How to Evaluate and Influence Training & Staffing Vendor Selection (Plus, a Helpful Email Script to Stakeholders)

Are you struggling to find your company’s perfect training and staffing vendor? We know that selecting the right vendor can directly impact employee performance and overall business growth. In this post, we’ll walk you through three phases to find the perfect vendor match for your company. Let’s get started! 

Understanding Your Company’s Needs Before

Let’s figure out what your company needs regarding training and staffing! By conducting a thorough analysis, you’ll identify skill gaps, learning objectives, and desired outcomes. Ensure you involve stakeholders from different departments and collect feedback to understand your organization’s needs comprehensively.

To help you dive deeper into understanding your company’s needs, consider these question prompts and bullet points:

  1. Current skills inventory:
    • What skills and expertise do your employees currently possess?
    • Are there any skill gaps that need to be addressed?
  2. Future goals and objectives:
    • What are your company’s short-term and long-term goals?
    • How do these goals translate into required skills and competencies?
  3. Workforce dynamics:
    • How does your company’s workforce size and structure impact your training and staffing needs?
    • Are there any upcoming events or changes that might affect these needs?
  4. Training preferences and styles:
    • What training methods and approaches have been most effective for your company?
    • How can you tailor training programs to suit the unique needs and preferences of your employees?
  5. Budget considerations:
    • What is your allocated budget for training and staffing initiatives?
    • How can you maximize the return on investment (ROI) for your training and staffing efforts?
  6. Feedback from employees and stakeholders:
    • What do your employees think about your current training programs and staffing processes?
    • How can you incorporate their feedback to improve your company’s L&D strategy?

By addressing these questions and bullet points, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of your company’s training and staffing needs, ultimately helping you make more informed decisions when selecting a vendor. For more information on analysis, check out our recent blog post here.

Evaluating Potential Vendors

Now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to find your training and staffing vendor! Start by researching vendors that specialize in your industry or have a proven track record of success. Don’t be shy – expand your search beyond your current preferred vendor list. Compare vendors based on criteria like expertise, cost, responsiveness, and reputation.

Innovative tip: gather references and reviews from other clients to get valuable insights into a vendor’s performance.

When evaluating potential vendors, it’s essential to consider multiple sources of information to get a well-rounded perspective. Here are some resources you can use to gather insights and reviews about potential vendors:

  1. Glassdoor: Glassdoor is a popular platform where employees and former employees can leave reviews about their experiences with a company. Browse through the vendor’s Glassdoor profile to get a sense of their company culture, employee satisfaction, and overall reputation. 
  2. Google Reviews: Google Reviews provides customers with a platform to share their experiences with a business. These reviews can help you gauge the overall satisfaction of the vendor’s clients and identify any potential red flags. 
  3. LinkedIn: LinkedIn is an excellent resource for professional networking and company research. Explore the vendor’s LinkedIn profile to learn more about their team, areas of expertise, and industry connections. 
  4. Social media platforms: Check out the vendor’s social media profiles (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to gain insight into their online presence, client interactions, and company updates. 
  5. Case studies and testimonials: Visit the vendor’s website to find case studies and testimonials from their clients. These can provide valuable insights into the vendor’s approach, success stories, and the results they’ve delivered for their clients.
  6. References: If you’re seriously considering a vendor, don’t hesitate to ask them for references from previous clients. This can provide you with firsthand accounts of their performance and help you make an informed decision. 
  7. Free Consultation Call: Some vendors (like us!) offer a free consultation call where you can connect about your needs and viable solutions. Talking to a vendor can give you an opportunity to ask preliminary questions and may provide clarity on your specific needs and solutions. This ultimately ensures they could be a good culture fit in your learning organization. 

By leveraging these resources, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate potential vendors and find the perfect fit for your company’s training and staffing needs. 

And speaking of resources, we have a fantastic resource to make your vendor selection journey even smoother. Download “The Ultimate L&D Guide to Interviewing Staffing Vendorsthat’ll provide invaluable insights and tips on choosing the perfect staffing agency. 

FREE Download!

Find your perfect L&D partner! Download the guide for key questions to ask and guidance to ensure character, culture, competency, and commitment match for your learning organization.

Influencing the Vendor Selection Process

Ready to sway the vendor selection process in favor of your preferred vendor? Make a persuasive case by highlighting their strengths, presenting data to back up their effectiveness, and involving stakeholders in the decision-making process. By showcasing the vendor’s ability to meet your organization’s needs, you’ll increase the likelihood of securing their services and making your company shine. 

Here’s a handy email template you can use to make your case: 

FREE Download!

Use the following email template to persuade key stakeholders by highlighting the prospective vendor’s strengths, effectiveness, and ability to meet your L&D needs!

In a nutshell, selecting the right training and staffing vendor is essential for your organization’s success. By identifying your company’s needs, evaluating potential vendors, and influencing the selection process, you’ll help your organization choose the perfect vendor to meet its goals. So, use these tips and strategies to find your vendor soulmate and watch your organization flourish!  

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About the Author:

With over 25 years of experience in the L&D industry, Debbie Wooldridge is a corporate instructional design expert, two-time Amazon best-selling author, proud graduate of Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business program, and SBA District Director award holder for Growth in the Workforce Sector. She is also the Founder and CEO of ttcInnovations, a full-service training and talent agency offering engaging learning solutions and Innovators on Demand® staff augmentation since 2001. Under her leadership, ttcInnovations has partnered with Fortune 500s to increase their impact with aligned staffing creating impactful learner experiences. Debbie currently lives in Carlsbad, California, with her husband, where they enjoy outdoor activities and time spent with their Millennial twins and two grandkids.

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