Manpower, America's largest temp agency, experienced flat sales in the fourth quarter of last year, down from 7% growth year-on-year in the third quarter, as demand from manufacturers plummeted.

ECONOMIST: To cut or not to cut

Ahmed credits the idea of temp power to Associated's U.S. business partner, David Walters, a former governor of Oklahoma, whom he'd met through another American in the energy field.

FORBES: Magazine Article

By concentrating on highly skilled workers and acting more as a talent agency than a temp service, Half's revenues had grown an average of 43% annually for the previous five years.

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The Bank of Scotland's report on jobs suggested more people were placed into permanent and temp work in October.

BBC: Scottish jobs market 'steadily improving'