Since I am almost 100% certain people are the key to a business’s success, I am going to first focus on building the people pillar. My idea is to start a specialty staffing business that focuses on people in the high technology fields. I have already built a piece of software that lets people enter their skills and resumes. It is searchable, so potential employers can find their ideal candidates. Employers can also post jobs on the site, so potential employees can apply for the jobs they find interesting. This model is very similar to a job site like Monster.com or Dice.com.
The thing about the existing job posting sites is cost. It is expensive for businesses to post jobs on sites like Monster or Dice. It costs a ton for a business to be able to search the various resumes. This pricing model basically shuts out the small business owner. Next time you are on one of those sites, notice how few small businesses actually post jobs on those sites. Small businesses are more likely to use a less expensive venue like Craigslist. Most people don’t know, but Craigslist's revenue model is based on job postings. It costs $50 per job post, and is an inexpensive way for employers to post jobs (most people do not realize that is how the site got started... they just think of it as a free place to find old chairs or something.)
Now, if you have been recently on Craigslist, you already know how difficult it is to search for jobs. It isn’t the most user friendly site out there, but it has a huge following. I am guessing the pricing model is at least part of the reason Craigslist has been successful. It is the right price, but at the same time, the wrong application. I think I have a better way. My website will contain the sophistication of a site like Monster, but use the pricing model more like Craigslist. I will buy my way into the on-line job posting and resume business by offering a great product at a low price. But wait, there is more!
If you own a business or do hiring, you know it is time consuming to sort through resumes, schedule appointments, screen candidates, do the background checks, etc. You may want to schedule an interview with multiple people in your group, so each person has a say in the hiring process. No matter how you look at it, it can be a difficult and time consuming task. Once you find a candidate, there is the on-boarding process, presenting the candidate with the HR handbook, handling the W2 and other assorted paperwork. Again, this is a ton of work. Doing this work for businesses is one reason why staffing companies have been successful. It takes the tedious work and off-loads it to a group who does it for a fee. My company will offer those screening and on-boarding services in addition to the on-line posting site.
Since people are such an important part of any business, I want to the ability to find the best and the brightest. The only way to do is that is to meet a lot of people. But, I need a reason to meet people. People do not just give you all their job history, credentials, and other information for the heck of it. They usually only do so when they are hunting for a job. My business will not only offer an affordable web site to post jobs and to search resumes, but will also include the components of a full-service headhunting company for those businesses that need the additional services. This is the way I can start meeting people in the field and start filing away the names of the best candidates.
At the end of the day, I have a great way to start a staffing business. I will offer two needed services (affordable job posting site and full-service recruitment offerings) and will create a standalone business to fulfill these needs. As a side benefit, I am creating an engine to meet, screen, and help on-board people who have great technical skills. When I move to other potential business ideas, I can leverage the staffing company to help bring on the required resources. The staffing company also exposes me to a great pool of people. I can meet the best and the brightest people and when a new business opportunity presents itself, I can use my virtual rolodex of contacts to put together teams of great people.
Please let me know if this business sounds like a good idea or not.
That is it for now. Next time I will be talking about the second pillar of my business!
The thing about the existing job posting sites is cost. It is expensive for businesses to post jobs on sites like Monster or Dice. It costs a ton for a business to be able to search the various resumes. This pricing model basically shuts out the small business owner. Next time you are on one of those sites, notice how few small businesses actually post jobs on those sites. Small businesses are more likely to use a less expensive venue like Craigslist. Most people don’t know, but Craigslist's revenue model is based on job postings. It costs $50 per job post, and is an inexpensive way for employers to post jobs (most people do not realize that is how the site got started... they just think of it as a free place to find old chairs or something.)
Now, if you have been recently on Craigslist, you already know how difficult it is to search for jobs. It isn’t the most user friendly site out there, but it has a huge following. I am guessing the pricing model is at least part of the reason Craigslist has been successful. It is the right price, but at the same time, the wrong application. I think I have a better way. My website will contain the sophistication of a site like Monster, but use the pricing model more like Craigslist. I will buy my way into the on-line job posting and resume business by offering a great product at a low price. But wait, there is more!
If you own a business or do hiring, you know it is time consuming to sort through resumes, schedule appointments, screen candidates, do the background checks, etc. You may want to schedule an interview with multiple people in your group, so each person has a say in the hiring process. No matter how you look at it, it can be a difficult and time consuming task. Once you find a candidate, there is the on-boarding process, presenting the candidate with the HR handbook, handling the W2 and other assorted paperwork. Again, this is a ton of work. Doing this work for businesses is one reason why staffing companies have been successful. It takes the tedious work and off-loads it to a group who does it for a fee. My company will offer those screening and on-boarding services in addition to the on-line posting site.
Since people are such an important part of any business, I want to the ability to find the best and the brightest. The only way to do is that is to meet a lot of people. But, I need a reason to meet people. People do not just give you all their job history, credentials, and other information for the heck of it. They usually only do so when they are hunting for a job. My business will not only offer an affordable web site to post jobs and to search resumes, but will also include the components of a full-service headhunting company for those businesses that need the additional services. This is the way I can start meeting people in the field and start filing away the names of the best candidates.
At the end of the day, I have a great way to start a staffing business. I will offer two needed services (affordable job posting site and full-service recruitment offerings) and will create a standalone business to fulfill these needs. As a side benefit, I am creating an engine to meet, screen, and help on-board people who have great technical skills. When I move to other potential business ideas, I can leverage the staffing company to help bring on the required resources. The staffing company also exposes me to a great pool of people. I can meet the best and the brightest people and when a new business opportunity presents itself, I can use my virtual rolodex of contacts to put together teams of great people.
Please let me know if this business sounds like a good idea or not.
That is it for now. Next time I will be talking about the second pillar of my business!
