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staffing agency short staff

Short-Staffed? 4 Reasons Why a Staffing Agency is Your Best Bet

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Every now and then, the staff you have on hand for certain projects just isn’t enough manpower to get the job done properly. Being short-staffed can be inconvenient and stressful: finding reliable, hard-working candidates on a time crunch isn’t always a walk in the park.

 

Whether you need a few people to fill in temporarily, or a larger number to help with a special project, working with a staffing agency like LPC Personnel can ensure that you experience no productivity loss. Here is why partnering with a staffing agency is your best bet when you find yourself short-staffed.

 

A Time-Sensitive Option

 

Staffing agencies that have experience filling temporary positions understand the urgency that accompanies being short-staffed. As an employer, you have a lot of priorities which can sometimes push hiring to the backburner, and you may not have several weeks to source and hire a candidate yourself.

 

Experienced staffing agencies have deep talent pools to work with and can often have a position filled that day. Also, if you know you will be needing extra hands on deck ahead of time, staffing agencies can have someone lined up to make a seamless talent transition, so that you never miss a beat.

 

Ensure Quality of Hire

 

Just because you might only need a temporary worker for a short amount of time, doesn’t mean that the quality of your employees should suffer. At LPC, we only work with candidates that are pre-screened, trustworthy and reliable, and we can even assist with their safety preparation and drug screening. All of this considered, we will never present our partners with candidates that we don’t believe are a good fit or that will affect your stability as an operation.

 

It’s also a good idea to partner with an experienced specialized staffing agency that works in your geographical area and has connected talented candidates close to your operation. Having someone on your side that knows exactly what to look for in candidates for your specific industry will make finding the right hire that much easier.

 

short staff staffing agency lpc personnel

 

Contact for the Future 

 

If you have been short-staffed once, chances are it will happen again – employees can get sick, go on vacation or move on to different jobs…all of which can leave you in a tight spot! Working with a staffing agency once means that you have them in your professional network for the next time you need some extra hands.

 

The more we work with a client, the better we learn their needs when it comes to filling open positions – it’s a relationship that only improves with time!

 

There is no downside to too much networking, and having someone in your contact list that can get you out of a tough situation offers many benefits. Especially as we embark into a brand-new hiring landscape that may present unknown challenges, having an expert on your side can give you some welcomed peace of mind.

 

Open Communication

 

At the end of the day, our goal is always the same: find the perfect candidate and match them with deserving clients. Working with a staffing agency means that you can communicate exactly what you are looking for in an employee and trust that we will do everything within our power to make a placement that works.

 

Need help with finding your next team member? LPC Personnel has been staffing the Greater Houston Area for over 30 years and would be happy to lend a hand. Contact us today.

 

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Working With a Staffing Agency to Find Team Members During COVID-19

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Despite the outbreak of COVID-19 halting global economies, many businesses and industries are continuing to hire, and operate in the face of unprecedented conditions. That being said, the nature of the hiring landscape has shifted and has taken some adjusting to, both for employers and those seeking work.

 

If you are looking to hire some new team members, consider partnering with a staffing agency such as LPC Personnel. There are many fantastic hiring benefits we can provide in spite of the lockdown and well after it’s over.

 

Deep Network of Qualified, Ready-to-Work Candidates

 

During a time of uncertainty, it can be tempting to hire the first person that walks through the door. Regardless of the situation, hiring someone that is either unqualified or not willing to stick around for the long haul will end up costing your company time, resources and efficiency.

 

Partnering with a staffing agency allows you to tap into a deep network of pre-screened, qualified and reliable candidates. Our reputation is on the line when we present you a potential hire, so you can rest assured you will only meet with the best of the best!

 

Build a Relationship for the Future

 

Expanding your network, especially during a crisis, is just good business sense! Relationships made now will be valuable down the road. Working together under challenging circumstances provides a unique opportunity to gage the work ethic and communication styles of both parties.  A staffing agency can find you necessary team members for your current project – but that doesn’t mean the relationship ends then and there!

 

The opportunity to build a long-term, trustworthy professional relationship that benefits both parties is always available when you partner with LPC Personnel. Once we get to know how your unique company operates and the exact kind of candidates you look for, we can do our job that much better – it’s a partnership that only gets better with age! Why not start now?

 

staffing agency lpc

 

Streamline Your Processes

 

In the era of COVID-19, time is of the essence. Businesses and candidates alike are eager to get back to operating like normal. However, abiding by ever-changing processes can be overwhelming, and can interfere with your business practices. Having someone on your side whose job it is to keep an ear to the ground of changing hiring practices and COVID-19 regulations will allow you to focus on managing your company.

 

Working with a staffing agency means you have the expertise of seasoned job search professionals on your side. From sourcing candidates that are right for your jobs, preparing them for virtual interviews (and making sure they show up), recruiters can provide a lot of valuable insight that can help get your positions filled faster.

 

We Will Handle the Tough Conversations

 

With any major event that affects the economy, standards are bound to shift a bit. Communicating these changes, such as adjustments to starting wages, can present a great deal of stress and anxiety for any manager. You don’t want to insult your candidates or put your company in bad standing with potential new hires, but you also have to be direct in communicating what you’re able to offer.

 

When you work with a staffing agency such as LPC Personnel, you can rest assured that we will have those tough conversations with our candidates so that they go into the interview with no surprises. We advocate on your behalf so that the messages your potential employees need to know are heard loud and clear. We have had years of experience handling the nitty gritty of the business world and are more than happy to save you the headache!

 

Finding great employees doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you are looking for one new team member or twenty, give LPC a call. We have more than 30 years of staffing industry experience and would be happy to lend a hand during this uncertain time.

 

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4 Ways to Improve Your Logistics Business Practices During COVID-19

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The outbreak COVID-19 has affected virtually every professional realm in some way. In the world of logistics and supply chain, a handful of businesses have thrived (and increased warehouse and fulfillment roles) but global supply chains and long-distance transportation have been interrupted for the time being.

 

We are thankfully starting to make our way back to a fully operational economy, but this slower period is not necessarily a time to relax. Instead, taking advantage of a relative downtime and giving your business practices a revamp is a great idea, so that when things return to normal you can hit the ground running.

 

There are several ways that you can continue to improve and innovate your operations while the world is on pause. Read on for our top four ways to improve your logistics business practices during COVID-19.

 

Review Safety Protocols

 

The outbreak of COVID-19 has taken us all by surprise and has instilled a heightened need for safety and wellbeing. Now is a great time to review your health and safety protocols and best practices and communicate to your current and future team members that their safety is your number one priority.

 

A safe workplace environment, relative to prevention of infectious diseases and physical injury, will be at the top of every candidate’s list when looking for a new position. Considering that logistics and warehouse are industries that can already present a number of safety concerns, taking the time to review and address each and every one of them will reflect positively on you as an employer, and help you to stand out from companies that may be falling short.

 

Keep Lines of Communication Open

 

Amidst a crisis that seemingly changes by the minute, communicating changes and updates to your staff, your customers and your colleagues is of utmost importance. Especially in an industry such as logistics, where there are many moving parts and coordination with different departments and suppliers, staying on top of communication is non-negotiable.

 

Take the time to develop streamlined and concise methods of communication to use during a crisis, so the next time something disrupts your operations, you can begin reaching out and covering your bases with no time wasted.

 

warehouse lpc

 

Revisit Your Business Plan and Expenses

 

Regardless if your logistics business has been positively or negatively affected by the outbreak, it is very likely that there has been a shift in one direction or another. Whether that means a loss or increase of revenue, manpower, or operation hours, it would be wise to adjust your business plan accordingly.

 

Taking some time to mindfully reallocate funds and resources here and there depending on the realities of your current situation (and the situations that may arise in the next few months) is very important. Preparing for any of the changes before they happen and giving yourself some wiggle room is good sense, especially after seeing how COVID-19 has already affected the business world.

 

Check in on Employees – and Yourself

 

This rapidly changing climate is affecting us all in different ways. Checking in on your current employees in this uncertain time will paint you in a positive light, and it’s also just a nice thing to do. Showing empathy is one of the best ways to not only maintain a good relationship with your employees, but it also increases retention rates – and in a somewhat volatile job market, you want to make sure your employees feel heard and seen.

 

And last, but certainly not least, take some time to check in on yourself. Leading a team through a pandemic is stressful and doing so is no easy feat. Most of us are all figuring it out as we go, so don’t be too hard on yourself if things get tough. We’re all in this together!

 

Are you looking to add some new employees to your logistics operation? It’s one of our specialities. Whether you need one team member or twenty, you can count on us to find the perfect match. Reach out to us today.

 

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The Importance of Communication in the Hiring Process

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Communication in the professional world can sometimes feel tricky to master. You have to balance assertiveness with passivity. You also need to know when the best time is to speak up and when to let others have the floor. For many, this level of understanding takes practice and experience. However, it’s important to dedicate time to learning these skills, because a lack of communication can lead to frustration, mistakes and wasted time for each person involved.

In the recruiting industry, a great candidate experience is the result of all parties working together towards a shared goal. As a candidate, you play a crucial role in this process, so what you have to say truly matters. Don’t worry about stepping on anyone’s toes or coming off as demanding, because not saying what is on your mind will only hurt you in the end.

Here are a few of the reasons why we believe maintaining communication in the hiring process is the most important thing you can do.

Be Upfront About What You Want

Maintaining an open and direct line of communication from start to finish while working with a recruiter is very important. Chances are, you have at least a general idea of what you are looking for in a position. But there may be other factors which are important to you that aren’t always obvious to your recruiter (for example, office location or workplace culture) that need to be specifically vocalized. The more information you provide you recruiter with, the higher their chances will be in getting you what you want.

Recruiters are great at what they do, but they are not mind readers! From the moment you first connect with your recruiter up until you have been hired for a position, be honest and open about what is working and what isn’t. It not only ensures you find a position you actually enjoy; it helps recruiters learn and grow professionally.

 

communication

 

Listen Actively

Listening is just as important as talking during the recruitment process. This goes for candidates, clients and recruiters alike. Listening to what the other party has to say is one thing, but actively internalising what they are communicating and taking steps towards improving the situation makes everybody’s lives easier in the end.

Listening to the constructive criticism that your recruiter has to offer should be taken in stride. Your recruiter has tons of valuable industry intel they can offer you to make you a stronger candidate overall, so trust them! The end goal is to find you a position that you love, and sometimes it takes a little bit of adjusting to get there.

Patience and Understanding Go A Long Way

Communication is key, but you need to find a balance between wanting to stay in the loop and giving your recruiter some room to breathe. Playing the waiting game is certainly stressful when it comes to the job search. But trust that your recruiter is doing everything they can to move the process forward and won’t get your hopes up with unnecessary communication.

Also, keep in mind that recruiters won’t place you in a job that they don’t believe to be a good fit. For this reason, you may not find a job right away, or you might have to consider adjusting your criteria slightly. Either way, being adaptable and understanding about the realities of the hiring process will help make the journey that much easier!

If you have some tips on professional communication, we would love to hear them! Leave them in the comment section below.

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Common Questions About the Staffing Industry Answered

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If you have never worked with a staffing agency before, you may be skeptical towards them. Letting a stranger take the reins of your career search can feel unsettling to some people but working with a recruiter has TONs of benefits! LPC Personnel has been operating in the staffing and recruiting industry for over 30 years, so it’s safe to say we are seasoned vets. We are more than prepared to field any questions you may have.

 

Here we have compiled answers to some of the most common questions job seekers have about the staffing and recruiting industry.

 

Why Should I Work with a Staffing Agency?

 

Searching for a job is a full-time job in and of itself. You have to navigate between job boards, resume writing, cold calling and interview prep. It can certainly become overwhelming if you don’t know what you are doing.

 

If you’ve ever felt confused or discouraged during a job search, it may be time to call in the pros. Recruiters are expert job placement professionals: it is literally their job to find you a job! They have the industry knowledge, contacts and experience to reach a much broader scope of potential employment opportunities. Working with a recruiter takes a lot of the headache out of finding a job. More importantly, it reduces the likelihood of you taking a job that isn’t a good fit.

 

What Kind of Services do Staffing Agencies Provide?

 

While the main service that recruiters provide is finding you a new job, their talents don’t stop there. At LPC, we are all-around job search aficionados, and are more than happy to help in any area you may need help with. In addition, recruiters can also offer resume writing help and interview coaching to make sure you come off as professional as possible. Recruiters are also happy to address any questions or concerns they may have along the way. After all, the job search is all about first impressions.

 

Good recruiters don’t just disappear after finding you an interview, either. They will follow up with you and your employer every step of the hiring process to make sure everyone is (and stays) on the right page.

 

recruiter

 

What Kind of Placements do Staffing Agencies Make?

 

Not every candidates’ needs are the same. One might be looking for a temporary, flexible position while another wants a full-time permanent role. For this reason, there are a few different types of placements that staffing agencies can make, depending on what their client is looking for at the time. Here are some of the most common types of placements made:

 

  • Temporary: this type of job has a decided end-date, and can last anywhere from a few days to several months (although on occasion, temporary placements turn into full-time roles!)
  • Temp-to-Hire: like the title implies, this type of position has the intention of temporary employees becoming permanent team members. The employer, not the recruiter, makes this decision and is dependent on the employee’s performance and other factors
  • Direct hire: the candidate is hired right away as a full-time employee (though, probationary periods are often still in place)

 

LPC fills all types of positions in a number of different industries, including industrial, construction, intermodal, customer service and clerical. If you are looking for a job in one of these specialties, take a look at our job board here.

 

Can You Really Trust a Staffing Agency?

 

You may be wondering if staffing agencies can really be trusted. You might ask yourself questions like: Aren’t recruiters just in it for a paycheck? Why would they possibly care about my career and aspirations – won’t they just place me in a job and move on to the next candidate?

 

The answer to these questions is a cold hard NO! Recruiters are in their line of work not only because they are good at it, but more importantly, because they love what they do. Good recruiters will do everything they can to make you feel like you’re not ‘just a number’, or the means to an end. You can trust that recruiters will use their years of experience, insider knowledge, and their wide network of industry contacts and to help you achieve your full professional potential. To a recruiter, nothing feels better than helping someone land their dream job.

If you have any more questions for the LPC Personnel team about what we do, or the staffing industry on a larger scale, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can leave a comment below or email us directly at resume@lpcpersonnel.com!

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employee engagement

Ways to Improve Employee Engagement

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We are all guilty of zoning out at work from time to time – it’s simply human nature. However, there are certain times when keeping employees engaged proves to be an ongoing issue. The ideal employee will come to work eager and passionate about what they are doing, day in and day out – but sometimes, that flame can flicker out and engagement falls off. This can happen for a number of reasons, and everyone is bound to have an offday once in a while, but if it becomes a frequent occurrence, then whole energy of a workplace can suffer.

 

According to a recent poll, only 32% of employees in the United States feel like they are engaged at work – if you ask us, this number is far too low. Employee engagement goes hand in hand with creating a positive workplace culture, both of which significantly benefit you as an employer. So, the question is: what can you do to make sure your employees stay as enthusiastic and engaged in the workplace as possible?

 

Here are some of our tried and tested ways to keep employee engagement consistent!

 

Place a Focus on Onboard & Training

 

An easy way for employees to become disengaged is when they have no real direction or understanding of what they have been hired to do. Take time to lay the groundwork about exactly what is expected from their role, the company’s values, the workplace culture, etc. in the employee’s first couple of weeks. Rushing through the onboarding and training process will leave them in the dark. New employees are less likely to ask for help in a new environment, so it may only be just a matter of time before they begin to become disconnected from the task at hand.

 

Be clear about what is expected from them, but don’t micromanage. As a manager, it can be difficult to let go of the reigns, especially to a new employee who doesn’t yet know the company like the back of their hand. But, if they don’t have a chance to ease into the role and approach it with their own work ethic and ideas, they won’t be able to meaningfully engage with it, either.

 

Be Flexible

 

One sure-fire way to turn employees against you is to be unnecessarily rigid in your management style. Nobody wants to work for an employer who is unwavering in their rules and regulations. Flexibility in the workplace is something to be encouraged and being flexible to employee requests does not make you a pushover. On the contrary, accommodating the odd request here and there lets employees know that you value their time and well-being.

 

Allowing for some wiggle room with your employees (within reason) shouldn’t be seen as a loss of power or the beginning of an unstructured, disorganized workplace. If an employee needs a little bit more time with an assignment or needs to come in later due to an appointment, it could help reduce their stress levels and in turn, improve their quality of work and boost engagement levels.

 

employee engagement

 

Accommodate Everyone Equally

 

There are countless types of employees out there, and the chances of you having a workplace where everyone has the same work ethic are almost zero. A positive and dynamic workplace culture benefits from a diversity of learning and working styles, but they all need to be nurtured equally in order for the team to succeed.

 

For example, introverts that are forced to work in an environment that only accommodates extroverts are going to suffer, and vice versa. Some people stay engaged when they work individually, and some thrive in a group setting. Some prefer talking in person, and some get their best ideas out over email. The list goes on and on.

 

It may take some extra time and energy, but try to understand what each employee needs in order to stay engaged in the tasks at hand and feel comfortable at the office. They will appreciate you for it!

 

Celebrate & Encourage Your Employees

 

Employees like to know that they are appreciated for the work they do. Providing feedback, whether it be positive or negative, in a constructive way helps keep them on track, but also encourages them to produce better work.

 

Giving praise to employees will help them to feel like they are more than just a number, and that they are being noticed and appreciated for their work. From things as small as saying ‘thank you’ to bigger gestures, like company outings and team-building activities, showing your appreciation for your employees is absolutely vital to keeping engagement alive.

 

As the saying goes, a team is only as strong as its weakest link. Take the time to make sure everyone feels like they are a valuable team member so that your end goal doesn’t suffer.

 

Every workplace is different, and there is no guaranteed formula for improving engagement levels. Start by trying a combination of any or all of these tips! What do you do to keep your employees engaged at work? Join the conversation on LinkedIn or in the comments below.

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Temp-to-Hire vs Direct Hire: Which is Right for Me?

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If you are looking for a new job, you have probably come across terms such as ‘temp-to-hire’ and ‘direct hire’ in job postings. While there are subtle differences between the two, their true meaning can be somewhat confusing to job seekers.

 

Traditionally, direct hire sounds like the smarter choice, because ‘temporary work’ can often be thought of as open-ended and lacking security. However, the intricacies of each may persuade you to reconsider which direction makes the most sense for your career.

 

Read on for a rundown on the two different (yet similar) employment types, so that you can make an informed decision when looking for your next great job.

 

What is a temp-to-hire?

 

A temporary or contract employee is someone who is brought into a company for a limited period of time. They are usually hired to fill in for employees that are on leave for personal reasons or to help supplement busy work periods, like the holidays.

 

Sometimes, when the temporary worker’s designated duration is over, employers will choose to offer them a full-time position after seeing how well they fit into the role. This is where the term ‘temp-to-hire’ comes in. In these instances, the employee’s stint as a temporary worker can be seen as a test-run for whether or not they will be a good fit with the company. While they are a temporary worker, they are typically still employed by the staffing agency. There are few differences between this, and a standard probation period, beyond semantics.

 

direct-hire

 

What is a direct hire?

 

A direct hire is someone who is hired for a permanent position, usually full-time. They are hired for the long-term right off the bat. The process of employing a direct hire is typically a little bit longer than a temporary one, because the employer has to think more thoroughly about who they want to bring on to their team for the foreseeable future. While a probationary period still exists, there is nevertheless a feeling among the team and new hire that they’re in it for the long hall.

 

Permanent, full-time jobs appeal to a lot of people because of the sense of security associated with them. There are also typically benefits and perks that come along with a full-time role, such as health insurance and paid vacation time. However, as mentioned, permanent roles still require a probationary period to be passed before the employee can enjoy any of the benefits that come with the job. A direct hire can also be let go at any point during the probationary period.

 

Which one should I choose?

 

In a lot of ways, temp-to-hire positions and direct hire positions share a lot of similarities. Both go through some sort of ‘temporary’ phase before being able to reap the benefits of being a full-time employee. Whether it be the ‘temporary’ phase of the temp-to-hire’s path, or the probationary period for the direct hire, there is a certain period of time before an employee truly becomes ‘full-time’.

 

Aside from these technicalities, there are benefits to both types of position. Direct hire work appeals to many because of its inherent permanence. Knowing that you can anticipate having a job for the long-term is very comforting for a lot of people. Alternatively, temporary work is appealing to some because it lacks permanency; many people enjoy not being committed to a contract before they test the waters. These kinds of positions allow individuals to try a variety of work, enjoy flexible schedules and make fast money.

 

Are you looking for a new job in the Houston area? LPC Personnel recruits for many temp-to-hire and direct-hire positions. Reach out today to see if we have something for you!

 

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5 Tips to Find and Hire Food Manufacturing Employees

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The food manufacturing industry is thriving. However, finding skilled talent to fill open positions in the industry can sometimes be a challenge. As of August 2018, there were 508,000 open jobs in U.S manufacturing. While this job growth is positive, it also indicates that finding candidates with the right skills to fill these jobs could reach crisis proportions. To accommodate this, companies may have to rethink their current strategies to truly engage and hire brand new talent. Here are a few things you can try!

 

Change the perception of the food manufacturing industry

 

With the baby boomer generation almost ready to retire, manufacturers need to find new, younger talent that is ready to work. The challenge with attracting and hiring these candidates is due in part to their perception about the industry. Manufacturers believe negative perception from students and their parents are one of the reasons causing the current talent shortage, according to Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute’s study in 2018. The study revealed that parents encouraged their children to avoid pursuing a career in manufacturing due to the impression of poor job security and limited career prospects.

So, what can companies do to change this public perception? For starters, companies could partner with local high schools and colleges to educate students about the industry in attempts to shift their mindset. Students may not have the opportunity to become educated about this field, so it is up to the companies themselves to make sure it happens

By educating students on what the work environment looks like and what employees do, you can broaden their knowledge about the industry, potentially shifting it into a more positive light. They’ll gain a better understanding of what the job looks like and what the career prospects are. While this is a long-term recruitment strategy, it is not a bad idea to consider when aiming to improve the image of the industry and grow the workforce.

 

Strengthen your company culture

 

Millennials and Generation Z don’t want to be “faceless” employees—they look for collaborative work environments where they can interact with their managers and coworkers. Furthermore, they appreciate receiving ongoing feedback from their superiors in order to learn and improve their current skillset.

With this in consideration, management can take initiative by encouraging more open communication and collaboration across the team. This could be in the form of more productive meetings or using better technology so that employees can communicate companywide. To foster continuous learning and improvement, consider having one-on-one sessions with employees to discuss their strengths and any potential areas of improvement. Managers can also consider offering training and learning opportunities to maintain a skilled and up-to-date team.

 

food manufacturing

 

Take a chance on hiring inexperienced workers

 

To meet the demand of finding and hiring employees, manufacturers can benefit from taking a chance on hiring inexperienced workers. It is becoming increasingly common for companies to train these employees on the job. According to this New York Times article, Alexandria Industries hired a young man who didn’t have a college degree or a manufacturing background.

The company provided him with technical and leadership training. That was six years ago—today, he has been promoted and says he plans to stay there until he retires. Hiring candidates without the desired skills can be risky, but that risk can often pay off if you find a person with the right personality fit.

 

Employee engagement activities

 

One great way to attract new employees and retain current ones is to organize employee engagement activities. Employees like to know that their work is contributing to the company’s overall vision and success. In addition to telling them that you value their contributions and efforts, it is important to show them as well.

Take the team out for dinner or organize an activity that allows everyone to interact with one another. It enables your employees to view the company as one that cares about their workforce. Even if these outings aren’t frequent, your employees will appreciate the gesture.

 

Work with LPC to help find manufacturing employees

 

At LPC Personnel, we’ve helped companies find and hire manufacturing employees for over 30 years. We take the time to understand what you’re looking for in candidates and provide you with the best of the best.

Do you need help finding quality manufacturing candidates? You’ve come to the right place. Contact us today to get started.

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logistics

How a Strong Logistics Team Improves Your Bottom Line

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With online shopping and an expectation of quick delivery becoming the new norm, businesses need to step up in order to meet customer demands. Business owners know that in order to keep their customers happy, they must deliver exceptional customer service and an unbeatable experience.

 

So, how do you make sure this happens? You can start by looking at the logistics process of your supply chain. Your logistics team is absolutely vital to your business’s success. A combination of a fool-proof logistics process and an experienced team will help your business reach new heights and improve your customers’ overall experience.

 

What is logistics?

 

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals defines logistics as part of the supply chain process that plans, implements and controls the efficient flow and storage of goods, services and related information. A logistics team manages these materials and information between the point of origin and point of consumption in order to meet the customer’s requirements. One of the key objectives behind logistics is that the customer receives the right product at the right time and place—all at the right quality and price.

 

Logistics and freight transport companies went on a hiring frenzy last year in May. To keep up with the skyrocketing demand in the U.S. shipping markets, they added 18,700 jobs. Now that consumers’ shopping habits have shifted towards e-commerce, companies need more workers and a logistics infrastructure that can support this demand.

 

Why should I care about logistics?

 

Your logistical process plays an important factor in your company’s profitability. While logisticians manage the movement of materials and goods, they’re also responsible for identifying any potential areas of improvement. They understand how to move products better, at a lower cost, as well as solve problems quickly and creatively as they arise.

 

With so much choice available on the market, when you fail to meet your customer’s demands, they will quickly turn to your competitors. Customers want high quality products at the right price, but they also expect quality customer service from start to finish. Regardless of whether your customers are purchasing your products online or offline, your products and delivered experience need to meet your customer’s expectations. When you have a professional and experienced logistics team on hand, you can feel assured that they will help you achieve these critical business objectives.

 

logistics

 

How a great logistics team improves your business

 

It’s five times more expensive to acquire a new customer than it is to retain an existing customer. By increasing your customer retention rates by just 5%, you can increase your profits by 25 to 95%. Considering this, customer retention should be at the top of your priority list. If you consistently deliver the quality products and service that your customers know and love, they are more likely to stay loyal to you.

Let’s take online orders as an example. Customers like the convenience of being able to track their orders and receiving up-to-date alerts about them. If there are any delays due to weather or unforeseen events, customers appreciate being kept in the know. Your logistics team should have access to this type of information, which can make all the difference in the customer’s experience. When you keep your customers in the loop by offering special services and promotions, it is an easy way to strengthen your customer’s loyalty to you.

Lastly, logistics professionals develop partnerships with suppliers and secure competitive rates for materials and services. They identify and implement processes that are more efficient and strive to reduce business costs. They do all of this while still delivering quality products and services to customers – we can’t think of a reason to not want an amazing logistics team by your side.


What qualities should I look for in candidates for logistics jobs?

 

With so many changing and moving parts in this line of work, you need people with the right qualities and skills on your logistics team. When interviewing candidates for this role, take note of the qualities and skills listed below:

 

  • Managerial skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Strong time management skills
  • Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • IT skills to manage electronic data
  • Logical and organized approach to work (especially)

 

When operating a business, we know that finding the best people to hire can be challenging and time-consuming. Get in touch with us today if you need help! As well as knowing the right qualities required to build a powerhouse team, we also understand what candidates want from their employers, and can help find the perfect match.

 

Contact us today to find and hire quality candidates

 

At LPC Personnel, we specialize in finding top talent within the logistics industry. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, so it is safe to say we understand your business needs and the type of talent you’re looking for. Contact us today so we can help you find your ideal candidate.

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temporary work

10 Huge Advantages of Temporary Work

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Temporary workers are on the rise in popularity. A sector of employment that was once looked down upon as ‘not as good’ as full-time or permanent work, temporary or contract work is becoming more and more commonplace. A whopping 15 million workers in the U.S. were considered to be contract or temporary in 2017, and that number is on the steady incline. Another study showed that most jobs created in the last ten years in the U.S. were of the contract, alternative nature, while a poll taken by NPR indicated that 1 in 5 jobs held in the U.S. were under contract. With all of these stats indicating that the temporary workforce is on the rise, there must be some huge benefits to taking a less traditional career approach.

At LPC Personnel, we take pride in helping job seekers find their next position, and with the current state of the contract-heavy job market, this often this means recruiting for temporary positions. So whether you are looking for some temporary work in between full-time positions or looking to make the switch to ‘full-time temporary’, here are our top 10 advantages to temporary or contract work.

  1. Enjoy Flexibility

By definition, temporary work is exactly that: temporary. Less commitment is required from its workers, it often does not abide by the typical 9-5 work week, and is more accommodating to individual availability. This allows more wiggle room with start dates, end dates and unexpected changes in availability, all which serve to suit you better. It also allows you to put more time into searching for a more permanent role.

  1. Free to Take Time Off

 

Typically, permanent jobs require weeks of notice before scheduling time off, and sometimes those requests can be rejected if more than one employee wants the same block of time off. In contrast, getting time off from temporary employment is as simple as not re-signing a contract. The flexibility of having a healthy work-play balance is very appealing to a lot of job seekers, and is definitely a huge draw to contract work.

  1. Multiple Profit Streams

 

In addition to temporary work being flexible, it also opens up the doors to a new type of income that is increasingly popular in today’s workforce: multiple profit streams. The traditional 9-5 isn’t for everybody and it is very common for people to have multiple sources of income, and having the flexibility of temporary work allows for more time to pursue different ventures. In fact, some people turn multiple contract or part-time positions into their long-term career structure.

  1. Filling Resume Gaps

 

It’s no secret that large gaps of time on resumes don’t exactly look good to employers. Regardless of the reason, it does invite some questions that could easily be avoided with temporary work. Even if the temp work is not in keeping with the field of rest of your resume, it shows that you made a choice to not take a large amount of time off from working in between jobs, showing hard-work and dedication – key characteristics to almost every employer.

  1. Work Towards Full-Time Work

 

Doing contract work can also help turn those temporary resume gap-fillers into full time positions. A temporary job may not necessarily lead to a full-time position with the same company, but a series of contracts in a similar field will eventually build a body of work that could make you qualified for a permanent job in that industry. Remember, temporary work no longer has the same stigma it once had – it is legitimate, necessary and important work.

temporary work

  1. Find Your Career Calling

 

Sometimes, temporary work isn’t necessarily aligned with your career aspirations. But other times, it can help steer you in directions that you had never considered before! Whether it helps you decide that this is definitely something you want to pursue, or definitely something you do not want to pursue, the commitment-light nature of temp work can allow you to test-drive a few different options and help you pin-point what your true career calling might be.

  1. Learn New Skills

 

Sometimes temp work will be in a very particular industry, but the job doesn’t necessarily require past experience in that field. This means you can learn a new set of skills that you probably would not be exposed to under different circumstances. Even if you don’t use them in your next career move, there is virtually no downside to learning a new skill. You never know when it may come in handy!

 

  1. Enjoy a Variety of Work

 

Doing the same job for years can be ideal for some people, but to others, it can quickly become mundane and boring. Contract work allows you to try out a variety of different types of work without committing to a full-time employment. Perhaps you have a background in retail sales, but want to get your hands dirty with some manual labour, or maybe you want to experience office culture – the variety of temporary work knows no limits!

  1. Expand Your Network

 

If you’re taking a temporary position to supplement your income or keep you busy while looking for a more permanent role, use it as a chance to network with others who may be in the same situation. Be sure to connect with your managers, too – even if you move on from a temporary job, you can at least lock in a good reference for your next interview.

  1. Good Money

 

If you are bridging the gap between permanent positions, temporary work is certainly a good way to ensure a paycheck is coming in every week. And due to the often urgent nature in which temp workers are needed, it can be really good, and sometimes better, compensation overall than a permanent placement.

Think you’re ready to take on the world of contract work? Feel free to reach out to a recruiter at LPC Personnel to find your next temporary position.