Jeff Bonci, President, Planet Professional
In an interview with Invest:, Jeff Bonci, president of Planet Professional, discussed the company’s strategic focus on reinvesting in office culture and leveraging local talent in Boston. He highlighted the transformative role of AI in staffing, enhancing efficiency and customer service.
What have been Planet Professional’s most significant achievements and milestones in the Boston region?
This year, we focused on bringing people back to the office to foster better relationships and return to normalcy. The pandemic impacted our business, especially in client relationships. Internally, we’ve emphasized working together and understanding our impact on the Greater Boston area and the industry, showing positive results. Economically, the job market has been challenging across all sectors. However, we see it as an opportunity to tap into Greater Boston’s talent pool. There’s a tremendous amount of talent here, especially within the higher education, biotech and financial services sectors. Boston is an epicenter for diverse talent, and we help customers grow despite challenging times.
What trends are shaping the staffing industry, and how are you adapting to changing needs from clients?
We focus on accounting, finance, HR and administrative roles—core functions in every organization. With 18 years in staffing and recruiting, I’ve seen significant technological advancements. A key trend is AI, transforming the industry by making recruiting more efficient. AI allows us to focus on communicating with people rather than mundane tasks like onboarding and resume vetting. On the customer side, businesses are also using AI to free up staff for more client-centric activities. Every organization aims to service customers better, and AI helps by increasing productivity without necessarily adding more staff. We consult with clients on the best ways to create efficiencies. At Planet Professional, we offer various services that help our partners improve efficiencies, especially in the Greater Boston area, where there’s significant talent and opportunity.
Where do you see the office environment evolving, given the hybrid trends?
As a leader, my focus is on creating value. It’s not about offering free ice cream or a beer truck every week – although those are nice – but about spending quality time with colleagues. This year, we hired many junior staff with little to no experience because we like to train them our way. Gen Z brings new perspectives we need to understand and incorporate because they represent our future employee and customer base. I support a flexible, hybrid work model because life happens – dentist appointments, soccer practices and caring for elderly parents are realities we must accommodate. A mentor once told me, “Situations change, but expectations don’t,” which holds true in our industry. We need to be responsive to our customers, whether from home or the office. Learning this business happens by being around experienced colleagues and observing their work. While some team members are productive working remotely, new staff benefit greatly from being in the office.
What changes are you seeing in the skills required by employers?
In the accounting and finance space, we’re seeing some of the lowest graduation rates with accounting degrees over the last 10-15 years. With many experienced professionals retiring, there’s a gap in the candidate pool. We partner with clients to create solutions like accounting boot camps and mentorship programs with industry leaders to help bridge this gap. On the finance side, AI is playing a significant role. Tasks like data analysis and financial planning can often be automated, reducing the need for manual number-crunching. We work with clients to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions to meet their business goals, especially as budgets become tighter.
Our approach is consultative, focusing on building quality relationships and understanding each client’s unique requirements. Recruiting is not one-size-fits-all; it’s about matching people to opportunities, not just resumes to job descriptions. This involves understanding the culture clients want to build and the type of individuals they need to achieve that vision. Ultimately, our job is to navigate the complexities of human interaction and provide clients with the best possible talent solutions.
What role does Planet Professional play in supporting mental health and well-being?
Planet Professional places a significant emphasis on mental health. Internally, we offer numerous resources, including seminars on mental health, breathing exercises and other wellness activities. These sessions occur about once every other month and provide valuable support for our team. We have several employee resource groups to further support employees, including those focused on mental health and wellness as well as inclusion. We even have a certified wellness coach on staff.
Additionally, we’ve supported many mental health organizations through our placements. For example, we placed social workers and staff for suicide prevention lines when the national initiative transitioned to the 988 hotline. We identified and placed around 125 resources in just 12 months to support this cause. Mental health is a priority for us, both personally and professionally. Creating an environment where people feel comfortable discussing and addressing mental health issues is crucial for success. We must be open about these conversations and provide the necessary support to ensure a healthy, productive workforce.
What are your clients looking for when it comes to ESG and DEI initiatives?
Diversity is integral to our identity as a country and a city. Boston, with its rich history of immigrants, exemplifies this. My great-great-grandparents, for instance, arrived via Ellis Island from Italy and started as a milkman in West Boylston, MA. This heritage taught me that everyone brings value, regardless of their background. I strongly believe in the power of diversity. We can learn so much from each other, and it brings us closer as a community. Empathy is vital, and it’s not innate; it requires conscious effort and investment. Everyone we interact with has unique stories and circumstances that can benefit us if we are open to them. Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion strengthens our city and our country.
What is your outlook and top priorities for Planet Professional for the next three years?
Our top priorities include continuing to expand in the Greater Boston area, hiring, and investing in local talent, and servicing our current customer base. The next six to 12 months may be challenging due to rising inflation and interest rates impacting our customers, but we’re preparing for future growth. Historically, our industry has rebounded from economic downturns. After 9/11, the housing crisis, and the recent pandemic, we saw a quick recovery. Now, we’re in a prolonged dip, but I believe we’ll bounce back. Despite advancements in AI, the need for talented people remains. AI will enhance our industry, but human skills and adaptability will still be crucial. The Greater Boston area is rich in talent and opportunity, and we’re committed to leveraging that for future growth. It may seem like a long journey, but with hard work and patience, I’m confident we’ll see positive results.
