From the desk of Dayna Gilchrist:

When looking for a staffing partner for an upcoming event or activation, it can feel like there are endless options to choose from. It can be difficult to narrow down the list to find the right fit for your needs. I have been married for almost 10 years now, and have been with my husband for over 15, so I certainly have been out of the dating game for a bit, but I can imagine it is like searching for a staffing partner.

Okay, who am I kidding?  I can’t even begin and try to understand the dating world. Let’s use something that I can relate to- finding the best pizza in NYC. There are literally over 32,000 pizza locations in NYC, so where do you start when you only have one chance to get it right and are craving the perfect slice? By using the 3 PILLARS of selection: (1) Word of Mouth, (2) Reviews, and (3) Reputation. For the pizza example, it’s simple: ask locals (word of mouth), check sites like YELP and Trip Advisor (reviews) and see what the experts like Zagat Rated them (reputation).

Now that I have you craving a slice of NYC thin crust…let’s talk about something less appetizing- engaging your next staffing partner:

1. Word of Mouth (WOM)

Go direct to the source and find out what Brand Ambassadors think – what agencies do they trust and enjoy working with? When an agency has good WOM it means that people who have sampled the service tell friends, family and strangers of their positive experience with that service. This is a great start when narrowing down the list of over 200+ event staffing agencies out there.

2. Reviews

Once you have that short list, check reviews online to see what staff and clients are saying about the agencies. Start with their own Facebook and Instagram pages- what do the posts say about their work? Is there interaction with clients and staff online that suggest or call out positive experiences with them? Search sites like Trusted Herd; an online resource where brands, agencies, vendors and workers come together to post reviews and share experiences. You will spot the bad eggs right away and get closer to the agency you are planning to move forward with!

3. Reputation

Finally, reputation is KEY to finding the perfect staffing partner. Aside from just the reviews posted and available, has the agency received any recognition for the work they do in the form of an award or something similar? This will confirm the agency’s’ work quality in the industry and is a key indicator to its proven success among its competitors.

Hope you found this helpful! Now, I am going to order some pizza!!
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