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29Mar

Plug Personnel Deficiencies with a Qualified Wingmate

As companies navigate the fluctuating demands of their business, they may need to adjust their workforce to adapt to changes in revenue flow. This could mean laying off employees during headcount cuts or seeking temporary staff to fill a gap during peak demand. Companies need a reliable and effective solution for managing their workforce standing by to assist, whatever the circumstances.

A Reputable Staffing Partner Gives You the Key to Top Talent

One of the main benefits of working with professional staffing partners is that they have access to a large pool of skilled workers. Recruitment agencies specialize in sourcing, identifying, and onboarding the right talent for a variety of positions ranging from temporary to full-time.
By leveraging external recruitment processes, businesses can save precious time and resources employers would have otherwise expended in identifying the right candidates. Additionally, having access to a pool of candidates helps improve the hire’s quality, as staffing partners thoroughly scrutinize applicants to ensure a good fit.

By allowing them to take the reins, businesses can achieve significant time and cost efficiencies while enjoying a rich talent pipeline.

Flexible Solutions to Meet Your Company's Needs

Another benefit of working with a qualified professional staffing partner is the flexibility of their solutions. Whether you need temporary or permanent staff, staffing partners can provide the right workforce solution when you need it. A good staffing partner will work with you to understand your business requirements and provide the best solution for your company.
For example, if you are facing seasonal peaks in your business, staffing partners can provide short-term temporary staff to help you meet those demands without investing in a full-time hire.
This also means that companies can quickly respond to changes in the market and effectively manage their workforce without taking on unnecessary financial risk.
Companies facing fluctuating demand in their business may need to adjust their workforce to stay afloat. Professional staffing partners offer a reliable workforce management solution, providing access to a broad pool of skilled workers for temporary or permanent positions. Working with these partners can save time and resources as they thoroughly scrutinize candidates to ensure a good fit. These partners also offer the flexibility of solutions to meet specific company needs, supporting legal and compliance issues and providing expertise to gain insights into hiring trends, salary expectations, and other HR-related challenges. Partnering with a staffing solutions firm, companies can unlock a wealth of benefits, including cost and time efficiencies, access to top talent, and vital resources to handle their workforce competently.

Expertise and Industry Knowledge

Professional staffing partners also provide expertise and industry knowledge that can be invaluable for companies. They can provide insights into hiring trends, salary expectations, and other HR-related matters that can help companies compete for top talent.
Additionally, staffing partners can support legal and compliance issues, reducing the risk of potential legal problems or violations.
By working with a staffing partner, companies have access to resources and an extensive pool of candidates that may have yet to be available (i.e., passive candidates). Companies can benefit from their experience, knowledge, and relationships with employers and workers.
Partnering with a staffing expert can unlock a wealth of advantages for your company, including access to top talent, time and cost savings, and vital resources needed to manage your workforce seamlessly, enabling you to meet business demands efficiently.
Expertise and industry knowledge are not just ‘nice-to-haves,’ they’re essential ingredients in the recipe for successful staffing solutions.

Are you actively seeking a reliable staffing solutions provider to collaborate with and grow your business connections? We recommend starting the partnership journey as soon as possible to establish a relationship before you have an unexpected staffing need.

Are You Equipped to Handle Future Staffing Needs?

Initiating contact with us now will allow us to understand your business needs, be better prepared for future staffing requirements, and provide ample opportunity to identify and source the right talent tailored to your specific requirements.
By cultivating a collaborative bond, we can ensure optimal results by delivering tailored staffing solutions aligned with your business strategy, culture, and goals. With our extensive experience and proven industry expertise, we will provide the necessary resources, services, and support to help drive business success.
And remember that we operate on a no-cure, no-pay basis, which means we will only receive payment for our services when we locate the ideal candidate solution for your company. This exemplifies our commitment to delivering high-quality staffing solutions and underscores our confidence in our ability to deliver.
Partner with LS3 and let us be your wingmates as we collaborate and allow you to focus on your core business. With our comprehensive staffing solutions and unwavering support, you can confidently navigate the challenges of the hiring process and stay ahead of the competition.

With a little help from our friends…

22Mar

Collaborative Hiring with a Professional Recruiter

Finding the ideal candidate for your organization can be a daunting task, but partnering with an experienced recruiting professional and employing a collaborative hiring method will make it more successful. To understand how to maximize your recruitment process by incorporating this approach, let’s explore what exactly is involved in collaborative hiring; bringing multiple stakeholders together to ensure you find the right person for the job.
This blog will explore incorporating a collaborative hiring approach when working with a professional recruiter to enhance your recruitment process.

Defining Collaborative Hiring

Collaborative hiring is a recruitment strategy in which an organization involves multiple stakeholders to work together to identify the best candidate for the role. This approach enhances the chances of discovering the right talent by involving decision-makers in various organizational positions. The extent of collaboration varies from organization to organization.

The Benefits of Collaborative Hiring

Incorporating a collaborative hiring approach when working with a professional recruiter provides compelling benefits for your organization, including:
  • An expert’s input: Working with a skilled recruiter means tapping into their expertise in identifying the best talent for the role. Collaborating with a professional recruiter guarantees their expert input in the hiring process.
  • Multifaceted Assessment: A professional recruiter takes care of the administrative side of the recruitment process and conducts extensive candidate assessments. On the other hand, your team brings valuable context to the hiring process, like a candidate’s fit with the organization’s culture or the company’s future goals.
  • Comprehensive Strategy: Collaborating with a professional recruiter ensures a broader recruitment strategy. They share insights and best practices from working with other organizations, improving your hiring efforts.

Keys to Successful Collaborative Recruiting

Here are a few critical factors to consider to ensure effective collaborative hiring:

  • Communication: Regular communication should be maintained between the recruiter and the team. The team should provide critical guidance and context to aid the recruiter’s efforts.
  • Clear Expectations: Scheduling meetings, deadlines, and decision-making responsibilities should be defined and communicated upfront.
  • Expertise: A professional recruiter should be brought in at an early stage so they understand the organization’s culture, skillset requirements, and budget. They can then work with the team to develop a comprehensive recruitment strategy.
  • Leverage Technology: When working with a recruiter, technology can streamline and enhance your collaborative hiring process. Available recruitment-oriented tools include job post sites, applicant tracking systems, video interviewing software, and AI-powered candidate screening solutions.
  • Collaborative Assessments: Assessing candidates collaboratively ensures that multiple perspectives and opinions are accounted for in the final decision. Your team should take the lead in the final interview stage, enabling the recruiter to bring their input to an informed decision.

Collaborative hiring with a professional recruiter is the best approach to finding top-quality talent. Partnering with a professional recruiter ensures an effective and extensive recruitment process. You can access top-caliber candidates matching your organization’s needs by leveraging their skills, expertise, and resources. With clear communication, expectations, and the right technology, working with a professional recruiter can be a successful and productive experience.

Ready to build a team of the best and brightest? Our collaborative approach gives you direct access to our experienced recruitment experts passionate about helping your organization acquire top-tier talent.
Reach out to us today and experience comprehensive support that leads to exceptional outcomes! Our team is standing by, ready to help you get the best results for your business.
REACH OUT TO US
16Mar

Celebrate the Luck of the Irish in Business

Aye, aye – let’s give a hearty ‘toast’ to the Irish (no green beer required) and explore their legendary luck that has certainly brought success to many businesses around the world! Join us this St. Patrick’s Day as we delve into how they’ve accomplished such feats of fortune.

From startups to established corporations, the Irish have a knack for embracing innovation, resilience, and adaptability — key ingredients to business success, sometimes attributed to that famous IRISH LUCK!

Did you know that tech wouldn’t be the same without a little luck of the Irish? The founders at Stripe, John and Patrick Collison by name – yes, those two guys! They both happen to hail from Ireland. How cool is that?!
Ever heard of St. Patrick’s Day? Well, the patron saint of Ireland is said to have banished all snakes from the Emerald Isle – though a bit exaggerated since it never had any! That story can still be seen as an inspiring metaphor for overcoming adversity and achieving success in business pursuits.
No wonder Ireland is so charming! Not only does the Emerald Isle boast picturesque landscapes and a unique culture, it’s also one of the world’s most business-friendly countries.
Ranking 23rd out of 190 in terms of ease for starting up shop or getting electrical permits? That kinda takes all the hassle outta doing business – making us green with envy over there!
Ireland is proudly in the global top 10 for its thriving business environment, which encourages entrepreneurs from all over to make their innovative ideas come true. With a welcoming atmosphere and hardworking citizens, it’s no wonder that so many businesses have chosen to call this Emerald Isle home!
So, how can you infuse a touch of Irish luck into your business?

Never stop learning:

Irish wisdom has always had a certain je ne sais quoi. Learning isn’t just some arbitrary task, if you want to take your business further, it pays to have an open-minded approach! After all, knowledge is key – and the Emerald Isle is no exception!

Build a strong network:

The Irish have a knack for making lasting connections – they’re like networking ninjas!

Building an impressive network opens the door to exciting new possibilities, whether it’s collaborations or partnerships.

Adapt and evolve:

Get ready to embrace the new! Flexibility is key when it comes to business survival – think of your company like Ireland’s famously unpredictable weather shifts in direction can be expected, so make sure you stay agile and open-minded. It could just lead you into sunshine success!

Stay committed and resilient:

The Irish have a knack for turning tough times into triumphs.

When the going gets rough, they don’t shy away from working hard and devoting themselves to success in business– it’s their secret superpower!

FUN FACTS

The Luck of the Irish

The Irish have a storied tradition of good luck that stretches back to the 19th-century mining industry.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world as we all share in this beloved phrase – “Luck o’ the Irish”!

Get your toes a-tapping with this jig from the Emerald Isle! Let some Irish spirit make its way into your day.

St. Patrick's Day - A Global Phenomenon

Celebrate the luck of the Irish and join in on St. Patrick’s Day festivities! On March 17th, countries around the world come together to commemorate Ireland’s patron saint with parades full of merry music, delicious food featuring colors as bright as a rainbow – most particularly green! So, grab some shamrocks and your best mates for an unforgettable celebration honoring one lucky saint.

Irish Businesses Making Their Own Luck

Ireland truly stands out among many nations as an economic powerhouse.

It dazzles the world with its flourishing tech industry, renowned agriculture sector, and famous pharmaceutical companies such as Google, Facebook, and Pfizer calling it home! The Emerald Isle is undoubtedly one of the most competitive economies in all regards.

The Value of the Irish Diaspora

With an incredible 70 million people claiming Irish heritage worldwide, it’s clear that the whole world loves a bit of blarney! An organization dedicated to promoting and supporting Irish businesses and culture on a global scale could be just what you need if you’re looking for international networking opportunities or economic growth. Now is the perfect time to explore all Ireland has to offer, with countless possibilities at home and abroad.

Lessons from the Irish

Navigating the new normal in today’s world requires a fortitude of resilience and an open-mindedness for embracing innovative solutions. It also takes strong community bonds to facilitate successful collaboration between industry players, leading to that collective entrepreneurial spirit driving businesses forward!
On this St. Patrick’s Day, take a chance on some Irish luck & find your hidden pot o’gold of business success! Dig deep and uncover the trifecta of entrepreneurial spirit – creativity, tenacity & optimism will surely guide you through any challenge that comes your way in pursuit of those dreamy goals.

Raise your glass and join us in toasting a hearty Sláinte!
May good health, luck and joy follow you through life’s journey. Cheers!
09Mar

Building Your Brand Image to
Attract & Retain the Best Talent

As an employer, you know how important it is to find and retain the best talent. After all, a company’s success is often determined by the quality of its employees. But how do you attract top-notch professionals in today’s crowded job market? One way is by building your brand image.
Building a solid brand image is essential to attracting and retaining the best talent in your industry. With a well-defined brand, you can showcase your company’s values, goals, and mission statement to potential hires. Your organization’s brand is your gateway to gaining passionate, talented job seekers! It gives potential applicants a glimpse into the culture – inspiring them to become part of it.
Let’s look at what makes up a successful brand image and how it can help you recruit and retain the best employees.

Be Authentic & Unique

The most successful brands stand out from their competitors because they are authentic and unique. Take a moment and reflect on the unique offerings that make your business stand out from its competitors. Tap into what sets you apart to ensure your success in this competitive industry! What makes you special? If you ensure this message resonates throughout your branding efforts—from recruiting efforts to employee benefits—you’ll have much better luck recruiting high-quality professionals who will stick around for the long haul.

Build Your Reputation

Your reputation matters when it comes to attracting top talent. People want to work for well-respected companies with good track records, so make sure that your reputation reflects positively on your organization. This means delivering excellent customer service and creating strong relationships with vendors, customers, employees, and other stakeholders in the community. The better your reputation is outside of work, the more attractive you will be as an employer to talented individuals looking for their next gig.

Be Transparent & Consistent

Transparency and consistency are critical components of any successful branding strategy. Knowing what they can expect from a company—from its mission statement to its values—builds trust between employers and potential employees. So make sure your branding messages are consistent across all platforms and accurately reflect who you are as a company. That way, when someone looks into working for you, there won’t be any surprises or disappointments later down the road!

Understand & Foster Employee Engagement

Employers must understand and foster employee engagement as part of their brand-building strategy. This process includes listening to employee feedback about workplace experiences and creating initiatives encouraging team collaboration and trust. Doing this will ensure prospective employees know their voices will be heard if they join your team.

Walk Their Walk

Put yourself in the shoes of potential candidates; what qualities would make them want to work for you?

Once you have identified these qualities, focus on communicating them through every aspect of your branding efforts—from providing insight to your professional recruiter to website content—to create an effective brand image that will draw in top talent now and into the future!

Start with Your Company Values

The core of any successful company starts with its values. When developing your company values, focus on qualities that resonate with potential employees and set you apart from other companies in the same industry. Once you have identified those qualities, ensure they are accurately represented in your content, including job postings, interviews, presentations, etc. Doing so will give potential hires an inside look at what sets your business apart.

Building a compelling brand image can be challenging, but it’s worth the effort if it means attracting and retaining top talent for your business or organization long-term. Start by focusing on core values and fostering employee engagement initiatives emphasizing team trust.

Remember these pointers for building an image that will tip candidates off to a lasting future with your business.
02Mar

Keep Your Job Search Confidential with a Recruiter

Are you looking for a new job but want to avoid your current employer finding out? You can take proactive steps to ensure your job search remains confidential. Working with a professional staffing solutions firm is one of the best ways to keep your job hunt quiet.

With an experienced recruiter’s help, you can access more opportunities, connect with employers that match your skills and experience and gain valuable insights into the job market.

Here’s how and why the potential employee and professional recruiter process functions so well.

HOW IT WORKS

The process is confidential from day one when you work with a skilled recruitment agency. They will only post your resume online or contact potential employers with your permission. And when they do, recruiters often use an alias name instead of yours so that there is no way for anyone to trace back to you unless you choose to reveal yourself. This means that even if someone from your current company finds out about the opportunity, they won’t know it’s you who applied for it.

Not only does working with a recruiter provide confidentiality during the application process, but they can also help ensure that news of your search doesn’t leak back to your office until after you have accepted an offer elsewhere—or decide not to pursue something at all. A good recruiter can filter through companies and options, finding those most likely aligned with what you are looking for while keeping things as discrete as possible.

WHY IT MATTERS

Having the help of a recruiter during your quest for a job isn’t just crucial in terms of confidentiality; their experience and expertise can help secure the best outcome. Working with a recruiter can provide several key advantages when looking for a new job while still employed.

EXTENDED REACH

ONE:
Their connections in different industries and locations can be invaluable when presenting yourself in a favorable light and getting noticed by potential employers.
TWO:
They can help you find more opportunities than what’s available on popular job sites—and in many cases, this includes exclusive positions that are not publicly advertised.

DISCRETION WITH ACCESS

Keeping news of your job search away from prying eyes should be high on your list of priorities when looking for new opportunities—and working with a recruiter is one of the best ways to do this successfully and confidently. When done right, recruiters will provide an extra layer of discretion so that no one discovers what you’re up to until it’s time for you to announce it! 
Plus, having access to their connections, experience, and expertise makes them invaluable during any job hunt–whether confidential or not!

INSIDE SCOOP

VALUABLE INSIGHT

Recruiters also have extensive knowledge of the hiring process and what employers seek in potential employees. They understand how to match your skills and experience to the right position and how to present your profile most favorably. Having someone knowledgeable by your side during this process can be invaluable—especially if it’s been a while since you’ve looked for work or applied for jobs!
Working with a recruiter gives you access to career advice from an experienced professional who knows the industry from the inside out. They can provide valuable insight into market trends and help steer your job search in the right direction—allowing you to make informed decisions. With this mindset, the recruiter will only present opportunities best suited to your unique skills and goals.

INCENTIVE FOR SUCCESS

And since recruiters work on commission based on successful placements, they have more incentive than ever to ensure both parties are happy with the results. Working with a recruiter gives them added comfort, knowing that their interests align with yours throughout the process.
Finding the perfect job takes time and effort—but working with a skilled recruiter can speed up the process significantly.
Not only do recruiters have access to more opportunities than if you were searching on your own, but they can also provide expert advice on maximizing your chances of success during each step of the job application process.
Finding the perfect job doesn’t have to be a challenge. Lone Star would love to be your professional recruiting team, where you can take full advantage of confidential opportunities that may lead you closer to achieving career success!
23Feb

Getting Employees Motivated
About Working from the Office

Are you trying to motivate your employees to return to the office? The pandemic has drastically changed many aspects of how we work, and returning to a normal routine can be daunting for both employers and employees. Fortunately, there are ways to motivate workers to want – not just feel obligated – to come in every day. In this blog post, we’ll share strategies that will help spark enthusiasm while increasing confidence.
These suggestions will benefit any employer ready to motivate employees toward better office attendance!

Encourage employees to take breaks and get up from their desks.

Taking breaks away from your desk and getting some physical activity can help your employees to manage stress better, improve concentration, and increase productivity. Even if it’s just a short walk around the office or a few stretches at their desk, taking regular breaks helps them re-energize and reset throughout the day. Encouraging breaks also offers employees a much-needed mental break from the computer and their work for a bit; it allows them time to get fresh air, create a sense of well-being with something enjoyable, and naturally reset any distractions before returning to their tasks.

Let employees decorate their workspaces to make them feel more like home.

Allowing employees to embellish their workspace will enable them to bring some of that missing “at-home” feeling into their jobs. It would create a warm and comfortable atmosphere that invites creativity and can help increase productivity, morale, and well-being in the office environment. Decorating with personal items is an excellent way for individuals to express themselves at work and make their workspaces cozier, reflecting their unique personalities and sense of style. Doing so can create an emotional connection with the workplace that elevates moods during working hours; plus, it also reduces anxiety related to missing the comforts of being able to work from home.

Of course, setting boundaries in advance will prevent going overboard, as you want to avoid someone showing up with their television.

When the team is feeling happy, productivity skyrockets.
Invest in your employees and watch them soar!

Host social events outside work hours so employees can get to know each other better.

Offer flexible working arrangements so employees can balance work with personal commitments.
As an employer, recognizing flexible working arrangements can help promote a more outstanding balance between employees’ work and personal commitments. This arrangement allows employees to determine their best working hours, with flexible yet agreed start and end times, while still accomplishing their work-related duties.

Employers can increase employee productivity with this flexible approach while promoting their team members’ overall quality of life. Through flexible working arrangements, you, as an employer, can help ensure your employees get the support they need to succeed in life and at work.

Implementing flexible working can reduce absenteeism, improve engagement among staff, and create an environment where individuals feel they have control over their own time.

Important Side Note: We understand how important it is to achieve a balance between life and work. We realize some positions require a physical presence in the office and cannot be carried out remotely. However, wherever possible, we strive to promote flexible working arrangements that can support employees in achieving a quality of life that works for them. We want our team members to thrive in and out of the workplace.

Try some of these tips if you’re struggling to motivate your team members to come into the office. From setting goals and increasing communication to offering incentives and fostering a collaborative environment, there are many ways to get your employees excited about coming to work. Figure out what works best for your company and implement changes today. Your employees (and your bottom line) will thank you for it!
How will you motivate your employees to work from the office?
09Feb

Supporting Mental Wellbeing
During the Job Search Process

The job search process can be an incredibly stressful experience, and employers have a responsibility to their applicants to ensure that their mental health is supported throughout the entire process. As employers, it’s important to understand the unique pressures of searching for a job and how our support can help alleviate some of them. This blog will examine how employers can provide mental wellness assistance during their job search.

Here are some tips on how employers can support mental health while searching for candidates.

Communication is Key During the Hiring Process

Employers must remain in communication with applicants throughout the hiring process. This means keeping applicants up-to-date on where they are in the hiring process and providing feedback when appropriate.

It’s important to remember that job seekers are often very anxious about the outcome of their applications—especially if they’ve been rejected or haven’t heard back in a while—so providing clear and timely communication can help relieve some of this anxiety.

Be Respectful of Candidates' Time and Attention

The job search process requires a significant amount of time and effort from candidates, so it’s essential that employers respect this investment. For example, if you require a phone interview or an in-person meeting with a candidate, give them plenty of advance notice, and don’t expect them to drop everything at your convenience. Similarly, if you ask candidates to complete an assignment as part of their application or interview process, clearly outline what is expected—and give them ample time to complete it.

Provide Reassurance

The job search process can be overwhelming and uncertain, so employers must provide reassurance to applicants throughout the process.

Employers should ensure they have provided enough information about the role so that applicants clearly understand what they will be doing if hired.

Additionally, employers should keep candidates updated on their hiring decisions to minimize any uncertainty or confusion.

Make Your Culture Accessible

When potential candidates are actively researching your company online or attending an interview with you in person, they should get a good sense of your company culture. Ensuring your website is updated regularly with information about your values and goals will give candidates better insight into what working for your company would be like. Furthermore, try to convey these values during interviews by providing examples of how employees work together on projects or collaborate across departments on initiatives.

Not only does this help create more transparency between employer and employee, but it also shows potential candidates that there are opportunities for growth within the organization.

Create an Inclusive Environment

Employers should strive to create an inclusive environment to make all applicants feel welcome, regardless of their background. This includes creating interview questions that focus on skills rather than personal history or beliefs and monitoring language used during the recruitment process for any potential biases. Similarly, employers should offer accommodations whenever possible for candidates with disabilities or special needs who may need assistance during recruitment.

Partnering with a Professional Recruiter

If you are working with a recruiter, they will manage many of the above steps. You should only work with recruiters who understand the importance of not just placing a candidate in a job but supporting their mental well-being throughout the process. A good recruiter will take the time to learn about your company culture and values to ensure they find candidates that will excel in their role and fit in with your team. If you’re an employer looking for assistance with your next hire, partner with a recruiter that shares your commitment to supporting mental health in the workplace.

Supporting mental well-being during the job search process is essential for employers and applicants. As employers, we need to recognize our responsibility in helping create an environment where everyone feels safe and supported during the hiring process—and ensure that our actions reflect those values. By providing transparent communication and respecting each person’s individual investment into their career journey, we can work towards ensuring every applicant has a positive experience regardless of their outcome in the hiring process.

When done correctly, this awareness will benefit applicants and help employers find qualified employees who will fit in well with their team and culture!
01Feb

How Diversity in the Workplace Benefits Everyone

Diversity in the workplace has been linked to a variety of positive benefits. A diverse workforce can profoundly impact your organization, from increased employee engagement to improved customer service.
Research has shown that having a more diverse workforce provides organizations multiple benefits. Companies with diverse teams tend to:
  • be more innovative
  • have increased creativity
  • and better problem-solving capabilities.

BENEFITS OF DIVERSITY

Diversity also helps build a better understanding of different customer preferences, which can result in an increase in sales or market share. Let’s take a look at why embracing diversity makes good business sense.

Better Problem-Solving Abilities

Having a diverse team also gives you access to problem-solving techniques that can be extremely useful when tackling complex challenges. Every individual brings unique skills and experiences that can be invaluable when looking for solutions outside the box. With multiple perspectives being offered on any given issue, it becomes much easier for decision-makers to identify which path is best for their organization.

Improved Company Culture

Creating an inclusive environment for employees of all backgrounds is essential for fostering an engaging company culture that values everyone’s contributions. When team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas without fear or judgment, they are likelier to be engaged in their work and take ownership of projects. This atmosphere increases employee satisfaction and leads to better overall performance within the organization.

Improved Employee Engagement & Retention Rates

Diversity in the workplace isn’t just good for the bottom line—it’s good for employees, too! A recent survey found that employees who felt included and valued at work were more likely to be highly engaged in their roles than those who did not feel respected or accepted by their colleagues. Furthermore, companies with inclusive cultures tend to have lower turnover rates. So you may see an increase in employee retention if you try to cultivate a culture of respect and acceptance in your organization.

Greater Creativity & Innovation

Bringing together people from different backgrounds and experiences opens up your business to more creative solutions and strategies. Diversity can also lead to greater creativity and innovation within a company when various backgrounds come together, as different perspectives that otherwise go unnoticed will be presented. Additionally, increased collaboration between co-workers from different backgrounds helps to create better solutions that may have yet to be considered.

Increased Brand Reputation

Having a diverse workforce is also beneficial for your company’s brand reputation. Consumers place a high value on companies that promote diversity today, so having a diverse workforce is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to inclusion and social responsibility. This can make customers more likely to trust your brand and choose your products or services over your competitors. It also becomes a draw for potential, qualified employees to apply for positions at your company if they know it values diversity in its hiring practices.
At its core, having diversity in the workplace allows us to draw on unique skillsets from various backgrounds while fostering an environment of respect and understanding between colleagues.
Through this type of openness, businesses can reach new heights by utilizing all available resources at their disposal and encouraging collaboration amongst employees from different walks of life. 

By creating such an atmosphere within our workplaces, we can ensure everyone has an equal opportunity for success regardless of their background or beliefs.

Diversity is an invaluable asset for any business; it enables companies to leverage different perspectives, create an inclusive culture for employees, and improve their brand reputation among customers and potential job candidates.

As such, employers should strive to incorporate as much diversity into their workplace as possible to maximize these benefits for their organization.

The Evidence is Clear
Having a diverse team is beneficial not only for your business but also for your employees’ well-being! When everyone feels like they belong, they become more engaged with their work, leading to improved performance across the board. As such, employers should strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and respected regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. Doing so will help ensure that your organization remains competitive well into the future!
26Jan

Harnessing the Power of
Artificial Intelligence in Recruiting

In recent years, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have made their way into virtually every industry—including recruiting. AI is helping savvy recruiters make more informed decisions about candidates and streamlining their recruitment process from start to finish. Let’s look at how AI is changing the recruitment game.

How AI Works In Recruiting

AI-based recruiting systems use algorithms and machine learning technology that learns from past hiring decisions, data points such as resumes, and other sources of information to narrow down the candidate search and identify potential matches that meet specific criteria. By leveraging large amounts of data, AI can identify job requirements and candidate qualification patterns that would take much more time for humans to uncover through traditional methods. This process makes it easier for recruiters to quickly zero in on the best candidates for a given position.

In addition, AI-based recruiting tools make it possible to automate certain parts of the recruitment process, such as sorting through resumes, scheduling interviews, and gathering feedback from candidates—all of which can save significant amounts of time for human recruiters. This initial phase means professional recruiters can take it further by including the necessary human element in the following methodologies.

  • Use their in-house assessment skills to manually review the resumes to weed out further job seekers who would not be a good fit for the company they are serving.
  • Focus their efforts on building relationships with candidates instead of spending countless hours sifting through piles of resumes or manually scheduling interviews.

Using AI for Job Matching

One of the most common ways AI is used in recruiting is for job matching. By using algorithms to analyze large amounts of data quickly, AI can match candidates with jobs faster than ever. This tool helps unite recruiters and employees with the skills needed to fill a position. Plus, AI-driven job matching helps ensure that candidates don’t slip through the cracks by providing detailed recommendations based on factors such as experience, skillsets, job preferences, and location.

Improving Candidate Selection

Recruiters can also use AI to improve candidate selection by analyzing resumes or application forms to identify relevant keywords or phrases associated with successful hires in a particular role. This helps to quickly narrow down the pool of applicants and eliminate any unqualified ones from contention early in the recruitment process. Additionally, some recruiters use AI-driven personality assessments or video interviews to determine if an applicant has the right personality traits for a given role. This can help recruiters better understand what kind of person they’re looking for when making hiring decisions.

The Benefits Of AI-Based Recruiting

Using a professional staffing recruiter who incorporates AI has many benefits beyond saving time. For example, it helps businesses ensure they are making unbiased decisions when selecting new hires since the algorithm does not favor any particular individual or group over another based on age, gender, race, etc. It also allows businesses access to a larger talent pool since they no longer need to limit themselves by geography or other factors when searching for potential candidates.
Finally, it helps businesses speed up their hiring process to fill positions faster and get top talent into roles sooner rather than later.
In short, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how professional recruiters approach recruiting new employees—from matching qualified candidates with roles that best fit their skillset to helping employers select only those who meet their unique criteria for success.

By leveraging this technology, businesses can make smarter hiring decisions.

Ultimately, it’s clear that leveraging AI in the early phases of recruiting, in combination with the experienced human factor, is becoming increasingly crucial for staffing firms that want to stay competitive in today’s market.
20Jan

Benefits of Working with a Recruiter

Are you an employer searching for that perfect candidate? Or that excellent potential employee looking to make a solid career move. Both searches will be more successful when you work with a professional staffing solutions firm.
Check out this video to learn about just some of the benefits of partnering with a recruiter.
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Make sure your volume is on.
13Jan

Super Busy with Low Productivity?

Do you catch yourself saying, “I’m so busy,” or “I’m slammed but can never get caught up,” when someone asks how things are going?
If so, you’re not alone. The goal is to turn the word “busy,” which can be an empty word, into “productive.” When you take a step back to look, really look, at your current work habits, it’s almost a given that you will learn when you are just busy, but not productive, and busy with actual accomplishments.
Many things can, without us realizing it, disrupt our production.
Everyone has a different approach to their workday, but you’ll find that many distractions we experience are common.
Identify Where You Spend Your Time
You can’t fix what you can’t see. This exercise may slow you down temporarily, but it is crucial to help you determine where you can trim time by doing things differently.
You can use an app or your computer, but if you step back and look at it the “old fashioned” way, keeping a pad of paper where you:
  • List a task
  • Note the “start time,”
  • Work to complete that task
  • Record the “stop” time
You can also note distractions that caused you to stop during that task, which will tremendously help your evaluation.
Distractions can be:
  • Checking email
  • Incoming phone call
  • Co-worker engaging in conversation

Do this exercise over a day or even a week. We suggest tracking the entire week, as you will have a broader range of task types to evaluate.

What to Look for in Your Evaluation
Distractions:
Were they unavoidable (i.e., your supervisor or co-worker had a question), or could they have been tackled once you finished that task? For instance, emails and phone calls are a huge distraction.
If you can choose to check emails and phone messages at specific times during the day, it’s incredible how much time you can gain.
Turning off your notifications is a big help as you won’t be distracted by the continuous “beeps” reminding you what you think you’re missing.
Energy:
Do you, like many, have higher energy levels at different times of the day? Some may be raring to go in the morning, while others have bursts of energy in the afternoon.
If so, tap into that. Look at your task list, note the projects requiring more focus, and tackle those tasks when you are most energetic.
Multitasking is Overrated
Multitasking effectively is only possible if you’re doing something like stirring the spaghetti sauce and talking on the phone, which only requires minimal bandwidth. Many think they multitask but jump from one task to another, which is rarely good. Concentrating as you should is impossible and can lead to frustration because no one task is ever fully complete. And if it is, it’s a given that the level of quality is not there as it needs more focus.

Tackling one task at a time is much more fulfilling as you can check off the list and feel good about the outcome.

Take Charge of Your Task List
There are some things you can control and some things you can’t. If you can set up your own work day, even better, your work week, these are opportunities to be more prepared.
Note: If your supervisor sets the schedule, consider talking to them and asking if they are open to adjusting the timing of the tasks. Based on some of the strategic points discussed in this blog, they will often receive the same outcome but at different times during the day.
  • Organize your work week in advance. List the duties you must accomplish daily and check off each task as you finish it.
  • When planning for the week, place the more pressing tasks at the beginning of the week and when you know, you are the most energetic. This way, you tackle the most critical and challenging tasks early in the week.
  • Getting up early is an excellent strategy to get a head start. Having that extra time to prepare for the day, or if the morning is your “energy time,” you can get a jump start on a task that requires more brainpower.
Take a Break Already
Don’t be that diehard who refuses to leave their desk. It doesn’t do anyone any good and can be detrimental.
Without giving your brain a break to recharge, you will discover your get “brain fog,” and focusing is difficult.
After you check off a completed task, use that time for a quick walk around the office, AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER, to recharge.
For jobs requiring more time, break it up so that you refresh between crucial steps in that task.

Taking a step back to evaluate your work habits will make you more productive, not just busy, and the satisfaction you’ll feel is fantastic.

You can tackle anything, as long as you…
Work Smarter. Not Harder.
05Jan

Take Charge of Employee Retention

Did the previous year leave you wondering why there was employee turnover in your business? Were you blindsided when you lost a critical team member to another organization? In your eyes, you thought everything was going smoothly.
While we cannot always control how a person thinks and feels, there are steps we can take to engage employees before they have one foot out the door. You may already participate actively to include some of the following engagement opportunities in your day-to-day, but if you still need to implement some best practices, now is the time to consider taking these steps to make them a part of your company.

Transparency Leads to Better Communication

Do you have a vision for your company?

Do you have a vision for your company? Do your employees understand what that is? When you openly share your plan, you can help motivate your employees by answering any questions and talking to them about how their role fits into that bigger picture. When they know what they do directly impacts the company, it will give them a sense of ownership, and their morale and productivity will increase.

When sharing your company vision, remember you’ve had an opportunity to digest the information. Be as straightforward as possible and allow your team, without repercussion, to ask questions so that they clearly understand. It will benefit the success of the company long term.

Keep Up the Good Work

Say It Like You Mean It

Many employees will tell you that it’s only sometimes about the money when they look to be recognized. Appreciation comes in many forms, and one of the most significant rewards an employee can receive is a pat on the back with words that back it up by saying something like “Great work on the Bender project. You were instrumental in helping us reach our goal.” And if a team was involved, and all did well, mention their names – out loud, which will encourage teamwork.

When you neglect to take those extra steps, which aren’t complicated, you risk losing a high-performing employee whose morale you can improve with your encouraging words.

And, say it like you mean it – otherwise, they’ll recognize that it’s not real, which can be detrimental.

Consider small gifts (rewards) that accompany verbal praise. There is no reason to break the bank, but there are fun options that motivate employees. Check out this article about “Money Isn’t the Only Motivator for Employees.”

Do this ALL YEAR LONG, not just during bonus time.

Break a Project Up Into Bite-Size Chunks

Check Off MIlestones to Reach the Goal

Like in many companies, some undertakings are more significant and may stretch over an extended period. For those projects, consider breaking them up into smaller milestones. It’s still the same assignment, but when employees feel like they’ve successfully reached a milestone, they will feel a sense of accomplishment.

This strategy gives you, the leader, an opportunity to provide them with kudos before they move forward to reach other milestones.

Tummy Rumbles

Grab a Snack if Distracted

Like in many companies, some undertakings are more significant and may stretch over an extended period. For those projects, consider breaking them up into smaller milestones. It’s still the same assignment, but when employees feel like they’ve successfully reached a milestone, they will feel a sense of accomplishment.

This strategy gives you, the leader, an opportunity to provide them with kudos before they move forward to reach other milestones.

It will be reflected in their work when people get hungry and don’t have that time to recharge at lunch. Even if they’re taking their lunch, it’s easy to get “hangry” later in the day. Show you care by keeping some simple healthy snacks to keep them going throughout the day. Of course, if snacktimes become the priority, you must address it so it stays under control as work still does need to be the focus.

Take that Break Time and Vacation Leave

Allow Time to Rejuvenate

Ensure regular breaks are a given. We’re all human, and taking those moments to rejuvenate quickly makes all the difference.

Encourage people to step away from their desks for an actual work pause.

Make it easy for someone to take vacation time. Your employees should be able to take a real vacation, where work stops for them. And for time-sensitive projects, do your best to ensure they don’t have a stack of stress to tackle when they return to their desk.

This is also true for sick time. We all have those heroes in the office who will come in no matter what, but that’s not good for anyone. Enforce your policy that when you’re sick, stay home. Otherwise, you risk that employee getting worse or spreading it through the office.

Following some of the above advice will show your employees that you care about their well-being and are excited to have them on your team.
29Dec

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of our friends, family, colleagues, and clients. We are thankful for 2022 and look forward to all we will accomplish and the people we will help in 2023.
Have fun, but as always, please BE SAFE!
REACH OUT TO US
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20Dec

Happy Holidays

Cherish whatever touches your heart, mind and soul, and may each of them be filled with happiness, peace and joy.
May you also be filled with an abundance of spirit through this holiday season and the coming year!
Happy holidays from the Lone Star Staffing Solutions team.
REACH OUT TO US
Make sure your volume is on.
15Dec

Reflections and Lessons Learned

Yes, it’s that time of year again, and always, it’s arrived much too quickly. Every year we make our resolutions, many based on trends or what we think we should be or do. For this next round, let’s establish our new year approach based on how the previous year played out. And even better, on actions that will accentuate our better selves?
Instead of vague resolutions listed in a document, posted on a wall next to your desk or your refrigerator, receiving an occasional glance throughout the year, with minimal, if any, effort toward that goal, let’s try something different.
First, let’s reflect on the past year related to your employment status or business. We’re all moving so quickly that you may not think there aren’t any lessons to learn from the day-to-day of living. But let’s think back and begin with the significant good and not-so-good events.
For employees:

  • New Job – Failed Job Search
  • Promotion – No Promotion
  • Continuing Education – No Options for Growth
  • New Skills Learned – Same Routine

For employers:

  • New Hire – Poor Decision with New Hire
  • New Business – No New Clients/Customers
  • Great Vacations – No Time for Vacation
  • Positive Office Morale – High Turnover

If you look at the above sample scenarios, there are positive and negative, depending on how you look at the situation. For some, the status quo is acceptable, as you may feel each year has its ups and downs. For others, who want continued personal and professional growth, the second scenario in each option can be exhausting.
If “going with the flow” is okay with you, that’s cool, too, as everyone has their own perceived level of success.
But if you recognize areas where you could have done better or just plain hate that “it happened that way,” now’s a great time to identify options for positive change in the new year. There are no bad mistakes unless you continue to repeat those mistakes.
Let’s use a couple of the examples above and see the potential of how you can approach them differently.

New Job - Failed Job Search

If you found a new job last year and are happy, that's awesome.

But, if you actively searched for a new position with no meaningful offer, there are things you can do to plan for the next attempt.
  • Is your resume in order, with only truth on the paper? It’s easy to embellish, but a savvy employer will know what questions to ask to separate fact from fiction.
  • Did you practice with a colleague or recruiter to hone your interview skills? You may be the most experienced with all the needed skills, but it’s lost on the employer if you don’t know how to relay that information.
  • Are you interviewing with a company but need help understanding the culture of a potential company? That information isn’t always public but is critical to the life expectancy in an organization as it needs to be a good fit.
  • Have you reached out to a qualified solutions staffing firm? When you partner with a firm entrenched in your industry of interest, they will have insight into more opportunities AND help you understand the culture and how to put your best foot forward.

New Hire - Poor Decision with New Hire

You made a new hire, and that's fantastic.

 If you took the necessary steps during the interview process, you should be on your way to building your team. If it’s not working out as you envisioned, or you still have the position to fill, to follow are some critical steps, among others, to ensure a successful hire.
  • Create a detailed job description. Now is the time to write down the position’s responsibilities so that the future employee knows what to expect. Be realistic, as there’s nothing worse than a dispute over what was presented as the job role after the candidate joined your company. If this isn’t your cup of tea, talk to a professional recruiter who can help you outline the description so that it’s clear for everyone.
  • Define your culture. It may seem insignificant, but if this isn’t part of your communication with a potential employee, it could mean attempting to put a square peg in a round hole. A quick example would be hiring someone who is very “corporate,” where wearing a suit and a more structured environment makes them function at their best. But your culture is super relaxed, with lots of loose slang, and communication happens in no formal manner.
  • Consider working with a recruiter. A professional recruiter can manage the above scenarios so you can avoid the adverse outcomes you may currently be experiencing. And the bonus is you can locate someone who understands your industry and already has connections to candidates that will help make your company shine.

There are so many more things to focus on from the previous year but if you know what you want to happen, identify where you may have taken a wrong turn. It’s now the time to take the steps needed to be proactive about getting on the road that will take you there.

To follow are some other useful blogs that can help you reach your goals. There are many others if you enter keywords into our search, but to follow are some examples of how you can take action.

For employers:
https://ls3staffing.com/the-value-of-a-great-job-description/

For employees:
https://ls3staffing.com/increase-your-job-search-possibilities/

07Dec

Holiday Etiquette in the Workplace

Deck the Halls… Feliz Navidad… Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer…
Hanukkah Song…
When the holidays roll around, which they seem to do quicker every year, we shift into holiday mode at home and the office.
When we manage the holidays at home, we usually follow traditions and know what to expect with the flow. It usually involves family and friends who share common interests and know how each other likes to be treated regarding religion, how they like to celebrate, and gift giving.
It gets a little trickier for business, and lines can blur, especially in more relaxed work environments. It can be easy to unintentionally offend employees, customers, and vendors when you don’t know their expectations.
The holidays are the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation, but it’s easy to make poor choices that can ruin relationships.
What can we do at the office to please everyone, especially when we are so proud of our diversity? And what if I’m a smaller business that doesn’t boast an HR department and instead outsources those tasks?
And it would be best if you never guessed how someone celebrates the holidays. For instance, sending out a card that says “Merry Christmas” may be nice, but it could be off-putting if someone doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Most will understand that it’s not intentional, but taking that risk could show a lack of respect.
Set up policies so that everyone is on board. This action may sound harsh around the holidays, but in reality, having etiquette policies at your company will ensure everyone knows what to expect and keep activities consistent. Employees may feel like family because of the culture you’ve created, but it’s essential to be careful to respect boundaries.
To follow are some suggestions to be inclusive while keeping things fun. No matter the beliefs, this should be a wonderful time of year for everyone.

Bonus Versus Holiday Gifts

Gift-giving can be fun but also very stressful. If you give your family a gift they’re not crazy about; you can wiggle out of it because that’s your social world. But, if you give the wrong gift, again innocently, to someone in business (employee, vendor, colleague), it can offend.
Giving money as a holiday business gift is the most accepted. However, it’s not always possible due to budget constraints. Another option is to give everyone a “free” day off with pay; again, it’s based on your budget. As in personal spending for the holidays, you don’t want to “overspend” and hurt your bottom line.

Secret Santa and Other Office Gift Exchanges

Your office tradition may be to draw names and that person buys their selected person a gift. This can be fun, but it’s imperative to set guidelines. When everyone knows the “rules,” it puts people at ease. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when approaching gift-giving at the office.
  • If You’re the Boss. Receiving gifts from your employees is fun but can also be dangerous. Most of your staff will do it from their heart, but others striving to gain your favor may consider it a competition. The best choice could be to make it part of the policy to say you won’t accept gifts. Another option is for everyone to chip in on a gift, but that’s another way to make an employee uneasy. It could be they cannot afford or don’t feel like it.
  • Put a Cap on the Spending. If everyone agrees to a gift exchange, create a spending limit (i.e., $25 or lower).
  • Steer Away from Personal. Avoid too personal gifts unless you know 100% that the gift would be something they would want. If you’re not sure, don’t buy it.
  • Alcohol is Usually a No. Again, if you know someone who drinks wine, it could be OK, but the general rule of thumb is to avoid purchasing alcohol. There have been many negative instances where alcohol is involved, as issues that no one is aware of could be there.

The Holiday Party

If you feel the need to hold a holiday party, which can be a lot of fun, there are many things to keep in mind as there are so many negative stories. Here are some quick tips to keep it positive.
  • Consider a luncheon versus an evening event, as it’s easy to cut out the alcohol, which can be disruptive and expensive.
  • Don’t ask the employees to chip in. If you’re going to do it, make this a free luncheon for all.

The bottom line is that there are many options to celebrate the holidays that will work for everyone.

We talk a lot about open communication in the workplace. Talk to your employees as a group and ask them for their input. They may want to keep it simple and celebrate having a good job and working in a culture of diversity and kindness.
30Nov

Try Gratitude for Better Health

When the holidays roll around, especially during Thanksgiving, many have an overwhelming sense of thankfulness and show appreciation to those they love. We even show more kindness to strangers with a friendly greeting or donating to a cause that means something to us.
During those times, we experience inner joy and naturally feel better. Now, what if you could hold onto that feeling all year? You can. And you’ll find it’s not that difficult to be grateful all year just by changing how we look at life.

GOOD MORNING STARSHINE

Add a little pep to your step this morning.

To start, we need to take a step back to take multiple steps forward. Are you of a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty mentality? There’s no right or wrong answer, as many of us have trained our brains to work one way based on past experiences or the actions of others. For the latter, changing the negative feelings that inevitably enter our brains during the most stressful situations takes work.
Your day begins as soon as you open your eyes; how you look through those eyes is up to you. When that alarm goes off, give yourself a few minutes to look forward to the coming day with excitement. We may tackle many of the same tasks daily, but think about how you could cheerfully approach some of these mundane responsibilities.

For example, you have a standing morning meeting with your team to review the day’s assignments. Usually, you would go through the list of items to accomplish with everyone responding to things that pertain to them.

Before each person reports, ask them to start with what they’re grateful for that day.

To get the ball rolling, you can lead by example with something like, “I’m grateful for my team who helps to keep the company moving forward.”

Not only will this lighten the mood, but it will also show you appreciate the group’s efforts. And you’ll learn more about each other which boosts morale and productivity.

Incorporate this into each meeting, and you will notice a difference in engagement.

You don’t need the thing you’re thankful for to be huge. If we can recognize even the most minor things, we’ll find so much more joy in the day-to-day, which can raise us, so we’re stronger for the not-so-good times. Examples of smaller pieces of joy – some are things we take for granted every day.
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Pets
  • Co-workers
  • Your Job
  • Fresh Air
  • Music
  • Clean Water
  • Good Book
  • Seasons Change
  • Duct Tape
  • GPS
  • Food Delivery
  • Fortune Cookies
  • Spellcheck
  • Good Food
Say these things out loud. When you incorporate thankfulness into your daily routine, your outlook will brighten, motivating others to do the same.

LULLABY AND GOODNIGHT

A simple and classic lullaby can bring back grateful memories.

It’s the end of the day, and some parts were good, but some may have gone less smoothly than we would have liked. Ups and downs are a part of life, but when we try to find the good in the not-so-good parts, it makes everything much more manageable.
When lying in bed, back where we began thinking positive thoughts that morning, you can quietly reflect on your day. What did you experience? Was there something unexpected that made you smile? Did you look at a typical difficult situation differently, and by doing that, was it easier to get through it? If you’re open to it, try journaling before going to bed. It can be as simple as writing down unseen events that brought you joy. Or how you turned around a problematic moment simply by digging deep and finding a life lesson that made you, or someone else, smile.
Ask yourself if there are things you can proactively do to bring more joy to your life. When you break it down into small bites, it’s not as overwhelming, and you’ll find that it can be life-changing.

Are you miserable at work?

Possible actions:

  • Talk to your immediate supervisor to see if you can work together to make it better. If you’ve already tried this or are fearful of losing your job, the following action may be better for you in the long term.
  • Work with a qualified staffing solutions provider to begin the search for a place where you can contribute your experience and talents that will also make you happy.

Am I my own worst critic, where I am known as the "complainer."

Am I always angry?

  • EACH time something happens that makes you happy, say, “THANK YOU” out loud, even if you’re alone. When you realize there are so many things to be thankful for, that gratefulness begins to take over the defeatist mentality.
  • Get others involved. During stressful times, they say misery loves company, but wouldn’t it be good if you had a posse who is experiencing the same thing but with an approach of humor? You can always find something funny about a situation, and talking openly with others who understand makes all the difference in your outlook.

Spending every day with gratitude will draw others to the light you now have. And the bonus is when you lead a grateful life, the positive impact on your mental and physical health is enormous.

Start now and see the change it will bring.
23Nov

Happy Thanksgiving

We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We are so grateful for everyone who supports LS3 and makes it possible for us to help so many.
REACH OUT TO US
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17Nov

Employee Retention Begins with Recruiting

Have you invested a great deal of time training a new employee only to find that shortly after that, they’ve begun a new job search and have announced that they’re jumping ship? When you ask them why you may receive a detailed answer. But often, their response may be vague, leaving you to wonder what went wrong, especially when you thought everything was going right.
This frustration is a common theme among many employers. You’ll often move on to the next candidate without diving into why this happened, mainly because you need that position filled ASAP.

Let’s take some steps back to before you hired what you thought was a fantastic candidate. And in fact, they most likely were terrific and may not have expected the type of culture and responsibilities that came their way. These are areas that you should have discussed before the hire. But, we often don’t think of culture as a reason to accept or not accept a position. 

 

When we think of retention, we often believe it’s about matching the person with the job they’re hired to do, and we take steps to ensure they’re happy. However, what you think will make them happy may differ from what motivates a quality candidate. 

YOUR VIEW

  • Clean breakroom
  • Vacation time
  • Benefits
  • Friendly co-workers

THEIR VIEW

In addition to the attributes under "Your view," also includes:

  • Alignment with the companies’ values and goals, which helps with engagement and decisions based on the success of the company
  • Plan for a career path to grow within the company (i.e., your first effort is to hire from within)
  • Professional development through ongoing education (seminars, in-house facilitated learning, etc.)

This is where we come back to the title of this blog. Retention begins before you even make the hire, and it should be included in your thinking from the application process to choosing who to interview.

When you work with a recruiter, an experienced staffing solutions firm will ensure your job description relays what potential candidates can realistically expect. The recruiter will outline the:
  • Compensation
  • Job description
  • Type of culture
  • Potential career path strategy
  • Company goals
  • Company values
  • Opportunities for professional development
The above should not be an afterthought but should be well thought out. So once the employee joins your company, they don’t discover you just talked the talk to get them in the door but walk the walk every day.
Many employers may feel uncomfortable describing their company culture. Not because it’s terrible, but because they’re so close to it that it’s not easy to describe. A recruiter will know the right questions to ask an employer to extract the highlights of what is necessary to relay to qualified candidates.

And on the candidate side, they may feel more comfortable, at least initially, relaying what they need to consider longevity as part of their next role.

A recruiter has experienced many circumstances and has that sixth sense which helps to narrow the playing field to find the right fit.

The perfect candidate has joined your team and is doing great. Don’t get too comfortable. It’s essential to check in often to ensure they are getting what they need to fulfill their responsibilities. Ask them directly if they’re happy. Sometimes something small can fester, and if you keep an open line of communication, it will never get that far.

Keep an open mind and if needed, be flexible if the desired result is being accomplished.

TURNOVER HAPPENS

Sometimes it’s inevitable, and it may not be through any fault of the company, but perhaps their needs have changed or other circumstances that happen in life. If you’re prepared and have initiated cross-training in your organization, you should be fine until you find the next dream candidate.
The bottom line is if you perform your due diligence from the beginning and always remain engaged, the long-term chances of keeping an employee significantly increase.

Lone Star Staffing Solutions would love the opportunity to talk to you about the hiring needs for your company. We’ve been there and done that, so we know retention’s importance.

You only pay when we’ve successfully completed our task.

LS3 Staffing provides an unprecedented six (6) month free replacement guarantee as outlined in the terms of the staffing agreement.

03Nov

All By Myself – Without the Guilt

Do you dream of having time to clear your head and get away, even for a little while? But then you immediately think about all the things you need to do:
Family | Work | Home Projects

We’ve all been there, trying to please everyone and get everything done without letting things fall through the cracks. But are you so overwhelmed that you feel as though you will never get off the treadmill of life? And if you do disembark from the “everyday,” things will fall apart, and at least one person will be unhappy.

If this is you, it’s time to change your mindset and think about WHY you feel guilty about taking time for yourself. When you think about allowing yourself to reach the point of overload and on the road to burnout, wouldn’t you be “dropping at least one ball” anyway if your health (mentally and physically) suffers?

And at that point, are you the person you want to be for your family and coworkers?

It’s time to think about why you shame yourself, especially when you feel jealous of those who take that time for self-care. When contemplating taking an hour for yourself and that guilt rushes over you, ask yourself why.
  • Does time for yourself cause you to fall behind at work? If so, it may be time, if you're already working a full day, to evaluate if there are areas you can delegate or eliminate. For a week, keep a timeline of the tasks you manage so that you can assess where some of the gaps may be.
  • Are there people in your life who constantly drain your time? This behavior may not be intentional, but if they're used to having on-demand access, it may be time for an open conversation about how it's affecting you personally.
  • Do you feel that anytime you sit still, its time wasted? For instance, you could organize a pantry during the 30 minutes you took to read a book. But consider what would benefit you personally.

Wouldn’t a time out regularly give you time to clear your head and do something you enjoy?

Is this new thought pattern scary? Start slowly and begin building “me time” into your schedule. It may mean getting up early when things are quiet or breaking the habit of eating lunch at your desk and taking it outside or to a quiet room to read while you eat.

The Word NO

Learn How to Use That Word Nicely

Are you the first to raise your hand to take on a new project at work? That’s great, but first, consider your current workload. It’s tough to back out of additional work once you’ve committed your time and unless it’s a career game-changer, take a step back on that next, “Yes, I can do that.”

Do you have a friend who can’t make decisions without your input? Be honest and let them know you care about their needs but are practicing self-care so that you can be a better person.

Once you’ve used the word no, do your best to push away the guilt. Instead, think about how refreshed you will be for those who need you.

Check out our previous blog: Learn the Art of Saying NO.

Your New Freedom

Test it Out

Create an appointment on your calendar and stick to it. Don’t let something distract you from that downtime unless it’s an emergency.

Put down the phone and set it to “Do not disturb.” On most phones, you can choose people to allow to get through, but before that, have a conversation to let them know about your downtime.

Downtime doesn’t necessarily mean you need to sit still.

You can:
  • Learn a new skill or language
  • Exercise – which is great for you physically and mentally
  • Get your nails done – you’ll feel better about yourself

If someone pressures you to help with something, be HONEST and explain that you need to commit yourself. It’s most likely they will understand and may even relate.

Share notes on your new awareness and get others on the self-care kick so you can back each other up.

Remember, practicing self-care can be difficult at first, but once you incorporate it into your daily routine, it will become second nature, and you may find you’re more productive in the “must dos” at work and home.
What will you do with your “me time?”
How about listening to a pastime favorite.
26Oct

Happy Halloween

The Lone Star Staffing Solutions team wants to wish you a very Happy Halloween. Have fun, but please BE SAFE!
REACH OUT TO US
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20Oct

Incorporate New Year Staffing Plans into Q4

We want to expand our staff in the new year, but isn’t it too early to think about that? If you know that hiring more people will be a Q1 task, it’s not too early to prepare. Like most things in business, planning is the best thing you can do for the most successful outcome.

What Will You Be Looking for in a Candidate?

The first step is determining what departments or areas in your company have gaps.

You must ensure you have outlined clear job descriptions for each role type and, when possible, lay out a career path for each position. This information is invaluable during the interview as savvy prospects will ask about future growth within the company.

That’s a good thing as it will mean that individual is seeking a long-term opportunity.

It is also beneficial to have a profile of what type of person you seek, also known as an “avatar.” It may sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Is there an example of someone who performs at the level you want? It could be within or outside of your company. If you have an example of the qualities, write them down, and include questions that help them convey how they would manage certain situations.

  • How do you manage your team members during a tight deadline?
  • Give me an example of how your communication skills kept a project moving forward.
  • How do you handle conflict among your team members?

Set the Wheels in Motion

If the first quarter is the hiring timeline, don't wait until the beginning of the year rolls around before preparing for a great hire.

After you’ve completed the above step of detailing what you’re looking for in both skills and qualities, you’re ready to determine mediums to secure the best candidate.

During the holidays, people are busy and not necessarily seeking a career move, especially if they’re counting on an end-year bonus. If you’re working with a recruiter, this time of year isn’t as daunting as their network never sleeps.

They have access to candidates who want to make a move in the new year but aren’t actively looking via the most common means.

This advance action will still allow you to postpone the actual hire to Q1, but wouldn’t it be great to begin the process to hit the ground running in the new year? In a candidate-driven market, this thinking will make all the difference.

Get the Market Facts

When you work with a professional recruiter, they should be following the trends and will provide more clarity when it comes to competitive salaries for that job type.

And, since money isn’t always the deciding factor, a recruiter can:

  • Offer suggestions about other benefits that will keep you competitive and attract the candidates you want.
  • Help you define your company culture so everyone involved knows what to expect.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A RECRUITER

Ask for Help

If you're like most business owners or department heads, your plate is full.

A successful search involves:

  • Reviewing and filtering incoming resumes
  • Doing your best to separate the legitimate from the “creative” applicants who embellish their qualifications
  • Networking
  • Engaging on social media
  • Upfront interviews to narrow the candidate pool

Yes, you can do it on your own, and some business owners are used to it, but working with a recruiter will allow you to continue to focus on your core business.

Don’t Push the Process
Remember the adage, “Hire Slow, Fire Fast, no matter what route you follow.” The goal is to expand your team to include candidates with the qualifications that will bring value to your company and complement your current team.
And finally, when you get a process in place that works, document it so that you can replicate it for the next hire.
13Oct

Help! I Need to Clone Myself.

Are you a business owner with a successful company but lately, it’s become “too successful?” Most would say that’s a good problem to have. But when you have a reputation built on performance and delivery, you realize it’s very easy to tarnish that good standing with your customers or clients if you cannot keep up with demand.
When an entrepreneur starts a new business, the intelligent thing to do is hire once the income rolls in. And even then, most will employ slowly to keep the payroll expenses in line with the incoming revenue. During those early times, you wear many hats, which can be exhausting. Still, on the other hand, if managed correctly, you’ll be able to develop a model for future roles.

When you’ve expanded to the point that the amount of work outweighs the number of employees, your business can suffer in many ways. When entrenched in the business’s day-to-day, it’s easy not to notice the early signs of neglect.

The most frequently affected areas are:

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Depending on your business type and if it relies heavily on customer service, this area must be a priority for everyone in your company.

Incoming complaints aren’t acknowledged
  • Returns are increasing, and people are posting negatively on social media
  • Your on-time delivery record is a thing of the past
  • Loyalty programs fall by the wayside
  • Your service or product is not up to par with your ordinarily high standard

This area needs to be top-of-mind as it keeps people coming back and word-of-mouth, as always, is essential for incoming referrals. You don’t want to risk losing the momentum you built while managing it with minimal staff.

YOUR EXISTING STAFF IS BURNT OUT

When you build a team, hopefully, the goal is to:

#1 slowly build your team

#2 include them in your vision

When your employees understand your big-picture goals, they feel a sense of ownership without ever owning any part of your business.

If you build your team the right way, you’ll know they mean it when they come to you with alerts that they are overworked. You can count on essential pieces falling through the cracks when that happens. And when you reach a certain point without acknowledging that you need to expand your team, it may be too late. Some signs to look for if they’re not coming to your directly:

  • More people are calling out sick
  • Increase in incoming complaints
  • Turnover in staff

For this area, it’s up to you to let your employees know there’s an open-door policy where they can feel 100% comfortable communicating with you in a non-threatening atmosphere. Of course, they need to understand all communication needs to be respectful and professional.

YOU STILL MANAGE MINDLESS TASKS

If managed correctly, every job or task in the company is essential. However, if you find yourself spending time on duties that you can delegate, that can also be a downfall.

When your company reaches a certain revenue point, your focus needs to be all-in on your core business. Responsibilities that help grow your company, not tasks that bog you down and keep you from the heart of what drives your business.

When you consider the above key areas, and your revenue is steady with enough profit to add more expenses, it’s time to invest in growing your team. Slowly as discussed above, but when you hire the right people, your growth will continue to increase.

Are you ready to take your company to the next level but nervous about securing the right people to help you get there? Consider partnering with a recruiting company that will take the time to understand your needs and take into account your company culture.
Lone Star would love to talk to you about their experience and process for securing the quality candidate you seek.
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