Defining the “It” Factor in a Great Employee

Think of your best employee or co-worker. Now, think about their most prominent traits. What makes them the valued business partner that they are? If they are a game changer in your organization it’s likely that there isn’t just one characteristic that sets them apart. There must be, however, a few ties that bind it all together. These overriding qualities displayed by the elite professionals you know are the “it” factor and are the traits that have you pining for more individuals just like them.

We decided to ask our top clients, across varying industries, this question recently: What are the top three soft-skill (non-technical) traits you find in your highest performing employees? Here is what we found, in order of frequency:

The Art of Professional Networking

I had one of those “ah ha” moments this past weekend, during a social gathering for an organization I’ve been volunteering with the past six months. The social was an opportunity for volunteers to meet one another and share experiences they’ve had through their participation in the program. I was looking forward to the event and shortly after I arrived, I found myself mingling with several volunteers and learning about why they chose to join this program. The gathering was proving to be a great success!

Hiring Turn Around on the Horizon

Over the past couple years, with an increasing number of employees being laid off and unemployment rates climbing across the country, we have been experiencing a primarily employer-driven market. Instead of posting job openings and praying that someone will apply, employers have been posting positions and then weeding through hundreds of resumes. Hiring managers have become more specific in their searches, screening out people who don’t have experience with the most recent version of a software package or who are missing one key word on their resume.

Two New Tax Benefits for Employers

Aimed at providing hiring incentives to restore some of the jobs lost in the latest economic recession, and to help put Americans back to work as soon as possible, the IRS recently updated language in the HIRE (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment) Act, which offers employment tax incentives to businesses, established in March 2010.

This new $17.5 billion legislation (scaled down from an earlier $150 billion package) is of particular interest to businesses as it includes new tax benefits directly related to hiring employees and writing off investments in business equipment.

Email Pitfalls

Think of a time when you were minding your own business, right in the middle of your daily grind. Up pops the email icon on your PC, perhaps accompanied by that familiar written tone we all know so well. You stop what you are doing; knowing full well that whatever is in your inbox can surely wait, and rush to see what waits. It’s from your boss and the subject line reads “Report Question”. Your heartbeat ratchets up a notch as you go to click on the message. “What did I do wrong?” you wonder out loud as the email opens to full screen. You see the words “What is this?” with a print screen below showing the report you had just turned in.

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Development

There are undoubtedly many different factors that contribute toward someone developing into a great leader. In previous Aureus Group blog articles, we’ve addressed the importance of demonstrating effective communication skills when interacting with colleagues in the workplace. Well what about emotional intelligence? How does one’s emotional intelligence impact their ability to be a top performer in the professional world?

Update Your Job Descriptions and Hire Smart

The employees you hire can make or break your business. Don’t make the common error of skipping the job analysis and updating of job descriptions. Take the time to figure out your staffing needs and know what you’re looking for in an employee before you actually start looking. This exercise will save you time and money in the long run.

Social Media: It’s Time to Get Connected!

What? You don’t have a Facebook page or a Twitter account? You’re not even LinkedIn? Fear not, the phenomenon of social media is hurdling toward critical mass by way of the wonderful Internet and it is not too late for you to get on the bus. But when you do sign on, do yourself a big favor. Be responsible and know how to use the different social media sites appropriately.

So, what is the difference between social and professional online networking? Great question! Easy answer is Facebook/Twitter equal “social” and LinkedIn equals “professional”. I talk to many business owners and managers who are fearful of getting involved in either for various reasons, but most simply assume that all social media is the same. Not true of course.

Mission Man Visits Aureus Group

C&A Industries, parent company of Aureus Group, brought its mission statement to life late last year when we introduced Mission Man, C&A’s very own super hero and mascot. Mission Man is on a mission to recognize employees who go above and beyond incorporating C&A’s mission statement values into their daily endeavors.

Mission Man paid a visit to the Systems Division of Aureus Group in May armed with words of praise and Mission Man candy tins for Jillian Huston, Linda Aughenbaugh, and Gabe Romero.

BRIDGING THE GAP: Understanding Manager Frustrations and Hiring Decisions

Last month we shared what motivates elite talent to leave their employer in the Top Talent newsletter. By examining leading Aureus Group candidates who have been placed by our organization during the last 60 days, we were able to get an idea of what is driving career changes in 2010. Here’s a recap of what these top candidates shared with us: