Corra Daily Planet

More Jobs Make for a Pleasant Surprise

Strong hiring boosts consumer outlook

By Glenn Somerville

Job growth surged in October at twice the rate expected and factory orders edged up, suggesting the world’s largest economy was strong enough to handle a deep housing slump without falling into recession.

For the entire article go to www.reuters.com

It seems the reality of the job market is much less dire than first predicted by economic forecasters. But Corra notes that when the job market is strong then good candidates are much more difficult to recruit. You have to be creative in your searches and rely upon fellow employees to refer qualified candidates to your business.

It never hurts to bonus them for their efforts. Corra knows it also never hurts to have pre-employment screening programs in place and to run background checks on all your job candidates. And if you are seeking new vendors or strategic partners to assist your supply chain or to bolster your footprint then it never hurts to do some corporate research to see if they are up to the task.

It is always good to benefit from your efforts. It is always difficult to face disappointments when you had the best intentions but left out that one little aspect of oversight that left you vulnerable to business downturns or litigation.

So check them out before you hire. Check them out before you do business with them.

Tourism in the U.S. on the Downslide, Costs Jobs

Unwelcoming’ US sees sharp fall in visitors since 9/11

The number of foreign visitors to the United States has plummeted since the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington because foreigners don’t feel welcome, tourism professionals said Thursday.”Since September 11, 2001, the United States has experienced a 17 percent decline in overseas travel, costing America 94 billion dollars in lost visitor spending, nearly 200,000 jobs and 16 billion dollars in lost tax revenue,” the Discover America advocacy campaign said in a statement.

Chairman Stevan Porter lamented the “extraordinary decline” in the number of overseas visitors to the United States, while the advocacy group’s executive director, Geoff Freeman, blamed the slump on the shabby welcome many foreigners feel they get in the United States.

For the full article go to www.breitbart.com

I guess this is not a surprise. Since 9/11 the US has fewer tourists. But Corra feels this may change as the dollar drops and Europeans and others discover it is cheaper to shop in the US than it is back at home. People will visit, taking advantage of the cheaper dollar, and buy stuff, often the same clothing and items that are imported her but still sell for less than their country of origin.

So you may need a staff to help service this need. You may need support people and production personnel and sourcing experts as well. For these people you will need to conduct background checks. Pre-employment screening is the best way to avert any potential liability while helping discern who is the best candidate for the job.

Take advantage of the cheap dollar. Market and export to foreign nations who find the dollar attractive. As for your job candidates, check them out before you hire.

Bright Side Darkens in the Eyes of Small Business Owners

Small-Business Optimism Hits Record Low

Fewer owners feel the economy is improving, a recent survey shows.

From: Inc.com | October 29, 2007 By: Angus Loten

The nation’s small-business owners are increasingly worried about the economy, as conditions in most business sectors continued to decline this month, according to Discover.Out of 1,000 owners surveyed nationwide, only 35 percent said they felt economic conditions for their businesses were improving, down from 40 percent in September. An even fewer number rated the economy as “excellent” or “good.”

For the entire article go to Inc.com

Corra well understands why small businesses are concerned about the economy. Corra is a small business and knows these can be trying times. But then we believe the fear aspect is greater than the reality and much of the more dire predictions will prove incorrect.

Nevertheless, the holiday season is here and the show must go on. Small businesses and large corporations must not only examine the holiday season but look to next year to whom they will hire. But with the economic slow down and a lot of desperate people you certainly want to run background checks to make sure you are recruiting an asset and not a potential disaster.

As for the small businesses out there, it is wise to conduct business research on any vendors, ventures or clients to whom you are extending credit. Corra provides business credit reports and comprehensive background checks on the individual executives. In these times, it’s a smart move.

Check them out before you hire.

Boorish Employees are Bad for Business

People can be rude at work

— We are all professionals at work. Nobody is rude or inconsiderate.Yeah, right.

In fact, nearly everybody has had to grit their teeth when a co-worker is insulting, inconsiderate or overbearing.

Such boorish behavior is more than just an irritant. It gets in the way of “job done.” And as productivity suffers, so does the company.

For the entire story go to www.sunherald.com

Corra can well attest that boorish people will run your business. They will damage your business from within and from without.

If relationship building is the key to business development and customer retention, then obnoxious jerks can drive away customers. They are not relationship builders but relationship destroyers. In a world of high competition and multiple choices, no one wants to suffer someone’s bad attitude.

Boorish employees will cause morale to suffer. They will hurt production, and your other employers will be distracted by either their behavior or by discussing the jerk among themselves.

Make sure you have a good interview process and a good background screening program to help eliminate candidates who can prove obnoxious. Run everything from criminal records to Motor Vehicle Driving records to ascertain possible substance issues and behavior problems that will show up in different ways on these searches. And remember, a red flag is a red flag. Ignore it and you pay the price.

Check them out before you hire.

Talent Crisis Makes Finding Good Employees that Much More Difficult

By Tod Loofbourrow
http://www.news.com/Must-employers-really-pay-to-play/2010-1022_3-6214903.html

While there is truth to the old adage that “you’ve gotta pay to play,” many companies are building compensation packages in a vacuum, with little, or no connection to actual business goals. In fact, throwing money around–in the form of substantial CEO pay packages and recruitment signing bonuses–is not doing much to improve business success or employee retention. With executive churn on the upswing, attracting and retaining talent more than ever remains a top corporate priority. Indeed, companies say they are increasingly worried about recurring talent shortages–and for good reason. Less than 25 percent of the businesses Authoria surveyed said they were doing a good job leveraging compensation to attract and retain high quality employees–let alone aligning performance with business objectives.

This nation is in the middle of a talent crisis. The U.S. is estimated to face a 10 million worker shortage in 2010; the 500 largest companies are expected to lose 50 percent of their senior management in five years and the average tenure at one employer for U.S. employees is only three years. An extensive study by research and advisory firm Bersin & Associates last May showed that due to economic growth, demographic shifts (retirement of baby boomers) and new workforce values, organizations are experiencing an unprecedented corporate talent squeeze.

For the entire story go to topix.net

Corra has read reports where the bureacratic bottleneck on skilled and educated immigrants who wish to work in the United States is being moadifed for a faster flow. The is good news for the businesses who need skilled workers.

With that in mind you should consider International searches for your employment candidates who have worked abroad. Corra advises an International Criminal Background Search, as well as International Employment and Education verifications. This is a prudent way to avoid any rude surprises and to help you reduce your exposure to costly liability litigation. You might, in some cases, want to do the Global Terror Watch Search, as well. Not only does this search alert you to those on the terror watch list but also reports on Interpol, the Bank of England and other key reporting agencies that help define whether a person or business can work in the United States.

Check them out before you hire.

Happy Thanksgiving from Corra Group

Corra wanted to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. This is a great time of the year for getting together with family, and maybe a little bit of reflection, and planning for the coming business year.

For background checks, think of Corra. We offer preeminent personal service for your pre-employment screening and corporate research. Despite the warm and fuzzy feeling we all get this time of year, the reality of today is to protect your business from exposure to liability and public embarrassment. Background checks are a cost effective way to help you do so.

So eat up, drink up, but not too much, and call us when you have a minute. And remember, check them out before you hire.

It’s The Season to Shop for Background Checks

With the new year coming, it is the season to shop around for a reliable background checking company. Corra can service all your background checking needs, be it pre-employment screening or corporate research.

Corra can customize any package that will best suit your company. We are known for our exemplary customer service, and we make ourselves accessible to answer any questions or to help our clients interpret you background screening reports. We can do everything from your basic criminal background searches to corporate credit reports.
It’s the season to shop around for more than holiday gifts. Shop for good service. Call Corra.

Check them out before you hire.

Going to Work a Tough Job?

Do you put on body armor to go to work?

Are you so dedicated to your colleagues that you can’t wait to get started at the office in the morning? Or is your workplace SO toxic that you dread going in every day?

True story. Joe, a highly valued senior manager, took a new position, sold his house and relocated to a new state for a promotion. Once in the role, Joe received more responsibility and more money, both of which he had wanted. The gotcha? Joe’s new direct manager, Sam, makes Joe’s life miserable and micromanages him. Many of Sam’s direct reports have quit or sought new assignments within the organization. And now Joe, too, is determined to find a new job.

The result? Brain drain and the potential loss of a highly regarded legacy employee.

For the entire article go to

www.TechExecPartners.com

Corra hears a lot of stories of woe about how tough it is to get it up for work. It is not surprising. Work can be drudgery. Some employers create an environment where going to work seems as meaningless and as thankless as, say, watching C-Span on a slow day.

So if you are a business, it pays to make your employees feel positive about their working environment. And then you should always recruit the kind of candidates who appreciate such a gesture. Background checks will tell you much about a candidates potential. The criminal background check will help you avoid exposure to liability.

Check them out before you hire.