The Bull's-Eye View

Welcome to another issue of the Bulls Eye View.

Great news! Executive recruiters reported a 22% increase in the number of search assignments they received from clients during 2006. This represents the largest increase since the height of the dot-com boom in 2000. Looking ahead, search firms are forecasting a 25% increase in executive-level job opportunities this year.

Recruiters' short-term outlook also improved in January, as 81% said they are very confident that the employment market will improve in the next three months. Furthermore, an astounding 59% of search firms reported plans to hire additional professional staff during the next three months.

Managing Stress

The business world is filled with many challenges and opportunities. In order for a business to take advantage of opportunities and overcome the challenges, a business owner must be able to continuously perform at top levels of achievement. If stress is not managed correctly, it will consume much of a person's energy, robbing them of the ability to be effective in either their work or personal environments.

Take the Business Owners Stress Test

1. I am impatient with others at least several times a week.
2. I worry about the sustainability of my company’s revenue streams.
3. I have business debt that is more than 20% of my annual revenues.
4. My spouse (or employees) just don’t get how big a job this is.
5. Given the effort I’m putting in, my net income is nowhere near high enough.
6. If I wasn’t here, the place would fall apart within a month.
7. I can’t seem to attract – or keep – the right staff.
8. I’m doing tasks that I do not like or am not very good at.
9. I am working more than 10 hours a day.
10. I am running faster and harder than I probably should be.

If you have checked off three to five then you might consider what stress points could be reduced and how you will go about doing that reduction. Consider stress management as an investment in your business no different than any other capital expense. As a small business owner, your largest single capital investment is yourself.

©Copyright 2007 JKL Associates and by the Graduate School of Coaching

2007 Filing Season Kicks Off with New Features

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service began a busy 2007 filing season that features telephone excise tax refunds, a new refund deposit feature and recently enacted tax breaks that may require extra attention from taxpayers.

The IRS expects to process about 136 million individual tax returns for 2006, with more than half of those filed electronically.

Among the major changes taking place this year:

• Telephone Excise Tax Refund
• New 1040EZ-T Form
• Recent Tax Law Enactments
• New Split Refund Option
• ‘Free File’ Improvements

For More Information visit the IRS web site at: www.irs.gov

- By The Numbers -

Increase Business with Referrals Increase business by asking for a referral from an existing customer. Referrals are one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to market. Referrals have more impact than any other marketing strategy or advertising because prospective customers rely on the confidence and trust that your existing customers have for you. A satisfied customer is usually glad to help you and can provide a strong testimonial for your company. This can open doors quickly for new customers. Candidate Referral Program Help a Friend and Earn $100 Target Consulting will pay you $100 for each friend that you refer who gets a job through our services. Client Referral Program Refer Target Consulting Group a client and we will donate $500 to a charity of your choice. Are you an HR or sales consultant looking to add value to your client with our service? Call us about our agent program at 888-511-JOBS for details. Call us at 888-511-JOBS for details. http://www.targetconsulting.com

*Your referrals are the greatest compliment you can offer our firm. If you know anyone that would benefit from Target Consulting Group, have them call us directly for a complimentary Strategy Session. Thank you for your generosity.

The Top 10 Audit Questions: Customer Service

1. How do we define customer satisfaction?
2. How much should we be spending on retaining customers?
3. Why do customers defect?
4. What report/index/measurable do we need weekly to track our progress in this area?
5. What are the needs that our customers haven't even asked us to fulfill for them?
6. How rapidly are customer questions/problems responded to/solved?
7. Do customer questions/complaints get forwarded to our product/R&D/systems people?
8. Are our customers delighted, or just satisfied?
9. Do our customers brag to their friends about our product or service?
10. If we were a customer, where would we ask the company to improve?

How to Improve Persuasion Power

Lend a sympathetic ear. When an employee discusses a problem, listen with patience and understanding. By showing that you care, you earn a reputation as a sensitive manager. That will pay off when you ask your staff to sacrifice to attain stretch goals.

Feed off others' enthusiasm. When someone presents a new idea, support it. Don't look to shoot holes in what you hear. Example: Your boss may want you to be upbeat about a new product rollout, so focus on opportunities rather than criticism. Payoff: If you do have legitimate concerns about the project, this gives you the credibility to raise them later.

Source: Robert L. Dilenschneider, writing in Executive Excellence

Learn or Un-Learn

Most of us have a number of things that we can learn that will improve our performance and let us achieve our goals. But "unlearning" can be just as important as learning. If you've fallen into habits that hamper you, then focus some of your self-development on changing habits. This is often much harder than learning new things.

Source: Career Track seminar on dealing with conflict

Business After Hours for Employment Professionals!

Save the date: April 4, 2007 6pm
Business After Hours, hosted by Target Consulting Group At the new X & O restaurant in Stoughton, MA

This will be a great opportunity to network with other recruiters, collaborate and work referrals. It should be a fantastic event.

For more information or to RSVP please contact Hillary O'Malley at (781) 821-5627 or homalley@targetconsulting.com

Target Consulting Blog

Target Consulting Group launched its first blog this weekend. Please visit our website to check it out: www.targetconsulting.com/blog

NEAPS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

April 12th, 13th & 14th
The Hartford Marriott
Hartford, CT
www.neaps.org

Target's hot jobs of the month!