An employee will remember their first day of work at a new job. They will remember if their new manager and team were eagerly awaiting their arrival with warm smiles. They will remember if their workspace was ready with an internet connection and ready phone line and even more so a welcome package on their desk; not just with typical HR paperwork, but maybe a company logo t-shirt, set of pens or coffee mug. The first day will set the tone for their new job. And the level of effort put forth by the employer to welcome their newest hire over the months to follow could possibly determine the length of their stay and their level of productivity. The area’s top employers recognize the trends associated with new hire orientation and employee retention and are adopting robust assimilation programs. These programs are targeted toward:

According to Monster.com, reports show that 46% of recruiters surveyed in the Mid-Southeast stated more than half their openings are difficult to fill. The current economic environment has created additional challenges for employers and recruiters when searching for potential candidates and making hiring decisions.

Ask each of your employees to name their New Year’s resolutions and you’ll likely hear a wide variety of responses, reflecting the breadth, depth, and interests of the talent you employ. But if you ask them where your company is headed in the next 5 years, and what the organization’s top goals are for the coming 12 months, will you also get varied responses across your workforce, or will you hear one consistent reply?

*** Media Alert *** Helios HR to Reveal 2010 Apollo Awards at Nominations Workshop Event to Highlight How to Prepare a Winning Nomination for Top Washington D.C. HR Honors; Feature Insight from Previous Winners

Recently a colleague and advisor shared a story about the Chinese Bamboo. For me it was so relevant, not because I am a horticulturist, but because it tells the story of "paced growth and slowing down." There is a book I've enjoyed reading by David Kundtz called "Stopping, How do be Still When you Have to Keep Going."