July 2008 Vol 1, Issue 2         The    Performance    Catalyst        Why Read HRTips?   It's a fresh, to-the-point, quick-read e-newsletter brought to you on an occasional basis by Ted and John at HRGroup to help you attract and retain the right people in the right jobs so your business will thrive.   HRGroup Client Quote: "I value the insight their work gives me into potential employees."  President, Technology Services Company HRTip              "The Process of Hiring Right"     How can you hire "A" players to improve productivity and profitability?       To ensure that an organization "hires the best" the following six components of a superior selection system should be in place:   Job Analysis Start with a thorough, up-to-date job description, then do a complete job profile to capture behaviors, motivators and competencies.   Recruiting Strategies Consider a combination of employee/networking referrals, company websites, niche job boards, external recruiters, etc. to attract the best candidates.   Structured Interviews using Behavioral-Based Questions From the initial screening interview through final in-depth interviews, behavioral questions tied to the specific job should be used to determine if the candidate has the skills and experience to perform at a high level.   Pre-employment Assessments/Testing Carefully selected tools add objectivity and science to the art of hiring.   Reference and Background Checks Don't overlook or underestimate the value to be gained.   Making the Hiring Decision Pull all of the information together from the five steps above, plus consider "fit" with the organization's culture and work team.   Are You  Hiring Top Performers? To add "science" to the "art" of selecting Top Performers, there are comprehensive recruiting and talent selection systems that profile jobs and evaluate candidates to ensure optimal job "fit". HRGroup has hands-on experience with recruiting and selection systems and can assess your hiring challenges. HRGreenTip  Since we're all working and playing on this big blue orb together, Ted and John thought they'd include some ideas to help everyone "Green It Forward."     Develop your Green Employer Brand to protect the environment and enhance recruitment and retention.   In a recent survey, 81% of U.S. respondents said they would prefer to work for a company that has a good reputation for environmental responsibility. And in a SHRM Green Workplace survey, 61% of respondents indicated they are "very likely" or "likely" to stay at their organization if they have in place and practice environmentally responsible programs.  These feelings are particularly acute among young professionals.   Word of caution! Don't provide empty promises to attract candidates and retain existing employees -- a practice known as "greenwashing". Employers must walk the green talk to gain a competitive advantage through good environmental stewardship. Future editions of HRGreenTips will include components of a Green Employer Brand. HRGroup In Action    Case Study: "Improving Customer Service by  investing in People." The client wasn't experiencing any major problems, and they didn't have a crisis on hand. Yet the leadership team thought performance was sub-optimal, so HRGroup took action.  Before any performance decline endangered the organization, issues were pinpointed and an employee coaching program was implemented.   Customer Service assessments were administered to more than 2,200 managers and associates, train-the-trainer sessions and coaching meetings were conducted, and the employees were introduced to the soft skills of improving customer interaction.    This pro-active approach paid off.  Since implementation, employee satisfaction scores have shown significant improvement:  9 of 14 dimensions surpassed previous scores.  Customer satisfaction levels increased dramatically, reaching and maintaining an all-time high.  The client experienced a return-on-investment from the program of 1600 percent!   Diagnose Needs ~ Identify Obstacles ~ Recommend Strategies ~ Measure Results Ask the HRPros         What is your most difficult Human Resources issue?   It's likely we can help you...if you just ask.                                     Want more information? Call Ted or John at (480) 753-6188, shoot us an email at info@hrgrouponline.com, or visit www.hrgrouponline.com.   Don't hesitate to "Pay It Foward" by sending this e-newsletter to someone who could benefit.