Robert Half's two TacticalVC cases document margin extraction in a mature professional staffing business alongside a higher-growth consulting adjacency. The rate optimization case shows pricing discipline in temporary professional staffing: expanding gross margin 200 basis points to 39.8% through bill-rate management rather than volume growth. The Protiviti case shows the consulting engine built alongside the staffing core — growing 74% to $1.97B in three years by shifting toward higher-margin advisory work. Together they document a staffing firm that improves margin in its core while building a consulting business that changes the revenue mix over time.
Robert Half grew gross margin 200 bps to 39.8% through disciplined temporary staffing bill rate increases.
Rate Optimization
Robert Half grew Protiviti 74% to $1.97B in three years by shifting the company toward higher-margin consulting.
Protiviti Consulting Engine Shifts Revenue Mix Toward Professional Services