Starting a temporary employment agency is quick and easy. You register with the Chamber of Commerce and you're done! Or is there more to it than that? How do you become a successful temporary employment agency? What does starting a temporary employment agency involve? We have listed the most important points for you!

How do I start a temp agency? 

The most important step in setting up a temporary employment agency is actually writing a business plan. In it, you set out your objectives, the methods required to achieve them, how and when this should be achieved, and what is needed to do so. A business plan is essentially a step-by-step plan for your successful temporary employment agency!

Who are you?

Think about who you are, what makes your idea unique, and what drives you. Consider what really sets you apart from others, as this will help you attract both staff and customers. A good company name is also important here, so use the current market to really stand out! Make sure that what sets you apart also becomes your specialization, so that you are always ahead of potential competitors.

Conduct a future analysis and consider where you want to be in five years. Create a task plan so that you do not forget any important administrative matters. Draw up an overview of what you need and what start-up capital is required. This will help you avoid unexpected costs and ensure that you do not spend more than you earn. Important things to consider are the payroll services for your flex workers, but also a budget for unforeseen costs or if a customer does not pay on time. It is also important to think about administrative tasks: will you do this yourself or outsource it?

What is your market?

When starting a temporary employment agency, it is good to consider which sector you see a future in and will therefore operate in. Make an important distinction between major competitors. Consider the current competition, but also who your future competitors will be. Are there companies that are increasingly moving in your direction? Immediately think about which customers are interesting for your company and map out their needs and wishes. You may have certain connections that can help you build a good network in order to attract more and more customers. Tip: focus on a niche group, as this is likely to be where there is the least competition and therefore your 'big future'. Don't have a large network yet? Give it some time, a group of people will build up around you who will help you; that's the power of collaboration! 

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A useful concept is the 4 Ps of the promotional mix to help you map out your market, including yourself. 

• Product: What do I offer and what makes me unique?

• Price: What pricing strategy should I adopt? Am I the cheapest?

• Location: Where will I offer my product and where is my target audience located? 

• Promotion: how do you communicate your product and price to the outside world?
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It is also important to consider the 'culture' of a particular market or industry. Are there certain laws, regulations, and collective labor agreements that you need to take into account? As a start-up employment agency, you must register with the Pension Fund for Personnel Services (StiPP), but different industries may also have additional mandatory pension funds. 

In addition, you may need certain certificates to ensure reliable transfers. These could include quality marks, for example. Are these important for your success, and how can you obtain them?

Finally, it is definitely advisable to register with a trade association. A trade association can provide you with specific information about your industry, as well as about legal matters and insurance, for example. They can advise you on which quality marks are relevant to your specific employment agency, such as the SNA quality mark for employment agencies, working conditions, and other personnel matters. A trade association is always up to date on the latest developments, such as the easing of coronavirus restrictions. 

Staff

Once you have drawn up a good business plan, you will have a rough idea of how many customers and services you can expect in, say, the next two years. Use this to calculate how many staff you will need to get started, taking into account certain peaks, such as the summer peak in the hospitality industry.

It is also very important to consider what customers expect from your staff. What qualities do your employees need? Do they need to undergo specific training before they can start work? At Fleks, you can have your employees take a quiz to check whether they are really ready for their shift. We also have a pool system that allows you to filter employees by quality. Isn't that practical?

Promotion

By now, you are completely convinced of your potential employment agency, but are others? And how are you going to convince people? Promotion is key! Think about who your target group is and which channels they use. LinkedIn is a good tool for new customers, as it is very business-driven and almost every company that is active here. If you need new staff around the age of 25-35, consider social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram, where this age group is most active.

 Final tip: always show your business plan to family, friends, or your neighbor. They can look at it with a fresh perspective and often spot things you may have overlooked! Stay focused!