Case Study
For over 50 years, Staffmark Group has cemented its position as one of the most successful staffing agencies in the U.S., placing 175,000 employees annually through 400+ offices across over 30 states. Their excellence is proven by earning the ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® awards year after year—an honor given to less than 2% of agencies based on both client and employee ratings.
Shannon Ronspies, Senior Director of Digital Experience at Staffmark Group, credits the company’s success to two key elements: the team’s unmatched passion and a relentless drive to innovate. By refusing to settle for the status quo and embracing technological change, Staffmark Group has consistently improved experiences for staff, talent, and employers.
As Shannon explains: “We leverage innovative technology to streamline processes and enhance efficiency, allowing our team to focus on what technology can’t. It’s about strengthening relationships, not replacing them. Over the past 50 years, our people have brought their passion and expertise to our clients and candidates. Technology helps us connect more deeply, fostering lasting partnerships on both sides of the equation.”
This commitment to constant improvement, powered by technology, led to the launch of their mobile talent app. The impact was immediate and profound—placement times have shrunk from hours to minutes, achieving a 63% increase in speed to fill. Initially, just 5% of job orders were processed through the app; today, that number has skyrocketed to 80%, with over 600 thousand candidates now engaged on the platform.
Learn how Staffmark Group transformed into a true digital marketplace for talent in just five years, creating an end-to-end experience that drives efficiency, engagement, and exceptional results.
In 2018, Staffmark Group, under the leadership of then Global CIO Mike Whitmer, identified a crucial opportunity to advance their hiring process by embracing mobile technology. Observing that nearly 87% of candidates were initiating their applications via mobile devices, Whitmer understood the need to adapt to this trend. His goal was to enhance the candidate experience and create a more efficient, mobile-driven hiring process that would enable employers to make quicker and more informed decisions.
Staffmark Group recognized that a comprehensive mobile platform supporting the entire employee journey would greatly accelerate candidate placement, boost recruiter productivity, and positively impact overall business performance.
In his search for a solution, Whitmer engaged with various technology providers but found a significant breakthrough during discussions with the executive team at WorkN, Avionté’s mobile platform. Their shared vision of using mobile technology throughout the entire staffing process—rather than just as a standalone app—was crucial. This alignment allowed for a strong partnership from the start, with both sides dedicated to creating a smooth, end-to-end staffing solution that adapted to Staffmark Group’s changing needs.
“We are always evaluating industry changes and updating our roadmap to enhance the experiences of our talent, clients, and recruiters. Even when selecting the product, we were strategic in choosing a partner that aligned with our vision of where we wanted to take it.
That relationship has proven invaluable, reinforcing the importance of open communication and mutual support as we continue to evolve. We recognized that the more we integrate our systems and streamline operations, the greater our impact.”
Shannon RonspiesSenior Director of Digital Experience, Staffmark Group
What set WorkN apart was its smooth integration with a third-party ATS, allowing Staffmark Group to build a unified platform that matched its strategic goals. Now, as part of Avionté, a top provider of staffing technology, the app continues to evolve, helping Staffmark Group improve experiences for both their team and talent.
Since partnering with WorkN, Staffmark Group has seen impressive returns on its mobile app investment. Initially, only 5% of job orders were processed through the app, but that figure has now jumped to 80%, underscoring its crucial role in their recruitment process.
The integration of mobile technology has revolutionized the hiring process. Candidates can now apply, get onboarded, and then be placed on assignments in just 10 minutes thanks to the app’s streamlined workflows. This efficiency has led to a 63% increase in speed-to-hire, with over 40% of applications coming through the mobile app vs. traditional web applies. Currently, Staffmark Group is seeing a 69% adoption rate for talent logins and a 97% engagement rate, meaning 97% of candidates who expressed interest through the app advanced to the next stage in the recruitment process.
Results at a Glance:
%
increase in speed-to-hire
%
applications through the mobile app
%
adoption rate for talent logins
Automation has cut placement times from hours to minutes, moving from manual processes to digital workflows. This shift has saved countless hours and greatly improved efficiency. The app has also greatly expanded Staffmark Group’s talent pool, with weekly app downloads and applications submitted via the app, growing from an initial 100 to over 6,000. Today, more than 600 thousand candidates are actively engaged through the app.
And the app’s ability to integrate with third-party technologies has significantly boosted its effectiveness. For instance, Staffmark Group integrated their mobile app with Sense, an external talent engagement platform now available within the app, to keep candidates informed about new opportunities at the end of their current assignment. This strategy has boosted redeployment rates and encouraged candidates to return to the app for future roles, ultimately transforming Staffmark Group into a thriving digital marketplace.
Despite its rapid success, implementing this new technology across a large organization presented significant challenges, especially with recruiter resistance. So, how did Staffmark Group achieve such success in a short time?
Leading the initiative, Shannon collaborated with a steering committee to create a comprehensive plan that prioritized change management and ensured smooth implementation.
They began with a phased rollout, targeting a variety of locations throughout different regions and markets. This approach allowed Staffmark Group to gather actionable feedback and refine the app before a full release. Real-world testing and adjustments based on early user feedback enhanced the app’s effectiveness in boosting productivity. This targeted strategy, combined with transparent communication and ongoing support, quickly demonstrated ROI which helped to overcome recruiter resistance.
From the start, Shannon’s team understood the importance of transparency. They tackled concerns that the new technology might replace recruiters by using early data to demonstrate how it could enhance their roles, not supplant them. They prioritized open communication, actively involving recruiters and field users throughout the process.
Committed to refining the technology based on client and user feedback, they promoted quick wins and addressed concerns promptly, which helped the company quickly demonstrate value and build trust. To further encourage adoption, the team gamified the training process, setting goals and offering recognition and monetary incentives for achievements. Celebrating both big and small successes helped motivate the team and highlight the benefits of the new technology.
The comprehensive approach to training and deployment proved effective. Even after the initial phases, the technology became integral to daily operations. Driven by tangible benefits and continuous support, the team swiftly adopted mobile technology and made it central to their workflow, leading to impressive outcomes.
Ultimately, Staffmark Group’s commitment to mobile technology has not only streamlined its hiring process but also delivered substantial ROI, establishing it as a cornerstone of its recruitment strategy.
Staffmark Group’s success stems from its commitment to never being satisfied with the status quo. Their partnership with WorkN and Avionté embodies this mindset, as both share a vision of continuous improvement to enhance interactions and streamline workflows for talent and recruiters. Shannon and her team understand that a successful product is built through strong partnerships with the right people.
“What I appreciate about being part of this partnership for the last seven years is that, even with WorkN’s acquisition by Avionté, the quality of support has not only remained strong but has grown. There is now more product and customer support than ever, driven by a dedicated Customer Success team. They fully understand our high expectations and go above and beyond to meet and exceed them. Our partnership is truly reciprocal, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without their support,” Shannon said.
Staffmark Group’s journey serves as a powerful lesson for other agencies aiming to become more competitive and grow. As Shannon emphasizes, “If a digital marketplace or strategy isn’t in your plans this year, make sure it is for the next few years. If you don’t get on the train, you’ll get left behind.”
Talent demands easier and better experiences; they want you to meet them where they are. But it’s not just your talent who is paying attention. Employers are also keenly observing how agencies differentiate themselves and quickly place the best-fit talent. Strengthening your sales messaging and showcasing advanced technology can significantly boost your appeal with employer clients as well.
“When employers and clients see you have the right tools, they become more excited to work with you, knowing you can offer greater value. It’s our dedication to building better experiences with the right tools, teams, and partners that have allowed us to continue growing, even in uncertain times.”
Shannon RonspiesSenior Director of Digital Experience, Staffmark Group
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