Driving Better Results in MSP Programs through Direct Sourcing
Alexa Bradbury

Global Marketing Director

4 minutes

Driving Better Results in MSP Programs through Direct Sourcing

Managed service providers (MSPs) are constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of the workforce landscape. One of the most innovative strategies in recent times is direct sourcing. Direct sourcing strategy involves MSPs partnering directly with customers to leverage their employer brand, build talent communities, and deploy advanced recruitment automation and technologies to directly engage with qualified candidates, bypassing traditional staffing agencies or vendors. 

Benefits of Direct Sourcing 

Quality of Hire 

Direct sourcing significantly enhances the quality of hires by leveraging a customer's employer brand and reputation. MSPs use direct sourcing platforms to showcase a client's culture, values, and mission, thereby attracting top-tier talent that aligns well with the company’s ethos. 

Faster Hiring Process 

By eliminating intermediaries, direct sourcing streamlines the recruitment process, significantly reducing the time-to-fill for contingent positions. MSPs can automate and optimize the entire recruitment process, from candidate sourcing and screening to hiring and onboarding. 

Cost Savings 

Direct sourcing can lead to reducing contingent workforce costs by eliminating the high markups and fees associated with traditional staffing agencies. This approach also reduces administrative and operational costs, making the hiring process more efficient and generating workforce cost savings. 

Enhanced Talent Pipelines 

Through recruitment automation and personalized candidate engagement at scale, MSPs can foster long-term relationships with both active and passive candidates. This engagement helps maintain robust talent pipelines that are ready to meet future workforce planning and hiring needs. 

Access to Diverse Talent Pools 

Direct sourcing taps into networks of existing and past employees, referrals, alumni, and social media followers, potentially giving companies access to an on-demand workforce from diverse talent pools. Targeted recruitment marketing campaigns can also reach under-represented groups, enriching the talent community. 

Improved Candidate Experience 

Direct sourcing enhances the candidate experience by providing relevant information about the company and the role, and by streamlining the application process. This approach increases the likelihood of finding candidates who are not only qualified but also aligned with the customer’s culture and goals. 

Flexibility and Scalability 

MSP solutions can quickly engage and deploy candidates to meet client needs by using direct sourcing approaches. This flexibility allows MSPs to adapt their recruitment strategies in response to changing market conditions and client expectations. 

Data-Driven Insights 

With direct sourcing, MSPs can collect and analyze data from various sources to gain valuable insights into the talent market, client preferences, and candidate behaviors. These insights enable MSPs to make more informed strategic decisions. 

Overall Efficiency 

Integrating direct sourcing into an MSP model enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of talent acquisition processes. It reduces reliance on third-party vendors, shortens time-to-fill, and improves the quality of hire. Additionally, it increases the retention and engagement of contingent workers by treating them as part of the client’s workforce. 

Risk Mitigation 

Direct sourcing reduces risks associated with hiring contingent workers, such as compliance, legal, and reputational risks. MSPs can ensure that all candidates are vetted and verified according to client standards and regulations. 

What is Advanced Direct Sourcing? 

Advanced Direct Sourcing is a sophisticated approach to building a custom, scalable contingent talent pipeline. It leverages the employer branding in hiring new workers, attracting, curating, and engaging exclusive talent pools for contingent hiring needs. Powered by the latest recruitment automation and personalization technology, Advanced Direct Sourcing aims to: 

  • Build a custom, scalable contingent talent pipeline 

  • Leverage transferable skills among known candidates and proven talent 

  • Support the re-deployment of valuable workers 

  • Nurture talent pools of former employees, freelancers, SOW labor, retirees, referrals, interns, and “runner-up” applicants 

Steps to Implement Advanced Direct Sourcing 

The successful implementation of Advanced Direct Sourcing begins with planning and designing a custom program tailored to specific needs. Here are the key steps: 

1. Develop a Direct Sourcing Strategy 

Start by developing a direct sourcing strategy that aligns with your company’s value proposition and employer brand. This involves defining the talent requirements, segmenting the talent pools, and setting up recruitment marketing campaigns. 

2. Launch Recruitment Marketing Campaigns 

Create and implement recruitment strategies that drive candidate attraction. Use digital sourcing campaigns, branded talent acquisition, and omni-channel marketing to reach a large volume of high-quality talent. 

3. Segment Talent Pools 

Talent curation is grouped by worker type, geographic region, skills, experience, pay scale, education, work location, and other relevant parameters. This segmentation allows for a more targeted approach in engaging and deploying candidates. 

4. Engage with Talent 

Keep candidates engaged with regular communication, company news, and updates. Foster relationships through automated platforms, ensuring candidates remain interested and informed. 

5. Place Candidates Quickly 

Advanced Direct Sourcing enables the quick placement of candidates into short and long-term assignments. This approach reduces third-party fees and accelerates the hiring process. 

Advantages of Advanced Direct Sourcing 

Advanced Direct Sourcing offers numerous advantages, including: 

  • Improved access to high-quality and diverse talent 

  • Lower costs for attracting and engaging talent 

  • Increased hiring speed and workforce agility 

  • Enhanced candidate and hiring manager experiences 

  • Improved visibility, control, and risk mitigation 

  • Better exposure of the employer brand 

  • Continuous program innovation through iterative processes 

  • Increased talent re-deployment and temp-to-perm conversion 

Best Uses for Advanced Direct Sourcing 

Companies can best utilize Advanced Direct Sourcing for: 

  • High-volume hiring 

  • Repeatable roles 

  • Predictable work patterns 

  • Seasonal opportunities 

  • Projects with forecasted hiring spikes 

  • Special event staffing 

Conclusion 

Advanced Direct Sourcing is transforming how MSPs recruit and manage contingent talent. By leveraging employer brands, engaging advanced technologies, and fostering long-term talent relationships, MSPs can build a more agile, cost-effective, and high-quality workforce. Companies that adopt this approach will be well-positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of talent acquisition and maintain a competitive edge. 

Start your journey with Advanced Direct Sourcing today and unlock the full potential of your contingent workforce. 

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