Innovation as the key to success in personnel services

Insights from Thorsten Meier, COO at ZAG

In an industry where speed, precision and flexibility are crucial to success, innovation is far more than just a buzzword - it is a competitive factor. For Thorsten Meier, COO of ZAG, innovation primarily means developing new or significantly improved methods, processes and business models that provide customers with staff quickly and accurately. At the same time, it must be easy, attractive and transparent for applicants to start a new job.

“For me, innovation meansto develop new or significantly improved methods, processes and business models that enable customers to deploy suitable personnel at short notice - and to offer candidates a simple, attractive and transparent path to a new job."

In the Corporate strategy of ZAG innovation therefore always plays a key role. "It is crucial to remaining competitive in the long term, securing growth and ensuring the future viability of our company," says Meier.

He currently sees the Central recruiting - including digital employment contracts - and the Nationwide control of key account management as the biggest driver of innovation. But for him, one thing is certain: "The biggest drivers of innovation are always the people - regardless of the level at which they work."

Technologies such as applicant management and CRM systems, automated multi-posting platforms, digital applicant communication, modern time recording and dynamically controlled advertising budgets have had the greatest influence on operational processes in recent years.

The right corporate culture is needed for ideas to bubble up. Here, Meier relies on Trust, role models and incentives"Our dispatchers, sales staff and recruiters often have the best ideas - after all, they are close to customers and candidates." Ideas flow both via Regular management events as well as via the close exchange with the branches at the company headquarters.

Of course, every innovation harbours a certain amount of risk. Meier is relaxed about this: "New ideas sometimes fail. Trial and error is often the most effective way to find out what works."

A look into the future clearly shows him that the pure employee leasing will not disappear, but it will no longer be enough on its own. "If you want to be successful, you have to combine technology and consulting, offer integrated processes to customers and develop specialised staff."

When asked which innovation he personally would like to see the most, Meier answers without hesitation: "Those that create real added value for customers and candidates."