Boulder Jobing Community Blogs

Please join ESG (www.esghr.com) for our ongoing educational series presented each month at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce (www.loveland.org). We provide lunch and useful educational materials that you can take back to your business and apply immediately.

In November, learn how to best handle all phases of the employee lifecycle.

Managing the Employee Lifecycle

Thursday, November 19, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. , Loveland Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Hergenreter , PHR and Gayvaughn Marnich, SPHR

Defining the job, recruiting, on-boarding, coaching, appraising performance, rewarding, disciplining, terminating… there are a lot of ways employers interact with their employees. Each impacts the other and creates either opportunities or roadblocks to success. In this session, participants will be given a quick overview of each part of the process, and shown how it’s all inter-related. Learn how to set yourself up for success with each step.

December

In December we will not be providing a seminar, since the holiday season is filled with many events and time spent building memories with family and friends. ESG wishes you a successful December and 2010. We will be sending out the schedule of seminars for 2010 in January, with some great new topics and opportunities to help create prosperity in the New Year!

About ESG

Employer Solutions Group (ESG) enables its clients to cost-effectively outsource the Administration of human resources, employee benefits, payroll and related tax compliance, and Workers' compensation. Specializing in these specific employer needs allows ESG to efficiently deliver a tailored package of services to its clients. ESG clients are then able to focus on growing and operating their businesses, rather than worrying about HR. The company's Loveland, Colorado-based professional staff serves companies that range in size from a handful of employees to hundreds. ESG is a member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (www.napeo.com). For more information, visit www.esghr.com, email sstolen@esghr.com or call 970-612-2022.

 

For many changes at work (whether it be a job loss or a new boss) are stressful. It’s important to distinguish if you are in transition or trauma to know what’s best for you.

Transition is a passage from one state, stage, or place to another. Trauma is a severe emotional, physical, mental, or psychic injury, wound, or state. Sometimes the symptoms of transition and trauma are similar (anxiety, sadness, agitation, shock, guilt, shame, worry) but trauma is deeper, chronic, immobilizing and more numbing.

Transition can feel like a roller coaster with emotional ups and downs. You might feel like a loser one minute and winner the next. Your confidence can fluctuate from over-the-top to non-existent. Whether you are high or low, you do experience some kind of movement even if it's questioning everything or distracting yourself with excessive TV, exercise, food or computer time. The work in transition is equilibrium.

Trauma is low energy state of powerlessness where everything seems to be moving but you. You may feel lost in a maze of overwhelming emotions where grief, confusion and disconnection settle in for a while. In this state of listlessness it's hard to know where you are much less how to get out. The work in trauma is healing.

Both transition and trauma are doorways to transformation. If you are in trauma, you may explore working with a psychotherapist, grief counselor, healer, or body worker to heal the wound. If you are in transition, a coach can help you move in the direction of your dreams instead of your fears. 

Wherever you are in your career journey, please be gentle with yourself. When in doubt, consider Robert Frost's wise words, "The only way out is through."

For more info:
www.claudiahelade.com

www.coachfederation.com

www.denvercoach.com

http://healing.about.com

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/emotional_psychological_trauma.htm

http://www.healingresources.info/emotional_trauma_overview.htm

www.lynnefoote.com

www.lyngregory.com

www.marthabeck.com

www.psychotherapistsguild.com

A couple of interesting items today.

 

LinkedIn as a job search tool

This story from Forbes recounts how a gent found his dream job via LinkedIn.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/07/jobs-employment-linkedin-leadership-careers-hiring.html?feed=rss_leadership_careers

He offers some solid advice on how to approach your job search using LinkedIn, making use of LinkedIn features and your network.

 

Live in Colorado snow for free

Then, reminiscent of a similar stunt that folks in Australia used a few months ago ("hiring" a caretaker to live in a local paradise and blog about it to boost tourism), the Colorado Tourism Office is taking applications from "snow virgins" interested in living in Colorado for three months and sampling winter activities.

There's a brief story on www.denverpost.com, and the contest web site is http://www.snowatfirstsight.com.

 

 

 

Maximizing the Return on Employees; People Strategies for Tough Times

 

Please join ESG for our ongoing educational series presented each month at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce (www.loveland.org). We provide lunch and useful educational materials that you can take back to your business and apply immediately.

 

In October, learn about tools to let you provide benefits and control costs.

In November, learn how to best handle all phases of the employee lifecycle.

 

Managing Benefit Costs

Thursday, October 15, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. , Loveland Chamber of Commerce

Kendra Johnson, Licensed Health and Life Insurance Broker and Jessica Hergenreter , PHR

 

Good benefits can help you attract and retain quality employees – but providing them can be prohibitively expensive. Understand the ever-increasing challenges of offering benefits to your employees and become more educated regarding trends, plan design options, and promoting consumerism. This session will discuss Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), Gap Plans, and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) as a way to provide benefits and control costs.

 

Managing the Employee Lifecycle

Thursday, November 19, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. , Loveland Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Hergenreter , PHR and Gayvaughn Marnich, SPHR

 

Defining the job, recruiting, on-boarding, coaching, appraising performance, rewarding, disciplining, terminating… there are a lot of ways employers interact with their employees. Each impacts the other and creates either opportunities or roadblocks to success. In this session, participants will be given a quick overview of each part of the process, and shown how it’s all inter-related. Learn how to set yourself up for success with each step.

 

About ESG

Employer Solutions Group (ESG) enables its clients to cost-effectively outsource the Administration of human resources, employee benefits, payroll and related tax compliance, and Workers' compensation. Specializing in these specific employer needs allows ESG to efficiently deliver a tailored package of services to its clients. ESG clients are then able to focus on growing and operating their businesses, rather than worrying about HR. The company's Loveland, Colorado-based professional staff serves companies that range in size from a handful of employees to hundreds. ESG is a member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (www.napeo.com). For more information, visit www.esghr.com, email sstolen@esghr.com or call 970-612-2022.

Employer Solutions Group (www.esghr.com) continues its ongoing educational series of seminars this week, with a Thursday (9/24) lunch session on tools to help employers provide benefits and control costs.

There is no charge for the event, which will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce (www.loveland.org).

ESG provides lunch and useful education materials that you can take back to your business and apply immediately.

On October 15th, the next event in this series will be held, and will cover handling all phases of the employee life cycle.

Managing Benefit Costs

Thursday, September 24, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Loveland Chamber of Commerce

Kendra Johnson, Licensed Health and Life Insurance Broker and Jessica Hergenreter, PHR

Good benefits can help you attract and retain quality employees – but providing them can be prohibitively expensive. Understand the ever-increasing challenges of offering benefits to your employees and become more educated regarding trends, plan design options, and promoting consumerism. This session will discuss Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), Gap Plans, and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) as a way to provide benefits and control costs.

Managing the Employee Lifecycle

Thursday, October 15, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Loveland Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Hergenreter, PHR and Gayvaughn Marnich, SPHR

Defining the job, recruiting, on-boarding, coaching, appraising performance, rewarding, disciplining, terminating… there are a lot of ways employers interact with their employees. Each impacts the other and creates either opportunities or roadblocks to success. In this session, participants will be given a quick overview of each part of the process, and shown how it’s all inter-related. Learn how to set yourself up for success with each step.

About ESG

Employer Solutions Group (ESG) enables its clients to cost-effectively outsource the Administration of human resources, employee benefits, payroll and related tax compliance, and Workers’ compensation. Specializing in these specific employer needs allows ESG to efficiently deliver a tailored package of services to its clients. ESG clients are then able to focus on growing and operating their businesses, rather than worrying about HR. The company’s Loveland, Colorado-based professional staff serves companies that range in size from a handful of employees to hundreds. ESG is a member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (www.napeo.com). For more information, visit www.esghr.com, email sstolen@esghr.com or call 970-612-2022.

The NY Times feature called the “Corner Office” provides great tips for interviewing from CEO’s.

John Chambers of Cisco Systems wants to hear about your results not all you can do. It’s the difference between saying, “I write good copy” and “My last blog generated an increase in web site hits by 25%.”

He also wants to know about your failures because “all of us have had mistakes and failures.” Instead of responding, “I can’t think of one” which Mr. Chambers says, “immediately loses credibility.” Share a lesson learned or two.

Then he “tries to figure out if you’re really oriented around the customer.” Do you speak in terms of how your work impacts the customer? What are the needs and aspirations of the customers of the position you are interviewing for?

And finally, do you have good communication skills--especially listening. Do you interrupt or plan your next response? Are your questions standard or do they arise out of your conversation naturally?

Maigread Eichten CEO of FRS, a maker of energy drinks “finds that a ton people don’t know that much about the company.” She’s looking for preparation. Do you know the successes and challenges of the company? The history? The mission, vision, and values?

She’s also looking for passion. Do you exude competence? Have enthusiasm?
Demonstrate ways you can add value?

And finally product knowledge. She’s had a few people who haven’t even tried the FRS energy drink. “If they say that, the interview is over.”

For more from CEO’s on interviewing go to www.nytimes.com and search “Corner Office.”

 

ESG Welcomes New HR Consultant

Gayvaughn Marnich brings 17+ years of diverse human resources experience to Loveland firm

Loveland , Colo. — Employer Solutions Group (ESG), a human resources outsourcing company that services businesses of all types and sizes, has announced the hiring of new Human Resources Consultant Gayvaughn Marnich, SPHR, by its Loveland , Colorado office. Gayvaughn brings more than 17 years of human resources experience to ESG, 15 of which were with Amgen.

“We are fortunate to add someone with the experience and knowledge that Gayvaughn brings to ESG and our clients,” said ESG's Jessica Hergenreter. “In particular, her work in scientific and technical arenas, and in both start-ups and large corporate environments, will help us better serve our market.”

Prior to joining ESG, Gayvaughn was the first full-time director of human resources at BaroFold, where her primary role was providing HR consulting and support for an early-growth-stage company. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and a Certified Internet Recruiter ( CIR ), as well as a member of the Society of Human Resources, Boulder Area Human Resources Association and a past board member with the Boulder County Workforce Center .

Gayvaughn and Jessica Hergenreter, PHR , will present a free seminar, "Coaching for Success," on Thursday, August 13 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. A complimentary lunch will be provided.

About Employer Solutions Group
Employer Solutions Group (ESG) enables its clients to cost-effectively outsource the management of human resources, employee benefits, payroll and related tax compliance, and workers' compensation. Specializing in these specific employer needs allows ESG to efficiently deliver a tailored package of services to its clients. ESG clients are then able to focus on growing and operating their businesses, rather than worrying about HR and payroll. The company's Loveland, Colorado-based professional staff serves companies that range in size from a handful of employees to hundreds. ESG is a member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (www.napeo.com). For more information, visit www.esghr.com, email jessica@esghr.com or call (970) 612-2022.

Maximizing the Return on Employees

People Strategies for Tough Times  

Please join Employer Solutions Group (www.eghr.com) for our ongoing educational series at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. We provide lunch and useful educational materials that you can take back to your business and apply immediately.

In August, learn how to effectively coach employees to improve performance and productivity.

In September, learn about tools to let you provide benefits and control costs.

Coaching for Success

Thursday, August 13, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. , Loveland Chamber of Commerce Jessica Hergenreter , PHR and Gayvaughn Marnich, SPHR

Recent studies found that 20 percent of employees are "highly engaged" in their jobs, 20 percent are "actively disengaged," and 55 percent are somewhere in between. How can you work to help more be actively engaged, improve your organization's productivity and profitability, and reduce turnover and related expenses? This free seminar covers how to reduce conflict and increase individual and organizational success by learning how to influence desired behaviors, address poor performance, and create clear expectations. In this workshop, participants gain skills needed to offer constructive feedback, coach others in a positive and productive manner and learn how to hold others accountable for their actions and behavior. First-time managers as well as seasoned leaders will benefit from developing their own inner coach.

BIXPO

September 17, 2009 , Embassy Suites See you at our booth.  

Managing Benefit Costs

Thursday, September 24, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. , Loveland Chamber of Commerce Kendra Johnson, Licensed Health and Life Insurance Broker and Jessica Hergenreter , PHR

Good benefits can help you attract and retain quality employees – but providing them can be prohibitively expensive. Understand the ever-increasing challenges of offering benefits to your employees and become more educated regarding trends, plan design options, and promoting consumerism. This Session will discuss Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), Gap Plans, and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) as a way to provide benefits and control costs.

About ESG

Employer Solutions Group (ESG) enables its clients to cost-effectively outsource the Administration of human resources, employee benefits, payroll and related tax compliance, and Workers' compensation. Specializing in these specific employer needs allows ESG to efficiently deliver a tailored package of services to its clients. ESG clients are then able to focus on growing and operating their businesses, rather than worrying about HR. The company's Loveland, Colorado-based professional staff serves companies that range in size from a handful of employees to hundreds. ESG is a member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (www.napeo.com). For more information, visit www.esghr.com, email sstolen@esghr.com or call 970-612-2022. 

Looking for a job? Nothing coming your way? You may need to transfer your skills or learn new ones to get back in the employment game. Explore these growing employment sectors from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Local, State, and Fed Government
• All things Health Care: nursing care facilitates, hospitals, outpatient care centers, ambulatory and home health care services, offices of physicians
• Management/Technical Consulting
• Computer Systems Design
• Coal Mining
• Education Services
• Oil and Gas Extraction

You may also want to investigate emerging fields like anything "Green" and sustainable energy or consider those dreams of starting your own biz (be sure you’ve got what it takes or are willing to do what it takes).

Check out the following web sites to see if any new or different careers make your heart flutter:

http://www.bls.gov/

http://healthcareers.about.com/od/whychoosehealthcare/tp/Why-Work-in-Healthcare.htm

http://www.wetfeet.com/Careers-and-Industries/Industries/Consulting.aspx

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3312.html

www.worldwidelearn.com

http://www.careerbuilder.com/Jobs/Keyword/Computer-Systems-Design/?cbsid=2d23a67e679f4ad6a830ccdcf91edd4f-301320984-JO-5&ns_siteid=ns_us_g_computer_systems_desi_&cbRecursionCnt=1&

www.greenjobs.com

www.usajobs.com

http://www.oilandgasjobsonline.com/

http://www.nationjob.com/education/

Are you your job? Is your worth, self-esteem and security defined by the size of your paycheck, the hierarchy of your position, the status of your profession, or the clout of your organizational affiliation? If so, you may find career transition a challenge. 
 
If we believe that who we are is what we do for a living, we give away our innate power. By unconscious agreement, we allow external forces to define us and control our fate. 
 
Internally, this causes the alarms to go off. Our emotional body gets scared because its safety and security is dependent on others. Our mind spins as it seeks to justify and prove our merit. Our body lowers its vibration to cope and depression sets in. Our spirit watches the madness, wondering when we'll realize that we are of value simply because we are breathing!
 
Externally, we push away the very support we desire. Hiring managers resonate with our fear not our capabilities and miss meeting us. Colleagues pick up on our desperation and run the other way. Clients wonder why we are trying so hard and don't call back. The universe lines up with our unconscious beliefs and brings us the opposite of what we truly seek.  
 
A job may be an expression of you but it is not who you are. It may be how you contribute but it is not the only way. It may be the manner in which you pay the bills but it is not your worth. It may be how you learn and grow but is not your esteem. It may be how you apply yourself but it is not your essential self. 

To make the most of this gift of time, get to know and rely on your essential self--the part of you that has access to everything you need.

For more on claiming or reclaiming your personal power, check out:

www.hayhouse.com

www.ted.com  (not the airline)

www.consciousmedianetwork.com

www.adyashanti.org

www.gangaji.org

www.lesbrown.com

Essentially You @ Work: A Career Transition Guideby Shawn Snelgrove available at www.amazon.com

My friends and clients at Employer Solutions Group (www.esghr.com) note that with corporate budgets tighter than ever, employers who typically provide yearly salary increases are finding this benefit no longer feasible. In the last several years salary growth has held steady at about 3.5 to 4.0 percent per year.  Not this year. Across the country the news is the same: layoffs, salary freezes, and salary cuts – some as high as 20%. Without salary increases, many wonder how to maintain their competitive edge. 

However, most employers consider their employees their most valuable asset and remain committed to hiring the best talent. Competitive salaries are one of the best tools used to accomplish this goal. So, what do these employers do? How are employers maintaining their competitive viability in the midst of an economic downturn?

First of all, it is important to understand that available salary surveys may not accurately describe current conditions in the workplace; they are usually derived from old data and results are often overstated. Given the current economy, many employers are freezing salaries and wisely adopting a wait-and-see approach. While this may raise concerns about employee morale, many employees today are glad to be employed and are understanding of cost-cutting measures.

While many companies are struggling, there are plenty who continue to thrive. For these employers, the option remains to provide salary increases. However, there are other equally effective reward mechanisms that are often overlooked. Two of these alternative reward mechanisms are:       

- Lump sum merit bonuses. Lump sum bonuses allow employers to reward employees without the continual commitment of a higher salary. This option is attractive for employers who want to reward employees but are concerned about diminished future profitability.         

- Variable pay systems. Variable pay systems keep the base salary constant but reward employees for good performance through commission or bonuses. Variable pay is an effective way of aligning employee behavior with the goals of the business.

Designing compensation and pay delivery systems are just two of EGS's many specialties.  ESG helps employers throughout the nation navigate the challenges of being an employer.

What you focus on during your job search accelerates or delays finding and attracting work meant for you. Do you worry about what is wrong (how the economy sucks or you haven't had an interview in days) or can you breathe in what is right (Denver is #1 city poised for recovery)? Do you stare at a problem (you are out of work with bills to pay) or do you watch expectantly for an answer (www.indeed.com)?
 
Zen master, poet, and peace activist Thich Nhat Hahn writes, "We often ask, 'What's wrong?' Doing so, we invite painful seeds of sorrow to come up and manifest. We feel suffering, anger, and depression and produce more such seeds. We would be happier if we tried to stay in touch with the healthy, joyful seeds inside of us and around us. We should learn to ask, "What's not wrong?"
 
I invite you to do the same. In the midst of your career transition explore, "What's NOT wrong?"
 
Are you breathing? Is your heart beating? Can you taste, smell, hear, see, feel, and intuit?
 
Do you have talents you were born with? Values that matter to you? Passions that interest you?
 
Do you have a roof over your head? Food on your table? Friends to share with? 
 
Did someone share an idea today? Give you a lead? Help you out? 
 
Are the flowers blooming? Sun rising? Birds singing?
 
This practice doesn't mean you ignore your problems or pretend they don't exist. You simply shift your awareness to sow solutions. Place your attention on what is not wrong and what you plant will grow!    

For more from Thich Nhat Hahn:
Peace is Every Step
Taming The Tiger Within: Meditations for Transforming Difficult Emotions
The Art of Power

www.plumvillage.org
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/thich_nhat_hanh/

Does your professional group -- an association, networking, mastermind or other business-oriented group -- need an expert human resourcespeaker?

If so, contact Employer Solutions Group (www.esghr.com). They have experienced, certified HR experts who can present on any of a variety of relevant and timely topics, at no cost to you or your organization.

Even if you don't have a group, and you are interested in any of these topics, join ESG for monthly presentations every second Tuesday at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, starting in July and going through December.

Here is a list of the topics an ESG expert can present to your organization:

 

Maximizing the Return on Employees People Strategies for Tough Times

Employer Solutions Group can presents any of these educational seminars to your professional group toassistmemberswith day-to-day management challenges

Managing Benefit Costs
Understand the ever-increasing challenges of offering benefits to your employees and become more educated regarding trends, plan design options, and promoting consumerism. This session will discuss Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), Gap Plans, and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) as a way to provide benefits and control costs.

Inexpensive Incentives that Drive Productivity and Motivate your Employees
What do your employees really want? You might be surprised. Learn about cost-effective methods you can use to increase productivity and retention, and incentives that can help you create a culture of appreciation in your workforce. Some of these are inexpensive and many are free!

EFCA - the Employee Free Choice Act
What is Card Check and why is it important to you as a business owner in Northern Colorado? Where do Colorado's elected officials in Washington stand and are they really representing their constituents? Is union membership down due to coercion by employers? Is public opinion being influenced by all the press that executive pay, bailout funds, and layoffs have gotten recently?

ARRA - the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
COBRA subsidies are in effect for anyone involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. Smaller companies covered by Colorado's State Continuation are also covered. Are you prepared to take credits on your 941s for amounts you subsidize? Is you company ready and do you know how to comply?

Sexual Harassment
Gain an understanding of what is and what is not sexual harassment in the workplace. Learn what you as an employer can do to prevent it, and what your responsibilities are for contending with it in the workplace should it occur. Take part in a dialogue about why this issue can be perceived differently between the genders.

Independent Contractor Status
Some businesses attempt to duck employer liabilities by only "hiring independent contractors." Learn why this practice can come back to bite you, and how various governmental agencies determine if workers are truly independent contractors or employees.

Return to Work
Your workers' compensation costs can really get out of control if you have an injury and are not prepared with modified duty responsibilities for injured workers. Learn how you can protect your loss ratio and your E-Mod, and why that will save you money in the long run. Learn about Colorado's Rule 6 process and how you can comply with that making "Return to Work" work for you.

Cost Containment Certification
If you put the right policies and procedures in place, you may be eligible for a discount from your Workers' Compensation provider. Gain an understanding of what is involved in this process and the steps you can take to make application to the state for certification.

Managing the Employee life-cycle
Defining the job, recruiting, onboarding, coaching, appraising performance, rewarding, disciplining, terminating... there are a lot of ways employers interact with their employees. Each impacts the other and creates either opportunities or roadblocks to success. In this 2 hour session, participants will be given a quick overview of each part of the process, and shown how it's all inter-related. Learn how to set yourself up for success with each step.

Creating an Ownership Culture
Incentive plans, profit sharing plans, gainsharing plans, and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) can be part of a strategy for employee engagement. Learn how they may help your organization become more profitable. Understand the built-in tax incentives available to you as you align employees with you in your quest to build your business success.

Exit Strategies
More people are retiring from their businesses than ever before, but there are 15% fewer of the next generation business owners. Exit strategies differ significantly depending on whether you want to build your business and turn it, or build a legacy. Learn about strategies that you may want to consider and even employ as before you move closer to the point of your own retirement.

FMLA - Family Medical Leave Act
Though it currently covers only employers with 50 or more employees, there is talk in Washington about extending it down to employers of 25 or more employees. In January, new regulations were published that define new criteria for leaves of absence, new processes, and new forms. FMLA leaves may not occur in your organization very often. Learn how to be prepared when they do.

Managing and Motivating the Generations
There are currently four generations working side by side in companies today. This brings unique challenges and opportunities for business leaders and managers. Diversity is key to sustainable profitability. The ability to effectively understand, integrate and lead four diverse generations in the workplace offers businesses a significant advantage. This interactive program will provide an overview of the generations as well as specific information and tools for successfully managing and motivating each generation.

Coaching for Success
Learning how to influence desired behaviors, address poor performance, and create clear expectations can lessen conflict and increase individual and organizational success. In this workshop, participants will gain the skills needed to offer constructive feedback, coach others in a positive and productive manner as well as learn how to hold others accountable for their actions and behavior. First time managers as well as seasoned leaders will benefit from developing their own inner coach.

About ESG
Employer Solutions Group (ESG) enables its clients to cost-effectively outsource the administration of human resources, employee benefits, payroll and related tax compliance, and workers' compensation. Specializing in these specific employer needs allows ESG to efficiently deliver a tailored package of services to its clients. ESG clients are then able to focus on growing and operating their businesses, rather than worrying about HR. The company's Loveland, Colorado-based professional staff serves companies that range in size from a handful of employees to hundreds. ESG is a member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (www.napeo.com). For more information, visit www.esghr.com, email sstolen@esghr.com or call 970-612-2022.

 

(This information comes via Employer Solutions Group, which has an office in Loveland, Colorado, and is a client of mine.)

The executive order, signed by President George W. Bush, requires all federal contractors with contracts of $100,000 or more to use an electronic verification system, defined by the department of Homeland Security as the E-verify system, for all employees working on the contract (new hires and current employees alike). The same requirement is placed on all subcontractors of these contracts that are receiving $3,000 or more.

This executive order was originally slated to be effective January 15, 2009, but has been delayed several times. The latest of these delays was announced recently and will postpone the effective date until June 30, 2009. You can contact ESG at www.esghr.com if you would like additional information about this order and its requirements.

It’s hard to stay motivated at your computer all day as you look for work. If you’ve ever worked on a creative project or labored over a problem you know the best ideas don’t always come while you are staring at your computer screen. They often come while you are in the shower, driving to work, or eating dinner with friends. This is because your pit bull left brain mind is freed from chewing on the problem so your emotional body relaxes and your creative right brain mind can be heard. Challenge yourself to “get out” for an hour a day to find (and be available for) some new and often surprising answers. Experiment with this 3-step process:

1. Set your intention clearly. Try one of these inquiries: What is my next assignment? Where can I be of service? What needs can I fill? What do I need to learn at this time? What’s available to me right now? What’s possible? What organizations need my talents?
2. Get out of your head and into the world! With your intention in mind, go somewhere to be around people. Drive around. Window shop. Meet a friend at a coffee shop. Go to an association meeting. Take a training class. Volunteer at your kid’s school. Walk. Sit in the park. Attend a job fair. Check out a new neighborhood. Read magazines at the library. Rake leaves for a neighbor. Go to a dog park (if you have a dog). Check out career resources at a local college. Work out. Chat with a neighbor.     
3. Notice and reflect. Who do you meet? What do you overhear? What attracts you? What doesn’t? What ideas do you get? What conversations do you have? What do you learn? What answers do you receive? What leads can you follow? What insight do you glean?

For more on ideas on accessing your creative mind:

• Use Roger Von Oech’s Innovative Whack Pack www.creativethink.com
• Apply Edward de Bon’s Six Thinking Hats www.debonogroup.com
• Explore Betty Edwards “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: http://www.drawright.com/
• Watch Jill Bolte Taylor’s Powerful Stroke of Insight http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html
• Check out our workbook “Essentially You@ Work: A Career Transition Guide” at www.brainstormingalamode.com.