For Businesses and Employees, HR Firm Works to Improve Community

In 2020, Landrum had a year the company would never forget; they celebrated their golden anniversary and turned 50. Like many businesses adapting to the new normal, they toasted the key milestone with a virtual employee celebration in late summer.

However, it was not just a testament to their own staying power but a tribute to how much they had achieved in helping other businesses keep their doors open and cope with the challenges of the pandemic.

As a full-service human capital partner in this community, they provided expert human resources solutions to support their clients when needed. A study found businesses working with companies like Landrum fared significantly better during the pandemic than those that didn’t.

Looking back to the company’s early days, they’ve had a history of thriving during difficult times staying true to their commitment to the community and coming together in times of need.

Founded in 1970 right here in Pensacola while the nation was in the midst of a recession, the initial team was small — consisting of just two employees.

Still, they managed to build a successful human resources company from the ground up while maintaining their values of “Learn-Share-Grow.”

Today, they are a second-generation, family-owned company that fosters personal relationships with hundreds of clients nationwide. This approach has also found its way into a longstanding tradition of community service and financial donations.

Along with helping businesses create strength and stability, they have been working to build a better community.

Throughout the year, they invest in community projects and sponsor a wide range of local events and philanthropic activities around Northwest Florida, including programs supporting financial literacy for young people through mentoring.

They have supported local chambers of commerce and associations to help businesses and initiatives focused on promoting women leaders.

Their corporate culture of community service goes all the way to the top. The company’s president and CEO, Britt Landrum, III, volunteers extensively with Junior Achievement and has taught many 16-week entrepreneurship programs for kids in Title I schools.

Interestingly enough, Landrum studied sociology with a concentration in social work before joining the team at Landrum after graduating from college. Now, he leads the company through servant leadership.

During the holidays, Landrum employees also come together each year to coordinate gifts for nearly two dozen families through the FamiliesFirst Network, which serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. Nearly 40 employees helped raise $4,000.

No matter the circumstances in Pensacola and the surrounding areas, they’ve helped.

When Hurricane Michael landed on Oct. 10, 2018, many homes and businesses in Bay County and surrounding areas were ravaged. To support hurricane relief, they donated chainsaws and provided monetary assistance.

However, perhaps the greatest storm they have weathered has been the pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, Landrum helped people find the right jobs — and worked to keep them employed. They recruited employees to fill pandemic-related staffing gaps and provided COVID-19 advisories and support. It was work that would save businesses.

A research study by the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO), which analyzed data from early 2020 to July 2021, found businesses that partnered with a company like Landrum had more stability during the pandemic.

It found businesses working with a full-service HR company were 58% less likely to have permanently closed — and 82% more likely to have business operations back to normal or better. Companies working with Landrum have peace of mind thanks to the co-employment relationship.

When it was needed most, Landrum had HR experts for up-to-date guidance and other compliance issues. They helped employees transition to remote or hybrid work and remained a resource for attracting and retaining talent.

Now, as the year ends, and they have crossed the half-century mark, their efforts to build better businesses and communities and make people’s businesses easier remain stronger than ever.

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