A Guide to Hiring

So you're thinking about hiring to help grow your business. It's never easy. If your business has reached a point where it seems the only way to grow is with more people, you'll still need to take a few things into account.

Does the demand of your goods or services exceed the supply your workforce is able to produce? If your workforce is able to produce at the level you need and adding another body won't add to profits, you probably don't need to hire. But if you're finding that there's too much work to go around, you'll need to start looking at hiring.

Well, who should you hire? A qualified candidate, of course. The problem may be finding one. The top talent is usually already taken. Can you lure someone who's hesitant about leaving a stable position to your company? You might have to sell your company to the candidate as they're selling themselves to you. Remember what makes your company great and communicate it clearly. Motivate the candidate with the incentives your company offers like benefits, bonus potential, time off, etc.

Who not to hire might be even more important. Hiring friends or family can be stressful. There always needs to be a disconnect between work and personal life. The trick is to make sure boundaries are set between the two. Avoiding favoritism (or even the appearance of favoritism) is key. The last thing you need is other employees believing someone else is getting special treatment.

No matter who you hire, you'll always need to be clear about expectations. Let your new hire know in advance what their duties and goals will be and the consequences of unmet expectations. Not every employee works out but you've got a better chance when they know what they're required to do up front.

So if you've decided your company needs to hire new staff, following these guidelines can help save you a few headaches.

People Lease recognizes employee appointments

People Lease, a full service employee administration firm in Ridgeland, MS, is proud to announce the appointment of Paul Bowers and Fran Flood to the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership’s 2011 Chairman’s Council. The Chairman’s Council is made up of the elite Ambassadors who have best involved themselves in activities and events which grow the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership.

Paul Bowers

A People Lease employee since 2005, Paul Bowers specializes in tailoring employee administration services to the needs of any enterprise, large or small. He cultivates new business, while providing existing clients with continuing support and guidance. This includes periodic assessment of client needs, coaching clients on new technology that may improve efficiency and, of course, the resolution of any service issues a client may have. Paul is also a full-service Mississippi licensed insurance agent for life and health, property and casualty, and major medical.  Paul serves as Sergeant of Arms for the Downtown Jackson Rotary Club and Chairman of the Ambassadors for the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership.

Paul lives in Madison with his wife, Margaret.  He enjoys working in his yard in his spare time.

Fran Flood

Fran Flood is vice president of Account Services Group, where she has worked since 2001. She specializes in the administration of life and health, dental, and short-term insurance plans for individuals and groups. She is a full-service Mississippi licensed insurance agent for most insurance carries operating in the state. In addition to being an Ambassador with the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, Fran is also a Chamber member of Flowood, Rankin County, Madison City, and Madison County. She is a member of the Madison/Ridgeland Rotary, the Professional Women’s Association, the Jackson Association of Health Underwriters, the National Association of Health Underwriters, and the Madison County Women’s Council.

Fran resides in Madison with her husband, Ralph Flood. They enjoy taking trips on the weekends, especially to watch New Orleans Saints games.  The couple has five children and six grandchildren.

Easter approches and as families get ready for a Sunday with family, friends and much food, People Lease is here to impart some holiday fun.

Kids' treats
Honey Bunnies: More bread-like than cookie so it keeps the sweetness low. Kids will love putting the bunnies together and then taking them apart. Get the full recipe here.
Easter Bunny Cakes: Rice Krispies treats for the whole family to decorate and enjoy! Get the full recipe here.
Peanut Butter Easter Bonnets: Decorative cookies with a delicious Easter touch. Get the full recipe here.

Breakfast
Easter Egg Breakfast: Easter Eggs never tasted so good! Hard-boiled eggs stirred into a cream sauce over hot buttered toast. Get the full recipe here.

Lunch
Ginger Ale Can Chicken: Perfectly roasted chickens bake over opened cans of ginger ale. The ginger ale keeps the chicken moist. This easy roasting method give it a rich roasted flavor and beautiful golden brown color. Get the full recipe here.
Spoon Rolls: Small rolls easily baked in a cornbread or biscuit pan to perfection. Get the full recipe here.

Games
Egg in Spoon Relay Race: Players are divided into two teams. Each team is divided into two groups, one at Point A, one at Point B. The first player is given an egg in a spoon to carry from Point A to Point B. At that point the egg and spoon are handed off to the next competitor, who carries it back to Point A to the next competitor. A dropped egg means that the person carrying the egg must go back to where they started from. The first team to complete the relay wins!
Egg Bowling: This game is played similarly to bocce or lawn bowling. It can be played indoors or out. Each player uses a colored boiled egg. A plain white boiled egg is used as the target. Players compete to see who can roll their egg closest to the white egg without touching it. The first person to win a certain number of rounds - usually five or ten - wins the game. Alternately, use a chocolate bunny as the target. The game winner gets the chocolate bunny!

The Easter Bunny
So what's up with the rabbit running around with eggs, anyway? And just what does it have to do with Easter?
Well, according to the University of Florida's Center for Children's Literature and Culture, the origin of the celebration - and the Easter Bunny - can be traced back to 13th century, pre-Christian Germany. The emphasis of the holiday changed in later years but continued with many of the same traditions.
Just as Spring symbolizes new life and rebirth, rabbits and eggs are a sign of fertility and birth.
Eventually, the tradition of making nests for the Easter Bunny's eggs turned to making baskets to keep the eggs and now, candy.
So fil your baskets high and enjoy this Easter!