The Bull's-Eye View

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

During the holiday season we would like to extend our sincere thanks for your valued business and to wish you continued progress in the new year.

Happy Holidays!

Peter Marinilli CPC, CSP
Managing Partner

If The Job Could Talk

What would a job say to us about superior performance if it could talk? Would it tell us both what hard and soft skills we would need for top performance? Would it describe the necessary behaviors? How about what attitudes or values are required to excel in the position? Even IQ and EQ (Emotional Intelligence) should be discussed.

We all know "jobs" can't talk... but we can talk to superior performers in the job. The key is to know what questions to ask. The latest issue gaining attention is the difficulty of finding technical talent with "people skills." The leading experts are strongly suggesting that organizations review all existing job descriptions and conduct a thorough job analysis on which defensible hiring decisions can be made. They are also suggesting that organizations take a good look at their needs for management skills versus leadership skills for all management positions. Today, "behavioral interviewing" is being used in the hiring process by more and more organizations.

Top management is now talking about the value of "soft skills." Peter Drucker's latest book is pushing "managing one's self." Coaching continues to grow worldwide and corporations are talking about managing human assets. Can you imagine how to manage your human assets without understanding first what truly makes a human an asset? A good start begins with benchmarking the job, not the people. Human asset management needs to be job-related, not yours or someone else's opinion of what they think the assets are.

To benchmark a job, we must look at the job from three views: behavior, attitude and skill required. Then you can look at people currently performing these jobs to clarify the performance correlations. Only by comparing factors of the job to the same factors on people will we be able to identify the real performance issues.

The most progressive organizations have human resource strategies that call for competency- based (skill) selection and performance management systems. These organizations understand the importance of hiring the right people, placing them in the right position and managing them effectively in order to gain a competitive advantage.

One difficulty organizations have in implementing effective HR strategies is defining the selection criteria most important for performance in positions. Before an organization can design selection systems aimed at hiring top performers, they must first identify what it takes to achieve superior performance in a position. In many of today's flatter, leaner organizations, soft skills have become at least as important, if not more important than technical skills. Look for competency-based position analysis that will help your organization define the soft skills or core competencies required for top performance. .

Confusion - Time to Refocus!

Our world seems confused right now! Should we move forward or stay right where we are? Who knows the answers? Confusion is an opportunity to stop and refocus. It is a warning signal our mind sends us saying "HELP! Do something different!" So what does our brain want and how can we refocus?

Here are 7 steps to assist this process.

1. STOP - The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So STOP the insanity!

2. WRITE - Put all the scrambled thoughts onto paper. Would you rather be swept up in the churn of the tornado or safely watch the event from the next town? By writing your thoughts, you remove yourself from the "churn" and can look at the confusion from a safe distance.

3. IDENTIFY - Now you can safely look at your thoughts and begin to identify categories that are creating the confusion. Often it is not as daunting a list as we think it is when we stop the "churn."

4. RATE - Take each area and rate it based on your ability to impact the outcome. In other words, by taking action, are you in charge of creating the results you desire or does someone else hold the power? You will find that some areas are in your control and some are not.

5. CHOOSE - Choose an area you can control and then develop a plan of action.

6. DO - Implement your plan. By taking steps in one area you may find that results happen in other areas. It is almost magical!

7. EVALUATE - Once you are on your way, you can go back and chose another area OR recognize the success you achieved and what you have learned to make the process better next time.

Motivational Quotes

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's we recommend it daily.
- Zig Ziglar

Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.
− Charles Schulz, cartoonist

I take nothing for granted. I now have only good days, or great days.
− Lance Armstrong, Tour de France winner

Send Out Greeting Cards with Ease

Do you have a holiday coming up? Time spent writing and stuffing mailing cards can take many countless hours out of your day. Well, we found a way to save you time and money. Sendout Cards is a company that writes, stuffs and mails cards out for you at the touch of a button. You choose the card from their database and click "you're done."

Call (888) 511-5627 for more information.

Office Space Available

Looking to downsize in a tough economy?

Beautiful, sunny, professional offices available immediately full- or part-time in Canton , MA location. Convenient month to month lease. All utilities included except telephone line.
Please call for details.
Hillary O'Malley 781-821-5627 or homalley@targetrecruiters.com

phone: 508-314-3563
fax: 508-546-0317
john@job-guy.com
www.job-guy.com
Linked In
The "Un-Headhunter" Career Coaching Resume Development Interview Preparation

Can you explain every charge on your phone bill? Are you one of the many business owners that just pays the bill every month because it "seems" right? Not sure?

Contact Bill Perrier at the Comtel Group 781-577-5448 for a free, no obligation review of your telecom services or visit online www.comtelgroup.com

Target Consulting Group has partnered with Salesconx, a leading provider of lead generation via its online marketplace for sales professionals, marketers and small business owners. Salesconx is an actively growing resource for business-to-business professionals, designed to help them reach their ideal customers in a personalized, effective manner. Salesconx serves as a platform for qualified introductions, lead generation and appointment setting by providing members with technology and services to support an online marketplace for business referrals.

Salesconx is an actively growing community of marketers, sales professionals and small business owners who utilize online networking to drive qualified leads and sales to their businesses via introductions and referrals.

Thousands of businesses across North America are already using Salesconx to fulfill their lead generation, appointment setting and revenue goals.
http://www.salesconx.com/index.php?reff=1024

Looking for meaningful work? What’s your passion?

SeniorCareerSource is the only job bank serving nationwide that will help you find meaningful retirement jobs that satisfy your personal goals and lifestyle.

(888) 511-JOBS
www.seniorcareersource.com

Target Consulting Group

960 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021
Call 888-511-JOBS or e-mail us at info@targetconsulting.com

Visit our Web site at:
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.

Target Consulting Group is now a part of First Interview, a network of recruiters. Please call us for more information on how you can benefit from becoming a part of First Interview. (888) 511-5627 or sales@targetconsulting.com

The Cost of an Unhealthy Workforce

With the health of the U.S. economy so much in the news these days, it seems natural to also analyze the health of the average U.S. worker, considering how much influence the latter has on the former. That analysis, considering the current state of the national healthcare system, does not paint a pretty picture.

There are two sides to this issue. The first is the more obvious of the two: the actual cost of healthcare. During the past decade, that cost has skyrocketed in relation to other business costs. In fact, it's skyrocketed in relation to just about any other product or service, with the possible exception of oil and college tuition. Every year, businesses and corporations have passed more of the cost of their health insurance programs on to their employees. Despite all of this, politicians have been unable to hammer out a workable solution. But at this point, that's only one half of companies' worries in regards to the cost of an unhealthy workforce. There's another facet to the issue, one that can be just as costly, if not more so.

Counting the cost

This second facet involves the cost of lost productivity - in other words, the cost of millions of employees who are too sick to work. These workers fall into three distinct categories, which are listed below:

Those who do not work at all due to the fact that they suffer from an illness or disability
Those who miss time from their jobs because of a health problem (or multiple problems)
Those who don't miss time from work, but still experience a loss of productivity due to a health ailment or one suffered by a member of their family

Examining the results of the Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey can bring the picture more into focus and help determine exactly how many Americans fall into one of these three categories. For example, according to the survey, an estimated 18 million Americans between the ages of 19 and 64 are not working and have a disability or chronic disease or do not work because of health reasons.

Then there's the issue of sick days and/or time off work. The survey data indicated that 69 million workers took sick days in 2003. In addition, 64% of respondents said they had missed at least one day of work in the past year because of their health problems or a family member's health problems. This time off translates directly into lost productivity.

Also hampering productivity are those employees who come to work even though they're sick or a member of their family is sick. This "presenteeism" (as opposed to "absenteeism") has a profound effect on both individual companies and the economy overall.

According to the Commonwealth survey, 55 million workers reported that they were unable to concentrate on the job because of illness, either theirs or a family member's. As you might imagine, those workers without paid sick leave are more likely to show up for work when they're sick or ill.

Prevention as an investment

So - what's the bottom line? A lot of money is being lost, for one thing. The amount lost in 2003 alone was $260 billion. And if you're to believe news headlines from the past five years, the overall health of Americans has been getting worse. As a result, that number, more than likely, has risen every year since then.

The key, as is almost always the case in regards to healthcare and healthy living, is prevention. For companies looking to increase productivity - and profitability - they must help their employees take those preventative measures. Although during these uncertain economic times, corporations are tempted to cut costs any way that they can, including by trimming health benefits, providing employees with what they need in order to stay healthy is of paramount importance. What employees need are two things:

Affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage
Paid time off when they're sick or when they need to see a physician

These shouldn't be viewed as costs, but rather as an investment. When you consider how much it costs when employees (or their family members) are unhealthy, it's an investment that's well worth it in the long run.

Do you need a top-performing sales professional to drive revenue?

If you don’t have time or money to waste searching for a top-quality sales person that drives revenue, Target Consulting can do the sales recruiting for you. You only pay us if you hire a candidate, and we guarantee the candidate for a limited time. Visit our Client Services section.

Call us for a confidential job search

Target Consulting Group gets interviewed by Bullhorn.

Click here

MAPS PRESENTS:

Beth Schneider, CPC

Do You the Client, take this recruiter….

How to Get Clients to Say “I Do”

Most clients are really just customers and customers are not loyal!

ENGAGE: to promise to do something, to contract for, to assume an obligation.

A client is a person who ENGAGES the professional services or advice of another. They are a party for which professional services are rendered, one that depends on another.

Are your “clients” engaging you? Do you consider yourself “engaged?”

You will always need new clients and that will NEVER change. Beth will show you how to make prospects and customers into clients.

Set your strategy, follow a roadmap, execute your game plan and you will meet your forecasts by growing your business with your loyal clients.

Join Beth and she will show you how to create clients from customers and gain their loyalty.

“The only problem with making a sale is once you make the sale you lost your best prospect”
-    Zig Zigler

Don’t find yourself in that position!

When: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 from 5pm to 8 pm.

Where: Newton Marriott - 2345 Commonwealth Avenue , Newton MA

Costs: $79.00 Members
           $99.00 Non-members

Beth will be one of the best speakers we have this year!
Take $10 off each person if you bring three or more from your office!

Go to the MAPS website (www.mapsweb.org) to learn more or contact Cindy Laughlin at: cindy@recruitingspecialists.com

Target Consulting Group Hot Jobs

Branch Manager/Staffing Firm

Location: Boston , MA

Base: 50k

OTE: 80-100k

Experience:
• 3+ years in the staffing industry. At least 1 year being at the management level in staffing. Other years can be in sales.

• High call volume sales position. Manage 5-7 reps. Must have a track record to show success.

Job description:

    • Building the infrastructure of the branch by hiring and retaining the best talent available in the market
    • Providing training and development for the branch
    • Working with Division Directors and individual sales producers to establish their monthly growth targets and developmental objectives
• Clearly communicating the strategic direction and vision of the company

Please send resumes to:
sales@targetconsulting.com

Sales Representative

Location: NH

Base: 50k

OTE: 80k

Experience:
5+ years of manufacture sales experience.

Job description:
Selling capital equipment

Please send resumes to:
sales@targetconsulting.com

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 campaign 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 $500

Target Consulting will pay you $500 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