Open Letter to Clients, Employees, and Candidates.

I recently received a note from a candidate who criticized our service. She felt we did not take her job search seriously. It did not make me happy and I was disappointed because criticism like that is uncommon. I immediately reach out to her with my apology, and that I could understand her frustration. Maybe, we didn’t do our best on her behalf. I accept that responsibility and asked for an opportunity to do better. I was thankful for that honest feedback because I learned two important points about my company.

1.  DaMar Staffing is vulnerable. I want the DaMar brand to be special, working hard to make a real difference. My team is passionate about serving and everyone puts their heart and soul into being an excellent resource. No, DaMar is not perfect, but my people are on the front lines fighting for victory every day—it’s not easy to do.

2. DaMar Staffing is not for everyone. I am not the cheapest or the fastest, but I’m passionate and committed to finding a win-win solution for all parties. My team is prepared to work hard and do the heavy lifting to deliver value. If these things are important to you, DaMar Staffing may be the best fit.

The other thing I realized was how the COVID-19 pandemic has especially affected my company. This crisis has disrupted everything we do. We’ve been in the fight since the beginning providing services to essential businesses. Six months later my team is still very busy finding jobs for people looking to get back to work. DaMar Staffing has been and still is an important resource for companies and candidates during this crisis.

It’s been a rough time; few team members quit, which leaves me short-handed; I’ve been working 80 hours a week, so I am aware that we’re not at our best right now. I understand some people will be unhappy with our services—we can’t help everyone. Nevertheless, I’m committed to helping people solve their workforce and employment problems. Perfection is not attainable, but I keep pushing to achieve excellence—that’s my goal.

DaMar Staffing has won the trust of many clients and candidates because we accomplish good results. Our objective is to build long-term relationships and partnerships. Our business model is a little different from many staffing firms. We believe in integrity, excellence, inspiration, and the love of serving. If these qualities are important to you, I invite you to give us a chance to know you better and to work hand-in-hand to find great ideas for you.

Sincerely,
Tiffany Thompson

DaMar Staffing Solutions takes an unconventional approach to recruiting and staffing solutions for clients. As a strategic partner, the DaMar team is constantly on the hunt for those rare people who are among the best at what they do. DaMar Staffing is located at 8900 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1060, Indianapolis, IN 46240. DaMarStaff.com

Three Important Things for Rebuilding.

Businesses and the consumer market has been plunged into crisis. Nevertheless, the economic market will not go away, but it will be changed. To emerge stronger will require rethinking and rebuilding your business; reshaping the way you do business, if necessary, and reskilling your workforce can help you grow and even thrive. So, keep your eyes open to new opportunities.

Here are three areas to consider for growing your business opportunities.

1.     Concentrate on Customers, Community, and Connections
Be super intentional about strengthening your brand connection with customers. Pay particular attention to what and how you communicate with the community. Many people are working and shopping remotely, how can your business participate and leverage this new alternative behavior?

2.     Develop Your Workforce, Synergy, and Efficiency
Examine your existing business plan and infrastructure to determine if there are pivot points and adjustments that will help your business model succeed in the future. Next, identify the essential staff for successfully moving forward. The pandemic has changed what is important and vital for future growth.

Evaluate job categories to recognize efficiency across departments. Knowing your employees’ skills and behavioral styles is essential for maximizing productivity. This will help you make good decisions on which employees can successfully work from home and those who will do better in a traditional workplace. How you manage the workforce moving forward can dictate your eventual success.

3.     Offer Value and Peace of Mind
Look at your business through the lens of your customers and employees. Ask yourself, what do they need right now to increase their peace of mind? COVID-19 has caused serious disruptions. The consumer market has been hurt and will take time to rebound. A crisis leaves a psychological impact on customers and employees.

You may need to alter your marketing, web presence, and branding to bolster trust and reassurance. The old business model may not be the best way to move forward in the future. Chaos and disruptions do not mean your opportunities for success are limited. Open your mind to all the possible ideas; adapt, stay nimble, and ready to reinvent your business for success.  

DaMar Staffing is here to help make workforce recovery as simple as possible during this time of rebuilding. DaMar will continue to earn your respect and offer real value.

DaMar Staffing Solutions takes an unconventional approach to recruiting and staffing solutions for clients. As a strategic partner, the DaMar team is constantly on the hunt for those rare people who are among the best at what they do. DaMar Staffing is located at 8900 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1060, Indianapolis, IN 46240. DaMarStaff.com

Indiana Begins Next Phase of Reopening; Are You Ready?

Indianapolis gets back to business over the course of the next few months.

Most people would agree it is time to re-open for business—safely. Getting back to work will not be easy. Recovery readiness strategies are essential. Here are a few things the DaMar Staffing team is discussing. There are three major points:

1. Unprecedented times call for advanced planning and new ideas. Job boards, online applications, and recruiting apps will not be an effective approach to ramp-up staffing. The majority of corporate decision-makers, HR, and hiring managers will be busy and in some cases overwhelmed. Recruitment will be challenging. 
   
   DaMar Staffing is gathering new ideas and recruitment processes to put into place to meet the demand of a re-start. DaMar is working hard to demonstrate value. There will be a tremendous need for staffing services, therefore it’s important to identify where companies may fall short and help uplift their team.

2. The country will reopen in phases. DaMar is thinking about which areas of service/industries are likely to come first and which is going to need the most help. The team is developing plans for those decision-makers before they reopen—and get completely swamped. DaMar Staffing brings add-valuable resources.

3. Unemployed workers are struggling and are anxious to get back to work. Many employees are uncertain about their employment status; they are unclear if they will be returning to their previous job assignments.  The longer the crisis lingers the more pressure employers will be under to furlough more people. These disruptions have caused instability and big problems for everyone.

DaMar Staffing is staying alert to the needs of clients and candidates to better understand how to help them. Right now the team is developing service plans and having conversations with decision-makers about their workforce needs. Planning and agility is the key. DaMar is working to assist and guide clients.

A few tips to consider:

• Identify the essential staff for successfully moving forward

• Develop COVID-19 testing protocols

• Write a business continuity and contingency plan

• Have an emergency plan if there is a coronavirus outbreak

DaMar Staffing is here to help make workforce recovery as simple as possible during this time of chaos. DaMar will continue to earn your respect and offer real value.

DaMar Staffing Solutions takes an unconventional approach to recruiting and staffing solutions for clients. As a strategic partner, the DaMar team is constantly on the hunt for those rare people who are among the best at what they do. DaMar Staffing is located at 8900 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1060, Indianapolis, IN 46240. DaMarStaff.com

The COVID-19 Crisis Doesn’t Have to Lead to Layoffs.

The evaluation of corporate survival verse layoffs is complex.

Coronavirus has shaken the business world. As a result, many employers are making tough staffing decisions. Businesses will recover at some point, so it is critical to stay focused on the big picture. Numerous employers are forced to furlough and layoff workers. In most cases, it is unavoidable and necessary for the short-term, but be aware, it could prove more costly in the long run.

Before reacting with layoffs consider all the facts, review very cost-reducing measures imaginable first. Evaluate your workforce needs for the next 60 days. Determine the right number of employees needed to get your business back on track. Think in terms of high-priority and the critical staffers needed to keep moving forward.

Consider these options:

• A four-day workweek could reduce staff costs by nearly 20%  

• Cut everyone's work time in half (for a short time) to save jobs

• Get a commitment for a pay cut from your senior leaders   

• Offer unpaid leave for all the people willing to take a “sabbatical”  

• Look at short-term reassignments with potential vendors

• Enroll in the employer's Paycheck Protection Program

The goal should be to retain 100 percent of your workers. Loyal, highly skilled employees are experienced and it’s important to keep them if you can. Losing people means you lose their skills and specific job experience. And, they may be lost forever. To replace your experienced people in the future, will cost more. You incur additional recruiting, onboarding and training cost. 

Small and medium-sized businesses may qualify for the federal loan Paycheck Protection Program. Develop a plan to leverage this Federal program; ask clients to cost-sharing with you, or think about short-term reassignments with willing vendors. These are alternative options designed to keep as many employees working as possible. The additional effort will be worth it in the long run.

There is a strong possibility this crisis lingers longer than many would like. Have a plan B ready. Be very sensitive to the employer-employee relationships during this high-stress time, conflicts now will be very costly. Remember, when the country comes back online, in general, there will be a mad dash by all companies to re-staff, in many cases at increased wages.

DaMar Staffing is prepared to help, advise and guide you in formulating a recovery plan to achieve your workforce goals. Call Tiffany Thompson at 317.566.8320.

DaMar Staffing Solutions takes an unconventional approach to recruiting and staffing solutions for clients. As a strategic partner, the DaMar team is constantly on the hunt for those rare people who are among the best at what they do. DaMar Staffing is located at 8900 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1060, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

Zoom Instructions for Participants

Before a videoconference

1. You will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a speaker or headphones. You will have the opportunity to check your audio immediately upon joining a meeting.

2. You will receive notice for a videoconference or conference call from DaMar team memeber. The notification will include a link to “Join via computer” as well as phone numbers for a conference call option. It will also include the 9-digit (usually) Meeting ID.

To join the videoconference

1. At the start time of your meeting, click on the link in your invitation to join via computer. You may be instructed to download the Zoom application.

2. You have an opportunity to test your audio at this point by clicking on “Test Computer Audio.” Once you are satisfied that your audio works, click on “Join audio by computer.”

You may also join a meeting without clicking on the invitation link by going to join.zoom.us on any browser and entering the Meeting ID provided by from DaMar team memeber.

Trouble Shooting

If you are having trouble hearing the meeting, you can join via telephone while remaining on the video conference:

1. On your phone, dial the teleconferencing number provided in your invitation.

2. Enter the Meeting ID number (also provided in your invitation) when prompted using your touch-tone (DTMF) keypad.

3. If you have already joined the meeting via computer, you will have the option to enter your two-digit participant ID to be associated with your computer.

Participant controls in the lower-left corner of the Zoom screen

Using the icons in the lower-left corner of the Zoom screen, you can:

• Mute/Unmute your microphone (far left)

• Turn on/off camera (“Start/Stop Video”)

• Invite other participants

• View Participant list – opens a pop-out screen that includes a “Raise Hand” icon that you may use to raise a virtual hand

• Change your screen name that is seen in the participant list and video window

• Share your screen

Somewhere on your Zoom screen, you will also see a choice to toggle between “speaker” and “gallery” view. “Speaker view” shows the active speaker. “Gallery view” tiles all of the meeting participants.

Conditions Form Severe Labor Shortages.

Employers are scrambling to answer the question, how do you find the right talent for the right job?

Leaders say a lack of workers is holding them back from building more and selling more. New job openings have jumped to a record high of 7.3 million, but the bad news is this is actually more jobs than there are people to fill them. Think about this all occurring at the same time:

• The lowest unemployment rate in 50 years
• The lowest birth rate in 30 years
• The lowest immigration level in 16 years
• Approximately 10,000 baby boomers retiring each day

It’s the right conditions for the worst labor crisis in 100 years. That has negative consequences for businesses and the economy. Some industries are already fraught with critical labor shortages, which cause wage inflation, reduced productivity, and even closings. For example, qualified candidates for cybersecurity are seven times more scarce than candidates for other roles. The healthcare and eldercare industry is struggling to fill jobs. The labor and skills gap is real and moreover, it is getting worse. There are lots of jobs, just not enough people with the corresponding skills. The number one top priority for CEOs is their ability to attract and retain qualified workers. Over 65% of CEOs believe the new grads entering the job market are unprepared and underqualified. Finding the right people with the right skills is a serious challenge. Even the best recruiters are stressed to fill jobs. This is only the tip of the iceberg; this crisis may well last for the next 25 years.

Is your organization prepared? DaMar Staffing can help.

Plan Your Way to Success.

Are you inspired at work? Is your job bringing joy to your workday? If the answer is no keep reading.

Do you want to set yourself up for success? Most people would choose happiness and success. Success is unique and based on your specific desires and goals; it also changes over time. Your professional goals and metrics for success at the beginning of your career path will probably look different than when you’re older and further along in your journey.

Many people are shocked at how much time has gone by in their career journey. Think of 2020 as a new year and a new decade for new opportunities. This is an exciting time for change. Set yourself up for success by following these five tips.

1.       Review your goals: short and long-term

2.      List top 5 lessons learned

3.      Nurture relationships

4.      Request a planning meeting with your boss

5. Invest in yourself

Review your goals: short and long-term

The most successful people are skilled at goal setting. It’s important to reflect on how you are doing, progressing and tracking your results. The big question is, are you moving forward towards your goals? It is important to plan your growth actions week-to-week; doing the things, you need to do to meet new business connections and work on meaningful projects. Now is the time  to asses where you are now and where you see yourself in one to five years. Make adjustments, as needed ensure that you meet your goals. Writing down goals is imperative, and then review them weekly. This will help you to stay focused and working toward the important items other than the day-to-day grind.

Nurture relationships

How good are you at networking? Your career path success depends on your ability to network and nurture relationships. 2020 is a great time to reach out and check-in with people you need to meet. It can be time-consuming, awkward and downright intimidating, but very important to your career path. Consider this your wake-up call. Look for a reason to check-in with people. Networking is connecting and nurturing relationships that help you stay grounded, inspired, motivated and sharp. Nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet will be very valuable to your long-term career paths.   

Do a planning meeting with a boss or influencer

Whether you’ve been working for years or are just starting out, you know that having good one-on-one meetings with your boss or a mentor is crucial for your success. These meetings can leave both you and your boss/mentor feeling productive, energized, and prepared for the week and work ahead.  

It is your responsibility to take the initiative and ask for a meeting.  Plan your meeting agenda and don’t be shy to talk about important issues. Think/talk about: Does your job title adequately capture your work and experience? How to better reach your career objectives? Are there other opportunities to explore that will move you forward?

Invest in yourself

Many people talk about investing money. But, investing in you will last a lifetime. Investing in yourself is one of the best return on investments you can make. Are you  investing in learning a new skill, developing yourself personally or professionally, tapping into your creativity or hiring a coach, you need to give yourself the best opportunity possible. Consistently growing and improving will have you soaring ahead of the competition.

Reflect on lessons learned

Pour yourself a glass of wine while the sunshine is still out and think about your accomplishments. Think about your lessons learned and review achievements from the last year.  Dedicate a hour to do a dive deep into your internal wisdom and celebrate your progresses, but sometimes life moves so fast that you must stop, take time to focus on your career path.  Think about ways you can apply your lessons with intention as you move into the New Year. Plan a new strategy for 2020, perhaps a midweek workout during a stressful week is helpful.  

Your journey to success is for sure connected to planning and network relationships. It’s important to understand the value of having new objectives to meet along the way. If you’re in the early stages of your career path, consider following these helpful guidelines to help you either define what a successful future looks like for you or to help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself and find success.

Hire Real People.

To succeed, focus on engaging with people in real conversations.

In today’s world it is easy to (quickly) judge people based on how they look, talk and at times—smell. The truth is it’s hard to determine a person’s potential and value without taking the time to connect with them. DaMar Staffing takes the time to meet people.

 If you're looking to hire a quality individual, it's important to determine if the candidate has the necessary skills to add value and meet your specific needs; do not to judge their facade. Some job seekers are very good at presenting a great profile and may not be good at actually doing the work. Consider diversifying your work force. Diversity is an advantage, not a limitation.

Human resource professionals work hard seeking individuals they consider “perfect.” These HR professionals, undoubtedly, put in a lot of time and effort identifying the best person (possible) to add value to their company. That is noble. However, the truth is a job candidate doesn’t need to be perfect to be a quality hire.

The recruiting team at DaMar Staffing works hard to uncover the specific skills and character needed to match the perfect position. DaMar Staffing endeavors to connect quality candidates with great companies. Every new hire today is vital. That’s why DaMar guarantees each one.

There are emerging changes in hiring standards. Office professionals today need skills that go well beyond basic computer abilities. Many companies expect new hires to be proficient in specialized software programs, have an upbeat personality and a squeaky-clean background.

The job market is very competitive. Now more than ever before, each individual needs to be a quality hire. This raises the bar. It is important to make sure each candidate is fully qualified, tested and checked out. DaMar guarantees each person recommended is ready to go.  Because people and company culture are so complex and finding a good matching is so difficult, it is wise to seek expert advice to determine what works best.

DaMar Staffing Solutions takes an unconventional approach to recruiting and staffing solutions for clients. As a strategic partner, the DaMar team is constantly on the hunt for those rare people who are among the best at what they do.

Creating a Strong Personal Brand Will Opens Doors.

Anyone can be a leader because it is a mindset. View yourself as a leader and prepare like a leader and you’re on the path to success.

Personal branding is important for several reasons. It provides a clear focus for you and anyone who may be interested in hiring you. Establish yourself as a leader. It works wonders for opening career doors. Here, are a few tips on how to position yourself to land an opportunity you are passionate about.

Professional Social Media Profile
You will need a professional LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter account. Make sure your current contact information is visible. Incomplete or out-of-date info is a red flag, as are gaps in employment.

Clean-Up Social Media
Be aware of your online image; you should Google yourself. Make sure your online image helps, not hurts, your job search. Many employers check profiles on popular online sites before making interviewing and hiring decisions.

Network Hard
People move-up through networking. Networking means you interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional relationships. Be active; attend forums, conferences, seminars, and civic group gatherings, and give out your business card freely. Seek to meet people of influence.

Don’t Be Picky
With the availability of top talent so limited, being too picky can hurt your opportunities. Taking a bridge job avoids gaps in your resume. Bridge jobs, i.e., temporary, part-time, contract positions will keep you in the mix. Register with a staffing agency in your field

Giving is Receiving
It is the energy behind the giving that matters. The law of cause and effect guarantees that you shall receive value for what you give. Volunteer with trade organizations as well as local charity or community outreach groups.

Always Be Honest
Act in good faith. Offers are regularly taken away and revoked from people because they’re not honest. You will be asked about your salary expectations, benefits package content, restrictions, etc. Don’t have any surprises hanging out there.

Never Talk Bad
One big turnoff is a bad attitude. When asked, never bad mouth past employers or employees—that’s a red flag. Say something nice or say nothing.

Send a Thank You Note
Follow up and do not email. A simple note card can be powerful. Writing and mailing an unexpected note will make a huge and lasting impression.

In Summary
Take the job of finding the right opportunity seriously, but never take yourself too seriously. Consider how far you've come and the journey that lies ahead. Stop and smell the Roses. Business is a serious thing. However, life is a fun thing.

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DaMar Staffing believes everyone has a right to grow professionally to improve his or her life. DaMar helps people by making new connections. Our team has a passion to serve. We do this by matching great people with great companies. Are you looking to build a close partnership with a staffing agency that delivers? Contact DaMar Staffing Solutions today.

Inspire Employee Engagement

Engaged employees are satisfied, loyal, retainable, have a positive impact on leadership, and customers.

Engagement represents the levels of commitment, passion, and loyalty that workers have toward their jobs and their companies. Engaged employees power corporate growth. How can you start developing a culture of engagement? Follow these five tips:

 1. Do Onboarding and Training
Employees need clear pictures of their responsibilities and your expectations. A simple set of personal new hire goals and objectives will eliminate confusion and frustration. You have fewer than six months to get employees engaged with their positions.

2. Explain Company Goals
Involve employees in the business goals. Schedule progress meetings monthly so employees have clear understandings of how they fit in. Team participation in the business goals will encourage employee engagement.

3. Acknowledgment and Recognition
Put an emphasis on acknowledging employees for their hard work. It is important to develop relationships of respect. Camaraderie is vital; don’t overlook the little things like: “Hello,” “Have a good night,” and “Thank you.”

4. Focus on Employee Development
Most people desire opportunities to grow and achieve their career goals. Help employees develop their skills and challenge them to push. It shows people that you care about their career growth and that you value their contributions.

5. Don’t Micromanage
Don’t turn people into robots. Give employees the responsibilities and the freedom to engage in their jobs. Micromanaging can be damaging to morale, kill engagement and decrease productivity. Encourage people to think and solve problems; that will lead to higher levels of engagement.

See the big picture. Corporate culture is developed and engagement is inspired.

DaMar Staffing Solutions takes an unconventional approach to recruiting and staffing solutions for clients. As a strategic partner, the DaMar team is constantly on the hunt for those rare people who are among the best at what they do.