Human Resources Blog

Identifying Your Remarkable Employees and Employee Retention

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:49:00 GMT

Do you know...What makes employees remarkable??

Being a business owner for over 20 years, I have had the good fortune of hiring, and supervising some remarkable employees. You know them when you work with them. You wish all of your employees were like them. According to an article this month in INC Magazine, there are EIGHT QUALITIES OF REMARKABLE EMPLOYEES. for more

If you are like me and have had the good fortune of hiring and supervising remarkable employees..you will think of certain employees when you read this article. Hopefully you will recall them being in your employ on a long term basis, providing strong value to your organization all the while.

So, once you employ these remarkable folks, it is certainly advisable to ensure that you have a good plan for employee retention. As part of employee retention, keeping employees engaged, productive, healthy and providing opportunities for them to expand their skills, knowledge and experience while in your employ are key components in that plan.

Whether you are a company of 2 or a company of 200 or 2000, losing a remarkable employee is not desirable. Studies clearly show that dollars invested in employee retention are considerably less costly than replacement costs. So, what does your plan look like?

Here are 5 ways to help you retain your remarkable employees:

1. Hire the best fit! Ensure that they are a good fit not only with the job description, your company culture and the core competencies that you have benchmarked as being critical as a top performer in your organization. We recommend utilizing a good assessment tool to ensure success.

2. Identify learning/training opportunities right from the start! Keep them engaged from day one and begin investing in them for now and for the future. Don't wait until they get disenchanted with lack of acquiring new skills, talents and/or lack of growth at your company. A good assessment that you have used in the hiring process will also identify at least part of what that learning/training areas will look like and how to prioritize them.

3.Choose your health plan wisely! Many health plans offer incentives for your employees to become/stay fit and healthy. As part of your wellness policy (yes it is important to have one clearly defined) perhaps you would look at flexible spending accounts where the employee can choose to spend dollars at a health club, on nutrional programs, etc. A healthy employee is a productive employee.

4. Offer other benefits/incentives! Employers will offer clothing allowances for sales, public relations and other employees.They may offer business image enhancement programs in conjunction with the allowance. In addition, good training programs can keep their employees engaged, and more productive. A good business image is critical so that when a promtion becomes available...the employee looks the part of the next role. The point being that they need to look the part well before they are considered for the part. Only an ongoing business image program will be effective. Employees who are continually overlooked for promotion will seek employment elsewhere.

5.Promote them! Promote your remarkable employees into new positions where they will continue to be successful and engaged at your company! Make sure that you benchmark ( you will have the employee profile from the time of hire) the with the core competencies of the new role that will ensure that they will continue to be the top performing remarkable employee that you hired!

As the economy continues to recover; historically employee turnover rates are as high as 60% or more. Employee engagement and employee retention are top of mind in companies who want to continue to thrive in the coming years. It is NEVER too soon to begin making these a part of your HR focus.

Employee Engagement Strengthens Your Workforce

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:12:00 GMT

Did You Know...???
As a way of testing your knowledge as an employer in regards to your competitiveness as an employer in the marketplace…. hiring or thinking of hiring in 2012….here are some questions that progressive and strategic thinking employers should be able to answer…. And more importantly have a strategic plan in place to address!

Which state has the lowest unemployment rate ….?? Is it YOUR STATE??
What companies do 78% of the hiring in the U. S.??
What the hottest hiring sectors are going to be going forward from here towards 2018??
What jobs rose 15% in 2010 and are continuing to grow at a strong clip in 2012 and 2013??
That 16% of companies have job openings and that 7% are looking to hire within the next three months.

To see the answers to these questions and more on the economy going into 2012 check this out!

According to The Street article on 12.15.2011..Jobless Levels Sink to the Lowest Since 2008
The TOP 6 Things that SAVVY EMPLOYERS have been focusing on to strengthen their workforce into 2012!!

These are things that we see happening at some of the organizations we work with and some do it all on their own, some use outside assistance and some do a better job than others. Some organizations have yet to come to terms with the following.

A plan to attract, retain and grow their top performers …a company’s greatest asset.
A plan to transition those employees that are no longer needed in their workforce without creating ill will and while protecting their bottom line by controlling the unemployment, outplacement, and employer transition costs.
A plan to transition their top management into retirement and how they can transition them into a NEW PATH while protecting their bottom line and minimizing separation costs.
A plan to retain your top performers with up to 60% turnover historically expected with the recovering economy.
A training plan that will enhance the skills of valued employees, leadership/executive development training and other training to help with the retention of their top performers.
A plan to continually enhance their culture and their brand in order to attract, retain and grow their top performers.

Kathy Barron's TOP 8 Tips for Engaging Your Workforce

Salary increases has always been one way to help engage your employees. In recent years, it has not always been possible for companies to continue with salary increases, but now we see increases happening more frequently.
Training Programs to keep your employees learning, staying on the cutting edge of skills continues to be a favorite. Growing your employees is a good way to keep them engaged and therefore assists with retention which is favorable to replacement. Some companies recognize this and have continued to do this for key employees, management and others during the GREAT RECESSION and recovering economy.
Recognition is another way to keep your teams engaged. There are many form of recognition and due to tight finances companies have become very creative. It does not need to be a monetary reward. What is your company doing to recognize their top performers?
Asking for input on strategies, company services, direction, culture etc. are good ways to involve your workforce in having influence over their jobs, company direction and work environment. Some use a suggestion box and other employers take a more progressive approach. Has your company used INPUT from employees to shape the work plan, environment or strategies??
Enhancing company BENEFITS is another way to keep employees engaged. This may be done via a confidential survey. One way is to create a wellness program. This engages employees and helps the company's bottom line with skyrocketing insurance costs, workers compensation claims, attendance, and performance. Using the FLEX card for various trainings makes it cost effective on both the employer and employee!
Instituting or reinstituting a 401k plan, even if it starts out with just a small match can make the difference between an okay or good employer. The employee can see a future, if this type of company support is in place.
Some companies are working with an employee owned model. This has been successful for various employers and they find that they have more productive, involved and ultimately engaged employees as well as better services, profit margin and more.
Work/life balanced companies who are family friendly helps to engage employees across the four generations in the current workplace. One example could be a job share situation.
Companies that recognize the value of its workforce and "PROMOTE" them through all of the above methods are winning the war on talent. How does your company fare?

_____________________________________________________________________________
Accurate Resource Group Inc. is a Trusted Human Resource Partner for the last 25 years who assists and leverages talent at organizations during all points in their business cycle, by providing cost effective outsourced solutions starting with talent acquisition services through outplacement solutions.

Best of Westborough 2011 Award for Human Resources Consulting Services

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:15:00 GMT

Metrowest HR Firm Receives Honor from National Organization-Third Consecutive Year

Westborough, MA – Accurate Resource Group, Inc. (ARGI), a human resource solutions company headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts was recently honored for the third time with the Best of Westborough 2011 Award for Human Resources Consulting Services by the United States Commerce Association (USCA). Less than 1% of companies qualify for three-time winners of this award according to the USCA statistics.

“This is a wonderful award and we are thrilled to receive recognition for the third year in a row ,” said Kathy Barron, ARGI founder and president. Our firm has been committed to providing our clients with industry best practices and the most comprehensive human resource services . We continue to provide quality services throughout the challenging economic recovery. It is very rewarding to receive acknowledgement for the third consecutive year in being recognized by this national organization. We are very pleased to be honored by the United States Commerce Association and thank our many clients for their trust and partnership over the years.”

The United States Commerce Association is an organization based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for small and medium size businesses and entrepreneurs throughout America. The USCA “Best of Business Awards” recognizes outstanding organizations throughout the nation in various industries.

Accurate Resource Group has been providing outsourced human resource services including consulting, retail outplacement services and executive search services to companies throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are predominately staffed with between 20 to 400 employees, and often larger organizations with more than 1,000 employees.

Over the past two and a half decades, the firm has evolved to meet the changes in the industry and the challenging demands placed on human resource professionals. Recognized for its expertise in human resource management and recruiting, the firm has helped hundreds of organizations and their management team and has consulted to many human resource professionals in the region as well.

“We continue to do our best to meet the growing demands placed on CEOs, presidents and owners of small to mid sized companies that need help in staying abreast of the rapid changes in health care, employee management, compliance regulations and a host of other human resource management areas.” Said Barron.

Barron states “As the economy continues to recover, one of our newest areas of service is in helping corporations with their displaced workers. We help them find re-employment through our retail and new career stage outplacement programs”. We continue to support clients through all stages of their business cycles and will continue to design programs to that end” concludes Barron.

Happy Meteorological Spring!!

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:46:00 GMT

The infamous groundhog did NOT see his shadow this year, so they tell us… and so we are hoping for an early spring! After January’s weather, not a bad deal.

If it were only that easy to predict our economic recovery here in MA and the region…

Here is to a continuing recovery and increasing levels of hiring out there in the Massachusetts Marketplace of Employers!

As The World Turns….in MA

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:47:00 GMT

According to a recent AIM (Associated Industries of Massachusetts) 2010 HR Practices Report that you may have read, 61% of employers in MA report current business conditions are good to excellent!

In the same report companies reported modest increases in salaries in 2011 and less companies freezing and lowering salaries as in the past two years.

In addition, the report talks about companies are putting dollars into training, but still have challenges taking the employee off the job to do it. They also have questions about what program is best and the cost. For more details, click here.

All of this is good news and identifying top talent is a key to maintaining good business levels.

Did you know that 80% of your new hires will turn out NOT to be top performers within the first 12 months of hire?? What can you do to prevent that from happening to your company??

Talk to us about how we can help reduce that number significantly… After all, you have made it through the recovery so far, we can help you avoid that financial drain.

New Year, New Budgets, New Business, New Growth…

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:49:00 GMT

We are seeing more hiring happening this month than last year at this time… Indeed the economy is moving forward and it has evolved. With the new economy comes not only a challenge but many opportunities for growth! If we can readjust our business “lens” then we may be able to look at them as opportunities and drive our companies forward!

Here’s to a clear lens for your business in 2011!!

You will be seeing some new services from Accurate as we adjust the focus on our lens and offer more and new value to our existing and new services!!

Giving Thanks…Right From The Heart!

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:50:00 GMT

Maybe it is easier as the economic times have been challenging, to stop and be thankful for all the GOOD that we have in our lives! The economy has given many of us a good mirror to reflect on the abundance we have, although it may not be what we have seen in the past. Maybe it is less or maybe more, but despite the artificial measuring stick of “things” that we have…we have many people in our lives to give thanks to…!!

My personal “thanks giving” list is long and I wanted to also give much deserved thanks to all the wonderful people whom I have known in business over the last 24 years, who have supported me, our staff and ARGI. Without YOU; our client, we would not be here today.

IT IS ALL ABOUT YOU…THE CLIENT!! I GIVE MANY THANKS TO YOU!!

I want to extend Thanksgiving blessings to each and every client who has worked with us and sincerely hope that along the way, we might have made your day easier, made your project more successful, that your ARGI hires have done well in their new roles, and that we have alleviated your human resource challenges and that we have solved some of your problems. I hope that by working with me and ARGI, you are in a better place than you were before we assisted you and your organization. I know on my end, we have had a lot of success, have worked hard, have had some good laughs with you along the way and continue to evolve and look at new ways to solve your human resource challenges.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Thank you for your continuing support.

Talent shortages were a factor prior to this recession…and they continue…

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:51:00 GMT

Prior to the declining economy, top talent was in short supply. The fact that the baby boomers are leaving the market in very large numbers and that business sectors are picking people up again….the shortage will continue and continue to become larger as the economy continues to recover.

Adding insult to injury, the newer talent coming into the ranks is in lesser supply than the drain at the top. Add to that that during an upswing, many employees look at changing positions. Progressive companies are working on strategic plans to retain key employees and ways to attract new talent.

According to an article in Staffing Industry Review last month in September…NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF EMPLOYERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TOP TALENT LEAVING.

What is your company doing about the drain??

One light at the end of the tunnel is that baby boomers are not all together ready to leave the job market…they just want a different level and job role… and many of them are retooling their skills and doing anything from consulting, internships and part time employment.

If you are interested in being proactive and having us assist ensuring that you have the top talent you need, please call so that we can discuss some options for you.

If you are interested in exploring the options in hiring these experienced top performers in the areas of Human Resources, CFO’/CEO’s, Sales Execs, and other Executive talent, please give us a call to discuss. You might be surprised at the value you would receive for the work that you need done!!

Dress for Success Worcester’s Second Annual Gala

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:52:00 GMT

Dress for Success Worcester’s Second Annual Gala held last month on October 23rd at The Beechwood Hotel WAS a total success!!

We raised approximately double of our income from the 2009 event!! As we are kicking off the Professional Women’s Group in January 2011, it is important that we continue to move forward with our self funding.

Thank you for your support! It allows us to continue to help women (and therefore their families) at the poverty level in Central MA.

Giving Back to The Community

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:53:00 GMT

As a business owner for the last 24 years, I believe it is important to give back to people in the community. I have been very fortunate over the years and feel that there are many less fortunate people that can use support to help them and their families survive and then ultimately thrive. If I can be a part of helping drive that effort, then I am happy to help.

Please join me and the entire board of directors, fund-raising committee and volunteers to help us give back to women at the poverty level and their families and therefore the community in Central MA through supporting:

The Second Annual Dress for Success Worcester Gala!!!

Our Mission in Central Massachusetts is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Since we opened our doors in May 2009, we have facilitated over 500 appointments providing women with business clothes for interviews and employment. We hope that you can join us for this event so we can continue to grow our programs and further assist the women of our community on their path to self-sufficiency.

It’s summertime…and the living is easy…or is it?

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:54:00 GMT

Sometimes it is NOT easy as most businesses are trying to do more with less and now vacation time is here so they are doing more with a LOT less!!

Maybe it is time to consider some health and wellness and other FUN lunch and learns for the staff/managers/execs that are NOT on vacation. Perhaps a 10 minute neck massage and wellness expert giving tips at lunch could work. Or maybe some fun image “makeover” tips with a local image consultant might just be what the doctor ordered!!

I think that the companies who are creative, and maintain their cost effectiveness will be the leaders emerging and moving forward with vigor!

Here’s hoping you enjoy some of the easy moments of summer!

LUNCH AND LEARNS

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:56:00 GMT

<h3>LUNCH AND LEARNS are very cost effective for companies looking for quick training snippets that can be reinforced in smaller groups.</h3>
<p>As hiring levels increase within certain sectors in the local economy, employers are concerned about training budgets and look for lunch and learns as a way to get important messages to groups, departments, management and others in a fun, less formal and cost effective ways.</p>
<h2><strong>Some lunch and learn topics that can be tailored to your needs include:</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>* Is your personal brand in reinforcing your corporate brand and therefore your quotient for promotion in the area of your business image?</li>
<li>* Wellness at work: Do you want to feel better at work- What can you do to have more energy and enhance your productivity and “promote ability” ??</li>
<li>* Management Group- Now that we are hiring again…how do we retain our top employees?</li>
</ul>
<h3>Talk to us if you want to conduct a lunch and learn or other training program.</h3>

Accurate Resource Group, Inc. Receives 2010 Best of Westborough Award

Fri, 07 May 2010 12:57:00 GMT

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, May 7, 2010 — For the second consecutive year, Accurate Resource Group, Inc. has been selected for the 2010 Best of Westborough Award in the Human Resource Consulting Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2010 Award recipients qualified as two-time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

Metrowest HR Firm Receives Prestigious Honor from National Organization

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:58:00 GMT

Westborough, MA – December 5, 2009 – Accurate Resource Group, Inc. (ARGI), a human resource solutions company headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts was recently honored with the Best of Westborough 2009 Award for Human Resources Consulting Services by the United States Commerce Association (USCA).

“We are very proud and honored to receive this distinguished recognition,” said Kathy Barron, ARGI founder and president. “Over the past 23 years, our firm has been committed to providing our clients with industry best practices and the most comprehensive human resource services. Internally, we have always strived to do our very best. It is rewarding to receive acknowledgment externally by being recognized by this national organization. We are very pleased to be honored by the United States Commerce Association and thank our many clients for their trust and partnership over the years.”

The United States Commerce Association is an organization based in Washington, D.C., that advocated for small and medium size businesses and entrepreneurs throughout America. The USCA “Best of Business Awards” recognizes outstanding organizations throughout the nation in various industries.
Accurate Resource Group has been providing outsourced human resource services including consulting, retail outplacement services and executive search services to companies throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are predominately staffed with between 15 to 400 employees, and sometimes larger organizations with more than 1,000 employees.

Over the past two decades, the firm has evolved to meet the changing needs of the industry and the challenging demands placed on human resource professionals. Recognized for its expertise in human resource management and recruiting, the firm has helped hundreds of organizations and its management team has consulted with many human resource professionals in the region as well.

“We continue to do our best to meet the growing demands placed on CEOs, presidents and owners of small to mid-sized companies that need help in staying abreast of the rapid changes in health care, employee management, compliance regulations and a host of other human resource management areas,” said Barron.