pay for what you require. Additionally, you can employ workers from other countries at much lower wage costs.

2.   It saves time 

It may require months and months to find qualified employees. It’s a difficult, time-consuming, and complex process that could cost your business a lot of time, money, and effort. By choosing staff augmentation, you can launch your project right away without wasting time on a drawn-out hiring procedure.

3.   It boosts productivity

You can increase company productivity and effectiveness by adding staff. The satisfaction of both employees and customers is positively impacted. Furthermore, you don’t hire someone who may have the necessary training and expertise. You pick a person who lives up to your expectations, putting an end to the issue of employee turnover. 

Is there a shortage of IT professionals in your country or any issues with employee retention in your company? Choose staff augmentation to end it, and you can concentrate on other crucial issues for your company.

4.  It allows flexibility 

Flexibility is among the most crucial characteristics of staff augmentation. With this model, you can employ however many specialists you require at any given time. This is not as enforceable as an internal hire, though. Since most are hired temporarily and are free to work on other projects after their time with you, you don’t need to let anyone go.

5.  It offers greater innovation 

New team members with diverse backgrounds and experiences offer the chance for innovative thinking and a fruitful exchange of knowledge. Use this as an opportunity to provide your company with creative and unconventional solutions.

The cons of staff augmentation

Higher costs for management 

By choosing staff augmentation instead of outsourcing the entire project, you are still managing the project and staff which might result in more expensive project management. Suppose the project is taking longer than you anticipated, or you are hiring a specialist for a more extended period than expected. In that case, it might also not be cost-effective. Engaging people temporarily will always be less expensive than hiring them long-term because “hired” staff is typically more expensive per hour than your employee.

Less familiarity with the business 

Temporary workers from outside your company do not feel the same connection to your business as internal employees do. There is a chance that they won’t be familiar with the setting, culture, history, or particulars of how your company operates, which could impact how they appear and approach a project.

The addition of external staff expands a team that has been working together for a while. As a result, it takes a long time for employees to get to know one another, learn how to work together, and become familiar with the organizational structure. You should engage in several training sessions and workshops to prevent such knowledge gaps in your company.

How does a staff augmentation service operate? 

Depending on the external company that supplies you with employees, the staff augmentation procedure may vary. However, regardless of the vendor you choose, a few essential components always take place:

  • Identifying needs 

Identifying your needs should be your first step. Consider the number and types of professionals you need, as well as their skills. After that, consider your expectations of these people as well as your top priorities.

  • Selecting a partner for outsourcing the talent

Once you have decided what you need, look for a business that provides this type of cooperation. Make sure to do your homework, read reviews of this business, and then arrange a meeting to discuss your needs.

  • Recruiting employees

Your provider chooses the top candidates for your business based on your needs and goals for employees. 

  • Employee onboarding

You should plan for the skilled onboarding of new hires to ensure that business as usual is achieved in your organization. It’s time to introduce them to the team, the guidelines and working method, the company’s mission, vision, and unique characteristics, as well as any other matters that might have an impact on your team’s daily operations.

Summary

Consider staff augmentation to save time and money, boost productivity, and get a greater level of innovation within your startup. Once you know your company’s needs, engage a well-researched service provider like Turnkey, who will conduct the recruitment process. When you have the right staff, engage them in training to familiarise themselves with the business and your company ethos. Watch your company grow!

Also Read: ​​3 Things You Should Know Before Launching a Startup in the US