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Greene Resources Blog

Whether you’re looking to hire, looking for a new career, or just want to know what we’ve been up to, the Greene Resources blog has the information you need to get started.

3 Ways to Prepare for a Productive Summer

Jun 15 2017 by Greene Resources

summer vacationAs the summer months approach, employee minds often wander to upcoming beach trips, vacation days, and relaxation. To help your team enjoy the summertime while ensuring company goals and objectives are met, keep these strategies and best practices in mind as ways to prepare for a productive summer.

  • Set expectations early and communicate often

    Is summertime a slow time for your industry? If so, employees need to understand how to use the extra time they may have in a way that will be helpful and meaningful in the future. Encourage group brainstorming sessions with a focus on adding value.  Determine how to create greater efficiencies or ways to improve processes to help prepare for the approaching busy season. Is summertime a busy season for your industry? Communicate to your employees what that means for their workload and how their performance will be measured during those months.

  • Provide flexibility and incentives that allow employees to step away from the office

    Managing your employees will be easier and more effective if they know they will be able to step away from the office to attend the graduation, wedding, or vacation they have on their schedule. When appropriate, allowing employees to rework their schedule around personal needs will help them focus while they’re in the office.

  • Contract employees or summer interns can help ensure the work gets done while team members are on vacation

    To ensure productivity levels stay high while employees are covering for out-of-office colleagues, consider adding a contract employee or summer intern to your team. Short-term hires can provide a much-needed extra set of hands during the summer months while providing valuable experience and a meaningful opportunity for the interim employee.

Improving communication, offering flexibility, and ensuring all teams are well-equipped for success are effective ways to reduce turnover, increase productivity, and increase employee satisfaction.  The summer season is a great opportunity to test different approaches that both help employees and are realistic for your business. 

Greene Resources’ flexibility arrangements and management have been nationally recognized as being effective and innovative.  We would love to see how we can help you find and retain the talent you need.

Greene Resources Recognized for Innovative and Effective Workplace Practices

May 31 2017 by Greene Resources

Greene Resources Recognized for Innovative and Effective Workplace Practices

Receives prestigious When Work Works Award

when work works logoGreene Resources has been honored with a 2017 When Work Works Award for exemplary and effective workplace practices.

About When Work Works

The prestigious When Work Works Award is part of the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM’s) When Work Works project. This national initiative helps employers become more successful by transforming the way they view and adopt effective and flexible workplaces.

The award recognizes employers of all sizes across the country that are excelling at offering a variety of top-rated employee initiatives. Some of these initiatives include work-life fit policies, flexible scheduling, and transition to parenthood programs. The award goes beyond work-life programs. It also includes initiatives that address the additional evidence-based aspects of effective workplaces. This may include opportunities for learning, a culture of respect and trust, and job autonomy.

“Greene Resources recognizes that we can provide outstanding service to our clients while also demonstrating to our team members that they are the key to the success of the company,” said Mikio Anderson, Vice President of Human Resources at Greene Resources. “No matter the role, the work our team does is meaningful and impactful. We encourage ideas and collaboration without judgment or criticism – this is how we make each other better. We are honored to receive this award and are committed to continuing to listen to our team members, evolve as needs change, and improve every day.”

When Work Works Criteria

In applying for the award, Greene Resources was evaluated on factors associated with employee health, well-being and engagement: opportunities for learning; a culture of trust; work-life fit; supervisor support for work success; autonomy; and satisfaction with earnings, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.

“Considering that 78 percent of employers report difficulty recruiting employees for highly skilled jobs and 38 percent report difficulty recruiting for entry-level hourly jobs, When Work Works Award winners have leveraged this recognition opportunity to distinguish themselves as exemplary employers that offer new or enhanced options that help them attract and retain top talent,” said Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute, the original creator of this award, and senior research advisor at SHRM.

“These winners have reinvented their workplaces in ways that benefit business and employees alike and are reaping the benefits in terms of employee job satisfaction and retention,” said Cassidy Solis, senior advisor, workplace flexibility, at SHRM.

To win the award, companies must undergo a rigorous assessment that emphasizes the real-life experiences of employees. The assessment incorporates national benchmarks of employer practices from the National Study of Employers and the employee experiences from the National Study of the Changing Workforce. A survey of an organization’s employees makes up two-thirds of the organization’s final score.

To learn more about the awards, view an interactive map that lists winning organizations by state and a list of winners by name.

Click the links below for additional information:

When Work Works Award 

When Work Works initiative 

Greene Resources Recognized as Top Technical Staffing Company in the Triangle

May 24 2017 by Greene Resources

Greene Resources was recognized on May 19, 2017 by The Triangle Business Journal as the Top Technical Staffing Company in the Triangle.  Greene Resources | Top Technical Staffing Company in the Triangle

The Triangle Business Journal’s annual Book of Lists provides rankings of top companies in various industries throughout the Triangle. These rankings provide valuable data to consumers and businesses. The List of Technical Staffing Companies ranks technical staffing companies in the Triangle by the number of technical persons placed in the area during 2016.  

In 2016, Greene Resources recruited and placed over 500 individuals in technical fields. This was the highest number of technical employees placed compared to other agencies in the area.  Since opening its doors in 2000, Greene Resources has placed over 20,000 people in businesses throughout the Triangle and has established itself as a premier local recruiting firm.

The IT Support Services Manager from one of Greene Resources’ clients shared,

“Greene Resources has a strong understanding of my needs and expectations. This approach is spread across the entire technology solutions division, which provides consistency when I need immediate attention.  Their united approach is evident; I feel like I can speak with anyone on the team and they are all on the same page.”

Greene Resources invests its time and energy into locating talented people who care about what they do and will become invaluable assets in their positions. It’s more than just filling a job opening. It’s about finding the one person who will make a lasting impact on their company’s team and culture, as well as feel accomplished through their work. Are you are looking for top talent or a new purposeful and long-term career? Greene Resources’ expertise in the recruiting industry can be a strong resource for your business.

To Learn More:

Interested in learning more about Greene Resources? Check out our success stories and let us know how we can help you.

How to Create a Flexible Work Environment

May 10 2017 by Greene Resources

The Society of Human Resource Management is celebrating Flexible Work Arrangement Week this week (May 7-May 13).  Over the past several years, the modern work environment has changed.  With new technology allowing greater accessibility when away from the office, it can be hard to balance when one’s work day starts and ends.  On the other hand, this also allows businesses an opportunity to provide flexible work arrangements for their employees, giving them more control over how, when, and where work gets done. 

In celebration of Flexible Work Week, we would like to provide some suggestions on how you can make your office a more flexible place.

  1. Provide flexibility in how an individual works

    Very few people enjoy being micromanaged. Managers should give enough guidance and instruction to their team so they know the goals that need to be accomplished.  That said, managers should also offer the freedom and independence to accomplish these tasks. The best way for an individual to develop is to let them create their own path. Maybe it’s not perfect the first time around, but the learning process helps them grow. Providing weekly or biweekly check-ins so employees can ask questions or managers can help course correct allows employees to have a sense of ownership in their duties while still providing support when needed.

  1. Provide flexibility in where an individual works

    Greene Resources’ office environment allows for individuals to have several options to change where they work on a given work day, including drop-in offices that can be reserved as needed, couches and lounge chairs for less structured meetings or brainstorming sessions, a laptop bar, and even a balcony for employees who want to work outside.  While not every business allows for this type of work environment, providing the opportunity to work remotely or from home on an as-needed basis is a great way to give employees the flexibility they need. Keep in mind that getting results is what you want them to achieve regardless of where the work gets done. Demonstrating trust in your team to accomplish goals outside of supervision can also produce the side effect of happier and more productive employees. 

  1. Provide flexibility in when an individual works

    Most service-based businesses require set business hours so their clients and customers know when they can be reached.  That said, set business hours don’t require an absolute guideline for when each employee is in the office.  Allowing employees to adjust their start/end times on an ad hoc or indefinite basis is a simple act that can provide much-needed relief for employees with long commutes, child care needs, or other personal schedules.  Offering flexible hours during the summer is a great incentive that allows employees to step away from the office to enjoy the season, but requires them to complete their weekly goals and tasks first.

At Greene Resources, we believe it’s important for our employees to feel like they have the flexibility they need to have a productive and successful work day, but also that they have the time to experience life away from the office.  By creating an environment of flexibility, employees can feel confident that their manager and company has their best interest at heart.  By valuing your people above all else, you can make a lasting impact in the careers, businesses, and lives of those you serve.

Kathryn Minshew and The New Rules of Work

Apr 27 2017 by Greene Resources

This week, the Greater Raleigh Chamber ofKathryn Minshew and the New Rules of Work Commerce’s Professional Women’s Luncheon featured Kathryn Minshew, CEO & Founder of TheMuse.com.  TheMuse.com is a career platform used by hundreds of companies looking to hire or grow their employer brand and over 50 million people looking for jobs, professional skills, or career advancement. The New Rules of Work by Kathryn Minshew was published this month and has already been ranked by Inc as one of this year’s game-changing books for business. 

During Kathryn’s talk, she shared insights and helpful tips on how to be a modern woman in today’s workplace and how to find career success.  Here are some of the tips and best practices that Kathryn Minshew shared:

  • Start with your values. If you’re considering a career change, don’t focus on the function or role you want. Think about what you value in a career (flexibility, prestige, compensation, stability, etc.) and determine what careers have those traits. 
  • Take charge of your own career. If you have an idea of where you would like to be in your career in the next few years, look online at job descriptions and job postings for those positions today to see what skills and experience you will need to have. You can also “test drive” that future career by reaching out to someone in that type of role and asking for an informational interview. Informational interviews allow you to get a behind-the-scenes look at what that career is really like. Don’t be afraid to ask about the negatives of the job. Those can be just as important as the positives.  
  • Your work won’t speak for itself.
    • Manage Up: Schedule regular meetings with your manager to ensure that your projects and goals are aligned with theirs. Regular face time with your manager also provides an opportunity for you to advocate for the responsibilities and goals that you want to achieve in your role.
    • Network: Networking is not about meeting as many people as you can to get what you want; it’s about establishing meaningful relationships. The next time you attend a networking event, don’t make it a competition to see who can collect the most business cards. Make it your goal to have at least three interesting conversations with three different people.
    • Track Your Success: It’s nearly impossible to remember every proud moment in your career. Have a file, notebook, or some way to track your accomplishments, success stories, compliments from clients or coworkers, etc.
  • Never stop learning and growing. There are over 1,000 online sources of professional training through various professional and academic institutions. The new world of work allows you to have access to tools and resources to build a career that you truly love.

We were excited to sponsor this luncheon because we have seen firsthand how the process of searching for and finding a new career is constantly changing.  Some of the top jobs today didn’t exist just a few years ago, and there are hundreds of different places to look and apply for positions. Looking for new talent can be just as overwhelming as looking for a new career, and finding the best way to navigate it all can seem impossible.  Whether searching for talent or searching for a career, Greene Resources would love to help you navigate through the new rules of work.

Job Seekers: Think Like A Basketball Player

Apr 04 2017 by Greene Resources

March Madness and Job SeekersAfter a challenging and exciting season, the UNC Tar Heels clinched the victory during last night’s March Madness Championship and Tar Heel fans across the country are showing their excitement today by sporting their Carolina blue. In our Greene Resources office this morning, more than a few conversations turned into discussions of the highlights (or lowlights) of last night’s game.  March Madness is one of our favorite times of the year at Greene; we kick off the tournament with a potluck-style barbecue, broadcast the first few games in our breakroom, and have a fiercely competitive company-wide bracket challenge (congratulations to our COO, Cherié, on this year’s win!).  

This month of constant basketball has taught us a lot about the game, but basketball also serves as a powerful metaphor for the job seeker’s experience.

  • There Will Be Upsets. This season began with several upsets right off the bat, whether it was 1-seed Villanova losing to 8-seed Wisconsin, or 2-seeds Duke and Louisville losing early on to 7-seeds South Carolina and Michigan. Upsets happen and small or minor decisions can lead to unexpected results, for better or worse.  As job seekers, it is important to learn from mistakes, brush yourself off and try again. 
  • It’s Not Over ‘Till It’s Over. In basketball, you learn to never count out a team until the buzzer has sounded – the same goes for your job search.  You may be applying for a position that seems out of your reach or maybe you feel like you bombed an answer to an interview question, but it is important to continue with 100% effort and determination until the end of the process. Make sure to consistently make a strong impression through things like your resume, a thank you note and follow up.
  • Sportsmanship.  We have all watched that player who gets angry after a foul is called, but just like in a career search, a bad reaction leaves a lasting negative impression.  Rejections from positions will happen, but it doesn’t mean the door is fully closed.  Your network should always be growing and developing.  You never know who from that company you may meet or connect with in the future, so it’s important to never burn bridges, but instead be professional and polished in all of your interactions, even if you feel like you got the raw end of the deal.
  • Be prepared, mentally and physically. When a player is physically in the game, but not truly there mentally, you can tell.  Similarly, a successful job search requires both mental and physical engagement.  Mentally, understand the type of position for which you are applying and your strengths and weaknesses for that type of position, along with how you can bring success to the company. In the same way, you must also prepare for the physical requirement of the job search. Understand how time-consuming and exhausting the search can be and prepare accordingly. Appropriate preparation will ease the difficulty of your job search.

If you’re a job seeker who is searching for your next career move, we’d love to offer some resources to help you on your way.  Our Job Seeker Resource Center offers helpful tools including resume guides, interview tips and best practices, and assessments which showcase your talents and abilities and how to use them to land a fulfilling career.  When you’re ready to step onto the court and begin your career search, look at our current open positions and apply for what could be your next slam dunk career!

Building Relationships & Leadership Lessons at WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo

Apr 03 2017 by Greene Resources

Each year, Greene Resources attends the Greater Wilmington Business Journal Conference and Expo.  This year’s BizExpo featured nearly 150 different local Wilmington businesses and a dozen seminars on different topics, ranging from marketing advice to leadership and communication tips. 

The keynote speaker was John Gizdic, the new CEO of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, which has over 17,000 jobs directly or indirectly related to its business, making it Wilmington’s largest employer.

John Gizdic provided helpful insight as a healthcare administration expert regarding not only healthcare policy and practice, but also on leadership and what it takes to run an effective organization.

  • Business in Wilmington: It’s a good time to do business in Wilmington, NC. Wilmington’s population growth is higher than the state average of North Carolina, which is even higher than the national average.
  • Smooth Transitions: Gizdic took over the role of CEO after Jack Barto, who served as CEO since 2004. Gizdic said that the most important component in the transition was ensuring the culture of the business itself remained the same.  The transition of a role isn’t about the individuals, but the organization.
  • Healthcare: Gizdic acknowledged both the benefits and problems created by the Affordable Care Act. He discussed how after the ACA took effect, the number of individuals who received preventative care and went to the doctor increased significantly and the number of charitable cases conducted by the hospital dropped. However, this also created a rise in cases of individuals who went into debt to treat their care due to having high deductibles, among other concerns. Gizdic believes that the root of the issue is finding a way to fix the economy of healthcare, referring to a statistic stating that if the U.S. healthcare industry were its own economy, it would rank 3rd worldwide, second only to China and the U.S.  Repairing healthcare will be a long, difficult process, and it will be important for individuals to find a way to work together to fix those issues in a bipartisan way so that people are able to get the treatment they need.
  • Effective Leadership: Gizdic stated that the most undervalued characteristics in leadership are vulnerability and practicing open communication. These attributes allow you to be human and connect with people, and connecting with people is critical to building trust and momentum. Working in healthcare means people are coming to you at their most vulnerable state; it’s important to be vulnerable with them as well to have a relationship built on trust.

Our Greene team always appreciates the opportunity to attend the Wilmington Biz Expo as it provides an informal and fun atmosphere to meet new members of the community and reconnect and continue to build existing relationships.  This event brings the whole business community of Wilmington together to learn how to support each other’s businesses, which benefits everyone. 

Though exhibiting businesses ranged across all industries and themes and handouts ranged from Magic 8 balls and T-shirts to pickles and ping pong, the heart of the event was having genuine conversations with other professionals.  By making connections with others in a fun and informal environment, you may uncover connections or prospects that you would never have discovered otherwise.

Greene Resources’ Wilmington division is committed to exceptional recruiting services for companies in the Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Leland, Castle Hayne, Kure Beach and Brunswick County areas of South Eastern North Carolina.  We proactively recruit candidates in numerous fields to connect them with companies in such a way that jobs become purposeful, impactful and long-term careers.  We are proud to be part of this community and enjoy attending this event each year.

Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Conference

Mar 27 2017 by Greene Resources

Greene Resources had the opportunity to be one of the Platinum Sponsors of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Conference on March 23, 2017. The Women’s Leadership Conference is an annual half-day event where women leaders across the Triangle gather to network and learn from other female leaders. Topics included how to build the next level of leaders, how to gain strategies for influence and negotiation, how to break down biases, and how to gain insight on risk-taking.

Featured panelists included Adrienne Cole (President of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce), Sara Glines (President and Publisher of The News & Observer Publishing Company), Barri Rafferty (President of Ketchum Worldwide), Amber Rupinta (Reporter and Anchor for ABC-11 Eyewitness News). The keynote speaker was Reshma Saujani, who discussed her non-profit organization, Girls Who Code, which works to close the gender gap in technology and prepare young women for jobs of the future.

At Greene Resources, over 50 percent of management positions in our company are held by women, several of whom attended this event. We asked them to share what they learned from the various discussions and topics and how they will implement this into their work at Greene Resources.

  • Overcoming Weaknesses: One of the panelists said, “You’re allowed to not be great at everything. Acknowledge your weaknesses, but find people around you who can support you and complement your abilities and weaknesses.” As someone who strives to be perfect at everything, it was comforting to know that it’s okay to struggle sometimes and that I don’t have to do it alone.
  • Recognizing Bias: It was interesting to learn how we all have biases and that they can impact how we view everyday life and our jobs. It is important to recognize bias, even subconscious or unintentional bias, so it can be addressed, rather than overlooked or ignored.
  • Being Trustworthy: Something one of the speakers said that I really loved was, “It’s more important to be trusted than liked.” This resonated with me because I strive to build meaningful and trusted relationships every day, but I also want to be liked and accepted. If you want people to respect you as a knowledgeable contributor, sometimes you must provide an answer that isn’t liked but is the right decision in the end.
  • Serving Others First: During a breakout session, one of the speakers shared, “We are defined as much by our small acts of kindness as we are by our great successes.” This is so important to remember, especially in our industry. The way we interact with our employees means so much and the smallest act, whether it’s providing resources to assist with personal needs or discussing an accommodation, can make such a large impact on them and their relationships with us.
  • Fighting Insecurity: Stop apologizing. Stop saying things like, “this might not be a good idea, but…” If you set yourself up by saying your ideas are not good, people might believe it. Have confidence and don’t give in to self-doubt.
  • Delegating Builds Your Team: You are doing a disservice to those who report to you if you don’t delegate. You should be peeling off duties from your job description and adding them to your team. This gives them an opportunity to build their skills, develop themselves as leaders, and it also helps you focus on more strategic business needs.

At Greene Resources, our vision is to connect people and companies in such a way that jobs become purposeful, impactful, and long-term careers. We are proud to sponsor events like the Women’s Leadership Conference which provide professional development to the business community of Raleigh.

If you are interested in learning more about the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce or are interested in attending events like this, please check out the Raleigh Chamber’s website. Greene Resources will be presenting sponsors for the Chamber’s upcoming Professional Women’s Luncheon on April 24, featuring the founder and CEO of The Muse, Kathryn Minshew, who will discuss The New Rules of Work.

Lessons from Arnold Palmer – Practice Mental Toughness

Mar 08 2017 by Greene Resources

If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will.
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later the one who wins,
Is the one who thinks they can.

Harvey Mackay once shared a story in his article, “Your Mind Is What Really Matters” about seeing part of this poem by C.W. Longenecker hanging in the late Arnold Palmer’s office.  It is a poem about mental toughness.  Arnold Palmer once shared a quote from his father, “Remember, whatever game you play, 90 percent of success is from the shoulders up.”

Dr. Rob Bell, a certified sports psychology consultant and the author of the book: Mental Toughness Training for Golf, shares that “all of us are preparing for the one moment, one event, one play, or even one person that will make all the difference in our lives. Mental toughness connects who we are with who we become. Since we can’t predict the future, mental toughness is being prepared for the unpredictable.”

Dr. Bell shares his own story of meeting Arnold Palmer on Celebrity Pro-Am Day of the Wells Fargo Championship one year at Quail Hollow.  They were both on the practice green and Dr. Bell walked by Palmer, said “hello,” and Palmer nodded.

Only after Palmer went to the first tee did Dr. Bell realize his mistake. He never shook his hand! It was likely his only opportunity to ever shake the hand of the golfing great and he missed it. He was not ready, and the moment slipped away.

In business, being prepared for the unpredictable creates greater success.  Mental toughness ensures we are taking advantage of those everyday moments.  Only then can we be ready for any opportunity that arises.

At Greene Resources, we do not want to miss the opportunity to shake your hand in hopes of becoming your recruiting partner and helping YOU be prepared for the unpredictable.  Our vision is to connect people and companies in such a way that jobs become purposeful, impactful, and long-term careers. It’s not about filling a job opening.  It’s about finding the one person, that one mentally tough person, who will make a lasting impact on your company’s team and culture as well as feel accomplished through their work.

We want to make a difference in your company, and we think we can.

Greene Gives Back Philanthropy Spotlight: Marbles Kids Museum

Mar 01 2017 by Greene Resources

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  We asked some of the Greene team this question and the answers ranged from “police officer” or “lawyer” to “horse trainer,” “veterinarian,” or “teacher.” 

Over the weekend, the Greene team helped over 2,500 kids explore future careers during the Marbles Kids Museum Future Me Kids Career Fair.  Nearly 100 businesses from across the Triangle set up booths with interactive activities for visitors to “test drive” their future.  Future veterinarians could look at real-life x-rays of different animals and “examine” stuffed animals with Banfield Pet Hospital.  Kids interested in engineering could create their own rocket straw with ABB.  Future Leslie Knopes could plan for their own city park with the Wake County Parks and Recreation department.  ABC-11 brought their own green screen so kids could give the news and weather report.

Greene Resources has sponsored every Marbles Future Me Kids Career Fair since the event started four years ago.  Our team loves to bring our families and friends and explore the different booths and facilitate different activities for the kids.  More importantly, volunteering at the Marbles Future Me Kids Career Fair works hand in hand with our company purpose to improve our community by helping job seekers become invaluable team members and turning jobs into life-fulfilling careers.  Our passion for people goes beyond our industry and the specialized talent solutions we provide to our clients and customers.  When companies and individuals partner with Greene Resources, they become part of an organization motivated by creating positive change in our community.

Marbles Kids Museum’s “play-losophy” states that play “contributes to intellectual growth, social and emotional well-being, and physical development” and “helps develop 21st-century workers who are able to solve problems, apply ideas, create, innovate, communicate, and connect with others.”  We are proud to partner with Marbles for the Future Me Kids Career Fair and educate local kids about the many different ways they can contribute to their community in the future as working adults while inspiring them to learn and grow today.

Steve Daniels with WTVD ABC-11 broadcasted live from the pop-up ABC-11 studio and showed off some of the other activities going on at the Kids Career Fair. Check it out!

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