February 17th meeting

February 17, 2009
A group of Providers and counselors came together at HATS agency in order to brainstorm and share ideas on how to get and keep jobs in the current tough economy
Below are some highlights from this training so that you can share with staff at your agency or review for use in the future.
We opened the discussion with the question of “What can we do?”
Open discussion resulted in the following ideas and applications that agencies have already implemented and found to be successful.

Use Preventive measures example:
Salvage the job they currently have even with reduction in hours or possible duty changes.
Keep on Payroll!!
Negotiate hours and schedule
Cross training for other positions or within current position
Keep contacts with employers even after your person in no longer employed. Consistently follow up and ask about future possibilities.
Reconnect with managers who may have left the business but are working somewhere else. New job development site.
Make sure you get those letters of recommendation to help in replacing
If it was a temporary layoff keep reconnect every two weeks to keep your individual fresh with the employer.
Sell the individual who already has a lot of good work experience and stress the added benefits they will bring to the job.
Taking the individual with you when you make site visits and contacts
Know the realities of your area the dynamics of the rural vs. metro areas.


If you have success with something like Cold Calling use it stay with what you are comfortable with and have confidence.
Be realistic about expectations around pay.

Watch your attitude!!
Work with your individuals attitude as well and use all your resources i.e.: counselors, COS, parents, peers to redefine those expectations
What is the motivation around work revisit this now that there is more at stake.


The group then switched over to discussing Creative Solutions
What we know….
Review your basic strategies
Folks can work despite age
We have to have clear goals to work within potential
Expect more time to carve out jobs and situations that are best for individual and employer.
Pay attention to your attitude during job search
Use the tools of customized employment
Don’t ever oversell and under deliver!!
Employer resistance happens when we don’t let them tell us what they already know and what they need from us.
Educate there is fear in the unknown!!
LISTEN and LEARN
Use your resources like Fact Sheets to dispel myths and concerns
Get the employer to help develop testimonials for future employers

Sharing of new strategies
Try visiting work sites on paydays…the days when they are happier and more receptive to a visit or meeting.
Revisit those old contacts and update contact list with new numbers etc.
Always end contact on very positive note
Turn a no into a yes!!
Keep revisiting those places where there is a lot of turnover.
Use new language and avoid social service jargon.
Look at the infrastructure
Support each other and remain positive!!

The training was wrapped up with going around the room to ask what new idea you will be leaving with today.
We had four comments to continue to make those contacts and develop relationships.
Quit blaming the economy and someone else.
Look at expectations and strive for more participation and involvement
Add value to your employment services-respond to employers needs
Timing is everything so know you area and the business
If you don’t take risk and do nothing then nothing will change or happen
Accept that change happens and embrace it!!
Be pragmatic/ salvage even those one hour jobs.
Have a new fresh look and it will result in a new attitude.
DON’T BECOME COMPLACENT!!


Wow…. this was a great session and thanks everyone for your input.
Keep up the great work and most of all the great attitudes!!