Staffing and Employment News
Read where Celebrity Staff has made news in our industry and in our
community.
Determining future staffing needs requires reflecting on past, strategizing new ideas
Midlands Business Journal, January 27, 2012
Determining adequate staffing needs is one of the major challenges that companies face on a regular basis.
Planning for staff needs requires reflecting on the past year and setting predictions for the new year, said
Patty North, regional manager with Celebrity Staff. Companies need to examine where their staffing needs faced
challenges by looking at workflow and overtime hours, North said. Determine whether those same staffing patterns
will repeat themselves in the new year. “That analysis may identify an area where support staff will help offset
the overtime and handle new or increased business the new year may bring,” she said. Sales or business
development plans for a new year should be coupled with staff analysis on who will handle the increased workload
as new initiatives produce results, she said. In addition to traditional hiring, many companies choose to use
temporary employees as the workflow increases as they enter into peak seasons, North said.
Celebrity Staff’s Lincoln operations steady with its administrative focus
Midlands Business Journal, November 4, 2011
In an industry highly sensitive to the whims of market forces, Celebrity Staff has maintained an even keel by
focusing on a few basic principles in the Lincoln market – sticking to three core client categories
(administrative, management, and legal positions), providing value added services, and nurturing the early
stages of the employer-employee relationship, according to Patty North, regional manager. Keeping to these
core areas has allowed the company to develop a level of expertise that delivers clients a staffing solution
within three business days 80 percent of the time. Roughly 65 percent of the time, candidates and employees
are matched the same day and all without the usual headaches associated with hiring. “Many of our clients are
small businesses who don’t have the time to look at, in some cases, hundreds of resumes and then go through the
interview process,” she said. Last year the company rolled out a series of webinars addressing various hiring
“best practices” topics, as well as a monthly e-newsletter and blogs by members of the Lincoln offices.
“We have always provided consultative services to applicants but we do the same for the companies we work with,”
she said. Just as we coach an applicant on the importance of being on time and presenting themselves in a
professional manner, we also coach our companies on how to provide a better workplace experience.” North says
she sees a fresh prospective with today’s college graduates, who are “much more realistic because they have been
raised on technology and all they have been hearing the past four years of college is how bad the job market is,”
she said. “As a result they are willing to do what it takes to get their career started.” Another customer
segment that is on the rise are people returning to the jab market after retirement. Much of this segment is
driving growth in Celebrity Staff’s temporary employment segment.
Area staffing firms work to help companies find, hire right employees
Lincoln Business Journal, August 15, 2011
Staffing firms still play a significant part in helping companies find the right employees. The biggest growth
in staffing agencies is being seen in temporary clerical help and higher-level positions, said Sheri Conner,
recruiter at Celebrity Staff. Celebrity Staff sees the great demand in two opposite ends of the spectrum,
Conner said. An increasing number of companies are seeking temp workers to do work like data entry and other
clerical tasks. Businesses often hire temp workers for special projects that are short term. The other high
demand area is in high-level niche positions, for example a grant writer, Conner said. Celebrity Staff hires
[along with direct hire] both strictly temp workers and match hire, in which workers start as temp workers for
90 to 120 days then go permanent [direct hire] if the match is successful, Conner said. “Employers can look
at it as a working interview,” she said.
Effective ways to work with outside firm to match employers, workers
Midlands Business Journal, May 13, 2011
Omaha area employment firms aim to combat unemployment, help businesses find qualified candidates, and help
prospective employees find the right company. Different staffing firms provide different services, so it is
important to know what is needed and what is not, said Patty North, regional manager of Celebrity Staff.
Most staffing firms provide temporary or permanent positions or both, North said. Some firms specialize in
specific areas of employment. Whatever services a firm provides, firms are noticing more people seeking work
because of higher unemployment, she said. While more people have come to Celebrity Staff to find a job, many
are not qualified for the type of jobs available. As jobs become fewer, employers have made their job
requirements more specific. A higher number of applicants can make a staffing firm’s job more difficult,
North said. All applicants must be reviewed and, with more people competing for jobs, there are an increasing
number of applications to sort through. Company personnel often do not have time to sift through a large
stack of job applications to determine who is qualified, North said. A staffing firm will sort through the
applications and narrow the numbers down to who is qualified. Celebrity Staff will conduct initial interviews
to determine who is qualified, then send a manageable number of qualified candidates to the firm to be
interviewed, she said. “We do a full comprehensive interview before we represent someone to the client,”
North said.
Online search methods prove popular for job seekers, recruiters
The Lincoln Business Journal, May 1, 2011
Search engines, social media platforms and other online efforts are being utilized by both candidates and
employers, and while hiring is occurring due in part to these efforts, there are still issues to overcome.
In Lincoln and throughout Nebraska, things are picking up for job seekers, said Elizabeth Ambri, branch manager
for Celebrity Staff. According to Ambri, employers are currently taking longer to make final hiring choices,
which creates issues for those who have interviewed for particular jobs. “I have seen scenarios where a
candidate has interviewed and then it is 30 days or more before the company makes a hiring decision,” Ambri
said. She said candidates struggle with the options of continuing to interview with other companies or waiting
for the hiring manager to make a decision. “It’s a tough place for a candidate to be in because they shouldn’t
put all of their eggs in one basket, but it doesn’t always bode well if they accept another position and then
the company they initially interviewed with comes back with an offer,” Ambri said. “It can also make the
candidate feel as though the company really isn’t that interested in them in the long run.”
As equipment, approaches to technology evolve, office personnel follow suit
Midlands Business Journal, March 18, 2011
Gone are the days of office services being reduced to stacks of paper and a few pieces of equipment.
And it’s not just the devices that are now office staples that have become increasingly sophisticated,
according to Patty North, regional manager of Celebrity Staff. “The amount of filing, data entry, and
what we would think of as ‘entry –level’ work has become more obsolete as more business correspondence
is handled via email or is scanned into client files and online processes have drastically reduced the
need for employees to ‘enter’ that data,” she said. “Now, office and administrative professionals have
to be able to do more process evaluation – meaning, do checks of the customer data to review for errors,
as one example.” She added, “Automated phone systems have replaced the need for someone to handle volume
calls and businesses have taken other tasks within their organization and shifted them to elevate the role.”
In addition, an administrative or office support professional may also handle marketing materials, distribution,
inventory collections, and help management with sales presentations, according to North. “We are seeing very
blended roles which means today’s office professionals must be diverse in experience, flexible in the type of
work they will do and savvy with the inter-workings of a business so they may step in wherever they can,” she
said. North indicated one of the biggest mistakes a business owner can make is to overlook the importance of
the individuals to the overall organization – after all, these professionals often represent the first
impression a customer or would-be customer has of one’s business. “Many times when a customer has a negative
experience, they will tell, on average, seven to 10 people, and most often it does not go back to you,” she
said. “They don’t tell you they weren’t happy, they just don’t come back. Can you afford for that to happen
from someone answering the phone or following up with customers? Most of us can’t.” North said hit helps to
not only look at the daily tasks this individual will perform, but also the expectation one has of how the
individual will contribute. She also suggests meeting with other key managers to ask for their input,
particularly if this person is going to provide support. Generally speaking, if all parties aren’t on the
same page when it comes to roles and d expectations, then that leads to the wrong hire and costs associated
with replacing the person or lost productivity, she said.
In-demand professionals require degree, experience in field, staffing experts say
Lincoln Business Journal, March 1, 2011
There are careers in demand in a variety of positions that require education, experience, or a combination
of the two.Celebrity Staff has seen demand for medical billers and coders as well as legal support staff,
according to Elizabeth Ambri, branch manager. Health care providers depend on biller and coder positions
to be reimbursed for the services they provide. Law firms had put off hiring support staff roles and are
now becoming busier. Ambri added call center staff and customer serviced representatives are being needed
as companies are having internal shifts or seeing demand for their services. Ambri said for positions such
as medical billers and coders, candidates will need a degreed or certificate, while in the legal field, it
is preferred that candidates have a degree for paralegal, legal assistant and legal secretary positions, but
a firm will look at someone who has years of experience. She added that there are many positions that don’t
required degrees such as call centers and customer service positions, but employers are more likely to hire a
candidate who has solid work experience.
Celebrity Staff's Parent Company, C&A Industries, Named Among Best Places to Work for Third Consecutive Year
(C&A Industries, Inc.)
February 24, 2011
C&A Industries, Inc., parent company to Celebrity Staff, a leading provider of staffing and
recruitment solutions, with a specialization in the administrative, management, and legal fields, has been
named among the “Best Places to Work” in Omaha for the third consecutive year.
The annual initiative, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Baird Holm, recognizes a select
number of companies based on the results of surveys which measure employee satisfaction and engagement. C&A has
been named in the category of organizations with more than 250 employees.
“To once again be recognized as among Omaha's best serves as yet another affirmation of the fantastic people who
work at C&A. Our employees make it one of the finest companies to work for and a national leader in the markets
we serve,” said Scot Thompson, Chief Executive Officer. “This award is not only an honor for our organization,
but also for each employee who has helped to make C&A what it is today. Thanks to their passion, effort, and
dedication, we've achieved incredible growth and success - and our future is even more exciting."
C&A will be recognized along with other Best Places to Work recipients during a luncheon on May 5, 2011.
C&A is a national leader in staffing and recruiting. Through its affiliate firms, Celebrity Staff, Aureus
Medical Group, Aureus Group, and AurStaff, C&A has provided Human Capital Management Solutions to a wide
variety of industries for more than 40 years, including supplemental, contract-hire, and direct hire programs.
Non-staffing divisions of C&A include AurTravel, a full service travel agency; AurHomes, specializing in
corporate housing; FocusOne Solutions, a managed services provider; and its philanthropic arms, The Kim
Foundation and Career OutReach. C&A is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with subsidiary offices located in
Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; and Des Moines, Iowa.
Corporate attorneys assist businesses to form structure, start out on the right foot
Midlands Business Journal, February 11, 2011
Most businesses will need legal assistance at some point. That is why corporate attorneys
exist. The right corporate attorney can be hired by seeking referrals from other companies,
said Monica Fuehrer, senior account manager with Celebrity Staff. Corporate council should be
used for complex transactions such as international mergers and acquisitions, spinoffs and
breakups, private equity and strategic investments, real estate transactions, securities
offerings and other capital raising transactions, said Fuehrer, who handles attorney search
and placement for Celebrity Staff. Some intellectual property work such as patents is arduous
and is best referred to outside counsel, she said. The expertise of outside counsel also should
be sought out for the most challenging corporate litigation matters. When choosing a corporate
attorney, Fuehrer advises establishing an outside counsel management program with performance
measures. The progress of the program needs to be monitored. Outside counsel should be viewed
as a strategic resource, she explained, noting a company should limit the number of firms with
which it assembles strategic partnerships. “Align outside counsel with your business objectives
and ensure they understand your decision-making process,” Fuehrer said. Fuehrer advises seeking
referrals based on experience. “Select firms with a track record of promoting excellence at
the expense of short-term profit,” she said. Where appropriate, use other resources and
services in place of traditional law firms, such as temporary staff, contract attorneys or
legal research organizations, she said.
Careers Most in Demand Require Specific Skill Sets
Midlands Business Journal, November 26, 2010
Companies across the board are beginning to hire again in a variety of roles
with healthcare-related positions remaining in demand as well. The insurance
industry, at the agency level, and the billing departments of the medical fields
have seen demand recently, according to Elizabeth Meyer Ambri, Lincoln branch
manager for Celebrity Staff. She also said sales positions are being hired in a
wide array of industries because companies need top salespeople to increase
revenue. Ambrisaid careers in IT and engineering appear to be in demand at the
moment compared to last year. She indicated the stimulus plan has prompted the
need in the engineering field, and companies that are streamlining their IT
departments creates the demand in that area. Celebrity Staff is noticing a trend
that recent graduates need to have applicable work experience along with a
degree, according to Ambri. “Students graduating with no experience are having a
hard time finding their dream job, and can’t expect to walk into a position
without that experience,” she said. Ambri recommends to many students to do
internships or volunteer while completing a degree.
Aureus Medical Renews Joint Commission Certification
(Aureus Medical Group)
August 2, 2010
Aureus Medical Group, one of the largest healthcare staffing firms in
the nation, is proud to announce that it has renewed its certification
with the Joint Commission, earning a Gold Seal of Approval(TM). Aureus
Medical is an affiliate of C&A Industries, parent company of Celebrity
Staff.
An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission seeks
to continuously improve healthcare for the public by evaluating
healthcare organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe
and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint
Commission evaluates and accredits and more than 17,000 healthcare
organizations and programs in the United States.
As part of certification protocol, Aureus Medical underwent unannounced
onsite inspection/review of processes, procedures, and competencies of
healthcare staff as they relate to the Joint Commission standards for
company leadership, human resources and information management, customer
service, and performance improvement.
Onsite evaluations are conducted every two years with comprehensive
online audits taking place in the off years. Monthly quality monitoring
data is required to be submitted to the Joint Commission on an ongoing
basis.
"We are very pleased to, once again, be recognized by the Joint
Commission with the Gold Seal of Approval," said Craig Wolf, Vice
President, Aureus Medical Group. "As one of the top staffing firms in
the country, certification signifies our commitment to the highest level
of standards in the healthcare staffing industry and our unwavering
dedication to our clients, employees, and patient care."
Aureus Medical was one of the first healthcare staffing firms in the
nation to become Joint Commission certified in 2005 and has successfully
renewed its certification continually since that time.
Companies must be careful to make right decisions during hiring
process
(Aureus Group and Celebrity Staff)
Midlands Business Journal, June 25, 2010
Companies must act cautiously when making hiring decisions because the wrong
decision could potentially be very costly. Most companies don’t calculate the
direct and indirect costs of hiring or replacing employees, said Chris Carlson,
regional manager of Aureus Group, a division of C&A Industries. A company has
many methods of recruiting top talent, said Elizabeth Ambri, branch manager of
Celebrity Staff in Lincoln. Making a bad employment decision costs employers
money, Carlson said. Direct costs include advertising a job, staff expenses,
relocation expenses and internal referral bonuses. Indirect costs include time
spent on hiring. “Some new hires are bad fits,” Carlson said. “Mistakes happen.
Spotting mistakes early saves time and money.” A new hire who does not ask
questions throws up a red flag, Carlson said. Not asking questions may mean the
person does not understand the job, does not know who to ask or may not care if
the task is done well. The most important part of hiring is to understand what
is needed before recruiting starts, Carlson said. This will help employers
understand the target candidate pool and create a plan. Companies that do the
best job of finding top talent keep their talent pool full and never stop
recruiting, Celebrity Staff’s Ambri said. Some of the best methods for finding
top talent include attending networking events, talking to customers and other
agencies in the industry, friends, family, using outside recruiters, and
creating buzz on social networking sites. More companies are using sites such as
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and My Space to recruit, as it is an effective way
to get the word out about a company, Ambri said. Retaining top talent requires
being a great company, she said. “Employees are wanting to work for great
companies,” Ambri said. “In return, companies need to take the time to
communicate with their employees.”
Lincoln seeing some growth in employment; manufacturing making slow
rebound
Midlands Business Journal, May 1, 2010
Job seekers everywhere are having a hard time finding employment, but Lincoln is
experiencing some job growth in specific areas. Many companies are hiring
temporary workers in place of permanent employees, said Elizabeth Ambri, branch
manager of Celebrity Staff in Lincoln. Nebraska’s March unemployment rate was 5
percent, compared to 10.4 percent nationally. Lincoln’s unemployment rate is
even lower, starting at 4.9 percent in March, Ambri said. “We have been really
busy with temp workers,” she said, adding many companies turn to temporary
workers because they are being cautions about hiring people permanently. Many
want to use temporary help before determining whether they need permanent
employees. Those positions that are available exist in areas such as sales and
niche employers like the legal and medical profession, she said. Ambri has also
seen growth in mobs for customer service or call center positions. The good news
for temp workers is taking such a position may lead to permanent work, Ambri
said. Nationally, up to 40 percent of temp workers hired are brought on
permanently. “It’s a great way to get your feet wet with a company”.
Owner’s Specific Needs, Requirements Dictate Level of Business
Background, Specialization
Midlands Business Journal, March 12, 2010
The legal insight and consultation one needs when she starts her business isn’t
necessarily the guidance she needs as the business grows, according to Nick
Dafney with full-service business law firm Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman. “A lot of
times, business owners that are just starting out are doing a lot of the work
themselves, so they don’t need specialization,” said Dafney. But with growth
comes employees. Those employees bring with them other issues that may
necessitate the skills of an attorney specializing in employment lay, Dafney
indicated. Even those attorneys that are considered “generalists” from the
outset are specialized, at least by industry, according to Monica Fuehrer,
account manager with a staffing firm that matches attorneys to organizations –
Celebrity Staff. “For example, the general counsel for a major broker dealer
will have an expertise in securities law,” she said. “In house counsel roles,
depending on the size of the company, will have a combination of litigation and
transactional duties.” Fuehrer said duties may span contract negotiations and
buy/sell agreements to employment law. “That said, the largest majority of my
searches are for specialized attorneys at all levels for business clients,” she
said. Fuehrer indicated there are more highly qualified attorneys to be had, for
the business owner on the hunt or for an attorney partner or the staffing
professional employed by a business partner to find that talent. “Particularly
in the larger metropolitan areas, due to lost jobs as a result of the economy,”
she said of what’s prompting the heightened quality of talent. Though contract
attorneys are not as sought-after in Omaha as in larger metro areas, Fuehrer
indicated this option is being increasingly touted to Celebrity’s clients as a
flexible workforce solution. “In private practice, I look for substantive
experience and proven success in his or her practice area couples with business
development abilities,” she said. “In corporate, I look for an industry expert
with diverse responsibilities; breadth over depth of experience in all areas of
law.”
C&A Industries Named Among Best Omaha Employers for Second
Consecutive Year
(C&A Industries, Inc.)
Omaha Magazine, January 6, 2010
C&A Industries, Inc., parent company to a portfolio of leading staffing and
recruiting firms, has been named among the top employers in Omaha by Omaha
Magazine for the second consecutive year.
The announcement is featured in the magazine’s January/February 2010 “Best of
Omaha” issue.
“This is very exciting for C&A, to have been recognized not only this year but
for two years in a row,” said Scot Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, C&A
Industries. “Whether in prosperous or challenging times, our mission is to be
the staffing provider and employer of choice. To be named as among Omaha’s best
employers says a great deal about C&A.”
Since 1992, Omaha Magazine has been awarding, based on public vote, the “Best
of” in a wide variety of categories, including restaurants, arts & culture,
retail, and more.
Omaha Magazine is a regional lifestyle publication that serves a readership of
more than 100,000. For more than 20 years, Omaha Magazine brings its readers
captivating stories on area politics, home and garden, leisure life, food and
dining, style, the arts, entertainment and travel, as well as service articles
and compelling features on the area's most interesting people and places.
Companies Concerned About Committing to Workers Look to
Temporary Employees
Midlands Business Journal, November 27, 2009
It's an employer's market, as too many people are competing for too few
jobs and many companies are opting for temporary workers instead.While
unemployment in Omaha is below the national level, employers are still
cautious in hiring. Some employers have a misperception that Omaha has a
wealth of talented job prospects, said Patty North, regional manager of
Celebrity Staff. Companies that are hiring today - knowing that many
people are looking for jobs - are under a false assumption that they
will have an unlimited pool of talent from which to choose, North said.
"Because the unemployment rate is high doesn't mean there are lots of
talented candidates", she said. "Having lots of job seekers doesn't mean
they are talented or qualified." Many people hungry for jobs will apply
for about anything regardless of whether they are qualified, she said.
Many small to mid-size companies that don't have human resources staff
are becoming overwhelmed with the task of hiring. They may get 100
applicants for a job and most of them may be unqualified. "It's a
challenge for them to get through the hiring process."
Staffing Agencies from Around Omaha Report Positive Trends in
Employment
(C&A Industries, Inc.)
Midlands Business Journal, September 25, 2009
Staffing firms from around Omaha each paint a slightly different picture of the
current Omaha employment landscape, but they all report seeing that things are
starting to take a turn for the better as more companies look for the right
people to fill holes left when employees were cutback in the recent year. When
the recession started, many companies cut employes that weren't necessarily
unskilled, just bad fits for that particular company or job. Now companies are
taking advantage of the surplus of good people. C&A Industries is an Omaha
staffing and recruiting company that has seen positive signs in recent hiring
trends. Scot Thompson, CEO, said that while businesses are still less interested
in expanding, even with the large pool of quality applicants to draw from, there
is some strategic hiring of senior-level positions taking place. "The idea of
having the right people in your organization never goes out of style," Thompson
said. "Their headcounts may not be growing, but they may be upgrading the staff
that they have." C&A has also seen an increase in demand for applicants in the
light industrial and manufacturing areas. Thompson said that while there is a
very positive and sustainable trend in Omaha, the new "normal" is yet to be
seen.
Changes in the Economy Have Companies Practicing Conservatism in
Hiring
(C&A Industries, Inc.)
Midlands Business Journal, September 4, 2009
Changes in the economy have created changes in many aspects of how a company
operates, including its hiring practices. Scot Thompson, president and CEO of
C&A Industries, said the company has noticed a contraction in the marketplace.
“This is logically brought on by an increased conservatism of companies
considering expanding their workforce,” he said. “This conservatism couples with
reduced shifts and right sizing has caused an influx in the number of people
looking for employment in a time which the desire to increase headcount is
decreasing. The result is a more difficult job market.” Thompson said that while
auto and financial industries are soft, he has seen an increased hiring interest
in the health care and industrial sectors. He also said the time to find a new
position is lengthening for many job seekers. “There are more people vying for
the same position,” he said. “And companies are taking longer to make a hiring
decision, often because of the fact that there are more quality candidates from
which to choose and organizations are being much more conscious and cautious of
incremental spending.” While companies may hesitate to add to the headcount,
Thompson said, companies do have interest in upgrading existing staff and
positions. “Key managerial and executive personnel positions remain strong
relative to other opportunities,” he said.
Thompson Appointed President and CEO of C&A Industries, Inc.
(C&A Industries, Inc.)
August 7, 2009
C&A Industries, a national leader in staffing and recruitment, has named Scot
Thompson as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Omaha-based company.
Thompson succeeds founder Larry Courtnage, who will assume the role of Chairman
of the 40 year-old firm, along with his wife and business partner, Kathy Wolf-Courtnage,
who will serve as Vice Chairperson.
"We have been working toward this transition and I am very pleased to make it
official," said Courtnage. "I've spent my entire career building C&A and Kathy
and I have worked hard to make certain the company has the foundation in place
to entrust its future well beyond our involvement and lifetime. Scot’s continued
leadership and role as CEO is an essential component to ensuring the long-term
success of our organization”.
During his tenure with C&A, Thompson has been instrumental in strategically
transforming the company into one of the largest human capital management firms
in the country, earning a market-leading position in nearly every market it
serves. Under his leadership and vision, C&A divisions have significantly
expanded their market share as well as successfully entered new niche markets,
most significantly in the healthcare segment through the Aureus Medical Group
portfolio, with the addition of nursing, advanced practice and physician search
divisions, a managed services group, as well as various modalities in the allied
health field, including medical laboratory, therapy, cardiopulmonary, and
pharmacy.
“Scot’s leadership has been paramount to our significant growth over the past
decade as well as in transforming our organization into one of national
prominence”, said Courtnage. “With his guidance, Aureus Medical has grown to be
the ninth largest healthcare staffing firm in the nation, with our Allied Health
division leading the entire industry, and our Nursing division, established just
eight years ago, ranking in the top five.”
Wolf-Courtnage adds, “Scot’s contribution in building a successful and
experienced management team, in addition to molding the company’s culture that
has resulted in C&A being recognized as one of the Best Places to Work, makes
him the ideal choice to lead C&A to future levels of success."
Prior to joining C&A as Chief Operating Officer in 2000, Thompson had a 12-year
career with Valmont Industries, having held various positions in corporate
finance, marketing, sales, and management.
“I look forward to continuing to build upon what Larry and Kathy have
established over the course of the past four decades, further strengthening our
reputation and market position as one of the finest and most respected staffing
and recruitment firms in the nation,” said Thompson. “With the staffing industry
projected to grow 80% faster than all industries combined over the coming
decade, we are uniquely positioned for expansive growth. We have the
infrastructure in place, significant breadth and scope of service offerings, a
commitment to excellence, and an exceptional group of employees – all
extraordinary ingredients for a very promising future.”
Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University
of Nebraska-Omaha. He and his wife, Ellen, are the parents of two daughters and
are active in a number of philanthropic endeavors.
Legal Issues Involving Gender Continue to be a Concern in the
Workplace
Midlands Business Journal, July 10, 2009
A company can best stay away from legal claims by keeping up on law changes and
training managers on sensitivity issues. Companies have a variety of ways to
protect themselves from potentially damaging legal issues, and working with an
employment law attorney is one important step, said Patty North, regional
manager of Celebrity Staff. An employment law attorney will help a company
examine its hiring practices to ensure it is within legal compliance, North
said. Another important step is to write job descriptions and ask employees to
participate in the process so key responsibilities are covered. A company that
does not have human resources staff can outsource the duties to a staffing or HR
professional on a contract basis, North said. Management training should be
conducted on topics ranging from managing staff to handling performance issues,
she said. The entire company should be trained on sensitivity issues, diversity
and harassment. “While training may be an investment, the return may be in the
form of avoiding the expense of defending a legal issue and those costs can grow
exponentially,” she said.
C&A Industries: Navigating the Next 40 Years
(C&A Industries, Inc.)
B2B Magazine, July 1, 2009
Larry Courtnage draws parallels between his passion for flying and his
success in business. Just as he has navigated the skies in his private
airplane for years, he has created new paths and circumvented obstacles
along the way in building C&A Industries into one of the country's top
staffing agencies. While the journey over the past 40 years has been one
full of learning experiences along with successes and failures,
Courtnage, along with wife Kathy Wolf, daughter Vicki Witovski, stepsons
Craig Wolf and Mark Wolf, and Chief Operating Officer Scot Thompson have
laid a strong foundation for whatever comes in the next four decades and
beyond.
Full story, page 8
C&A Industries Expands Divisions, Services Throughout 40-Year
History
(C&A Industries, Inc.)
Midlands Business Journal, June 12, 2009
In 1969 the forerunner to C&A Industries was a one-person venture
specializing in matching companies with engineering and architecture
talent. How the organization’s 400 team members work for four
specialized staffing firms that match companies and talent across fields
– from accounting to nursing. It also has three staffing-related
affiliates, two nonprofits and status as one of the top 10 medical
staffing companies in the country. “What we’re proud of is that we took
an entrepreneurial operation, which was a ma and pa operation, and built
it into a corporate structure that has a national reach, a national
audience, and is fairly well-known nationally,” said founder, CEO and
owner Larry Courtnage, as he reflected on the company turning 40 this
year. “That’s good for us, that’s good for Omaha, it’s good for the
economy and it proves that Omaha can do it.”
Full story
Corporate Attorneys Important Tools for Business
Midlands Business Journal, May 8, 2009
Attorneys are a necessity for any business or corporation toolbox. Sometimes law
firms need additional help temporarily, so they will hire a contract attorney,
said Patty North, regional manager of Celebrity Staff, a division of C&A
Industries. A contract attorney provides legal service to a law firm on a
non-continuing basis as an independent contractor or as an employee represented
by a staffing firm, North said. The lawyers’ fees usually are hourly or by
project. Hiring a contract attorney will allow law firms to work multiple cases
more efficiently, meet tight deadlines, and relieve demands on overworked
lawyers, she said. Contract attorneys also enable firms to offer expertise they
may be lacking to avoid referring clients to another firm, provide access to an
attorney during peak periods without having to hire someone, and provide
short-term assistance to fill vacancies caused by illness, sabbatical, or family
and medical leave. “Contract attorneys allow for optimum staffing of specific
projects without undertaking long-term employment obligations,” North said.
Singing the Praises of C&A Industries
(C&A Industries)
Omaha World-Herald, May 3, 2009
Think about your company’s mission statement. Then think about how it
would sound if set to music. That’s what an employee of C&A Industries
did for his employer. He sang and played his guitar in a mini-episode on
a special Web site produced by company staff. The site is modeled after
the television sitcom
The Office.
Go to
www.auroffice.com
and you’ll see dancing workers and accountants bobbing their heads to
music. All the performers on the Web site are C&A employees. The musical
mission statement is a mouthful: To be the staffing provider and
employer of choice by helping people and companies achieve their goals.
“If we find the perfect person for them, that helps companies achieve
their corporate goals,” says Scot Thompson, chief operating officer for
C&A Industries. “That’s powerful.”
C&A’s team spirit has created a culture that won the privately held
company a place among the top five large-size companies in the “Best
Places to Work” Omaha survey and puts it among the nation’s 10 largest
health care staffing firms.
Togetherness is nurtured in many ways — from a recognition program to an
online employee-suggestion program. C&A also offers an employee discount
program at area businesses and an in-house travel agency. Because
Thompson believes family is the priority in employees’ lives, he keeps
activities family-focused, such as the annual holiday carnival,
Halloween trick-or-treat party and a summer outing.
“One of many things that makes our work force unique is they are very
philanthropic,” Thompson says. Employees hold food drives and
fundraising events that benefit various charities. They also volunteer
their time. C&A sponsors two nonprofit organizations. The Kim Foundation
focuses on improving lives through mental health. Career Outreach offers
free employment counseling and seminars to community and civic groups.
The company started a health and wellness program in 2003 and is a
member of the Wellness Council of the Midlands, or WELCOM. In 2007, the
company placed in the silver category in the WELCOM competition. C&A’s
wellness program includes an annual health fair and “Weigh-to-Goal,” a
three-month weight-loss competition that ended in April. Participating
employees lost more than 680 pounds.
Job Growth May Be Slow in Lincoln But Faring Better Than
Other Places
Lincoln Business Journal, May 1, 2009
Lincoln’s job market may look better than that of other cities, but
employment experts admit it is really slow. The city’s manufacturing
sector has been affected significantly by the recession, and that has a
domino effect on other businesses, said Elizabeth Meyer, branch manager
of Celebrity Staff in Lincoln. The city is experiencing pains from job
losses. Several well-known companies have cut jobs over the last few
months. However, some companies in Lincoln plan to add positions and
haven’t been too affected by the recession, Meyer said. The staffing
industry is one that has been affected. “If companies are downsizing and
are on hiring freezes, that affects staffing companies because there
won’t be as many positions to recruit for as there may be in a strong
economy,” Meyer said. Strong industries include the medical field and
legal fields, which continue to need skilled candidates, including
candidates to fill administrative professional jobs, she said. Due to
the economy, collection agencies and mortgage title companies are also
busy. Lincoln’s unemployment rate is about 4.2 percent, which is up from
2.9 percent last fall.
Networking Becomes Essential Part of the Job Search in Down
Economy
Lincoln Business Journal, May 1, 2009
The best way to find a job is to know someone who is looking to fill a
job, and that’s where networking comes into play. Networking is a
must-do when looking for a job, especially in a down economy. Talking
with friends and family and attending business-related events will help
in the networking process, said Elizabeth Meyer, branch manager of
Celebrity Staff in Lincoln. To begin the networking process, tell
previous business contacts, friends and family members that you are
looking for a job, Meyer said. Attending business events, such as those
planned by the local chamber of commerce, is a good idea as well. “Your
odds are better if you have people out there looking for you,” she said.
It is also important to remain optimistic. That means avoiding negative
thoughts and staying away from negative people, Meyer said. That may
require tuning out the daily news. Instead, surround yourself with
professional people, listen to motivational speakers, and read positive
books.
C&A Industries Named Among Best Employment Agencies
(C&A Industries)
B2B Quarterly, April 1, 2009
C&A Industries, Inc., parent company to a portfolio of leading staffing and
recruiting firms, has been named among the top employment agencies in B2B
Quarterly’s Spring 2009 issue. Based on reader’s vote, B2B Quarterly
awards the “Best of” in several categories, including professional services,
business services, financial services, building services and travel & event
planning.
B2B Quarterly is Greater Omaha’s premiere business publication,
featuring the latest business developments as well as features on Omaha’s most
prominent business leaders.
Professional Guidance, Peer Reviews Among Options for Find Attorney
Match
Midlands Business Journal, March 13, 2009
Media has popularized the trial attorney, but in the day-to-day business world,
an attorney is essential to sidestepping a court proceeding in the first place.
Not all lawyers are created equal, starting with their breadth of knowledge. "A
generalist would deal with any aspect of the company that has a tie to legal
processes or regulations - they are typically referred to as general counsel,"
said Monica Fuehrer, an account manager at Celebrity Staff, who focuses on
facilitating the screening and hiring of attorneys for firms. "A specialist
would handle one specific aspect of the business such as an attorney at a major
insurance or financial services firm who may be an expert in ERISA regulations,
whereas an attorney working for a transportation company may focus on the law
governing international trade of products." Just as the depth and breadth of
knowledge differs, not all lawyers' experience and ability is equal either.
Martindale-Hubble Peer Review Ratings are a good resource for the professional
on the hunt for an attorney. The old-fashioned way of referrals from contacts
you trust is always a good way to find the right attorney for you. Besides
referrals, Fuehrer recommends partnering with a staffing firm that has expertise
in the legal staffing arena. "A professional staffing firm will not only
identify candidates who are in alignment with the profile of the position, but
will also save the business a tremendous amount of time and effort," she said.
"A staffing firm will market the position to a network of exceptional candidates
and uncover those who may not otherwise come to the forefront through
traditional hiring methods." Time is also on the staffer's side, Fuehrer said.
"Many attorneys who are open and interested in pursuing new opportunities don't
have the luxury of time to actively seek them out," she said. "A specialized
attorney recruiter with an established network can find those who are currently
working and very successful in their current roles yet passively seeking a
change. A staffing firm will also field resumes, handle the follow up phone
calls and conduct initial screening and interviews, only presenting the client
with the very best and most qualified candidates."
C&A Industries Named Among Best Omaha Employers
(C&A Industries)
Omaha Magazine, January 5, 2009
C&A Industries, Inc., parent company to a portfolio of leading staffing
and recruiting firms, has been named among the top employers in Omaha
Magazine.
C&A made the exclusive list, along with PayPal and First National Bank
of Omaha. The announcement is featured in the magazine’s
January/February 2009 “Best of Omaha” issue.
Since 1992, Omaha Magazine has been awarding, based on public vote, the
“Best of” in a wide variety of categories, including restaurants, arts &
culture, retail, and more.
Omaha Magazine is a regional lifestyle publication that serves a
readership of more than 100,000. For more than 20 years, Omaha Magazine
brings its readers captivating stories on area politics, home and
garden, leisure life, food and dining, style, the arts, entertainment
and travel, as well as service articles and compelling features on the
area's most interesting people and places.
Fuehrer's Leadership Grows Celebrity Staff Brand Name and Client
Referrals
Midlands Business Journal, December 26, 2008
Monica Fuehrer knew she wanted to work in the staffing industry when she met
Penny more than eight years ago. Penny was one of Fuehrer's first placements.
She was extremely nervous about an interview with one of Fuehrer's clients. "She
had only three employers in over 30 years and, while she had much to offer, did
not possess the interview skills necessary to sell herself," Fuehrer said. "We
spent a significant amount of time preparing for that initial interview." Penny
nailed it. Since that time, Fuehrer, 30, has gone on to move her way up the
ranks at Celebrity Staff (a division of C&A Industries). Fuehrer said she
motivates others by understanding their individualities. "Everyone has unique
needs and desires and everyone is motivated in different ways," she said. "Some
people are motivated by public praise while others may prefer a simple note of
encouragement. "I wouldn't ask or expect anything from anyone else that I'm not
willing to do myself. I have high expectations of myself which translates into
having high expectations of others." Fuehrer often pushes the highest
performers. "Continually pushing others to improve and grow can be a positive
thing in the right circumstances, but I've learned it is also sometimes
important to stop and smell the roses," she said. Fuehrer is personally
motivated by Outlook Nebraska, an nonprofit organization promoting employment of
the visually impaired, for which she serves as chairman of the board. Fuehrer
was pivotal in starting the organization eight years ago (she helped write the
mission statement) and it driving its strategic mission, which includes a fund
development program to pay for additional services, a training center for the
blind, and to execute a community outreach program to build awareness. Fuehrer
continues to be motivated by the dynamic nature of a sales career in the
staffing industry. "People are dynamic, mysterious, multidimensional and
unpredictable," she said. "There's very little that remains constant in this
industry, which makes it ideal for those of us who bore easily. It's not just
exciting, though, it's extremely rewarding. We impact lives every single day. We
consult with candidates on career decisions, which is one of the most important
choices we make in our lifetime."
Properly Conducted Personnel Reviews Bring Value to Employers,
Employees
Midlands Business Journal, June 27, 2008
Personnel or performance reviews are a critical tool used to ensure employees
and employers are on the same page and working toward the same objectives, said
Monica Fuehrer, division manager at Celebrity Staff, a division of C&A
Industries. "The review process is an important element of the quality assurance
role of a manager," she said. "Reviews provide the opportunity to take time away
from the hustle and bustle, investing uninterrupted time with each and every
team member." For the employee, reviews provide the opportunity to establish
goals with a strategic road map or training plan, specifically outlining how to
accomplish objectives. With these plans established in writing, managers and
supervisors are provided the opportunity to reflect on results over a certain
time period, Fuehrer explained. “As a side benefit to employers, mangers will
often learn of opportunities for process improvement or opportunities to be more
effective in leadership roles as a result of the review process," Fuehrer said.
Specialized Staffing Firms Filling Positions for a Range of
Industries
Lincoln Business Journal, May 1, 2008
Companies specializing in filling niche positions in the Lincoln job market are
meeting the demand across a wide range of industries, according to several
firms. Elizabeth Meyer, branch manager of Celebrity Staff in Lincoln, said the
current job market is candidate driven, meaning for some professions, more
positions are available than qualified candidates. "There's demand across the
board," she said. A specialized firm, Celebrity has recruiters for niche
markets, Meyer said. "They understand their areas of focus and are more adept at
connecting candidates with opportunities that are tailored to their expertise
and connecting businesses with candidates that match the position profile,"
Meyer said. Since available positions outnumber qualified candidates, companies
are managing a candidate driven market she said. Celebrity has added legal
staffing to the company portfolio, she said. "The more specialized positions
typically require more recruiting efforts," she said. Meyer said within
Celebrity's areas of specialty the greatest demand is in the legal, medical,
insurance and sales industries. "Many of our clients come to us with
supplemental or contract needs due to special projects or during critical
periods," she said.
Sarpy Growth Spurs Job Opportunities
Midlands Business Journal, December 21, 2007
Sarpy County's job market is healthy because of increased population and more
retail opportunities, staffing company and community representatives say. A
handful of companies in Sarpy County are leading the way in terms of job growth,
and the county is showing strength in employment, said Douglas Kindig, mayor of
LaVista. Manufacturing and distribution services also have shown growth in the
county in 2007, said Monica Fuehrer, division manager with Celebrity Staffing.
Along with rapid growth in Sarpy County have come numerous employment
opportunities, Kindig said. "The job market in Sarpy County is extremely
healthy," he said. "With the growth in the community, there's been a lot of
housing development and the need for additional schools," Fuehrer said. Those
schools, in turn, bring jobs to the county as well, she said. Celebrity Staffing
recruits for office and professional jobs and has seen growth in these areas,
she said. Retail is strong as well, and more growth is expected in that industry
in 2008. "We've seen an abundance of development in the Sarpy County area,"
Fuehrer said.
Many Employers Offer Flexibility to Workers Who Can Hit the Ground
Running
Midlands Business Journal, November 2, 2007
Employers are making some accommodations to attract qualified applicants in a
tight labor market. The rising cost of group health insurance, however, has
caused many to re-evaluate benefit packages. On the whole, employers in Omaha
are "more open and flexible" about respecting the desire of their employees to
achieve a positive work-life balance, said Monica Fuehrer, division manager of
Celebrity Staffing in Omaha. So far the idea of telecommuting, allowing
employees to work all or part of the time from home, has not caught on in Omaha
as much as it has in a number of other cities, she said. "Many Omaha employers
are still committed to a pretty traditional way of doing business, at least in
that respect," Fuehrer said. "Employers are looking for people with degrees in
business, marketing or finance along with experience and special licenses and
certifications," Fuehrer said. Employers are offering more flexibility in work
hours, but this doesn't mean that employees are working less. Much more is
required of today's employee. Flexibility is practical partly because of
technology. If an employee attends to personal business, such as a doctor's
appointment during regular work hours, technology makes it much easier for her
to maintain contact with her office and even to work on her PC while waiting for
an appointment. In terms of employer expectations, the proverbial pendulum is
continually in motion in respond to changes in the economy and unemployment
level," Fuehrer said. Clients tend to raise the bar some when they have many
applicants for jobs and lower it in a tight labor market."