http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx Eplica's safety department operates with a purpose of reducing workplace injury by raising safety awareness amongst our clients. Its monthly newsletter, Safety Lines, is distributed to clients that opt in, and is now available to the public. Stay tuned for the Safety Lines newsletter each month to learn more about how to keep your workers safe.December's edition of Safety Lines highlights how everyone can protect themselves and their valuables during holiday shopping trips. It also covers how to... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=6126593921008981244 In these economic times, there’s no shortage of candidates. But that doesn’t mean a staffing company should skimp on the job posting. In fact, a job posting could make or break you. Yes, people want a job – and sometimes any job seems to do these days. But the way you present an opportunity can actually be an important first step in attracting the right candidate for the job.If candidates have all the important information up front, they can make a decision about whether or not the position is w... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=3259570275013053596 Now more than ever, staffing companies have an infinite pool of candidates to choose from. That’s good news for staffing companies and their clients but now staffers face a new challenge: how to sift through the grossly amplified applicant group and find “the one.”For many staffing companies, it’s business as usual if they have a placement process that’s tried and true. But still, finding the right fit for a position with potentially thousands of applicants can be daunting. And as a best practic... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=7574682074424542927 I was recently reminded that Bill Gates has a Think Week. For 15 years, he has gone off and read about issues related to his company and the future of technology. Recently, I had a vacation and devoted a great deal of time to thinking about my development and how my leadership can help be a catalyst for growth at our company.This exercise was exhilarating for two reasons. First is the entire process was goal-based, projecting into the future and discovering the possibilities of performing at the... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=1679436422197143380 Creativity: the new buzzword in down times. Staffing companies are looking for new ways to be flexible with clients and job seekers are finding they also must be flexible to seize opportunity. This means being open to positions they may not have considered prior – including temporary positions.Take for example a management-level professional who approached one of our staffing company clients for work. This candidate was laid off earlier this year while living and working in Las Vegas.Willing to ... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=6044530621206992812 There’s an online gathering happening all across the world and you’re invited. The problem is, you’re hesitant to join – and not because you don’t want to, but maybe because you don’t think it will last or perhaps you can’t pencil it in to your schedule. Either way, by not joining, you could be missing out on some really great networking opportunities just waiting for you to seize.I’m talking, of course, about social media for staffing companies. These days, it’s all the rage to be a part of thi... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=7132572493699227666 Tired of reading the same headlines about the job market? They all sound the same – Job Losses Expected to Continue – Growth seen in 2011! Chances are you would not pay much attention because you have been hearing the same thing for months. There is no denying the job hunt is difficult today but I am here to tell you that there are areas of opportunities out there. Working at San Diego’s largest staffing agency allows me to see, first hand, the opportunities that are available to job seekers. In... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=1350379892112056902 A colleague recently sent some sales tips to me that was written by sales guru Jacques Werth. As I was reading the article, it became clear how simple sales can be if you have a system and tackle it with disciplined effort. The problem is most of us in business development, and staffing in particular, is that we have what many refer to as “my own system” or “our proprietary system”. The other problem I have seen is that while many of our industry colleagues put forth amazing effort, it may no... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=6980005619168630027 While there has been some decent news on Wall Street lately (look at the stock market performance in the last two months), people are still asking me when the news will improve on main street – where you and I work every day. My answer has always been the same. I share that there are always opportunities and that it is up to each of us to find them. I was reminded of this when I received my Business Week in the mail over the weekend. The cover story is focused on the fact that there is an es... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=9100529869746216905 I love serving the staffing community, as an active member of the community for 11 years, it is no surprise that today’s market is obviously the most challenging any of us have ever faced. Most firms I speak with are down 25-40% from their peaks. Everyone has made as many cuts as possible which means the activities that staffing companies engage in today must be focused and must represent the best chance to contribute to your clients and produce the best return on investment for your time. Th... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=8238737899045881053 "There is a sense of exhilaration that comes from facing head-on the hard truths and saying, 'We will never give up. We will never capitulate. It might take a long time, but we will find a way to prevail.'" – Jim CollinsThis quote was passed along to me this week. I cannot think of a more appropriate quote for these unique economic conditions. The quote reminded me of an article that I had the good fortune of reading recently. The article is an interview with Jim Collins who wrote Good to Gre... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=7948081961484837792 As I consult with staffing companies and users of staffing services, I have been asked several times recently about co-employment. This issue was hot after the “Microsoft Case” http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2003/03/17/focus5.html but after a few years, this has seemed to be put on the back burner. I believe this issue is back because companies that have been using a contingent workforce have not been hiring these employees given the economic conditions. As a result, we have seen the... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=7806835543653698208 My recent entries have answered the number one question in the staffing space today – how does a staffing firm expand and grow in this economic climate? I am sure you have noticed that my answers have little to do with staffing and a lot to do with using creativity and leveraging your existing relationships.I decided to write about this topic because I recently read an article in the WSJ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123863039800180655.html that highlights the importance of a service offering... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=487901756428887854 Last time, I shared that I am asked frequently what staffing companies can do to compete in this market. I promised to share one unique idea demonstrating true innovation - how to up-sell in a way most have never heard of, helping your clients turn cost centers into profit centers.Instead of FOLLOWING your competitors by slashing mark-ups, getting into outplacement, charging applicants fees, trying to get into RPO, opening offices in areas less impacted by the economic crisis – do something dram... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=8191484932739636955 As you can imagine, I am asked frequently what staffing companies can do to compete in this market. I recall a 2008 Staffing Industry Analysts survey on revenue growth strategies.It reported: “Revenue growth is the most frequently cited priority of staffing firms. Fifty-five percent of surveyed staffing firms cited revenue growth as one of their top three company priorities, exceeding even bottom-line profitability as a top focus. And how do firms plan to achieve that priority?"The piece continu... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=4299161298562539088 As a professional in the staffing sector, I am sure you are asked now more than ever by friends, family, co-workers, clients and candidates how employees can stand out in this market. Whether you're looking to market a candidate, market yourself or simply need to give advice, your response can add tremendous value to your network and build trust that can develop into a solid relationship. I developed this list in response to an interview request by a San Diego news organization. The story is ab... http://www.eplicaservices.com/Blog.aspx?y=6090396297842124688