Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1370374
PalletCentral • May-June 2021 23 ability to pay 30-40% of the employee's wages per day," says Marks. Another source of staffing for pallet companies to consider is to recruit in lower pay scale regions who can work remotely. For cities and regions with high wages, seeking talent from areas where pay expectations may be lower can fill needed clerical, accounting, sales, marketing and other positions that are not tied to actual pallet production. "ese are all hot trends, and likely to remain for the long haul. It is advisable that employers consider their options as outside-the-box as some seem," he notes. Leveraging Technology To combat the rising costs of attracting and retaining workers, employers need to rethink where they can reduce workforce numbers with use of technology. It is suggested that companies leverage software, production tools, and robotics, which are becoming more affordable and create savings in some interesting ways. Employers who feel that adding technology is too expensive of an investment should take another look, says Marks. "For instance, one company has just introduced a robot with large adjustable arms that can move pallets and boxes, and supplements the need for warehouse workers," notes Marks. "e investment is only $75K. at is affordable for most companies, especially if they finance the equipment." is kind of move not only cuts payroll, but reduces costly workplace injuries, paid benefits, and costs associated in the basic management of people. For instance, employers often overlook the cost per employee to recruit, interview, hire, and train … and then repeat it as workers systematically cycle through a business. Other technologies that prove sound investments for companies include cloud-based production tools like Google's G Suite, where a team can create, communicate, and collaborate, all in one place, from anywhere. is kind of tool is the new company meeting room, office cooler, bulletin board and more. Customer relationship management (CRM) software is also becoming a necessity, says Marks. CRMs offer management the ability to access sales team activity, a view of potential leads, and transparency across the board for customer interaction. Automating this process also provides a seamless transition should a salesperson leave the company. Software for human relations is offered by Paychex, Gusto Payroll, BambooHR, or a host of others, and is now a basic essential office tool. Bill.com provides accounts payable management, where one can automate email invoices, essentially eliminating the need for accounts payable staff. Look around at the company's energy and money drains and then research if there is a solution to streamline that situation. "Use technology to lower your headcount now," says Marks. "Don't wait." To win at staffing, a company must provide stellar, and even unique, benefits. In an industrial setting, that may mean implementing benefits that would typically be found in more corporate environments. iStockphoto.com/ipopba