In the News - 2008 Archives

Fuehrer's Leadership Grows Celebrity Staff Brand Name and Client Referrals

(Celebrity Staff)

Midlands Business Journal, December 26, 2008

Monica Fuehrer knew she wanted to work in the staffing industry when she met Penny more than eight years ago. Penny was one of Fuehrer's first placements. She was extremely nervous about an interview with one of Fuehrer's clients. "She had only three employers in over 30 years and, while she had much to offer, did not possess the interview skills necessary to sell herself," Fuehrer said. "We spent a significant amount of time preparing for that initial interview." Penny nailed it. Since that time, Fuehrer, 30, has gone on to move her way up the ranks at Celebrity Staff (a division of C&A Industries). Fuehrer said she motivates others by understanding their individualities. "Everyone has unique needs and desires and everyone is motivated in different ways," she said. "Some people are motivated by public praise while others may prefer a simple note of encouragement. "I wouldn't ask or expect anything from anyone else that I'm not willing to do myself. I have high expectations of myself which translates into having high expectations of others." Fuehrer often pushes the highest performers. "Continually pushing others to improve and grow can be a positive thing in the right circumstances, but I've learned it is also sometimes important to stop and smell the roses," she said. Fuehrer is personally motivated by Outlook Nebraska, an nonprofit organization promoting employment of the visually impaired, for which she serves as chairman of the board. Fuehrer was pivotal in starting the organization eight years ago (she helped write the mission statement) and it driving its strategic mission, which includes a fund development program to pay for additional services, a training center for the blind, and to execute a community outreach program to build awareness. Fuehrer continues to be motivated by the dynamic nature of a sales career in the staffing industry. "People are dynamic, mysterious, multidimensional and unpredictable," she said. "There's very little that remains constant in this industry, which makes it ideal for those of us who bore easily. It's not just exciting, though, it's extremely rewarding. We impact lives every single day. We consult with candidates on career decisions, which is one of the most important choices we make in our lifetime."

Local Employment Market Holds Steady Compared to Deteriorating National Picture

(C&A Industries, Inc.)

Midlands Business Journal, November 14, 2008

Omaha-Council Bluffs Metro Statistical Area data showed an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in September 2008, compared to 3.1 percent in September 2007. The national unemployment rate in September 2008 was 6.1 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "This bodes very well for the Omaha metro," said Scot Thompson, COO at C&A Industries. "A lot of unemployment nationally is industry-specific." For example, the auto manufacturing industry, not a presence in Nebraska, has been hit hard, he said. "I believe that the Midwest's more conservative approach to business is paying off in trying times," Thompson said. In the Greater Omaha area, demand remains strong for highly skilled professionals such as architects, engineers, business analysts in the technology fields, and auditors in the accounting field, Thompson said. Demand for unskilled and less skilled workers has decreased, he said. "There are also more qualified middle managers looking for jobs than there were a year ago," he said. "Employers can be much more specific in their demands."

Individuals, Firms Alike Prepare for Tax-Related Provisions, Changes to Tax Laws

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, October 10, 2008

Tax season may not be so close it's nipping at our heels, but industry experts say now is a great time to get your W-2s, charity receipts, and other items in order. That same philosophy of time is on your side also applies to the accountant - firms should be assessing their staffing levels now. Allotting enough time to adequately prepare for the rush of tax time is especially crucial this year as a number of tax law changes and provisions are going into effect, according to accountants. There are things that tax advisors should be doing right now to prepare for tax season as well, according to Chris Carlson, regional manager of Aureus Group. Carlson consults with firms to make sure their workforce is up to par for the busy season. Though she said the preparation is often case specific, depending on such factors as whether or not a business operates in a multi-state area, all firms should make sure they have the applicable software and updates on hand. But the No.1 mistake, she said, are firms not being proactive enough when it comes to staffing. "Estimating as best you can how the workload is going to affect your current staff and if you have the competencies to continue meeting their day to day obligations and complete the necessary tax filings and deadlines," Carlson said. If an employee leaves in the middle of tax season, for example, Carlson said that is not a good time to train a new team member. "I've seen that hurt companies," she said. "They have to make sure they have everyone on board and trained. It's beneficial to have one or two people on call or lined up to be backup. You never know what can happen - tragedies happen, people get sick, life goes on, but the deadline stays the same."

Strong’s Recruitment Team Doubles Revenue in a Year at Aureus Group

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, August 15, 2008

Kara Strong’s three-member team contributed to boosting revenue for Aureus Group’s Lincoln region by 40 percent – nearly doubling 2006 revenue. “I’ve hired and trained the members of my team and we’ve made a valiant effort at focusing on customer service and quality,” she said. “Helping others gives me a huge sense of satisfaction.” Satisfaction, she said, also comes with watching the team she developed grow. “It’s profoundly rewarding, just knowing that I helped to play a part in getting them to where they want to be,” Strong said. As she played a part in other’s successes, she carried a modified version of the Golden Rule with her. “Treat others as they would like to be treated,” Strong said. “I like this one better because not everyone wants to be treated the same way. By really getting to know someone, you’ll know how they like to be treated and can be a better friend, leader or partner.”

Employers Strive to Broaden Workforce by Diversity in Hiring

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, July 25, 2008

Companies across Omaha are making an effort to have a diverse workforce, which oftentimes requires targeted recruiting efforts. Many employers have human resources staff directly involved in diversity issues, said Nuria Archer, sales manager with Aureus Group and co-chairman of the Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM) diversity committee. Although Omaha is still a work in progress, many employers have one or two human resources employees focused on diversity issues, Archer said. Companies increasingly are having more diverse candidate pools, allowing flexibility to accommodate religious rituals and even scheduling regular education seminars aimed at embracing diversity, she said. Creating a workplace that respects and includes everyone maximizes the potential of the workforce, she said. “By being diverse we are able to reach and better serve the diverse clients we may have,” Archer said. “Also by mixing all of our backgrounds we come up with different ideas to not remain stagnant and take us all to new levels.”

Demand for Accounting Intensifies as Profession Resists Volatility of Economy

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, July 11, 2008

Accountants are in high demand and many command high starting salaries, but it takes devoted study to get there and the education never stops. Employers want to hire accountants who are “analytical, knowledgeable about technology, and have good communication skills,” said Chris Carlson, regional manager of Aureus Group. “Accountants are now seen by corporations as business partners who will increase cost efficiencies, be skilled financial analysts and involve themselves in capital and operational decisions.” They are not just background people who supply executives with the numbers, Carlson said. The accounting needs of small firms are often different from the needs of larger companies, Carlson said. “Smaller firms often want a generalist who can do the routine day-to-day bookkeeping work and may be able to develop the position to the point where he or she is making recommendations to the executive team,” she said. “Large firms tend to want people with specialized skills especially in the areas of international tax laws, multi-state payrolls, technology and compliance issues arising from Sarbanes Oxley.”

Properly Conducted Personnel Reviews Bring Value to Employers, Employees

(Celebrity Staff)

Midlands Business Journal, June 27, 2008

Personnel or performance reviews are a critical tool used to ensure employees and employers are on the same page and working toward the same objectives, said Monica Fuehrer, division manager at Celebrity Staff, a division of C&A Industries. "The review process is an important element of the quality assurance role of a manager," she said. "Reviews provide the opportunity to take time away from the hustle and bustle, investing uninterrupted time with each and every team member." For the employee, reviews provide the opportunity to establish goals with a strategic road map or training plan, specifically outlining how to accomplish objectives. With these plans established in writing, managers and supervisors are provided the opportunity to reflect on results over a certain time period, Fuehrer explained. “As a side benefit to employers, mangers will often learn of opportunities for process improvement or opportunities to be more effective in leadership roles as a result of the review process," Fuehrer said.

HR Professionals Seek to Close Generation Gaps While Meeting Evolving Client Needs

(C&A Industries, Inc.)

Midland’s Business Journal, June 27, 2008

As millions of baby boomers prepare for retirement, the challenge for human resource professionals is replacing the talent being lost with workers from younger generations who often have different values. “An estimated 70 million baby boomers will be leaving the workforce over the next few years with only 40 million people entering it, so the impact is significant and will become more challenging in the years to come,” said Scot Thompson, COO of C&A Industries. “Identifying and retaining the best talent are the two major challenges we’re all facing today,” Thompson said. “Oftentimes, the best people aren’t those that are actively looking for jobs at the time. Therefore, the traditional means of identifying people – career Web sites and newspaper advertising – don’t have the breadth of reach that a search by a staffing firm provides.”

Employers Prizing IT, IS Professionals Aware of their Effect on Bottom Lines

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, June 20, 2008

Businesses are seeking IT professionals that demonstrate industry knowledge and a firm’s business goals, a priority affecting the job market that is still in need of skilled IT candidates, according to a survey of firms in technical staffing. Chris Carlson, regional manager of C&A Industries’ Aureus Group, said that Aureus’ direct hire placements have outpaced contract or temporary to hire scenarios for IT professionals so far this year. “Obviously, every industry has different seasonal peaks and organizational challenges, but for the most part we are seeing the leaders and hiring managers taking a little more time on making decisions and making sure they have the right people on the team instead of halting hiring altogether,” Carlson said. IT and IS professionals need to help bridge the gap between departments in corporate America, she said. Aureus, which connects companies with IT and IS professionals, surveyed employers recently and a majority responded that a potential increase in workforce is likely in the next year, Carlson said. “Understanding the nature of the businesses and what keeps their internal partners up at night will impact the bottom line, as well as enhance their careers,” she said of IT and IS professionals.

Millennials Usher In New Kind of Work Life

(C&A Industries & Aureus Group)

Omaha World-Herald, June 16, 2008

It’s no longer business as usual, as young professionals change the way American companies operate and redefine expectations in the workplace. Millennials, also referred to as members of Generation Y, are generally defined as those born in the 1980s and ‘90s. “We’ve (millennials) been raised with the idea that we can do or be anything we aspire to be,” said Brad Jones, 27, a corporate accounting and finance recruiter at Aureus Group, a division of C&A Industries. “I think we’re more results-driven,” he said. Scot Thompson, chief operating officer at C&A Industries, an Omaha-based corporate recruiting and staffing firm, said he has noticed that flexibility is extremely important to millennials, who are more conscientious of a work-life balance than previous generations. A low unemployment rate has created lots of opportunities, Thompson said. In addition, millions of baby boomers are preparing to leave the job market in the next several years, and it will be difficult for companies to fill those positions, he said. “It’s an employees’ market and they (millennials) know it. This generation’s workers are loyal to mentors and their teams…and they thrive in team-oriented environments," he said. Adds Jones, “It is important to me that I contribute to the culture (at work), and I want to be recognized as a value and an authority in my position.”

Kara Strong Named as “40 Under 40” Award Winner

(Aureus Group)

Lincoln Business Journal, June 1, 2008

The Lincoln Business Journal is pleased to recognize Kara Strong as a “40 Under 40” award recipient. As branch manager for the Nebraska division of Aureus Finance and Accounting, Kara led her team at the Lincoln office to its highest revenue ever in 2007. Strong has managed employees for more than seven years and is regarded as a key member of the management team and a role model in the organization. Strong started with Aureus as a recruiter in 1999 and recruited for all accounting positions, from clerks to top executives. After serving as senior account manager and sales manager, she was promoted to branch manager for the state of Nebraska in August 2007. Today she trains, evaluates, motivates, and monitors a staff of 10 employees. Strong is a certified personnel consultant and is active with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Specialized Staffing Firms Filling Positions for a Range of Industries

(Celebrity Staff)

Lincoln Business Journal, May 1, 2008

Companies specializing in filling niche positions in the Lincoln job market are meeting the demand across a wide range of industries, according to several firms. Elizabeth Meyer, branch manager of Celebrity Staff in Lincoln, said the current job market is candidate driven, meaning for some professions, more positions are available than qualified candidates. "There's demand across the board," she said. A specialized firm, Celebrity has recruiters for niche markets, Meyer said. "They understand their areas of focus and are more adept at connecting candidates with opportunities that are tailored to their expertise and connecting businesses with candidates that match the position profile," Meyer said. Since available positions outnumber qualified candidates, companies are managing a candidate driven market she said. Celebrity has added legal staffing to the company portfolio, she said. "The more specialized positions typically require more recruiting efforts," she said. Meyer said within Celebrity's areas of specialty the greatest demand is in the legal, medical, insurance and sales industries. "Many of our clients come to us with supplemental or contract needs due to special projects or during critical periods," she said.

Carlson Expands Aureus Group, Develops Systems and Executive Search Divisions

(Aureus Group)

Midlands Business Journal, March 28, 2008

Before she began working for Aureus Group, Chris Carlson admits she didn’t have a clue what the staffing industry was all about. Fourteen years later, her accomplishments and leadership in the company certainly wouldn’t suggest that. Carlson, regional manager, has played an important role in growing Aureus, which is composed of three divisions, from four to 40 employees since joining the company in 1994. “There are three different teams that are part of Aureus Group – executive search, systems and finance and accounting – and each team has experts in its own marketplaces,” Carlson said. “I always talk about our thee key success factors – market penetration, people, and development and client or candidate satisfaction. Everything I do is on one way or another related to those areas.” Carlson was introduced to the staffing industry by Larry Courtnage, the founder of C&A Industries, Aureus Group’s parent company. I definitely didn’t know what the staffing industry was about when I joined Aureus,” she said. “Its ironic how it lends itself to my personality and the strengths I honed in a big family – working in teams, being able to collaborate and work together. My dad always said ‘Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you’ and working among some really amazing people has pushed me to new levels.” The best advice she has ever received, Carlson said, came from her mother and father. “I was fortunate to have some amazing parents who taught me strong work ethic,” she said. “My dad always told me to do what’s right and that if I believed in something to stand up for it, even if I was the only one standing. He told me to do things right not matter what the impact is.”

C & A Industries, Inc. Recognized for Commitment to Outstanding Employee Satisfaction

(C&A Industries)

Press Release - NBRI, February 4, 2008

The National Business Research Institute (NBRI) is pleased to confer the distinction of Employee Satisfaction Excellence upon Omaha-based C&A Industries, Inc., a national leader in staffing, and welcomes them to the NBRI Circle of Excellence.

“Employee Satisfaction drives Customer Satisfaction, which in turn drives Financial Performance” said Dr. Jan Stringer, Organizational Psychologist at NBRI. “This award is a result of C & A Industries’ dedication to continually measuring and improving their employees’ satisfaction.”

To qualify for this honor, the organization must score at or above the 75th percentile when measured against NBRI’s Benchmarking Database and/or must improve 5 normative percentiles in total company score over the last survey.

“We are proud to be recognized for our efforts in continuing to improve ourselves as an organization, “ said Scot Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, C&A Industries, Inc. “We understand that the needs of today’s workforce are constantly changing. Therefore, in order to successfully attract and retain the very best, we know that we must also continue to evolve. The employee surveys conducted by NBRI have been valuable tools in helping us to achieve excellence in the workplace and remain an employer of choice, which directly influences the level of service we provide our customers.”

“C&A Industries, Inc. began the Best Practice of Continuous Improvement with their first Employee Survey in 2005. Through continued employee survey research and targeted action, C&A Industries, Inc. has realized great gains in employee satisfaction, which drives customer satisfaction, which in turn has sustained their impressive financial growth,” said Dr. Stringer.

NBRI conducts Customer and Employee Psychological Research for large businesses, and ‘reads the minds’ of these human factors that so significantly impact NBRI’s Client Organizations.

Untraditional Venues Can Make Any Couple's Wedding Unique and Memorable

(AurTravel)

Midlands Business Journal, January 4, 2008

Weddings in traditional settings are always nice, but take that wedding and move it to a hilltop overlooking some amazing views, to a beautiful botanical garden, or even to Cancun, and you have something spectacular. Destination weddings have grown wildly popular as couples choose to blend the ceremony with the honeymoon and give their guests an opportunity for a nice vacation, said Kaylene Nienhueser, general manager of AurTravel, a division of C&A Industries, Inc. Nearly all couples doing a destination wedding bring family and friends with them. Typically the guests leave after a few days and the couple stays longer. AurTravel offers a "romance registry" to couples, allowing guests to give money to the travel agency toward the cost of the destination wedding, Nienhueser said. The cost will vary greatly depending on the location, number of days stayed, and the number of guests attending, Generally the more people who attend, the lower the cost will be. Nienhueser said. Couples can spend from $3,000 on up for a destination wedding.