If you read the newspapers, it's nothing but doom and a gloomy forecast.  Negative news will always sell more papers and drive more traffic to the news websites, but the fact is that the Massachusetts unemployment rates are holding steady, just below 6 percent, and there is good news on the horizon as local companies look forward to a healthy 4th Quarter of the calendar year.  Our small business client companies continue to hire good people, and our job candidates are landing new positions.  Sure, both sides are being more selective and diligent, but we can all accept a little extra effort on the front-end to ensure a quality decision from all perspectives.

So, stay focused on your searches and keep a positive outlook.  Many of us have been through the down cycles of 1982, 1987, 1992, and 2001.  We will survive 2008!

Let me know if we can help...


- Lou 

Here's some good news in the face of so much talk about recession...

According to a report published by the Association of Executive Search Consultants on January 22, 75 percent of respondents to a survey had a positive hiring outlook for the coming year. The poll of 250 executive search consultants was administered between November 28, 2007 and January 2, 2008.  Furthermore, the outlook is similar for placement firms, according to the same report.

I recently read a great column in The Wall Street Journal by Simona Covel about the struggle of managing human resources in smaller companies.  They generally have fewer resources and people dedicated to the jobs of finding, hiring, satisfying, nurturing, and caring for their most important assets - their employees.  Many firms have turned to software solutions to address this administrative challenge.  More and more smaller organizations are looking to outsource their recruiting activities, and finding success through the implementation of streamlined Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or Talent Management Systems (TMS) and the engagement of professional recruiters who are experts in their fields and dedicated to the art and practice of Talent Acquisition.

Ms. Covel has some great advice...  Keep It Simple, Go User-Friendly, Know Why You Are Buying, Be Sure of Your Support Systems, Check Compatibility with Your Technology, and Measure the Return on Your Investment.

Many smaller businesses are coming to the realization that they cannot afford a Human Resources Department, but that's not necessarily bad news, in light of all the solutions available to them.  Just do your homework and make an informed decision.

Happy New Year!

Lou