Tag Archives: Municipalities

Technology in Hiring Is Growing. Where Should You Invest?

At some point in time, technology has disrupted every industry including recruitment. With more touchpoints across a multitude of platforms, companies are using technology to build a compelling employer brand, support the candidate experience and analyze their hiring team’s success.

In fact, an HR Service Delivery Survey reported that technology plays a key role in hiring in 92 percent of large companies, 77 percent of medium companies and 54 percent of small organizations.

A few of the most popular platforms include:

  • Assessments. According to Harvard Business Review, 76 percent of organizations with more than 100 employees rely on assessment tools. These tools, like our Emergenetics Selection Program (ESP), test for a variety of workplace tendencies. Some of the most common are cognitive ability, work ethic, motivation and personality.
  • Video interviewing. Between 40 – 60 percent of companies use live or recorded video interviewing for hiring, which can improve the candidate experience by making it easier to interview. When candidates record interviews, it can save the hiring teams’ time by allowing them to review on their schedules, and it can save money, particularly if the company pays for candidate travel expenses.
  • Applicant tracking systems. There has been significant growth in applicant tracking systems with 26 percent of companies using them to assess hiring metrics and manage candidate recruiting, hiring and onboarding.
  • Social recruiting. Social media allows employers to showcase their brand and help HR teams find talent. Nearly 60 percent of employers have used social media to successfully hire candidates.
  • Resume screening technology. This technology reviews resumes for keywords deemed relevant to an open position. When a company receives a large number of applicants, resume screening can make a recruiter’s life much easier.
  • Mobile recruiting. 70 percent of people use their cell phones to look for jobs, so mobile job boards and applications are extremely important.

This list may cause an HR professional’s head to spin, especially when you consider that there are hundreds of providers for these technologies – and the list is growing.

Still, when incorporated properly, hiring technology can streamline and standardize the hiring process, reduce reliance on “gut” instincts, provide relevant statistics to demonstrate success and help hire the right people.

Technology isn’t going away, so the best thing to do is embrace it. The question is: How do you prioritize an ever-growing list of technologies?

These are our tips for recruiters and HR professionals:

1. Have a clear understanding of your goals and measurements.
To choose the right technologies for your needs, start by identifying objectives as an HR team and as a company. Once a team is clear on what they want to accomplish and how to evaluate success, they can determine which technologies will get them there – and identify a list of relevant requirements to assess the tools against.

2. Determine where you have hiring process breakdowns.
Figuring out where to begin can be difficult. Start by assessing issues in the existing hiring process. Does the difficulty lie in finding qualified candidates or in the application? Social recruiting could help in finding qualified candidates while a streamlined applicant tracking system may make sense in smoothing out the application process. Or, is the challenge in resume reviews or assessing soft skills? Resume screening can help tackle the candidate resume review process and a hiring tool like ESP can help in streamlining the review process and assessing soft skills.

Once problem areas are identified, it is easier for teams to prioritize technologies that address these concerns.

3. Learn what technologies can do.
How many of us have purchased a tool and used it for one thing – only to realize two years later that they have features that would have accomplish other goals as well? As an example, some of our clients think specifically about ESP as a hiring tool when in fact it can be used to support career pathing and onboarding in addition to assessing motivations, aptitudes and work ethic. Take the time to truly understand the tool, and stay current on its features and those of its competitors

4. Don’t forget the human element.
Remember that technology is part of the hiring process – not the whole process. Sometimes, when we meet with managers who are interested in our hiring assessment, they ask if ESP will give them a yes/no answer on a hiring decision. This is something we don’t offer, as we believe you need to be wary of using technology for a yes/no decision.

If you have a candidate with a 90 percent job fit versus one with 79 percent, you should interview both applicants to understand the differences between them. It may be that the 10 percent misalignment of your 90 percent job fit candidate relates to factors that would significantly impact the candidate’s success, while the 21 percent of misalignment for the other applicant is due to less problematic factors.

Tools like ESP can help you combine the benefits of technology with the human element. ESP highlights the areas of misalignment from candidates, so talent acquisition teams can pay particular attention to potential challenges for the new hire, tailoring interview questions and digging into the results of the assessment. Rather than make a yes/no decision based solely on ESP results, the results can be used to determine if these issues would have a material impact on job fit.

Always remember that technology is not a substitute for human interaction in the hiring process. It should be used to support human interaction.

When you consider these four factors, you will be well on your way to finding the right technologies to support your organization’s needs and integrating these programs so that your recruiting process runs smoothly, attracts the right candidates and helps you successfully hire them.

If, in the process of following steps 1 – 4, you have any questions about how ESP could support your company’s needs, please contact me at [email protected].

Kelly Fullerton
Director of ESP
Emergenetics International

 

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Welcome DIY Designers – Learn to Use Canva for Your Marketing

Do you need to learn how to effectively create branded posts or marketing materials for your organization? 

Welcome DIY Designers: Use Canva to Stand Out!

In this interactive mini workshop, we will:
• Walk you through the steps to creating a social media post
• Explore how to incorporate your branding into your posts
• Go over some of the Do’s and Don’ts in social media posts
• Share with you a few cool tips and best practices for keeping your brand consistent
• Get you started making your social media posts, before you leave this session!

Register today to reserve your seat! $75 + HST

Friday, December 7, 2018
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: OfficeInc! – 54 Cedar Pointe Drive,
Unit 1207, Barrie
Tickets: cheetahfusion.com/events

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Free Webinar – Leading the Ins and Outs of Cognitive Diversity

Leading the Ins and Outs of Cognitive Diversity

Dec 6, 2018 @ 1:00 p.m.

I will help you explore how to build better teams and a positive workplace culture. Based on the principles of Emergenetics, you will learn to improve communication, connection, and performance through an enlightening process of self-awareness and discovery. Learn how the real magic happens when teams can be built synergistically, and team members can collaborate more effectively by “borrowing another person’s brain.”

This webinar address will include: •Reflective activities to connect concepts to personal cognitive strengths and team members cognitive strengths •Scientific background on how we work and establish neuro-pathways •Story-telling and activities to illustrate concepts.

Please REGISTER HERE for this  exclusive free opportunity!

I sincerely hope you will take full advantage of this invitation and informative experience! 

with thanks, Gail

  Gail Green

  Office: (905) 636.0797 
  Mobile: (416) 659.3623
  [email protected] 
  EmergeneticsOntario.com

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The Importance of Emergency Planning for Municipalities

The Importance of Emergency Planning for Municipalities

by  | October 25, 2018 | Emergency Management

The Importance of Emergency Planning for Municipalities

Does your municipality have an effective and well-planned out strategy to put in place in the event of an emergency or natural disaster?

Risks and threats to Canadians and Canada itself are becoming ever more complex due to the glut of natural hazards affecting our country, and the proliferation of transnational threats arising from the consequences of terrorism, international disease outbreaks, global climate change and cyber attacks. In the increasingly interconnected world of today, emergencies can quickly worsen in severity and scope, jump across jurisdictional lines, take on international proportions and result in catastrophic human and economic losses.

In order to better understand what we mean when we talk about an “Emergency” in the context of this article, we have provided some important definitions for you below:

  1. Emergency refers to an anticipated or real event, or an unpredicted mixture of circumstances which necessitate the prompt action or immediate coordination of action as mandated or renewed by the Lieutenant-Governor, a cabinet minister, or an emergency management council or committee.
  2. Emergency Management is the commonly used term for the processes and systems for mitigating, responding to, preparing for, and recovering from disasters and emergencies.
  3. Emergency Management Plan is a living and breathing document. It requires foresight and imagination to predict the risks a municipality faces, and to implement the countermeasures that will help mitigate the damage in these situations. It documents procedures, resources, people, communications and organizational structures required to alleviate the impact of an emergency.

Why is Planning for an Emergency Crucial for Every Municipality?

Emergency plans are crucial, not only for dealing with the aftermath of a disaster, but also to ensure business continuity during the crisis, and map out reconstruction and recovery effectively. Dealing with unexpected crises is a social process that necessitates broad public support for the spearheading of initiatives and participation by a wide range of first responders, experts and citizens. Furthermore, it needs to be tenable in the light of obstacles posed by climate change, population growth and wealth imbalances.

It can be said that, in essence, emergency planning is simply common sense. Yet the ever increasing complexity of disasters has necessitated a thorough professionalization of the field. This is most notable when we consider the increasing role of emergency response in information and communications technology. Disaster planning experts are also resource managers, and moving forward, they will need to deal with difficult and complex transfers of material and human resources.

In a globalized world that is accelerating physically, socially, and economically, the challenge of properly managing emergencies depends on proper planning and foresight, and the skills necessary to connect miscellaneous elements of the emergency response into cohesive strategies.

New bill clarifies roles and plans for municipal emergencies in Alberta

The Government of Alberta has introduced legislation to help define roles and responsibilities for decision-makers when disaster strikes. The proposed changes were tabled by Municipal Affairs Minister Shaye Anderson, and will include minimum emergency management training for individuals, more specifically, elected officials.

The changes are primarily response to a number of recent catastrophic events in Alberta, including the 2013 Calgary,  Alberta floods and the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire in 2016 that forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.

Under the new legislation, municipal officials would remain the final decision-makers during a natural disaster, providing the province has not declared a state of emergency. Perhaps most importantly, the bill will state that anyone who refuses to evacuate an area in an emergency must take responsibility and liability for their actions and may even be fined $10,000.

Transitional Solutions Inc. (TSI) is a consulting firm dedicated to assisting municipalities in transition.  With the organization’s more than 10 years of serving municipalities, combined with its team of senior-level consultants who have extensive experience in administration, governance, human resources, emergency management, engagement, and more, TSI has established themselves as a leader in working with municipalities of all sizes.

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The Extraordinary Coach Workshop

The Extraordinary Coach (1 Day Workshop)
Toronto – January 15, 2019

In The Extraordinary Coach Workshop, you will develop the essential coaching skills that are required to be a great leader. In addition, you will learn what extraordinary coaches do well and how you can maximize your leadership impact and inspire others to perform at their peak.

Leaders who coach and develop others have a huge impact on bottom-line results. In The Extraordinary Coach Workshop, you will develop the essential coaching skills that are required to be a great leader. In addition, you will learn what extraordinary coaches do well and how you can maximize your leadership impact and inspire others to perform at their peak.

This is a one-day, interactive, leadership learning, assessing, and planning experience led by Jim Clemmer in:

Toronto –January 15, 2019 – hosted at Centre for Health & Safety Innovation, Mississauga [Directions] [Hotel Suggestions]

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Register Now!  (don’t forget to use your muniSERV discount codes!)

Discount Code: MUNIS1 for 1 day ($150)

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Leadership Development & Coaching Skills Workshops

Toronto – January 14, 2019

Building Leadership Strengths

The Extraordinary Leader (1 Day Workshop)

In today’s rapidly changing, highly competitive environment, the organizations that excel in their respective markets will be those whose people are most competent, passionate, and focused on delivering results.

The Extraordinary Leader Workshop presents a proven framework for helping individuals make a profound difference in their organization’s results, and in their own performance and development.

This is a one-day, interactive, leadership learning, assessing, and planning experience led by Jim Clemmer in:

Toronto –January 14, 2019 – hosted at Centre for Health & Safety Innovation, Mississauga [Directions] [Hotel Suggestions]

See also The Extraordinary Coach (1 Day Workshop)  This workshop follows the Extraordinary Leader Workshop. Save when you register for both workshops!
Toronto – January 15, 2019 – hosted at Centre for Health & Safety Innovation, Mississauga [Directions] [Hotel Suggestions]

Register Now!  (don’t forget to use your muniSERV discount codes!) 

Discount Code: MUNIS1 for 1 day ($150) or MUNIS2 for 2 day ($250)

 

Check out these other complimentary resources!

 

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Workplace Motivators 101

Do you know what one of the biggest factors is in leading a fulfilling career and personal life? Have you ever wondered why not everyone shares your passion for some things? Have you ever noticed that when someone doesn’t value what you do that there may be conflict?

This workshop will answer these questions and more. We will explore the six higher level categories of motivators.

The happiest, most productive and the most successful people in the world have one thing in common – they have discovered what motivates them and harnessed it to drive them forward each and every day. When the work we do is aligned with our primary motivators, we feel energized and motivated to do better each day. What energizes a sales or marketing team can stand in stark contrast to what energizes a social worker or customer service rep.

In this workshop, participants will:

  1. Receive a personalized Workplace Motivators report which will reveal their workplace motivators hierarchy.

  2. Come to understand why it is so important to know this information about oneself for personal and professional fulfillment.

  3. Learn about each of the 6 high level motivators categories.

  4. Know the degree of passion or indifference they have to each of the 6 motivator categories.

  5. Learn how differences in Workplace Motivators between people can cause conflict; and, how similarities in Workplace Motivators can lead to improved rapport.

Location: Next Gen Hub Business Suites

25A Hunter Valley Rd., Orillia, ON L3V 0Y7

Super Early Bird & Early Bird Deadlines available!

To Register: Visit www.prismgroup.ca

See the full Workplace Success Series Workshops

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Customer Service 101

Successful business depends on exceptional Customer Service. It is essential to understand that every employee is involved in customer service. It has been proven that customers would rather switch to another company than tolerate poor service.

Research indicates, even if there is no conflict, over 60% of all customers quit dealing with a business because of indifference on the part of some employee. The ability to interact effectively with customers may be the critical difference between success or failure. Effective customer service begins with an accurate perception of one’s own work customer relations style.

In this session, participants will:

  1. Receive their own personalized Customer Service Report which quantifies information on how they see their own behaviour in the workplace.

  2. Learn how others perceive their behaviour. This knowledge will assist participants in formulating strategies in more effectively meeting customer needs.

  3. Be more qualified to identify various customer behavioural styles whether they are serving them in person or by phone.

  4. Lean how to adapt their customer relations behavioural style to improve the customer experience.

  5. Be more confident in their customer relationship skills.

Location: Next Gen Hub Business Suites

25A Hunter Valley Rd., Orillia, ON L3V 0Y7

Super Early Bird & Early Bird Deadlines available!

To Register: Visit www.prismgroup.ca

See the full Workplace Success Series Workshops

 

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Emotional Intelligence 101

Emotional Quotient (EQ) measures emotional intelligence, or your ability to sense, understand and effectively apply the power and acumen of emotions to facilitate high levels of collaboration and productivity.

Studies have shown that salespeople and customer service agents who have undergone EQ training develop more accounts, have higher sales, deliver stronger customer service and realize better customer retention than those who have not. (Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations)

Is this EQ training only for people in sales or customer service roles? No. This EQ training is for anyone! With EQ training and development, people can develop the skills and knowledge to better understand their customers or potential customers, how to manage their expectations, and ultimately meet their needs while building rapport and trust.

What are the 5 Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence?

  1. Self-Awareness – The ability to recognize and understand your moods, emotions and drives, as well as their effect on others.

  2. Self-Regulation – The ability to control or redirect disruptive impulses and moods and the propensity to suspend judgement and think before acting.

  3. Motivation – A passion to work for reasons that go beyond the external drive for knowledge, utility, surroundings, others, power or methodology and are based on an internal drive or propensity to pursue goals with energy and persistence.

  4. Social Awareness – The ability to understand the emotional makeup of other people and how your words and actions affect others.

  5. Social Regulation – The ability to influence the emotional clarity of others through a proficiency in managing relationships and building networks.

As a result of attending this workshop, participants will:

  1. Receive a personalized Emotional Quotient Report.

  2. Learn about each of the 5 Dimension of Emotional Intelligence.

  3. Learn about the natural progression in developing EQ.

  4. Understand the role of emotional intelligence and why is such a critical component to success.

  5. Receive some actionable tools and resources to begin their own EQ improvement journey.

Location: Next Gen Hub Business Suites

25A Hunter Valley Rd., Orillia, ON L3V 0Y7

Super Early Bird & Early Bird Deadlines available!

To Register: Visit www.prismgroup.ca

See the full Workplace Success Series Workshops

 

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Municipal Elections – Does My Vote Matter?

Municipal Elections – Does My Vote Matter?

The simple answer is yes, your vote does matter. (But that doesn’t make for a very interesting blog, now does it?)

A great advantage about municipal politics is that it’s easier to get to know the candidates on a more personal level than candidates at the provincial or federal level. Outside of major cities, many candidates will be someone you went to high school with or they’re related to a friend of yours, or they’re a local business owner of your favourite shop. For those candidates you are not familiar with, many municipalities “All Candidates’ Meetings”, that provide meet & greet opportunities throughout the campaign. These sessions typically encourage questions and comments. Local media outlets usually profile candidates and their platforms so you can gain a better understanding of who they are and what they stand for. Check your municipalities website, your local newspaper, cable channel and social media.

Candidates generally have an established platform or mandate on which they’ll be campaigning. While you might agree with their thoughts and ideas about that platform, keep in mind that they’ll still be voting on your behalf for any items that come up at council meetings. Be sure that their morals, values, and goals for the future of your municipality are clearly in line with your own. Remember, just because you agree with their platform doesn’t always mean that they share your views on current or potential affairs that will need to be decided upon.

Who you vote on to council will have a direct influence on your municipality, your daily life, your business and your city or town’s long-term goals and strategic plan.

Here are 5 great reasons for you to learn about your local candidates and get out there and vote in the municipal election.

 

  1. Each potential candidate brings something unique to the table. Everyone has particular ideas about how things should be done. They have personal causes they support or want to see come to fruition. Even their motivation to vote a certain way on issues can be something you fully agree with or the reason you’ll never check off their name on the ballot.
  2. Your local government is responsible for affecting much of the health and safety of your daily life. Some of these important issues are: Public transit, keeping streets clean and maintained, local police and fire, community water systems
  3. Municipal decisions include long-term planning for your town/city. Some considerations are: Neighbourhood planning, major road work, sewer systems, annual festivals/events, tourist attractions
  4. Social issues are often dealt with at the municipal level: Where to place shelters to help the homeless, how to keep drugs off the street, how to make the downtown core safe, affordable housing
  5. Local government loves community enrichment projects: Parks, waterfront enhancement, recreation centres, libraries, arts, culture

 

Having your voice heard in the municipal selection process is important. Your vote plays an integral part in shaping your community. I encourage you to get involved in your local politics this year. Get to know the candidates and vote. Who knows, maybe politics will become something you’re passionate about and we’ll even see your name on the ballots four years from now.

 

muniSERV is Canada’s leading online solution for helping municipalities and professionals connect.  We help municipalities save time and money searching for the consultants & CAOs they need while offering professionals the opportunity to showcase their profile and services to get found and grow their business.

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