Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Woman Business Enterprise Certification
I am so proud to announce today that firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search has been certified as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) by the City of Philadelphia. This certification is being offered through reciprocity due to firstPRO’s certification through from the City of Atlanta’s Equal Business Opportunity program.
With this certification, we look forward to working with the City of Philadelphia on projects that will encourage more growth for the city. As a Woman Business Enterprise, we will be able to take part in creating new proposals and offering our expertise whenever we can. Our goal is to continue building and expanding this prosperous city.
This certification also allows firstPRO to be counted towards the WBE contracting ranges for projects administered by the City of Philadelphia. This means we will be able to participate as a subcontractor/sub-consultant on City of Philadelphia competitive bids or proposal projects as a WBE. We will also be placed in the Office of Economic Opportunity’s (OEO) Directory of certified firms in order to assist City departments, agencies and prime contractors solicit WBE participation.
With this certification, we look forward to working with the City of Philadelphia on projects that will encourage more growth for the city. As a Woman Business Enterprise, we will be able to take part in creating new proposals and offering our expertise whenever we can. Our goal is to continue building and expanding this prosperous city.
This certification also allows firstPRO to be counted towards the WBE contracting ranges for projects administered by the City of Philadelphia. This means we will be able to participate as a subcontractor/sub-consultant on City of Philadelphia competitive bids or proposal projects as a WBE. We will also be placed in the Office of Economic Opportunity’s (OEO) Directory of certified firms in order to assist City departments, agencies and prime contractors solicit WBE participation.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Women in the Workforce on CNN
Today, I had the privilege of appearing live on CNN in a segment called “Women in the Workforce.” The interview offered insights into the shifting dynamics of the economy and why more women are making their way into the workforce.
We’re calling it a “man” cession in that 82 percent of people who have been laid off are men. For the first time women are poised to take over 50 percent of the workforce. The industries that we are employed in are not the industries that have been hit the hardest.
With that said, I believe that now is the time for men and women to reposition themselves for future hiring trends. I predict that manufacturing and construction are the industries that will see a major shift in how jobs are done, and IT as the area where people need to reeducate themselves.
As men are being laid off, companies are using this as an opportunity to get a more diverse management base. There is talk of a new female economy because we control so much of the consumer dollar. Women are going to be a valuable force because we are making the decisions, financial and otherwise. So get ready, ladies. Now is the time to make this "man" cession an opportunity for us!
We’re calling it a “man” cession in that 82 percent of people who have been laid off are men. For the first time women are poised to take over 50 percent of the workforce. The industries that we are employed in are not the industries that have been hit the hardest.
With that said, I believe that now is the time for men and women to reposition themselves for future hiring trends. I predict that manufacturing and construction are the industries that will see a major shift in how jobs are done, and IT as the area where people need to reeducate themselves.
As men are being laid off, companies are using this as an opportunity to get a more diverse management base. There is talk of a new female economy because we control so much of the consumer dollar. Women are going to be a valuable force because we are making the decisions, financial and otherwise. So get ready, ladies. Now is the time to make this "man" cession an opportunity for us!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Business Etiquette for Tough Economic Times
In today’s uncertain financial climate, it is more important than ever to approach business and social situations with grace and thoughtfulness. We need to be mindful of others’ circumstances and add value to everything we do. Whether you have experienced a change in your financial security personally, or you are one of the fortunate individuals experiencing “life as usual,” a conservative attitude is the order of the day.
First and foremost, be a value to your place of business. Start earlier, stay later and skip lunch now and then. Kicking it up a notch will not go unnoticed by your management, and you will likely be rewarded for your loyalty and hard work down the road.
Be a positive force in your environment. Never complain, whine or speak poorly of the company. Be sensitive to management’s position. It is probably not a good time to ask for a raise, but you can always ask for a commitment to “revisit” the conversation when things improve.
It is always in good taste to spend your company’s money wisely. Approach any financial decision at the office with the same frugal attitude you would use at home. At firstPRO we have cut back on many of our monthly internal events, opting for every other month instead.
Do NOT bring your financial worries to the office. It is never polite to air your problems to your co-workers; it is always better to find your support system outside of the office.
In the end I believe that there is an upside to any situation, and the upside to a down economy is that we are developing conservative habits that will stay with us for a lifetime.
First and foremost, be a value to your place of business. Start earlier, stay later and skip lunch now and then. Kicking it up a notch will not go unnoticed by your management, and you will likely be rewarded for your loyalty and hard work down the road.
Be a positive force in your environment. Never complain, whine or speak poorly of the company. Be sensitive to management’s position. It is probably not a good time to ask for a raise, but you can always ask for a commitment to “revisit” the conversation when things improve.
It is always in good taste to spend your company’s money wisely. Approach any financial decision at the office with the same frugal attitude you would use at home. At firstPRO we have cut back on many of our monthly internal events, opting for every other month instead.
Do NOT bring your financial worries to the office. It is never polite to air your problems to your co-workers; it is always better to find your support system outside of the office.
In the end I believe that there is an upside to any situation, and the upside to a down economy is that we are developing conservative habits that will stay with us for a lifetime.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Etiquette of Sympathy
Handling condolences in an appropriate manner is an essential life skill, and necessary if you want to be taken seriously in your profession.
It is good to have a system in place in your organization to communicate when there is a serious illness, death or other tragic event. This applies to co-workers, vendors and other business relationships.
There are several levels of acknowledgment in a situation of grief:
1. Sending a hand-written note shortly after you hear of the situation and address it to the individual you know.
2. Calling the person and offer to help, whether it is dropping off food, taking them to lunch or dinner to talk, offering to assist with work arrangements or childcare or picking up visitors at the airport.
3. Attending the viewing hours if the family has arranged this at a funeral home. It is always a polite gesture to drop by, whether you knew the deceased personally or not.
4. Attending the funeral. This is necessary for someone you knew well, or if you are close to the bereaved. If you attended the viewing hours and signed the guestbook, you do not need to sign the guestbook again.
5. Follow-up. It is always a nice gesture to mark your calendar for three or four weeks after the events to follow-up with the bereaved. A quick phone call, email or note asking how they are doing and offering any assistance if needed is a wonderful gesture.
Flowers can be sent either to the church, funeral home, graveside or the bereaved home. Contributions to an organization or charity, in memory of the deceased are always appropriate.
We have a policy in place at firstPRO that allows someone a specific number of paid days off for funerals. Additional days have to be taken in the form of sick or vacation days.
What is important overall, is to acknowledge the situation. Not only does it display good manners, but it is simply the right thing to do.
It is good to have a system in place in your organization to communicate when there is a serious illness, death or other tragic event. This applies to co-workers, vendors and other business relationships.
There are several levels of acknowledgment in a situation of grief:
1. Sending a hand-written note shortly after you hear of the situation and address it to the individual you know.
2. Calling the person and offer to help, whether it is dropping off food, taking them to lunch or dinner to talk, offering to assist with work arrangements or childcare or picking up visitors at the airport.
3. Attending the viewing hours if the family has arranged this at a funeral home. It is always a polite gesture to drop by, whether you knew the deceased personally or not.
4. Attending the funeral. This is necessary for someone you knew well, or if you are close to the bereaved. If you attended the viewing hours and signed the guestbook, you do not need to sign the guestbook again.
5. Follow-up. It is always a nice gesture to mark your calendar for three or four weeks after the events to follow-up with the bereaved. A quick phone call, email or note asking how they are doing and offering any assistance if needed is a wonderful gesture.
Flowers can be sent either to the church, funeral home, graveside or the bereaved home. Contributions to an organization or charity, in memory of the deceased are always appropriate.
We have a policy in place at firstPRO that allows someone a specific number of paid days off for funerals. Additional days have to be taken in the form of sick or vacation days.
What is important overall, is to acknowledge the situation. Not only does it display good manners, but it is simply the right thing to do.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
firstPRO Executive Luncheon
Today, firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search was proud to host an executive luncheon at Maggiano’s. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., guests were invited to enjoy a delicious lunch and hear from featured speaker Roger C. Tutterow, Ph.D., Professor of Economics at Mercer University.“This is the longest, deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression,” Tutterow said. “We got into this recession due to the rise in energy cost, the generational downturn in the housing market and the credit crunch. I predict that we will return to normalcy in 2010/2011, but it will be a subdued pace.”
In addition to his position at Mercer University, Dr. Tutterow serves as Chief Economic Advisor to Henssler Financial Group. His analysis of the economic, business and political environments have been featured in a variety of media including Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and on CNN, CNBC, NBC, CNN Radio, among others. In 2003, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Dr. Tutterow to serve on the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors.
The presentation concluded with an interactive Q & A, as well as a raffle for two American Express gift cards. The grand prizes went to Robert Thomson of NeoMedia Technologies and Dorris Hollingsworth of Carter Real Estate.
For more information on future luncheons, contact Michelle Kennedy at 404.252.9422 x 442 or visit www.firstproinc.com.
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