Job Development in a Recession?

Cast aside notions of charity. You are not looking for a hand-out. You would not step through a businesses’ door unless you had a service that could help them toward their goals in this lean time. 

Tell the business that you will take a look at what they do, then draw upon successful examples, the advice of business leaders in the field, and the robust pool of applicants you have pre-screened, and IF you can make a positive difference you will make a proposal to them. If you cannot help them profit, you will give them the peace of mind of knowing they are near to flawless.  

Be sure to remind them that this service is free and you have no purpose other than to see them succeed.”

Dennis provided a recent example: “Alfy’s Pizza in Bonney Lake and Puyallup has partnered with Trillium in a marketing strategy that has proven to be a profit center. Alfy’s wanted to gain a cost effective advantage in marketing to its prospective customers. They wanted to let more people know they existed as a food choice. Options for marketing included bulk rate color gloss mailings and newspaper inserts. These avenues were expensive and there was always the notion that Alfy’s marketing materials could get lost in the sea of other glossy color advertisements.

In the end Alfy’s purchased glossy coupon/marketing pieces that have a cut out for a doorknob.   We selected job candidates who enjoyed being outdoors, were seeking 1-4 hours of work a day, then developed assistive technology to map the routes, addressed potential safety issues, and assisted in training the employees. Alfy’s is so grateful to have employees willing to consistently dedicate themselves to this work, especially after suffering with inconsistent employees prior to discovering supported employment.

Now people in Bonney Lake and Puyallup are coming home from work, weary and hungry and right at their fingertips is the Alfy’s solution. Alfy’s is standing out and selling more pizza.

  In times like these, when businesses are concerned about dropping sales, plummeting bottom lines, and credit freezes, what is a job developer to do?  We sought out some words of wisdom from Dennis Herren, Program Manager at Trillium Employment Services.  “Job developers need to demonstrate an understanding of our economy and be able to articulate to businesses how their services and job candidates can help them survive.  Businesses in a recession need to do more with a leaner staff – a recession is a gauntlet of fire for businesses where any flab is incinerated and at the end of the day the companies who are left standing will be fit to lead in their industries for many years to come.

You’ve got to hound the business section of the newspaper. Check it out every day. I recently read a list of Northwest companies that are tanking. If you already work with these businesses, be pro-active with their managers. Let them know you are aware that tough times are ahead, ask how your agency can help, develop a mini risk-analysis plan for maintaining the supported employee’s position, and be pro-active in determining how your partnership will be one of the keys to this business surviving the recession. If the business does survive and you have helped they will count you among the loyal and true.

The business section is also vital in terms of understanding who is doing well. If you have a list of prospective businesses get online and see who is still doing okay. Some businesses are experiencing success during this economic crisis. I read that Safeway is succeeding due to investing in its gasoline program.   Mention this to Safeway managers and employers and congratulate them. 

For many years, the U.S. military, technology researchers and developers, and automakers have been quietly working on assistive technology breakthroughs which will, eventually, transform society. Included in this will be the enhanced ability of people with physical and cognitive challenges to attain and maintain typical lives and employment.   Everything from eye-tracking devices, mobility enhancers, and new computer access tools are being developed and, with time, the price will become affordable. Here are just a few examples of what is on the way…

ReWalk™, from Argo Medical Technologies Ltd, the first commercially viable upright walking assistance tool/exoskeleton, enables wheelchair users with lower-limb disabilities to stand, walk, and even climb stairs. For potentially millions of wheelchair users, ReWalk™ delivers a new perspective – on the world, on themselves, and on life.

To watch video and for more information: http://www.argomedtec.com/

Got an idea for a story? Know someone doing great work for people with disabilities in Washington State? Questions? Comments? Contact: jim@theinitiative.ws or call 206-343-0881 x109 THANKS!