If you’ve never worked with a Managed Staffing Provider before, you may be wondering how to make the most out of the relationship. Here’s how to create a win-win situation for both sides of the equation.
- Ask questions. Yes, you brought an MSP onboard to handle a critical business need so you could focus on other responsibilities. But you can’t just turn them loose and assume everything is going to be okay. Build trust and respect from the beginning by making sure you understand their approach and they understand yours.
- Clearly define roles and responsibilities up front. Don’t let the presence of an MSP cause territorial issues or allow duties to fall through the cracks. Let your internal personnel know what they will be expected to do and exactly what the MSP will be responsible for doing. Avoid an adversarial position from the outset so the MSP can prove its value.
- Communicate and/or meet on a regular basis. You don’t have to check in with your MSP daily or even weekly — after all, the point of hiring one was to free up your time and energy. But you should treat your MSP like any other internal department. Keep them in the loop as appropriate about strategic plans, changes, and other information that could impact what they’re doing. This way, your MSP can anticipate and adapt their plans. Try setting up monthly or quarterly reviews, depending on what works for you.
- Be proactive and reactive. If problems surface, address them immediately with your provider. Following steps one through three should minimize potential problems, but things never go exactly according to plan, and circumstances can also change. If you bring up a problem to the MSP right away, they’ll have time to evaluate the situation and hopefully provide answers and mitigate whatever the issue was. This usually leads to a positive resolution — and if it doesn’t, you and your MSP will have the chance to explore other options.
The role of an MSP is to make your organization run more smoothly and efficiently. Your role is to give them the information they need to make that happen. With some forethought and a bit of effort, both parties can work together to create mutual success.
At CSSvSource, we’ve been creating MSP solutions and successful partnerships with employers across the nation for years. Call us anytime you’d like to see what we can do to help your organization achieve success!