Posts Tagged ‘staffing’

Knowing me, knowing you…! Lessons learned through ABBA!

Friday, September 10th, 2010

I had a really great client visit today and I feel compelled to tell everyone why this visit was so great! The client understood us! He understood our needs – we have them too you know!

I know what you’re thinking, it isn’t up to the client to ‘understand’ us, and you’re partly right, the majority (like 95%!) of the ‘understanding’ is obviously on us, but when we work together, we learn to understand each other.

Yah right, blah blah you say! I know, you think our industry has become just another service you turn to when you need a body, when you don’t have the tools necessary to find that right person, or possibly don’t have the time. I’m sure you even think that we are all the same. Sure we offer the same services to varying degrees, but are you and your competitor ‘the same’?

What works best for us, and ultimately for you is to treat us as an extension of your hiring needs and goals…dare I say it… a PARTNER. A hiring partner that really knows your internal culture that really digs deep and understands your frustrations, that inherently knows beyond just skill sets, what personality type and experience really works best with your already developed staff.

The client I visited today, he really understands that PARTNERSHIP mentality, and has realized that by each of us getting to know each other, we both understand how we can work well together. He understands, that finding the right people is different than just taking something off the shelf and putting it in a box, and works with us to provide useful feedback, which ultimately helps us to find him the person that suits his company’s requirements best.

So, talk to us. Get to know us. Allow us to come and visit you and really get to know your business and I really encourage you to do the same with us! Only by working to understand each others businesses and requirements can we move beyond just service and provider and work towards a real business partnership. In the end, we’ll both ‘understand’ each other better!

As Abba sang … “Knowing me, knowing you..ahaa, there ain’t nothin’ we can’t do!”

Being recognized by your community is a great feeling!

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

These days it seems there’s not a lot to celebrate. Having lived the life of an entreprenuer for 20 plus years I know the ups and downs of building your own business. It often means long hours and late nights only to run up against a tough economy which means more long hours and more late nights! To get through these long hours entrepreneurs tend to draw on a firm belief in themselves but they also draw on the inspiration of others who have succeeded before them. I’ve often strengthened my resolve by looking at the success of others and thought “I can do that!” Although its great to dream about the success of a Steve Jobs or those Google guys, its really the support of your local community that counts. Face it, most of us will not be Steve Jobs but we can be the guy or gal with the successful tech company, print shop, manufacturer or even a staffing business. That kind of inspiration comes from your local community.

We recently were named “Small Business of the Month” by the Brampton Board of Trade. Everyone was very excited here and I have to say being recognized by your community is a great feeling! Although I can’t say we did anything as earth shattering as Steve Jobs we have worked hard and I’m glad that still counts for something in this world. I also hope that in our small way we’ll pass on that tradition of support and maybe help one of our fellow entrepreneurs get through another long hard night.

Thanks to the Brampton Board of Trade and the entire Brampton business community.

Best regards,
Geoff and Andrea

To view the Brampton Board of Trade article click here

Walking the exhibition floor at #HRPA2010

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Paul Houle talks about his company Boom at the HRPA Annual Conference in Toronto, ON, Canada.

Session speakers at #HRPA2010

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Michael Bungay Stanier talks about his upcoming book “Do More Great Work” at the HRPA Annual Conference in Toronto, ON, Canada.

Walking the exhibit floor at #hrpa2010

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Stacey Haygull talks about EmployeeFirst at the HRPA 2010 Annual Conference in Toronto, ON, Canada.

Walking the exhibit floor at #HRPA2010

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Loretta White talks about The Coaching Edge at the HRPA 2010 Annual Conference in Toronto, ON, Canada.

Walking the exhibit floor at #hrpa2010

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Dave Gillen talks about T.E. Wealth at the HRPA 2010 Annual Conference in Toronto, ON, Canada.

Mission accomplished at #hrpa2010

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

How do they do it? Among the sea of booths how does an organization succeed in standing out in the crowd?

With over 250 exhibitors at the 2010 HRPA Conference and Trade Show, it is important that you set your self apart from the others. But how? Some offer free giveaways such as environmentally friendly bags or key chains, others are able to offer larger incentives, such as the possibility of winning a trip or even a free car (who couldn’t use a FREE Smart Car?) or some offer a chance to play an exciting game – Klinkos anyone? Who hasn’t watched The Price is Right? Anything you can do to entice the attendee to stop by and learn more about what you have to offer.

A friendly and upbeat personality is a necessary ingredient to attracting people to your display. Overly talkative exhibitors can coax people to stop by, but may have a tough time keeping those potential clients there if they don’t stop talking and start listening. By simply offering your assistance with questions and explaining your products and services in a professional and welcoming environment will go a long way.

A very big NO-NO in the world of Trade Shows, are exhibitors who are MIA (Missing In Action). Nothing frustrates a potential customer more then when they have a viable interest in your product or service and there is no one around to speak with. Make sure to have enough coverage, or if you are one man short, save the breaks to off-peak times. Don’t lose the chance to make a good impression on a potential customer.

With a friendly attitude, drawing attendees to the booth is the easy part. Now that you’ve got them, use that chance wisely to make sure they are engaged, and connected not just immediately but more importantly after show, when the real selling begins!

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