Speaking of our state’s bright future, I was privileged to hear Gov. Bobby Jindal speak at the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Power Breakfast on Jan. 31. Gov. Jindal spoke about Louisiana’s many assets – our ports, fisheries, the oil & gas industry, and most of all, our people. He spoke about what was needed to keep the “sons and daughters of Louisiana” from leaving the state for better opportunities. The “three concrete things we can do to make a better Louisiana are to declare war on corruption, get rid of the business taxes that are inhibiting companies’ growth, and address our work force challenges.“

Gov. Jindal spoke at length about revamping the workforce training programs. “We need a plan for the kids that aren’t going to college,” he said. We need to get them into “technical schools and get them certified” to be computer technicians, plant workers, pipe fitters, welders, and all the other occupations that are so desperately needed, according to Gov. Jindal.  

“Our country is watching us,” said Gov. Jindal. The old ways of doing business don’t work anymore. It’s time for change – real change like never before.

Speaking of Louisiana’s rich culture and past, I think Gov. Jindal was never more right when he said, “our future’s even better than our history.“

Source: Forecast Bullish for Louisiana
“New Orleans City Business”
www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewFeature.cfm?recid=959

The Capital Region is booming with many new construction projects already in the works. Shintech has announced a multi million dollar second phase to its PVC complex, Placid Refining is already staffing their $300 million dollar upgrade, and Exxon Mobil plans on adding a refinery. Pioneer Chlor Alkali’s new owner, Cleveland, Tenn. based Olin Corp., has a $142 million expansion in St. Gabriel. Traditional neighborhood developments will be taking off soon in both East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes.

These projects translate into both interim construction jobs as well as full time, permanent positions. The biggest concern remains adequate workforce to staff this growth. With a limited supply of labor in a market with growing demand, it will be interesting to see how salaries will be impacted. Competition for the “best and the brightest” will heat up and those skilled, qualified workers will have more employment choices than ever before.

At Frazee, we face daily challenges in locating that perfect employee to fill our clients staffing needs. It’s taking longer and longer to fill job openings. What used to be a 2-4 week turnaround for many skilled, professional level positions can now take up to 60 days or longer. A piece of advice to employers: Be proactive in your recruiting, and don’t wait until you need the employee to start recruiting for them! Frazee realizes the importance of staying on top of the latest recruiting trends, and we’ve shown that we are “up to the task,” according to President and Owner Marianne Frazee. Our most critical needs right now fall into the financial and accounting fields as well as engineering and technical. Here’s a sample of our Current openings:

• Project Accountants
• Sr. Tax Accountant
• Financial Analyst
• Program Manager – Facilities
• Quality Assurance Auditor
• Maintenance Tech
• .Net Developer
• Junior Security Engineer

You can view these and all our listings at www.frazeerecruit.com

It’s a constant complaint from employers – workers seem to be lacking the basic manners and sense of professionalism that are needed to conduct themselves appropriately in the workplace. From conducting personal business over the cell phone during work hours to flossing their teeth at the reception desk, professional behavior in the workplace has “gone to the dogs.” Although the “Millenials” (anyone born between 1982 and 2000) are some of the worst offenders, they are by no means the only generation in the workplace guilty of this.

With the number of temporary and contract workers that Frazee has placed over the years, we sometimes think we have heard every workplace “faux pas” there is! However, the list seems to be changing and growing daily! Be aware of the following behaviors if you want to maintain a sense of professionalism in the workplace:

• Practice good technology etiquette – turn you PDA’s off during meetings, leave the Text Messaging until after work, & if you have to have your cell phone on, keep it on vibrate.
• Eat lunch in the break room or away from the office instead of at your desk – especially if you are serving the public.
• Use good grooming, good posture, and when you speak, don’t mumble!
• Stay upbeat and positive – don’t bring your personal problems to work.
• Use appropriate dress – if you don’t know what that is, ask the company to give you their dress code…if your clothes are wrinkled, learn how to iron!
• Cover your tattoos, piercings, and any other body art while in the workplace.
• Keep your underwear tucked in – this includes men and women.
• Instead of barging in to someone’s office unannounced, knock first.
• If you absolutely have to take a cell phone call, do it in
  private, no one wants to hear your personal business.
• Clean up after yourself – as we say at Frazee: "Remember, your mother doesn’t work here!”
  
  

LinkedIn, a social network for business professionals and career-minded people, is fast becoming a major resource for both employers and job seekers. Recruiters are also using LinkedIn to identify candidates for job openings. Employers can log onto the LinkedIn site, and list jobs and search for potential candidates. According to Kay Luo, Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn, "The main reason that companies are using LinkedIn is to find passive job candidates. Another reason why companies are using LinkedIn, is because referrals from their employees are highly valued since they typically have a higher success rate (hence the popular "employee referral bonuses"). LinkedIn helps companies leverage the networks of their employees."

How does it work? First, you have to be 'invited' by a registered LinkedIn user. The user maintains a list of contact details of people that they know and trust in business. The people in their list become their Connections. They can then invite anyone they want to become a user. These connections are used in various ways - to gain an introduction to someone you wish to know, and to locate jobs, people, and business opportunities. When you create your profile on LinkedIn, remember to use discretion, honesty and good judgement. Treat your profile as you would your resume. One of the big benefits of LinkedIn is the "gated-access approach" where contact with any professional requires either a pre-existing relationship or the intervention of a contact of theirs. The intent is to build trust among the service's users. Each user has the ability to accept or refuse a contact.

A basic LinkedIn account is free, but you can pay for a premium service that will give you greater access to the network. Corporate memberships are available and all of the Fortune 500 companies have signed on. Time.com identifies LinkedIn as one of the “top 50 websites of 2007.” As of January 2008, it had more than 17 million registered users.

Source
LinkedIn and Your Job Search
From Alison Doyle,
Your Guide to Job Searching.
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/linkedin.htm

Mardi Gras Time
Karnival Krewe de Louisiane – Jan. 18, 2008

Duchess Marianne Frazee

Mardi Gras Balls are not only fun – they can be rewarding, too! Frazee Recruiting Consultants, Inc. was a participant in the 2008 Karnival Krewe de Louisiane, a charity ball that serves as a fundraiser for Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center. Frazee president Marianne Frazee served as a Duchess in the Royal Court. The Moulin Rouge themed charity ball raised $190,000 in funds for cancer research, cancer education and indigent cancer patient care.