One of the things I have been talking a lot about lately is what I call “The New Normal” (TNN).  TNN is the employment and economic status that we are living in right now.  The national unemployment rate is around 9.5% and locally in Johnson County, the rate is around 8%.  The news in the paper is rarely good.  The market is up and down depending on news from some economic indicator that day.  Natural disasters have made oil and gas prices go up and down. Housing sales are up and down. The Associated Press article I read in the August 26^th edition of www.dailyjournal.net was headlined “MORE BAD NEWS” Officials say second recession is possible.  My question is this – since the Fall of 2008, have things really been that different?  My take is that things are normal or at least TNN and have been since that time. 

Depending on who you talk to, their business is really good, just “ok”, or really bad.  Well that isn’t earth shattering is it – or is it?  I am starting to figure out that how people view TNN means a lot.  It seems to me that those that have figured out that what we are dealing with is TNN, are the ones who are succeeding.  We can’t really compare things to “before” or what we think they “should be”.  You really can’t compare anything to anything right now.  TNN is just that.  It’s new and we have never been in times like this.  TNN means that things will change quickly, employment rates will stay high, and the economy is going to be in flux – for a while.  Those that understand TNN have decided to plan to be in it and are prepared to make the best of it.  This doesn’t mean that they are making tons of money, have it all figured out and are set for life.  Actually, chances are they are far from it.  Those that have accepted TNN might be making a little money, sleep a bit better and are finding ways to succeed more often.

I have several clients that are having record revenue months and quarters and as I look at those that are succeeding, they all have one thing in common.  They are all clients that I feel have adapted to TNN.  They are quicker, leaner, better trained, hiring smarter, adapting faster, more sales focused…. you get the picture.  Their competitors are the ones that say that the economy stinks; orders are not coming in and have not taken in the TNN.  They complain every time we call on them about how bad things are.  They have horrible employee moral and can’t wait for things to change.  Sigh…. 

The TNN is here for a while.  Let me know if we can help you adjust and succeed.

This is a great opportunity to network and find potential leads and contacts! The job search process can be hard and frustrating- that is why MPCC has started the Employment Networking meetings weekly. For more information, contact Lynn Albin at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church.

We hope to see you there!

I want to personally thank you for attending the mini golf outing and taking the time to stop by our booth and sign up for our “Girls Party Pack” raffle. The winner of the raffle has been announced on our Facebook Fan Page  (Express Emplyment Professionals- Indy South) so be sure to check and see if you were the lucky winner! When you visit our fan page, please be sure to “like” it! We frequently post information about community events, job seeker tips, client tips, pictures and other miscellaneous events/information.  

We are located on the SE corner of Madison Avenue and Smith Valley Road in a strip mall next to Dollar Tree and Great Tans. At Express, we send out some very useful newsletters that you may find beneficial. If you are interested in receiving any of our various newsletters, click here to sign up!   

*Be sure to check out our Facebook Fan Page to view more photos from the mini golf outing!*

The job fair will take place on Wednesday, August 25th from 9 am to 3 pm at the IUPUI Student Center (3rd floor.)

The goal of this event is to provide job-seeking residents of Central Indiana with an opportunity to interact with a broad array of employers from numerous sectors. Job opportunities represented by this event will range from minimum wage positions to professional-level jobs with graduate degrees required.

We look forward to this job fair and hope to see you there!

Bob Rozzi is the 2nd winner of our raffle from the annual Greenwood Chamber of Commerce golf outing! Bob won a 12 pack of golf balls and a jar full of tees. Bob stated that he “had a great time at the golf outing and would recommend to other contractors to attend your event next year.”

There were more than 200 participants and the outing was a huge success! Thank you to those who stopped by Express Employment Professional’s booth and we look forward to seeing you next year!

The Give Back Gals golf outing sure was a hit! More than 80 women participated in the annual golf outing and it looked like everyone had a great time! Everyone’s carts looked great. Good job ladies. 

The winner of the raffle has been announced on our Facebook Fan Page (Express Emplyment Professionals- Indy South) so be sure to check and see if you were the lucky winner! When you visit our fan page, please be sure to “like” it!

For those of you who are not aware, Express Employment Professionals is a professional recruiting company that specializes in recruiting for administrative, skilled industrial and professional positions. We do business with over 200 clients on the Southside of Indianapolis. Express is a nationwide, faith-based company that currently has over 500 locations. If you or anyone you know is looking for work, please refer them to us! 

We are located on the SE corner of Madison Avenue and Smith Valley Road in a strip mall next to Dollar Tree and Great Tans. At Express, we send out some very useful newsletters that you may find beneficial. If you are interested in receiving any of our various newsletters, click here to sign up!   

Again, thank you for for those who participated in the Give Back Gals golf outing and stopping by Express Employment Professionals. 

If you need more information about this event, please click here. We hope to see you out there and look forward to this great opportunity!!

Prize package includes:

A 40-inch LCD TV
A $100 Visa gift card
A tailgate party gift basket

Contest Rules:
Only first names of entrant will be used when publishing the story to ensure confidentiality. The name of the boss referenced will not be used.

Important Dates:

Aug. 2 – Contest begins, solutions of stories of how you had a Touchdown with a Bad Boss can be e-mailed to boss@expresspros.com

Aug. 18 – Three finalists posted to Movin’ on Up blog
Aug. 25 – Three finalists posted to Movin’ on Up blog
Sept. 1 – Last three finalists posted to Movin’ on Up blog, voting begins
September 10 – Voting closes at 2 p.m. Central Time
September 13 – Winner published on Movin’ on Up blog

Thursday, August 26th
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Pipers Cafe
2130 W. Southport Road
Indianapolis

Please RSVP to Cathy Myers by August 25th at coverparty@businessleader.bz or by calling (317) 918-0334.

We look forward to seeing you there!

*Central Indiana Job Fair hosted by Congressman Andre Carson, in coordination with Ivy Tech Community College

Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Where: IUPUI Student Center, 3rd Floor
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

*IUPUI Student Employment and Experience Fair

Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010
Where: Courtyard in front of Taylor Hall
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

We hope that you can make it to at least one of the job fairs. If you have any questions at all, please contact our office at 317-888-5700.