I wanted to make others aware that is my last post at Coryscomments.blogspot.com. Thank you for those who have followed my comments, visits and experiences at TempWorks over the last couple years.
You can find me in the future at my new site: http://coryscomments.com/
In addition, you can connect with me at:
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Four TempWorks Anniversaries in last couple weeks
Congratulations to these four men who have had anniversaries at TempWorks recently:
- David Dourgarian - President, nine years
- Nguyen Tran - Sr. Programmer, eight years
- Musa Zaidi- Sr. Implementation Specialist, five years
- Jared Gebhard - Web Services Specialist, two years
Thursday, January 7, 2010
New TempWorks Press Release
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The TempWorks Implementation Team
Happy New Year everybody! I thought I would start the year by giving you a little more background to our implementation team at TempWorks. Each of these individuals are working very hard this week on new software installations. This team has over 30 years of staffing software implementation experience.
I tip my cap to each of these team members. I know it is no easy task to install enterprise level staffing software, conduct data conversions, manage their time, as well as manage many different projects.
Below is our team, as well as a brief description about each of them:
- Sairah Tran - Manager of Consulting & Technical Services:
Sairah came to TempWorks in October 2002 as a support center specialist. During that time she displayed exceptional skills in providing quality customer service while thoroughly learning the system from both a technical and end user perspective. She moved into the implementation department where she has continued to thrive. She is currently the Manager of our implementation team.
Prior to TempWorks, Sairah was with a mortgage company in Chicago where she worked as a web designer and loan processor. She brings with her a bachelor’s degree in computer science and electronic commerce from DePaul University in Chicago.
Her friendly nature and willingness to jump into any project where help is needed is what makes her well liked. When asked what she enjoys most about her affiliation with TempWorks, Sairah cites the people and day-to-day challenges of her position.
Sairah and her cat, Zoha, reside in Inver Grove Heights, MN where she enjoys reading, traveling, and researching different cultures and traditions.
- Musa Zaidi - Sr. Implementation Specialist:
Musa first came to TempWorks as an intern in July of 2004; six months later, he was hired on as a full-time employee. Starting in our support department, Musa worked his way up to our Implementation Team. Musa enjoys working at TempWorks because of the friendly atmosphere and pleasant work environment.
Prior to joining the TempWorks crew, Musa worked for the Database Research Group (DBRG). His primary responsibilities included conducting research on their active database and presenting his findings to the group. Musa obtained his skills by attending Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Computer Science.
Musa keeps active by regularly running and working out. Other favorite pastimes include listening to music, watching movies, and participating in good-natured debates with friends on a variety of topics. Musa originally came to the United States from Pakistan; he currently resides in Eagan, MN.
- Ali Virani - Sr. Implementation Specialist:
Starting as a Support Center Specialist for TempWorks in January of 2005, Ali Virani has worked his way up to his current role as a Sr. Analyst on our Implementation Team. Ali’s skills and experience range to a variety of projects and he has extensive knowledge working with our General Ledger application. He is also an expert when it comes to time card implementation, both in-house and client development requests, delivering daily software support, the Accounts Payable application, performing system upgrades and initiating implementations.
Ali earned a Bachelors of Science degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato, majoring in Computer Science. He is currently continuing his education at the University of St. Thomas, where he is working towards his Masters in Business Administration, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Operations Management.
Ali may be quiet and laid back in nature when at TempWorks, but outside of work, he likes to have fun and remain active. Ali enjoys working-out, both watching and playing cricket, playing pool and taking in a good movie.
- Jathan Moline - Sr. Implementation Specialist:
Jathan is known around the office for his humor and good nature that always make him a joy to work with. Since starting at TempWorks in April of 2005, he has not only been a great asset, but has managed to keep the staff at TempWorks chuckling at his witty comments. He attests his good mood to the great co-workers and customers he has the privilege to work with everyday.
Initially working as a member of our Support Center team, his talent and great customer relations skills quickly moved Jathan into his current role as an Account Manager. Wearing many hats that produce an exhaustive list of duties, Jathan’s main responsibilities include Project Management, Implementation, Sales, Development and Support.
A foundation for his skills, Jathan completed his education at the Minnesota School of Business, where he achieved an AAS Software Development degree.
Prior to joining TempWorks, Jathan worked for Trumed Technologies, a medical manufacturing firm. He held positions as Distribution Manager, Quality Manager and Materials Manager, each requiring the talent for various skills.
In his personal time, Jathan enjoys writing modules for video games, cooking on the grill, spending time with friends and tirelessly honing his golf game.
A native Minnesotan, Jathan spent part of his childhood in the southern part of the state, then moved north to the Iron Range. He is one of the rare individuals that worked outside in Towers, Minn., back in the winter of 1996, when the temperature dipped to a state record low of a daunting sixty degrees below zero! Jathan now calls Farmington, MN, home.
- Michael Bracy - Implementation Specialist:
Michael Bracy, who works in the TempWorks support center. He’s been working with our company for since 2007; prior to coming to TempWorks, Mike ran a soccer warehouse in Wisconsin, where he grew up.
Mike graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2004 with three degrees: in international business, marketing and real estate. “But I was always into computers and IT stuff, and when I got the opportunity to TempWorks and work in IT, I was pretty excited,” He says.
Mike recently commented on a significant challenge he needed to overcome at one of our customers. “I was sent to a customer office and their payroll department had just quit,” he remembers. “And their IT guy quit, too. I was originally there to just do general support, but ended up training them through their payroll process. It was one of the most difficult positions I’ve been in. “But working through that situation helped me learn more about the staffing industry and the payroll department.”
One of the reasons Mike was interested in joining the Implementation team was to assist current customers. “One aspect of the implementation department is to perform upgrades to existing client systems, so the company has the newest and greatest things that TempWorks has to offer,” he explains. “That is a great accomplishment.”
- Todd Glander - Implementation Specialist:
With TempWorks for almost four years now, Todd Glander is known for his good humor and is a valued member of the TempWorks team. Originally he started in our Support Center, but Todd is now a part of the implementation division where he is responsible for support, implementations, data conversions and development for these solutions.
Todds skills come from self-taught disciplined learning; following a CCNA course taken during high school, Todd taught himself about SQL, Access, VB and other technologies. Todd's previous employment record shows a strong background in a variety of positions within the technology field. Though he has an impressive job history, Todd proclaims TempWorks to be the best place he has ever worked. "We have very talented people working here and I feel honored to be able to be on the TempWorks team," says Todd.
A resident of Lake City, Minn., Todd shares his love and talent with technology. As the founding President of a non-profit organization that assists in growing the interest and knowledge of technology in people, Todd's group offers hardware and resources to participants and organizes LAN parties that provide computers to those who can't afford one. Donations are collected to provide computers to underprivileged teens for use in their own homes.
When Todd isn't working at his non-profit, he focuses on running his wireless ISP company and enjoying time spent with robotics, trap and target shooting and brewing his own beer.
- Korey VanDeWalker - Implementation Specialist:
Korey VanDewalker, a TempWorks employee since August of 2007. He began as a Support Specialist and quickly moved his way up to the Implementation Team.
Prior to TempWorks Korey had quite the adventure. After graduating from Lake City high school he began College in Dallas, Texas. He spent a year there before moving back to his grassroots location in SE Minnesota, where he attended college in Rochester.
He soon took a job at Hilton Tool and Die, where he designed plastic injection mold machines. He took on many projects there, including the design for the Wizard toilet bowel cleaner handle. Korey was also a member of the United States Navy, where he spent most of his time at the Lake Naval Hospital in Chicago.
Thanks to Todd Glander, Korey heard to TempWorks and began his career here. When asked what makes him happy to call TempWorks home, Korey expressed his love of the great work environment , “Everyone I work with is cool” says VandeWalker. Korey also enjoys the opportunities for advancement here at TempWorks. Starting off as a Support Specialist, Korey was about to move into implementation in less than a year.
Korey currently lives in Inver Grove Heights. When Korey isn’t at work, you can find him rebuilding computers, playing world war craft or his personal favorite, knitting.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Staffing tip for 2010, on-line application
If your staffing firm is not using an applicant portal, I would strongly recommend it. Your staffing firm does not make money entering in application information...your team gets paid to qualify applicants and put them to work.
A button can be added to your website, so applicants can apply from home, a friend's house, the library, or anywhere there is a computer:
If applicants are not able to apply before they get to your office, your team can set up a few kiosks for walk-in traffic. Laptops can also be used for applications at job fairs.
The applicant will be able to create their applicant file using a resume, or without:
Make sure you talk with your software installation team to customize (add/hide) your application to include/exclude the information most important to you. Not every staffing firm asks the same questions, so make sure you are storing the information your team needs.
Below are a few sections from TempWorks' applicant portal so you can see what is available:
Interview:
Work Experience:
Education:
Skills (Experience, Language, Software, and more):
Once this information is entered, it can be reviewed by your staff. After the information has been reviewed, the applicant can be contacted. When the applicant comes to your office for an interview all of the information can be edited, or more information can be added.
If you have any questions about adding an application portal to your website in 2010, please let me know (Cory@TempWorks.com).
A button can be added to your website, so applicants can apply from home, a friend's house, the library, or anywhere there is a computer:
If applicants are not able to apply before they get to your office, your team can set up a few kiosks for walk-in traffic. Laptops can also be used for applications at job fairs.
The applicant will be able to create their applicant file using a resume, or without:
Make sure you talk with your software installation team to customize (add/hide) your application to include/exclude the information most important to you. Not every staffing firm asks the same questions, so make sure you are storing the information your team needs.
Below are a few sections from TempWorks' applicant portal so you can see what is available:
Interview:
Work Experience:
Education:
Skills (Experience, Language, Software, and more):
Once this information is entered, it can be reviewed by your staff. After the information has been reviewed, the applicant can be contacted. When the applicant comes to your office for an interview all of the information can be edited, or more information can be added.
If you have any questions about adding an application portal to your website in 2010, please let me know (Cory@TempWorks.com).
Thursday, December 24, 2009
A few videos from TempWorks CEO, Gregg Dourgarian
Over the last couple weeks, Gregg Dourgarian has posted a few a few different videos on his Staffing Talk blog. I encourage you to read the blog posts, as well as watch the videos regarding:
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
My favorite office to visit
I know making a statement like this is going to get me in trouble. TempWorks has hundreds of customers, so making a statement "this is my favorite office to visit" is like saying "xxx" is my favorite child.A few weeks ago I was able to stop in at the Manpower franchise in San Diego. I have been there a few different times, but every time I walk out of their office I think to myself, "man it would be fun to come to work here."
I like visiting the office because of the great people who work there. But what makes it my favorite office to visit is the how the office is designed, how it looks, and how it makes you feel when you are there.
In my opinion the owners, Mel Katz and Phil Blair, have done a phenomenal job in decorating the office. There is art work throughout the whole office. Many different colors, shapes and sizes. I even saw a multi-colored bicycle in the conference room.
I encourage any of our staff to stop by next time they are in the area.
A few more additions to the TempWorks staff
Joining the team at TempWorks in the last few weeks are Brian Bartell and Isaac Ishaque. Both Brian and Isaac will be working in our support department.
Also, TempWorks is happy to announce Dalyce Brell has rejoined our team. Dalyce has over fifteen years of staffing knowledge and experience. Dalyce will be working with our training department. Welcome back, Dalyce.
As we near the end of the year, TempWorks continues to hire. Please visit our career page if you are interested in applying for any of our current openings.
Maybe Gregg Dourgarian, CEO of TempWorks, will be buying you Lattes or taking you to lunch soon.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Green Team from TempWorks
I have to admit the TempWorks' staff has been beating the "go green" drum loudly and often lately. Quite a bit of it has focused around our DocCenter product. I wanted to take a moment to make others aware that we have many products which add efficiency and convenience, help the environment, and help cut costs.Below is a list of a few more members of our "green" team:
Application Portal - from your website or a kiosk in your office applicants can enter their contact information, past jobs, education, and interests.
Job Board - allows employees and applicants to view current job openings within your organization
DocCenter -W-4's, I-9's and other forms that require data entry, signatures and storage are automatically completed and stored on secure servers.
Pay Cards/Direct Deposit - TempWorks has partnered with a few different pay card providers. Thus eliminating the cost of printing and mailing out paychecks.
Employee Assignment information - through the employee WebCenter assignment information can be seen (start time, first day, who to report to, address, not to mention the ability to map out how to get to the customer site).
Electronic pay stubs - employees can log in and get payroll information from any time period they have worked for your staffing firm.
Electronic W2's - Employees can opt in or opt out of getting their w2's for current or past years from the employee WebCenter
Electronic employee time sheets - Employee can enter in their hours per day (including time for breaks, adjustments, cost codes, as well as different pay codes).
Electronic time card approval - Client supervisor receives notification time cards are waiting for approval. Supervisor can approve or reject time. Everything in one system. Everything is documented in the system, no more billing disputes.
Electronic invoices - invoices can be emailed to your customers. But customers can also log into the WebCenter to see current and previous invoices (below is a list of invoices, but customers have the option of viewing/printing individual invoices).
Time clocks - The online time clock posts information immediately. The supervisor will know if an employee is late for a shift, and you can respond quickly to the unplanned absence.
Customer On-demand Reports - your customers are able to see real-time information any time of the day or night, when it is convenient for your customer.
TempWorks Mobile - all of your customer contact information at your fingertips. Phone numbers, email addresses, maps to their office location.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
TempWorks would like to congratulate Hire Dynamics and Nelson Family of Companies
Both of these companies were listed in the top 10 staffing companies to work for in 2009 published by Staffing Industry Analysts.
Quite the accomplishment. Again, congratulations.
Click here to see the complete list.
Quite the accomplishment. Again, congratulations.
Click here to see the complete list.
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