Workshops

Technical, IT, and Scientific Learning Track

Find out the true difference between temporary and contract staffing, and placement and recruiting services, and learn how a blended practice can expand the services you provide. Scott Wintrip, PCC, will review seven key questions to help you learn how to meet the demands of clients while meeting the desires and expectations of hard-to-find quality candidates.

You'll discover ways to recruit passive candidates for the contract lifestyle, steps to prepare them for this change in their career path, and techniques to integrate niche services into your business model. Get recruiting tools that work for a blended business—including referral techniques and ethical sourcing strategies. Learn to structure your delivery of contract and direct hire services to provide flexibility for your company, your candidates, and your clients.

Uncensored Opinions
Panel moderated by Bill Yoh, president and chief executive officer, Yoh
Wednesday, 3–5 p.m.

In the first hour of this two-hour section session, Bill Yoh will engage local business leaders who depend on technical, IT, and scientific sector staffing firms. This is your opportunity to interact with decision makers and get their uncensored feedback on what staffing firms are doing right and where they are falling short. Yoh will moderate this discussion developed by the technical, IT, and scientific section policy council.

In 2006, two-thirds of your peers expected to expand their technical, IT, and scientific staffing firms organically rather than by acquisition. What are they saying this year? Find out in the second hour of this session, when the section policy council shares the results of the 2007 ASA survey of the sector. Get insight into sector trends, projections, and current successes and challenges while networking with colleagues.

Innovative Technology—A Case Study of a Client-Centric Approach
Matthew Horenkamp, industry principal, SAP America Inc.
Thursday, 4–5:15 p.m.
Also in operations and staff development track

In a highly competitive and commoditized market with few barriers to entry, how can you stay ahead of the competition? The answer—find new ways to deliver additional business value to clients and partners.

Matthew Horenkamp will use the example of ASA member company Yoh to illustrate how a firm's technology strategy can dramatically improve its managed services platform for its clients and ultimately lead to a high return on investment.

You'll learn technology best practices that can help staffing firms respond to client demand for increased flexibility, manage the changing dynamics of the staffing marketplace, and drive innovation.

Immigration Changes: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
Helen Konrad, Esq., partner, McCandlish Holton PC
Friday, 10:30–11:45 a.m.
Also in health care and industrial learning tracks

The U.S. Social Security Administration has proposed regulations to deal with Social Security number mismatches. In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently has allowed employers to store I-9 forms electronically.

Do you know how these regulations will affect you and your business? Failure to follow best practices in verifying employment eligibility and in completing the required Form I-9 could result in a costly lawsuit. Protect your staffing company by learning the mistakes most frequently made by staffing firms during the verification process and how to avoid them.

Helen Konrad, Esq., will lead participants in discussions of common immigration documents, questions you can and cannot ask at the recruitment and job offer stages, storing I-9 forms, what to do when you are faced with improper documents, a sensible line-by-line analysis of the I-9 form, and what-if scenarios that could occur during the I-9 process. Learn about the potential changes to the employer verification process pending in Congress and what they could mean to your company.

Konrad will also update you on the current responsibilities of employers and suggest steps to take when you receive Social Security number "no match" letters. The session will also address how staffing firms can digitally complete and store I-9 forms electronically in accordance with federal standards.