Founder, co-owner and COO, Sam Harris, describes Staff Zone as blue-collar staffing company that was built for and specializing in the construction, light industrial, and special events industries. Since 2004, they have developed Best in Class® procedures to provide individuals with job assignments on a daily/weekly basis. By sending thousands of workers to customers from 37 locations nationwide, they help to improve the communities in which they are located, both economically and socially through their “Constructing Lives™” initiative. According to Sam, the temporary construction labor industry has worked for decades by outsourcing human resource chores like hiring, payroll taxes, and worker's compensation to skilled specialists like Staff Zone, allowing companies to focus on their strengths.
Sam started in the industry in 1993. Over the next decade, he was promoted to several roles within that company, giving him insight into the many facets of the industry. In 2004, that company was sold, leaving Sam and a few committed employees with a choice. Sam says, “They’ve never regretted choosing their own vision, cementing their own path within the staffing industry”. By learning the business from the trenches, Sam understands the needs of his customers, both the temporary workforce and the jobsite clients. While he has extremely high standards, Sam never asks anyone to do something he wouldn't do or hasn’t done himself. He expects his managers to be an example for their teams, through hard work and availability. These things have taught him and won him respect.
Staff Zone has over 200 full-time employees, consisting of 12 dedicated and experienced executives: CEO, COO, CFO, VP, VPSO, VPQA, and Directors of Credit and Collection, Safety, Human Resources, Operations, Sales, and Growth & Development. They also have 23 General Managers, consisting of focused responsibilities in sales, operations, service, and safety. Their corporate office houses many departments and positions to support the nationwide branches: Credit and Collections; Human Resources; Recruiting; Quality Assurance; Media Specialist; Payroll; Internal Controller; Marketing; Curriculum Coordinator; and Fleet Manager. Depending on the size of each market, their branches have at least one of the following positions: branch manager, sales manager, office manager, office assistant, field service manager, and van driver.
Sam explains how Constructing Lives™ motivates their employees. “Our employees know the massive responsibility they have, and they work extremely hard every day to help improve economic and social circumstances in their communities. They are passionate about enhancing lives, including those needing a second chance, and this gives them an edge when competing for our customer base.”
Sam also states that the only constant he has seen in his three decades in this industry, is change. One of the most important ways Staff Zone stays on top of changes and trends is through metrics that provide real-time, department specific data. This data is analyzed and used by company leaders to make necessary changes and improvements quickly. This “data machine” has led to the creation of many critical inhouse programs that have kept Staff Zone ahead of the industry curve, such as:
• Development and creation of kiosks in branches for application process
• Staff Zone TV for our workforce to hear important and ongoing messaging
• An on-boarding process that is overseen by a full-time Curriculum Coordinator who guides new employees through company history, orientation, initiatives, and training
• Staff Zone University, that includes training modules for every facet of their company that employees can refer back to as needed
• Improved recruitment program with a full time Business Development Manager who partners with community entities, such as social service groups, churches, community colleges, tech schools, food banks, shelters, transition centers, recovery centers, and work release programs to offer jobs provided by Staff Zone.
With Staff Zone coming upon their 20th anniversary, there are no signs of slowing down. As Sam states, “If you stop a moving train, it will roll backwards.” With expansion, Staff Zone is able to affect more lives in a positive way by providing more jobs and opportunities, for both full-time employees and to their temporary labor force. Trends of the US economy, including growth markets, interest rates, unemployment, and labor patterns are factors considered into expansion plans; where and when to open new branches or acquire other companies. According to Sam, “With our current level of management and our internal policies and procedures, our existing structure is ready to grow upwards of 25% quickly.”
Constructing Lives™ doesn’t just mean providing jobs. It also means helping the communities in which their branches are located. Staff Zone has supported Habitat for Humanity, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and other worthy nationwide programs.
Locally, they have encouraged employees to bring them a cause or group in their branch’s town that assists their temporary workers. They sponsored these:
• Children’s Development Academy (Roswell, GA)
• Safe Haven Family Shelter (Nashville, TN)
• Our Kids Center (Nashville, TN)
• Austin Street Center (Dallas, TX)
• Old Savannah City Mission Center (Savannah, GA)
• Phoenix Dream Center (Phoenix, AZ)
• Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries (Greenwood, SC)
As you can see, Staff Zone supports national and local causes because their aim is to build lives and enhance communities. They don’t just sell a product; they sell the chance of a better life!
Posted in CLF | Top 10 Inspiring COOs of 2023, Sam Harris, Co-Owner & COO of Staff Zone Profile