Motivated Employees the Key to Operating Efficiency

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, December 8, 2006

Unmotivated employees can harm a company's productivity, profit and overall success, but involving staff members in a variety of ways helps keep them happy, hardworking and inspired, Omaha business leaders say. "I work closely with my people so they set their own goals," Monica Fuehrer, division manager for Celebrity Staffing, said. "I ask them , 'Where do you want to be? When do you want to get there? When do you wan to accomplish it?' It helps them feel like they're working for themselves and working for the company." Regular staff meetings are effective in boosting motivation, but private interaction is equally beneficial, Fuehrer said. One-on-one meetings help employers understand employees. Fuehrer's company has a work hard/play hard motto. Music is often played in the office. On snowy days,. non-alcoholic tropical drinks are served. In addition, the group occasionally has potluck lunches. Fuehrer said she encourages her staff to have a good time, yet get the job done. "There are points in the day where there needs to be a 100 percent focus. When the workload is lighter, there is time for some fun, as long as we stay the course," she said.

Small Businesses Face Many Challenges When Looking to Hire Staff

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, October 20, 2006

Finding quality employees can be a challenge for any small business, but business owners have options when looking for the right staff.

Small business owners are receiving help finding employees through specialized recruiting firms and other agencies like Nebraska Workforce Development. One trend impacting small businesses is the increased use of temporary or contract workers.

"Partnering with a specialized recruiter may eliminate several expenses in the hiring of employees including indirect and direct hiring costs and the costs of the unfilled position or possible bad hire, Chris Carlson, regional manager of Aureus Group said. "It is challenging for small business owners to attract, interview and extend offers that are accepted while focusing on core business. Outsourcing to a specialized recruiter can make it easier."

C&A Industries Recognized with Golden Spike Award

(C&A Industries)

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce has recognized C&A Industries, Inc. as a recipient of the 2006 Golden Spike Award. The award honors local businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the Greater Omaha Community through their longevity, application of sound business practices, and taking a leadership role in economic development.

C&A Industries has grown from a small, one employee operation in 1969 to a national leader in staffing with over 400 internal employees, multiple business units, and offices located in Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; and Kansas City, Missouri. A new corporate headquarters building is currently under construction at 136th and West Dodge Road in Omaha.

To view the Chamber News article click here.

Travel Planning and Safety

(AurTravel)

Midlands Business Journal, August 11, 2006

Travel industries experts say that women now constitute 45% of all the business travel in the United States. For those traveling alone, common sense and preparation make for a safer trip. Kaylene Nienhueser, general manager of AurTravel, says its a good idea to make two copies of your travel documents before you depart - one for you and one for family or the office staff to keep in case of an emergency. Nienhueser also suggests boosting safety by choosing a national hotel chain with interior room entrances. Always check the window and door locks, she said. Bolt the door and dont open it for anyone with out first checking with the front desk.

Business Minute with Patty North

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, August 11, 2006

Celebrity Staffing Regional Manager, Patty North was featured in the Midlands Business Journals Business Minute. Patty talked about her most recent accomplishments, biggest career break, and provided insight into the changing world of workforce management, staffing, and recruiting.

Omaha's job market is strong with lower unemployment

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, July 28, 2006

The job market in Omaha is strong, with the city's unemployment rate lower than the national rate with plenty of jobs available. "The number of jobs seems to be growing because of a solid local economy and a short supply of talented candidates", said Patty North, regional manager of Celebrity Staffing. In Celebrity Staffing's niche market of office professionals, administrative assistants, clerical associates, and receptionists tend to get placed within 48 hours to one week of interviewing with the company, North said. "The highest demand is for the mid-level administrative professional with a solid work history and a good skill set."

Demand for accounting professionals exceeds supply

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, July 14, 2006

The effects of Sarbanes-Oxley, combined with increased competition in the business environment, account for much of the demand. At the same time, the supply of CPAs is down. "Companies are still striving to be lean and mean machines," said Chris Carlson, regional manger of Aureus Group. "They want to hire accountants who can fill a variety of roles in the company, including providing strategic business advice, anticipating emerging needs, keeping abreast of technology and offering creative solutions." Even the largest accountancy firms are seeking to increase their competitiveness in the marketplace by becoming full service providers that can offer expertise in nontraditional areas, Carlson said. "It's become a great time for us recruiters because of the high demand for our services and expertise, almost like Y2K was in the late 1990s (when businesses scrambled to hire IT professionals)," Carlson said.

Groundbreakings = 450 new jobs

(C&A Industries, Inc.)

Chamber News, March 23, 2006

Last week, C&A Industries Inc. and Cabela's Inc. celebrated groundbreakings and the new jobs, business and investment coming to Greater Omaha. Both companies broke ground on Thursday, March 16.

C&A Industries Inc. is building their new five-story 100,000-square-foot headquarters at 136th and California streets. Nationally, C&A has grown to 3,000 employees with more than 350 in the Greater Omaha area. The company plans to add more than 100 in-house employees to its Omaha operation during 2006. Gov. Dave Heineman and Mayor Mike Fahey as well as Chamber representatives were on hand for the ceremony.

View the entire article at: http://www.omahachamber.org/News/NewsDetail.aspx?StoryID=6927

Exhibitors find receptive atmosphere at Women's Leadership Conference

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, March 17, 2006

A number of companies and organizations view the ICAN Women's Leadership Conference as an ideal venue for marketing their products and services to thousands of women in careers.

"We have participated as exhibitors for several years," said Monica Fuehrer, division manager of Celebrity Staffing. "Our niche is the office, clerical and administrative professions, and ICAN sends a message that we share - the support and development of women in careers."

"It is so different from any other organization because they don't just seek monetary support. They walk the talk. It is refreshing how they encourage networking and support their sponsors."

Celebrity Staffing will tie in the theme of its booth with the conference theme, "The Time is Now," Fuehrer said.

New headquarters to be built for C&A Industries in West Omaha

(C&A Industries, Inc.)

Midlands Business Journal, March 17, 2006

C&A Industries broke ground on a new headquarters at 13609 California Street on Thursday, March 16th. COO Scot Thompson said the move is occurring to accommodate additional growth the firm foresees in the industry.

"The retirement of baby boomers, coupled with the continued demand for high quality rofessionals, is creating a growing market within the industry," Thompson said.

"We have very aggressive hiring objectives for our own company," Thompson said. "This will help us attract and retain employees."

Company to 'make a statement' at site

(C&A Industries, Inc.)

Omaha World-Herald, March 16, 2006

For health care providers in sunny Arizona, it's not cost-effective to staff year-round at the levels needed for the four or five months when the population booms with people seeking refuge from winter.

So they call on an Omaha-based company to provide nurses,radiologists and other professionals who work on a contract basis.

The specialized staffing and recruiting firms that make up C&A Industries Inc. have grown to 3,000 employees nationally and more than 350 locally, or almost five times the number of five or six years ago. Now the company is planning a new headquarters.

"We wanted to make a little bit of a statement," Larry Courtnage said of the five-story, 100,000-square-foot structure. He shares chief executive duties with his wife, Kathy Wolf Courtnage.

Click here to view the entire article.

More information technology jobs are becoming available in Sarpy County.

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, February 24, 2006

"With the dot-com boom in the late 1990's, a person with information technology knowledge, skills, or certifications was almost guaranteed a job and a big salary. Then the boom busted.

"The IT market in Sarpy County is very promising," said Gabe Romero, senior recruiter at Aureus Systems in Omaha. "It's definitely not the strongest in the metro, but the need for IT talent is continually growing."

"Because of a lack of senior programmers in the area, the demand for responsible new graduates is on the increase," Romero said.

Good negotiating skills can bring adequate paycheck to working women

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, February 10, 2006

For the working woman, mustering up the courage to approach the boss for a raise can be difficult, even stressful. To achieve a viable outcome, it's necessary to reduce this anxiety and confront the challenge head-on.

Anne Bishop, sales and recruiting manager at Celebrity Staffing in Omaha, said it is important when you are negotiating to find common ground and imagine yourself in the other person's shoes. "Ask the other person what they want and expect from the situation first," she said.

'Give them the option of being heard and really listen to what they have to say. It will make them feel as though you are open to their ideas and their needs and can lead to a good compromise.