Archive October 2007

Everyone Loves Going Green!

When I saw this article, I just about jumped out of my ficus tree! I mean I know it's great to be green, but it's great to see that other people care about it too. Lindsay Estes reports that in two separate surveys it's been shown that employees "care about companies that care about the world around them".

Employees for companies that take social action, including protection of the environment, report greater satisfaction with their job and confidence in the company's future. (ASA associate member survey by Kenexa)

And according to a survey by MonsterTRAK, a division of Monster.com) 92% of young professionals surveyed said they would give preference to a company that is environmentally friendly.

In our industry, some companies are already doing their part. Joanne Sanders of Bolt Staffing Service Inc. says the firm earned "green" business certification from a local organization by making eco-conscious choices like such as using glass doors to increase natural light. And it probably makes for more awake empoloyees!

According to Sanders, "Our employees are really happy, and proud of the fact that we have green business certification. A staffing company may not seem like an organization that has the opportunity to go green, but you really can." (Staffing News, October 22, 2007)

You might be surprised by the small changes you can make within your company to make positive environmental change. My buddies at the Sierra Club have compiled a list of 10 Ways to Go Green at Work. Check em out and let me know which ones work for you!

posted by TonyPogo at 10/31/2007 | 1 comments

Tony Gets Real

Wow, am I ever wiped out, I just returned from the ASA Staffing World convention in San Antonio. Now that's a climate fit for a tree frog! It was a great time, and left everyone with a lot to think about. As the world changes, so does the world of staffing.

For example, a lot of candidates think that just because they don't have a four-year college degree they are less desirable. Not true. A survey conducted by the Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Society for Human Resource Management concluded that human resource professionals are searching for candidates with applied skills – real world skills and on-the-job experience .

Important skills like oral communication, teamwork and collaborative abilities, and overall professionalism and work ethic are all attributes that are highly valued by employers. The crazy thing is, many recent college graduates are actually lacking in those fundamental skills!

Now, I graduated from Rainforest University, but it was the years I spent sweating it out in the jungle that I acquired those essential competencies. I mean lets face it, when I first graduated from college, I was pretty green.

No one devalues an education, but an impressive alma mater isn't the only important thing on a resume.

posted by TonyPogo at 10/3/2007 | 0 comments

Judith Zacha a Beacon for the Staffing Industry

I am getting totally psyched for the upcoming Staffing World 2007 convention in San Antonio. First of all, I love to travel and secondly, I'm finally going to meet Judith Zacha, CSP, founder and CEO of Beacon Services.
Judith will be inducted into the American Staffing Association(ASA) Hall of Fame. It's a lofty goal, but someday I hope to be the first amphibian ever inducted – but enough about me. Judith founded Beacon Services in western Michigan in 1981, and later was instrumental in starting the ASA chapter there. Since then she has been super active in ASA, chairing many committees and serving as chairman of the board from 2000-2002.
Look for me at the opening ceremony where she will be inducted. I'll be the one in green.

posted by TonyPogo at 10/3/2007 | 0 comments