We are excited to announce our Swooner of the Quarter for Q4, Liza!
What is Swooner of the Quarter? Swooners can submit nominations, describing why that team member should be nominated and how they have positively influenced the organization that quarter.
Congratulations to Liza on being awarded Swooner of the Quarter. Through her mentorship and recruiting skills, she has not only exceeded in her role as a Lead Technical Recruiter but also pushed other Swooners to be the best they can be!
Peer Quotes
“Where do I even begin? I couldn’t think of a better lead for our team – she is truly the glue that holds both recruiting and sales together. Liza is understanding, resourceful, and helpful beyond belief. She’s there to lend a listening ear on the hard days and is constantly our biggest cheerleader and motivator. Not quite sure where we’d be without her!”
“Liza has been an incredible light on our team since starting at Swoon. She has been a model example of what it means to be a Swooner. She balances her lead responsibilities with grace and empathy while still remaining a top performer within our Major Accounts team. She is consistent with her activity, extremely knowledgeable in IT skills, and a joy to work with. She never has an “I’m too busy” attitude – even when I know she has too much on her plate, she continuously offers to take on more responsibilities. We are so lucky to have her!”
“Liza always brings an optimistic and uplifting energy to the team. Whenever I bring challenging situations to her not only does she consistently provide helpful solutions but she is willing to always go to bat for me. She always goes out of her way to focus on the needs of our team!”
In a rapidly changing job market, companies must stay ahead of the curve in attracting and retaining talent. As Gen Z enters the workforce, businesses are presented with new expectations and demands. You need to understand their unique characteristics and values to successfully bring Gen Z into your company and ensure they stay engaged and committed. Gen Z is a generation that demands a nuanced approach, and by tailoring your strategies, you can position your company as an attractive employer of choice for this emerging workforce.
Understanding Gen Z
Gen Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, is the first truly digital-native generation. They have grown up in a world of constant connectivity, social media, and rapid technological advancement. To effectively attract and retain Gen Z, you need to consider the following aspects:
- Digital Engagement: Gen Z is extremely comfortable with technology and expects a seamless digital experience throughout the hiring process. Ensure your company’s online presence is strong, from your website and social media platforms to your application process.
- Social Responsibility: Gen Z is socially conscious and values companies with a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Highlight your company’s sustainability initiatives, diversity, equity, inclusion efforts, and corporate responsibility projects during recruitment.
- Career Growth and Learning: Gen Z places a high premium on continuous learning and development. Offer skills-building opportunities, mentorship programs, and a clear path for career advancement.
Attracting Gen Z Talent
In a world that is more connected than ever, attracting Gen Z talent to your organization requires a fresh perspective. This generation values flexibility, purpose-driven work, and genuine connections with their employers. To resonate with Gen Z and entice them to join your team, it is essential to understand their preferences and priorities.
- Embrace Flexible Work Options: Gen Z appreciates flexibility in their work arrangements. Offer remote/hybrid work options or flexible hours where possible and communicate these benefits in your job postings.
- Leverage Social Media: Utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok to reach Gen Z. Share engaging content about your company culture, employee testimonials, and job openings.
- Showcase Company Culture: Gen Z seeks a sense of belonging and purpose. Highlight your company’s unique culture, values, and mission. Share stories of employees who have made a meaningful impact.
- Competitive Compensation: While Gen Z values work-life balance and company culture, they also expect fair compensation. Ensure your salary and benefits packages are competitive within your industry.
- Streamlined Application Process: Simplify the application process to reduce friction. Gen Z is accustomed to quick and easy online experiences. Lengthy and cumbersome applications may deter them.
Retaining Gen Z Talent
Once you have successfully attracted Gen Z talent to your organization, the next critical step is retaining them. Gen Z employees are known for their ambition, adaptability, and desire for growth. To keep them engaged and motivated, you must implement strategies beyond traditional approaches to employee retention.
- Provide Regular Feedback: Gen Z appreciates feedback and expects regular check-ins with their managers. Implement a robust performance evaluation system that includes constructive feedback and recognition.
- Mentorship Programs: Create mentorship opportunities within your organization. Pair Gen Z employees with experienced mentors who can guide their career growth.
- Offer Career Advancement: Show Gen Z they have a future at your company. Provide a clear path for career advancement and support them in achieving their professional goals.
- Professional Development: Invest in continuous learning and development opportunities. Encourage Gen Z employees to attend workshops, conferences, and online courses.
- Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Continue to offer flexible work arrangements and promote a healthy work-life balance. Recognizing the importance of personal time and well-being.
- Recognition and Rewards: Implement a recognition and rewards program to acknowledge and celebrate achievements. This can include bonuses, promotions, or even a simple “thank you.”
Conclusion
Attracting and retaining Gen Z talent requires a shift in recruitment and retention strategies. Understanding their unique values and preferences is the key to success. By embracing technology, promoting company culture, and providing growth opportunities, your company can not only attract Gen Z but also cultivate a loyal and productive workforce for years to come.
Organizations are constantly seeking ways to enhance productivity and maximize their output. Increased productivity not only leads to improved efficiency and profitability but also fosters a positive work culture and employee satisfaction. However, achieving higher levels of productivity requires a strategic approach that encompasses various factors, including employee engagement, effective management, and a conducive work environment. In this article, we will explore practical strategies that organizations can implement to increase profitability in the workplace.
1. Encourage Goal Setting and Prioritization
Setting clear, achievable goals is vital to drive productivity. Encourage employees to establish both short-term and long-term goals that align with the organizational objectives. Help them prioritize tasks and focus on high-value activities by providing guidance on time management techniques, such as using productivity tools and creating to-do lists.
2. Cultivate a Culture of Purpose
A sense of purpose is a powerful motivator for employees. Clearly communicate the organization’s mission, vision, and values, ensuring alignment with employees’ personal goals and aspirations. Encourage team members to understand how their work contributes to the larger picture, fostering a collective sense of purpose and driving intrinsic motivation.
3. Invest in Employee Development
Providing opportunities for growth and development not only enhances employees’ skills but also boosts their motivation and engagement. Offer training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities to help employees expand their knowledge and acquire new competencies. This investment in their professional growth will pay dividends in terms of increased productivity and loyalty.
4. Streamline Work Processes
Inefficient workflows can hinder productivity. Analyze existing processes and identify bottlenecks or areas of improvement. Streamline workflows by leveraging technology, automation, and product management tools. Encourage cross-functional collaboration and ensure that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, minimizing duplication of efforts and increasing efficiency.
5. Promote Work-Life Balance
A healthy work-life balance is crucial for maintaining high levels of productivity and preventing burnout. Encourage employees to take regular breaks, practice self-care, and disconnect from work during non-working hours. Offer flexible work arrangements, when feasible, to help employees manage personal commitments effectively. A balanced lifestyle results in more focused and energized employees.
6. Foster Effective Communication
Clear and effective communication is the cornerstone of a productive workforce. Encourage open dialogue, active listening, and transparency. Ensure that employees have access to the information they need to perform their tasks efficiently. Utilize collaboration tools, hold regular team meetings, and establish channels for feedback to foster effective communication across all levels of the organization.
7. Recognize and Reward Achievements
Recognition and rewards are powerful motivators that can significantly impact productivity. Acknowledge and appreciate employees’ accomplishments and efforts publicly. Implement reward programs that align with individual and team goals. Consider offering incentives, such as bonuses, additional time off, or opportunities for advancement, to recognize exceptional performance.
8. Promote Health and Wellness
Physical and mental well-being directly influence productivity. Encourage a healthy lifestyle by providing wellness programs, ergonomic workstations, and access to fitness facilities. Offer resources for stress management, mental health support, and work-life balance workshops. Prioritizing employee well-being contributes to a more energized and focused workforce.
Conclusion
Maximizing workplace productivity requires a holistic approach that considers various factors, including culture, technology, employee well-being, communication, and process optimization. By cultivating a purpose-driven environment, embracing technology and automation, prioritizing employee well-being, promoting continuous learning, enhancing communication and collaboration, optimizing workflows, and recognizing excellence, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce and drive sustainable success. Embrace these strategies and empower your team to reach new heights of productivity, efficiency, and innovation, setting your organization apart in today’s competitive business landscape.
We have done it again! We’re honored to be recognized by Allegis Global Solutions as a 2021 Strategic Partner for the 3rd year in a row!
What is does this mean? Well, the suppliers in this program represent 1% of AGS’ total global supply chain. We were selected for our commitment to excellence and superior levels of program delivery and partnership. Suppliers were ultimately selected based on response rate to distributed requisitions, successful placements and supplier ratings provided by internal AGS teams.
We’re extremely honored to receive this recognition! Thank you to our internal team members as well as the entire AGS program management and supply chain teams for your hard work and partnership! We really appreciate everything you do.
Introducing our Q3 – Swooner of the Quarter, Danielle Schmidt!
Swooner of the Quarter recognizes one of our team members that went above and beyond for that quarter. Swooners submit nominations describing how that individual made the most impact.
Danielle Schmidt
Title: Major Account Manager
Location: Based out of Chicago
Why she was nominated: Danielle is the definition of a Swooner! She consistently demonstrates self-discipline, is very goal oriented and she has become well-versed in the staffing industry as a whole. She is always learning and cheering on her fellow Swooners and is constantly pushing herself to do more and it shows. She has put up the highest margin in the entire Sales organization for Swoon over the last quarter, grew to hit a new personal milestone during a pandemic and is constantly being recognized as a Top Duck at our monthly company meetings!
Quote from nomination: “Danielle continues to impress me more and more each day. This year, in the midst of a pandemic lead recession, she has grown her book of business to hit HUGE milestones and she does it all with grace. Danielle is incredibly thorough, she is truly a consultant for every manager she speaks to and delivers precisely on what they are looking for. She consistently has high quality performance for meetings, new reqs, interviews and placements. To top it all off, she does this while being a true team player. She wants to see everyone around her be successful – from the recruiters she is partnering with on each of her reqs, to her fellow Major Account Managers and beyond, she’s everyone’s biggest advocate and cheerleader. She embodies exactly what I want to see in a fellow Swooner.”
Swoon has done it again! We’re very excited to announce our placement on the Inc. 5000 list for Fastest Growing, Privately Owned Companies in America.
What does this award mean? Well, Inc. magazine has been putting together the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest growing, private companies for over 40 years. This list features some of the most successful and innovative companies in the nation.
“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business,” says Inc. editor-in-chief, Scott Omelianuk. “From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.”
Recognition is given to those with the highest revenue growth and Swoon just so happened to achieve a 3-year growth rate of 94%!
To say we’re honored to make Inc. 5000’s annual list of fastest growing, privately owned companies this year is an understatement. Thank you to our team, contractors, clients and partners for always going above and beyond. We couldn’t have done this without you!
We are so excited to introduce our most recent Swooner of the Quarter, Kaylie Mora!
Swooner of the Quarter recognizes one of our team members for going above and beyond. Everyone in the company submits a nomination describing how they made the most impact. This past quarter, Kaylie won with a total of 10 wonderful nominations!
Kaylie Mora
Title: Senior Professional Recruiter
Location: San Diego
Why She Was Nominated: Kaylie was nominated by a vast amount of people for her recruiting skills and her willingness to help others with whatever they need. She is a huge asset to our team and is someone that our newer hires always look up to!
Quote from nomination: “If I were to describe Kaylie in one word, it is: consistent. She consistently works hard every day to find great, quality candidates, shows up to work ready to tackle the day and doesn’t make excuses; she has a fun, vibrant energy that she brings to the team as well. Her work ethic is a perfect example of a Swooner and never cuts corners!”