C & A Industries

In the News - 2007 Archives

Sarpy Growth Spurs Job Opportunities

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, December 21, 2007

Sarpy County's job market is healthy because of increased population and more retail opportunities, staffing company and community representatives say. A handful of companies in Sarpy County are leading the way in terms of job growth, and the county is showing strength in employment, said Douglas Kindig, mayor of LaVista. Manufacturing and distribution services also have shown growth in the county in 2007, said Monica Fuehrer, division manager with Celebrity Staffing. Along with rapid growth in Sarpy County have come numerous employment opportunities, Kindig said. "The job market in Sarpy County is extremely healthy," he said. "With the growth in the community, there's been a lot of housing development and the need for additional schools," Fuehrer said. Those schools, in turn, bring jobs to the county as well, she said. Celebrity Staffing recruits for office and professional jobs and has seen growth in these areas, she said. Retail is strong as well, and more growth is expected in that industry in 2008. "We've seen an abundance of development in the Sarpy County area," Fuehrer said.

Guardsmen's Families Send Love and Unwind

(C&A Industries, Inc.)

Omaha World-Herald, November 18, 2007

Ebony and Jaiden Bell, in Omaha, had two minutes to record a video message for Spc. Ean Bell, in Iraq. The message was simple, sweet. "Want to say hi to Daddy?" Ebony Bell said to her 2-year-old daughter. "Hi Daddy,' Jaiden said. "How doing?" Their communique to Jaiden's father and Ebony's husband occurred Saturday in a quiet meeting room at the Holiday Convention Centre. Elsewhere in the hotel, the event was more raucous. C&A Industries, Inc. sponsored the afternoon of fun and food for relatives of Nebraska National Guard members in the Omaha-based 600th Transportation Company. The unit has been in Iraq since summer. Mary Carrick, C&A spokeswoman, said the company's nurse staffing division wanted to raise money to help the soldiers. Other divisions in the company joined in. They raised $13,000 and sent 317 care packages to the soldiers in Iraq.

Bull Markets, Bear Markets Fail to Impact Midlands Business Journal's 40/40 Event

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, November 9, 2007

The bulls charge, the bears snarl, but one things remains little changed by time. That is the interest in the Midland's Business Journal's annual event honoring 40 entrepreneurs, executives and professional men and women under the age of 40. More than 130 nominations were submitted for the 2007 event from Greater Omaha, Sarpy County and Council Bluffs. Chris Carlson of Aureus Group was named to the esteemed list. As regional manager, Carlson has built the firm's Omaha market share and expanded its territory through the Midwest. Carlson has consistently exceeded revenue growth objectives, increasing her team's bottom line by 41 percent in the last year. Since starting at Aureus as a business developer in 1994, Carlson has grown the firm's service from four to 37 employees serving hundreds of clients. She evolved the accounting division, expanding its niche to include information systems and executive disciplines, and increased the executive search team 168 percent. People development has been a key part of Carlson's work. She surrounds herself with smart people and empowers them to think for themselves.

Many Employers Offer Flexibility to Workers Who Can Hit the Ground Running

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, November 2, 2007

Employers are making some accommodations to attract qualified applicants in a tight labor market. The rising cost of group health insurance, however, has caused many to re-evaluate benefit packages. On the whole, employers in the Omaha are "more open and flexible" about respecting the desire of their employees to achieve a positive work-life balance, said Monica Fuehrer, division manager of Celebrity Staffing in Omaha. So far the idea of telecommuting, allowing employees to work all or part of the time from home, has not caught on in Omaha as much as it has in a number of other cities, she said. "Many Omaha employers are still committed to pretty traditional way of doing business, as least in that respect," Fuehrer said. "Employers are looking for people with degrees in business, marketing or finance along with experience and special licenses and certifications," Fuehrer said. Employers are offering more flexibility in work hours, but this doesn't mean that employees are working less. Much more is required of today's employee. Flexibility is practical partly because of technology. If an employee attends to personal business, such as a doctor's appointment during regular work hours, technology makes it much easier for her to maintain contact with her office and even to work on her PC while waiting for an appointment. In terms of employer expectations, the proverbial pendulum is continually in motion in respond to changes in the economy and unemployment level, Fuehrer said. Clients tend to raise the bar some when they have many applicants for jobs and lower it in a tight labor market.

Companies Explore Solutions to Short Supply of Tech Workers

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, October 12, 2007

A recent nationwide survey of 1,400 CIOs at companies with 100 or more employees showed that many believe their technical support teams are too small to do the job optimally. Solutions to a shortage of technical people include relying on contracted employees provided by staffing agencies on a limited time basis, outsourcing various IT functions, revving up recruiting and offering better salaries and benefits. "When the 2010 worker shortage hits, it will eclipse the shortage we experienced in the late 1990s", said Chris Carlson, regional manager of Aureus Group, a division of C&A Industries. The shortage will be created by the retirement of baby boomers whose number will greatly exceed that of young people replacing them in the workforce. "In the late 1990s, technology lead the workforce revolution," Carlson said. Sizable starting salaries, big bonuses, ruthless competition and unusual perks like taking your pets to work were fairly common, she said. "Companies need to prepare for the coming shortage, especially the decreased supply of knowledge workers with specialized skills," she said. The highest in demand skill sets are Java and .NET, Carlson said. "Database administrators and business analysts are also high in demand," she said. "The IT/IS professionals who have strong written and verbal communication skills are hired and promoted quickly. Because of the talent war, companies are becoming increasing flexible in offering flex time, virtual work force options and casual dress codes."

Diverse Workplaces Being Sought by Nebraska Employers

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, July 27, 2007

Employers in Nebraska are working increasingly to create a diverse workplace. Educating staff on how to work effectively in a diverse environment may prevent discrimination and promote inclusiveness said Nuria Archer, sales manager with AG in Omaha. Diversity is defined as the relative uniqueness of each individual in the population, Archer said. Staff retention, productivity and creativity have been found to increase in organizations with a diverse workforce in which the individual differences of employees are respected, she said. "Diversity in the workplace can also enhance relationships with current and prospective customers, employee recruitment, and the company's image in the community," Archer said. Companies can identify diverse recruits by promoting themselves in the community as a company that is actively seeking to recruit diverse candidates. That can be done by participating in career fairs, conveying the issue in recruitment marketing pieces, and communicating an intent to recruit a diverse workforce. Increasing diversity in a company also means that employees must be skilled at managing a multicultural work environment, so some training may be required, Archer said.

Omaha's Employment Pool Reflects Favorable Market for Job Candidates

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, July 27, 2007

Omaha's job market is a strong one that favors the candidate over the employer, employment professionals report. The pendulum in Omaha has been slowly swinging to a candidate's market, said Monica Fuehrer, division manager with Celebrity Staffing. From the recent 5.9 percent unemployment high point in January 2005, the rate has steadily declined to 3.1 percent, the fourth lowest in the country. Omaha's job market favors the candidates, Fuehrer said. Higher level niches have been experiencing talent shortages much longer than the office professionals niche. "We see plenty of applicants, but the best candidates are few and far between," she said. "Our company has screened tens of thousands of candidates to find and represent fewer than 30 percent possessing the unique combination of competence, willingness, and potential most business owners want and need to accomplish their missions. The majority of the best candidates who are in the job market leave as quickly as they enter it, Fuehrer said. Upper level candidates and managers do not move quickly but have more and more options available to them. It would not be surprising for a candidate to have two or three offers on the table at one time.

Accounting Degree Is Highly Prized In Today's Job Market

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, July 13, 2007

Supply and demand may be in perfect sync in a few years, with the number of college graduates with degrees in accounting matching the job market's demand for their skills. Currently, however, companies looking for accountants are competing for a short supply of candidates. It's a candidate-driven market, especially for those job seekers who are degreed, have at least two years of experience and have excellent communications skills, said Chris Carlson, regional manager of Aureus Group. Most positions are in one of three categories: business analyst, tax, and audit or cost accounting. "Companies are looking for someone who will be a well-rounded asset to the firm," Carlson said. Routinely, Arueus Group must recruit from outside the Omaha area to fill local positions, Carlson said. "At any given time, we are relocating a handfull of people," she said. "We have better luck getting people back to this area if they have roots here." It is not uncommon for people to take a job elsewhere after graduating from college and then to return to this area when they marry and have children, she said. Youthful candidates for accounting positions tend to expect different things from a job than their parents or grandpatents did, Carlson added. "They want a balanced life, flexibility and a clearly defined career path," she said. "Intangible things matter, and companies get back what they give in this respect."

C&A hopes new building will help lure employees

(C&A Industries)

Omaha World Herald, June 20, 2007

As staffing firm C&A Industries Inc. settles into its new west Omaha headquarters this month, it also is feverishly working to fill the building. The company plans to add 300 to 400 new positions in the next three to four years, said Larry Courtnage, founder and joint chief executive. Of the number, he said C&A plans to hire 150 in the next 18 months - quicker if possible. Scot Thompson, chief operating officer, said labor shortages and the rapidly growing employment services industry make that a challenging goal. "Our biggest challenge long term for growth is identifying and retaining the best people to work for our organization," Thompson said. "I think this building can be a catalyst for growth."

To view the Omaha World Herald article click here.

C&A Industries Expands with New Corporate Headquarters

(C&A Industries)

Midlands Business Journal, June 22, 2007

Operating from a brand new building with room for expansion, C&A Industries continues to grow at a rapid pace, serving the human capital needs of business accross the country. And increasing shortage in staffing for the medical industry, as well as rising demand for accounting and office support, is contributing to the healthy outlook for the human capital management solutions industry. "I see tremendous growth opportunity in our arena across the board," said CEO Larry Courtnage. A new 100,000-square-foot headquarters at 136th and California Streets in Omaha, which C&A Industries moved into in June, will accomodate the plan to increase its in-house employee bae by 30 percent, or 150 people, by the end of 2008. The company has a second location at 171st and West Center Road and subsidary locations in Lincoln, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa.

To view the Midlands Business Journal article click here.

Human Resource Professionals Playing Increasingly Prominent Role in Business

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, June 29, 2007

Human resource specialists are increasingly recognized for what they contribute to the company's bottom line. HR professionals must stay on top of changes in employment law, and several issues loom on the horizon. Staffing services have a special responsibility to educate their business clients about employment laws, said Monica Fuehrer, division manager of Celebrity Staffing Omaha. "Small business owners, often lacking a person with human resource training and expertise on staff, often turn to us to clarify laws protecting certain classes from discrimination," she said. "For example, we all need to be cognizant of what you can and cannot ask a candidate in an interview regarding age, marital status, and other personal information." Staffing agencies are performing a wider array of human resource services, with an emphasis on preemployment screening such as criminal background checks and drug testing. More clients are asking staffing services to do drug testing and extensive background checks Fuehrer said. "Clients want to see the references we collect from a candidate's former employers," Fuehrer said. "More want screening of everyone, even supplemental staff. We market ourselves as providing a unified staffing solution, so it is our job to fulfill all of each client's staffing needs."

IT Specialists Continue to Place High on Job Market's 'Most Wanted' List

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, June 29, 2007

Trends in the eastern Nebraska job market include a persistent shortage of qualified candidates for specialized IT positions and a rush to fill an increasingly broad range of call center jobs, some of which require higher levels of skills and pay higher wages than ever before. Companies are becoming more competitive in the salaries, benefits, and environment they offer to attract qualified employees, said Chris Carlson. regional manager of Aureus Group, which fills staffing needs through its three divisions, finance and accounting, IT and information systems, and executive search. Shortages of qualified candidates and the desire to retain employees who have many opportunities may be causing some firms to reverse the trend of the past decade and rebuild mentoring and succession planning programs, she said. "They are finding that turnover costs a lot of money, Carlson said. Several new formulas have been developed to help companies calculate the cost of turnover, she said These formulas argue strongly the case for creating incentives and making accommodations to retain good people. Businesses still resist investing in internal training programs, she said. "No one wants to train people," she said. "They put forth some valid business reasons why this isn't happening. They say they don't have the time to do it, but I believe that, increasingly, they don't have the time not to do it." Candidates with excellent soft skills are highly prized at all levels of employment. Carlson said. "More clients are flexible with tangible skills and education but want the soft skills," she said. "The virtual workplace is hard to implement in a team culture so may firms favor candidates with strong interpersonal skills and are willing to reward them, Carlson said. "I believe leadership is the key, and that means putting others first and putting your resources back into people," she said.

Financial Professionals and Experienced Office Workers are in High Demand

(Aureus Group and Celebrity Staffing)

Lincoln Business Journal, May 1, 2007

The Lincoln market is particularly strong for experienced office workers and accounting and financial services professionals, staffing executives say. "We are seeing some adjustments on the part of employers for the purpose of attracting cream-of-the-crop candidates," said Kara Strong, sales manager at Aureus Group, which handles placement of accounting and financial professionals at various levels. "These employers must provide top-notch benefits, which include not only the obvious kind of benefit like good health insurance, but also job flexibility and vacation time." In Lincoln, demand for skilled office workers steadily intensifies, said Elizabeth Meyer, branch manager of Celebrity Staffing. "The market is driven by the skilled candidate in Lincoln today," she said. "Overall, employers value two to five years of experience even more than educational degrees." Paralegals and legal secretaries are in high demand and difficult to find in Lincoln, Meyer said. Most candidates for paralegal positions will have certification and an associate's or bachelor's degree, but a person with 10 years of solid experience in the field would be highly valued in the market place regardless of educational background, she said. "We have had do to a lot more recruiting to fill these jobs in the past year," Meyer said. "At Celebrity Staffing, we often coach our employer-clients about what salaries and benefits are the norm today and what might be expected by job candidates," Meyer said. "Generation Y job candidates tend to place benefits and flexible scheduling high on their list of priorities," she said. Flexible scheduling might involve working different from normal hours, having opportunities to leave the office for a few hours to take off early to attend to non-work related matters or having more vacation days. "We are not seeing a lot of companies offering flexible schedules yet, but more are talking about it," Meyer said.

Hiring Temps Can Give a Business Advantages, Options

(Celebrity Staffing and AurStaff)

Midlands Business Journal, April 20, 2007

Hiring employees on a temporary basis before a permanent situation is worked out can match a person to the right job while saving businesses money and time. Patty North, regional manager for Celebrity Staffing, said it takes a lot of time and resources for companies to go through the hiring process. "Many small to midsize companies don't have the staffing or resources to find people to fill positions," she said. Hiring people on a temporary basis is a good situation for both the employee and employer, said Cindy Shea, division manager for AurStaff. "It's a way for employees to showcase their talents," she said. North said the culture of the office and the personality of the employer are important considerations. Not everyone will fit into a business and not every business will fit the employee, she said., While the abilities of someone will be discussed during the interview, it is on the job that an employer will be able to learn what an employee can do. "That's something that can't be evaluated on paper or during the interview process," North said.

Concentrate of Skills During Job Search, Prepare Thoroughly for Interview Process

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, March 16, 2007

The Omaha job market is healthy and unemployment rates are low, said employment professionals. "Don't rule out a company based on a lack of information in an ad. Keep your mind open," said Patty North, regional manager of Celebrity staffing. People need to remember to utilize networking opportunities to make sure they go back and touch base with friends and former business associates, North said. Keep personal interests and hobbies off of a resume. You want a potential company to judge you based on your skills, not outside interests.

Celebrity Staffing Names Meyer Manager of Its Lincoln Branch

(Celebrity Staffing)

Midlands Business Journal, March, 1 2007

Celebrity Staffing has promoted Elizabeth Meyer to branch manager. In her new role, Meyer will be responsible for managing the company’s Lincoln office, including overseeing sales teams, new business procurement, training, and staff development. She has been with Celebrity Staffing since 2003, having worked as an account manager and sales manager.

Meyer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a master’s degree in public administration, with a concentration in human resources. Before joining Celebrity Staffing, she worked as a therapist for a private firm and as a case manager for Child Protective Services for the State of Nebraska.

Creativity Helps in Hiring

(C&A Industries, Inc.)

Omaha World Herald, January 28, 2007

Referring a friend to work at staffing company C&A Industries might win an employee cash or a weekend trip to New York City. C&A Industries, one of the nation's largest staffing companies, looks at hiring issues from two perspectives: its needs and those of its clients. Retaining employees must be considered alongside hiring employees said Scot Thompson, chief operating officer. A wellness program, job flexibility, events that involve employees' families, philanthropic activities and an enjoyable environment help the company keep employees happy, Thompson said.

Destination Weddings Can Offer Enjoyable Experience Without Stressful Planning

(AurTravel)

Midlands Business Journal, January 5, 2007

From start to finish, destination weddings to locations like Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean can offer a low-stress and highly enjoyable experience for couples. Jamaica and Cancun are the top two most popular places for destination weddings, according to Kaylene Nienhueser, general manager of AurTravel. "The reason for the popularity of these destinations is the all-inclusive resorts," she said. According to Nienhueser, couples can choose to get married at the resort and many resorts includes a free wedding when the couple spends a specified number of nights at the resort.