The Vital Role That Recruitment Consultants Play in the Technology Sector

The technology sector is synonymous with innovation and exciting developments but when it comes to recruitment, it can be more beneficial to turn to traditional methods for both employers and employees. The internet is a shining example of the benefits that technology has given us and there has recently been an explosion of online job sites which, at first glance can be tempting for all parties concerned in the recruitment process.

The reality however, is that an employer can spend endless man hours trying to eliminate unsuitable candidates when traditional Recruitment Consultants can save you time, and therefore be extremely cost-effective in the long-term.

Technology as a career has grown steadily in popularity to become one of the most congested sectors in the employment industry. Once an employer logs on to a job site, they may be faced with hundreds, maybe even thousands of potential candidates for a particular vacancy. The elimination process can therefore take a considerable amount of time to the point where the Human Resources department begins to waste company money.

Recruitment Consultants do all the hard work for you and produce only suitable candidates who are more likely to be matched with your role. The consultant can continue to advise you although the final decision will always be yours.

From the employee’s point of view, it’s worth bearing in mind that employers have been slow to move away from Recruitment Consultants as their first choice in the recruitment procedure. It therefore makes sense to make them the first port of call when seeking a new role in the technology sector.

At the initial meeting, a consultant can offer all sorts of benefits and they can even help you make sure your CV is optimised and gives you the best possible chance of securing the position you really desire.

So the benefits of hiring Recruitment Consultants are very evident for all parties involved. From an employer’s perspective, the costs in fees are more than worth it when you consider the amount of man hours that a recruiter can save you. In turn, an employee can be safe in the knowledge that their consultant is working as hard as possible to find your next technology position.

The personal touch and complete service that a consultant provides just cannot be matched by any of the online sites so it makes sense to trust them with your technology recruitment requirements.

How to Use Consultants to Improve Steel Company Profitability

Profitability is often an issue in heavy industry, where high fixed costs and price cycles regularly make attainment of break-even profit levels a challenge. Implementation of profit improvement programs with the assistance of external experts is often therefore used to improve bottom line performance. This short article discusses how a profit improvement program can be implemented in a typical iron and steelworks.

PIP Overview

At its simplest a profit improvement program or PIP is a short to medium term plan for improving steel company profitability – both through revenue improvements and through cost reduction measures. It is a plan that is usually prepared by a team of experts who have a combination of skills. These skills include metal-sector market and technical expertise in the main, but also business and industry understanding so that, working with management, we can convert ideas into improved bottom line performance.

Usually, the profit improvement program is a short written plan – it can be 10 pages or less. It is normally a plan that is jointly worked on – by external consultants and local management alike. And although every steel company is different, the typical PIP will typically address matters such as:

revenue improvements: these will normally be identified as arising from improved product mix (that’s emphasis on more value added), from more efficient distribution, from better product pricing (including new surcharges, sometimes) and quite often, from improved customer selection;
cost reduction: these are normally established through better yield performance, from improved productivity, through changes in purchasing practices and behaviors, from adoption of new technology, and from better utilities consumption, better use of know how, better commercial understanding etc…
In the typical PIP, each of the revenue and cost opportunities listed above is assessed, described, quantified and where possible, built into the company business plan with allocation of targets and implementation responsibilities.

Why Implement a PIP?

One question that often arises is – why would a company normally want to run such a program? Different companies typically implement their profit improvement programs for different reasons. Sometimes these reasons can involve the need for a fast business turnaround – from loss to profit – as part of a major corporate restructuring. Quite often, management will be new and may wish to demonstrate some ‘quick wins’. Often also, an existing management may remain in place, but may feel the need for a better understanding of foreign markets, or of international best practice at operational level… and thus wish hear the opinions of international management consultants.

Sometimes however, a PIP is undertaken less for management purposes, and more for the benefit of other stakeholders. These stakeholders can include bankers, who may wish to ensure that every profit opportunity is identified and then grasped in order to maximize a return on investment. Other stakeholders can also include bodies such as national or regional governments (e.g. the European Commission) who may require emphasis on improved profitability as part of a National Steel Restructuring Program or who can require an independent consulting assessment of future business viability as part of a State-Aid related investigation or undertaking.

Where to start?

So how does one actually go about putting together a steel company profit improvement program? Well, one approach is to follow a simple, four step process.

Step 1: this normally involves the preparation of a short questionnaire for management and then also involves assessments of plant performance based on management responses to the questionnaire

Step 2: this also involves Consultant familiarization with the business, with the consulting team looking through company documents such as market studies and existing business plans

Step 3: this usually involves a field visit, and is typically focused on discussions with management and on plant visits. Such a field visit generally involves two or three expert consultants visiting for 2-3 days, depending on the size and complexity of the steel making plant;

Step 4: this involves the preparation of a short PIP report – the profit improvement program itself – including calculations about the likely magnitude of any profit uplifts and deliberations on management priorities and overall implementation responsibilities.
From start to finish, the whole process can last as little as two weeks. The process can also however be ongoing – so that the Consultants return after 6 or 12 months to appraise the progress made and perhaps to ‘unblock’ or ‘refocus’ the original efforts. Quite often, our ownfirm Metals Consulting International assists with a re-write of an original profit improvement plans 1, 2 or sometimes 3 years after the original formulation of the PIP.

Benefits of Business Consulting Services

If you own a small business or are thinking about starting one, then whether you know it or not, you probably can make use of business consulting services. Business consulting will help you sort through the unknown, manage risk, get more efficient and profitable, sidestep legal trouble, and much more. Take a look at some of the benefits of business consultation to see if it would be a good match for you.

As mentioned above, there are many different and specific benefits to these kinds of services. There are so many different factors that you have to manage when you own a business. You have your core product or service itself, whatever it is you are offering or trying to sell. You have the logistics behind that, whether it’s a storefront, a door-to-door service, an eCommerce site, or anything else. You have marketing costs, and you have employees which come with their own costs, and also need to be managed effectively.

There are administrative and financial sides to the business, legal considerations and concerns, and much more. That only scratches the surface and already it’s a lot to deal with. Business consulting services will help you to sort through all of that noise, steer clear of trouble, and make yourself more efficient and successful.

Of course, don’t forget that simply having a sounding board can be very valuable to a business. Talking things over will help to eliminate potential trouble spots before they pop up down the road, and will help you to separate good ideas from bad ideas right from the start. A logical voice offering you advice or asking you questions is more than often for most business owners to make the right decisions.

For example, let’s say you live in Miami, and you’re looking to start a small business in Florida. A checklist of the legal steps and requirements which you need to follow, and a guide to the dos and don’ts of the process will be crucial in your success. It’s the only way to ensure that you get things done the right way, and don’t end up having to go back, or find yourself in trouble, at a later point in time.

That’s what working with a provider of business consulting services is all about. You will be working with an experienced professional who knows all of the ins and outs of what you’re trying to do, and will be able to soundly advise you on the best way to proceed. You’ll save yourself frustration and time, and give yourself peace of mind knowing you did the best thing for yourself and your business.

Whether you want to start a new business, make your business more efficient, deploy a new business model, or anything else, turn to someone who provides business consulting services to help guide you on your journey.

When you own or want to start a new Florida small business, you need to know what to do, how to do it, what to avoid, and much more. To help guide you on this journey and ensure your success, turn to a trusted provider of business services consulting, such as ACI. Visit us today at LowCostFloridaInsurance.com and we’ll help your business to be as efficient and successful as possible.

Hire An Expert SEO Consultant

A professional SEO consultant is essential for the success of a SEO project. With the right input and expertise from an expert SEO consultant, search engine ranking can be carried out much faster. They have expertise in providing high quality SEO service like placing client’s website at higher position i.e among top 10 websites in the search engine. Other services include on page optimization, directory submissions, article submissions, link building, PPC etc. They are promoting any website by following search engine algorithms. They are also expert in PPC Services (PPC means Pay per Click and is also a way of increasing traffic at one’s website.)

Also good SEO consultants have high experience in website designing based on SEO design pattern i.e websites have optimized URLs and information. Also websites created by professional SEO consultants claim to be customer oriented and user friendly.

These consultants also comprehends the client’s business needs and marketing goals and hence develop the strategies in order to promote the client’s website and hence make the presence commendable and occupy position in SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages)

SEO experts main aim is to generate web traffic to the client’s website in order to augment client’s profitability as traffic created by web users will only be the source of your expected sales.

SEO experts generally use White hat SEO techniques. These techniques are said to be white hat when they are in accordance with the search engine’s rules and guidelines and include no fraud. Also it ensures that the content indexed by the search engine is same as user will see.

The same requires a lot of experience in the field of generating web traffic and hence require professional SEO consultants.

Services Offered by SEO Consultants

A comprehensive layout of design which will improve the website’s information and hence website will rank well and generate traffic for website.

SEO consultants, being experts in the area of providing SEO services, will analyze and ensure that clients are attaining their desired goals of maximizing sales.

Use of fair and decent methods of increasing web traffic to the client’s website that will have positive impact on the credibility of content of website and will disallow the use of negative things in order to achieve high web traffic.

Selection of right keywords in order to attain high rankings in various search engines and hence web traffic else all the efforts for increasing web traffic to the site and sales, will be wasted. An SEO expert can help in your online business to capitalize on the ever-growing move toward online research and promotion.

Image Consulting To Boost Your Self Confidence

Hiring an image consultant is an important decision. Sometimes you don’t even realize you need one in the first place. Speaking from personal experience, one of the most important reasons why I chose to work with an image consultant was to achieve high level of self confidence.

Confidence is more of an attitude, rather than the scores of talents you might have. When you stop worrying about what you don’t have, but belief more in the abilities you already have, that’s what is called confidence. And this is the confidence, which will move you forward in life to achieve more success.

The truth is you’re your biggest critic. You don’t need your mother, father, partner, spouse, or even your friends to critique your every move. You do that all by yourself, and sometimes, it’s a tad more harsh than necessary.

So in such a state, it’s often useful to have an outsider a.k.a. an image consultant to bring you out of the rut. An image consultant uses different strategies to help you build your confidence like helping you dress smarter, encouraging better body language, bringing out your uniqueness, and so on.

For instance, when you know how to dress to impress, you don’t feel so conscious about your appearance, and hence automatically feel great about yourself. And this great feeling shows in the way you carry yourself around others, and when you interact with people around you.

Your body language can tell others if you’re feeling tired, depressed, or confident. If you’re slowly treading your way, others know you’re feeling tired. If you’re walking with your slumped shoulders, you’re most likely depressed or worried about something. However, when you’re walking quickly with your head straight up, shoulders back, and making eye-contact with people on your way, you’re a picture of healthy confidence.

One neat tip I received from my own image consultant years ago is something I still use today – make a habit to dish out a genuine compliment to at least one person every day. This way you’ll look for the best in others, and consequently bring out the best in yourself. And don’t forget, you’ll also make a positive impression on others.

These tactics offered by an image consultant can help you improve your perception about yourself. You’ll see how much you have going for you, and that of course will motivate you to succeed even more in life.

IT Consultants Can Help Your Business With the Transition to Windows 7

Windows 7 has recently been released and so many small businesses are starting to wonder whether or not they should consider upgrading. They will want to know the additional features that Windows 7 can offer and whether upgrading makes good business sense. Does the software do anything to improve your businesses performance or productivity? You might not believe it when Microsoft tells you that upgrading will help your business a lot, however unbiased sources are also suggesting that this is a useful update.

There are a number of useful enhancements which are included with Windows 7. It is also a much more popular than the de-railed Windows Vista. The new version of the Windows operating system offers better handling of system resources, full 64-bit support, support for touch screen, and also makes using wireless networking much simpler. There are also various other improvements which are perfect for businesses.

There are lots of reasons why an organization might like to install Windows 7 to their computer however this doesn’t mean that it’s not difficult. Upgrading all of the computers in any business to a new operating system will be problematic at best. This is where IT consultants will come in. IT consultants can work to educate staff and deal with any compatibility problems with your existing software and hardware devices. These people need to be determined and willing to work after hours to ensure that your business can continue ticking over.

It is important to make sure your computers are all functioning correctly, however you also need to make sure that all of your employees can use the Windows 7 computer properly. IT consulting will be able to offer staff training to improve their skills with the new operating system. Any new features included with Windows 7 must be discussed so that your staff are fully aware of them. Your staff also needs to be alerted to any possible problems that they may encounter after updating the operating system.

Consultants are very valuable to businesses because they will be able to deal with any compatibility issues and resolve them as quickly as possible. Microsoft has tried their hardest to avoid compatibility issues but some will still exist. These compatibility issues will be very frustrating for any computer user. There is an XP mode included with some versions of Windows 7, however just using this won’t cure all problems with certain pieces of hardware and software.

These consultants will also help your business to decide which version of Windows 7 you should purchase. Like Vista, Windows 7 is available in many different flavors. All of the different editions of Windows 7 will have different features, any consultant who knows anything about these features will be able to advise you which one will be the best.

Upgrading a network of computers to run Windows 7 can be very stressful, painful and occasionally pleasurable. The problems can be mitigated by employing a skilled IT consultant who knows what they are doing.

Colour Consultants – What They Can Do For You

Colour is one of the key elements that determine whether clothes will flatter or detract from us. Generally we are attracted to the quality of colour that harmonises, balances and complements our own colouring. However, fashion, friend’s advice, availability, budget constraints and a lack of time all conspire against us; we ignore our own innate good sense.

Colour consultants can save you a fortune!

Most of us will plead guilty to wearing the same garments time and time again, while dozens of outfits are stuffed in our wardrobes and drawers rarely seeing the light of day. Our favourite clothes are often neutrals such as black and grey. Without a sound understanding of the qualities of colour and in particular the qualities that suit us, we shop in a random and ad hoc manner. Our wardrobes are full of stand alone items rather than clothes that effortlessly and seamlessly co-ordinate.

One of the great benefits of having a colour analysis done by a colour consultant is that you learn how to develop an integrated wardrobe of clothes. When you begin to only buy garments that are in your best colours you create a wardrobe of items that mix and match. Virtually all your tops can be worn with all your pants, skirts and jackets. Your shoes and accessories can also be worn with many garments rather than a few. This greatly expands your options and provides you with a wonderful array of possible outfits for a much smaller financial outlay.

Colour consultants can raise your self esteem.

When you are shown how flattering your best colours are for you, it’s hard not to feel good about yourself. Your best colours make your skin appear radiant, healthy and youthful. They bring out the highlights in your hair and the colour of your eyes. They make you the star rather than what you are wearing.

Colour consultants can increase your confidence levels.

You will become much more confident about shopping and dressing. The more you learn:

·         how to look fabulous, easily

·         how to shop, discerningly

·         how to resist fads, firmly

·         how to co-ordinate, effectively,

the more your self confidence will soar.

Colour consultants can open your eyes to a world of colour choices.

Many people suffer from the misconception that a Colour Analysis offers you a small range of colours and is thereby limiting and restrictive; quite the contrary. You will learn how to combine colours in different and innovative ways, only limited by your imagination with the help of a colour consultant. Your options are exciting.

Colour Consultants can educate you.

You will be shown how to work with textures, fabric surfaces, patterns and contrast levels. The choices you make with these elements are as important as colour itself.

We each have our own textural quality and contrast levels. When we understand these things about ourselves we can understand why we are drawn to certain patterns and fabrics.

With understanding comes order and organisation. Our shopping becomes systematic and sensible. Our wardrobes become functional and effective. We become masters of our own image rather than slaves of fashion trends.

Consultants – Uncover 4 High Powered Ways to Jumpstart Your Consulting Career

If you think that being a consultant requires only an in-depth knowledge on one particular field, think again! With so many consultants offering basically the same services right now, it would work to your advantage if you can develop certain skills that can help you make a lasting mark in this field.

Here’s how you can jumpstart your consulting career:

1. Be a good listener. If you are struggling to keep your mouth shut for at least a couple of minutes, let me tell you now that consulting isn’t the best career choice for you. Keep in mind that as a consultant, it is part of your job to listen actively to your clients. This is not only to build that personal connection with them but also to get a solid idea about the things that they are going through. Consider giving these people the spotlight and encourage them to go on details so you can get a clearer picture.

2. Be an expert. As your clients will surely rely on your knowledge, it is a must that you are an expert on your chosen niche. When choosing the area that you would want to focus on, stick to those ones that you have in-depth knowledge or first-hand experience on. If needed, exert conscious effort in increasing your knowledge by doing relevant research and interviewing other industry leaders who can surely offer you with incredible amount of data.

3. Don’t quit your day job just yet. If you are just starting out, I would highly discourage you to quit your day job. Why? Well, the reason for this is very simple; just like other part-time jobs, there is no guarantee that your consulting career will offer you with steady flow of income anytime soon. When to quit your day job? When the time comes that you have already established a following and once you have already made a huge mark on your chosen niche that would be the best time to say goodbye to a bundy clock.

4. Know how to sell your self and your consulting services. I wouldn’t lie about it; right now, there are thousands of consultants who are competing to capture the attention of your potential clients. To make sure that your prospects will sign up with you, you need to know how you can properly sell yourself and your ideas using all effective internet marketing mediums.

What Should You Look For When Hiring SEO Consultants?

Ever since the internet became the most widely used communication and research tool, businessmen have also started making use of it as their primary means of marketing their products and services. Although there are several different types of internet marketing strategies, the one that remains unbeaten when it comes to effectiveness and popularity is the search engine optimization or SEO. With SEO marketing your business is made visible on search engine results so that every time potential customers research about your products and services the internet would lead them to your business. However, marketing your business and managing it at the same time may be quite hard to do which is why it would be best if you seek the help of SEO consultants.

SEO consultants are highly trained individuals when it comes to internet marketing. They can help you in making your business appear on the first few pages of the search engine results. They are able to determine the top keywords relating to your business that are being used by most of your potential customers and make effective marketing contents out of them. They can also create a user friendly and easy to navigate website for your business with highly comprehensive and convincing marketing contents. They make sure that when your potential customers find your website on search engine results there would be no way that they would want to search for the same products and services elsewhere.

SEO consultants are also able to generate information about the business industry that you are in and the competitors that you have online. Because of this, they are able to recommend to you the top internet marketing strategies you should use in order to exceed your competitors. SEO consultants are also able to link your business website to other company websites that may have related products and services in order for you to get more traffic into your website.

Although these things that SEO consultants can do should be your top qualification requirements when looking for people to help you with marketing your business online, you should also look into their other characteristics. You should look for SEO consultants who are committed to providing quality branding and design. You should find SEO consultants who are passionate about what they are doing and would think about their clients first.

It is very important that you find people who understand the value of being able to effectively communicate with your potential customers. They should be people who understand why it is very important for a business establishment to effectively market products and services whether or not your business already sells.

You have to make sure that you find SEO consultants who strive for perfection in everything they do. You definitely would not want to keep paying for SEO services that are not at all effective to your business. If you would like your business to grow and every amount you spend to have value, choose well the consultants you are going to work with.

Style Consultant – Bringing Out The Real You

Fashion ….. What does this word really mean? Does it mean following the latest trend or wearing high end designer clothes? No. Fashion means wearing outfits that not only draw out your suit personality but reflect the lifestyle you live and your career objectives. So where do you find the help you need to ensure that the clothes you select fit the above criteria? Enlist the services of a style consultant.

What can a style consultant do for you? They will:

  • Consider your daily activities and customize a look that expresses your personality and individuality. 
  • Guide you in making the right decisions about what to wear and what not to wear. This can be achieved in a few ways: 

1.      By analysing your body shape and proportions they will be able to educate and show you how to maximize your body structure to accentuate your best features and downplay certain problem areas.

2.      Assessing your wardrobe and selecting which pieces are suitable. During this process the style consultant will use your current clothes as an example to demonstrate what styles fit correctly on your body and why other ones that don’t .

3.      Taking you shopping (with the knowledge that you have now gained) to show you how and where to purchase clothes that are right for you.

An individual’s appearance influences other people’s view of them. For many years social psychologists have been conducting studies into the impact of visual image on a person’s life. Time after time their results suggest that a person’s appearance has a considerable impact socially and professionally. In our fast paced world, many assumptions and impressions about people are formed very quickly using quite limited information.  For this reason you need to employ the services of a style consultant. If you have experienced divorce, illness, job loss, seeking a new look for a confidence boost or to just want feel good about what you are wearing, you need to enlist the services of a style consultant.

With our current depressed economy, it is imperative to be smarter about your fashion purchases. Living in the perfect world one could enter a high end designer boutique and shop till we drop! But, economically speaking, this is clearly not practical shopping behaviour.  A style consultant can take you shopping in your own closet therefore reducing the cost of buying new clothes. By clearing out your wardrobe and removing clothing that is unattractive, doesn’t fit or is out-of-date, a style consultant is able to see what garments are left over. Usually, a new look can be created by adding to existing outfits. The most significant thing is to make the most of the asset you have already in your wardrobe and stretch it out to get the most bang for your buck. Working on the principle “less is more” a style consultant has the knack of making the most out of what you have already and can create outfits you never thought possible. 

Compliments or a kind word can go a long way to alleviating the stress of wardrobe disasters. A style consultant understands fashion trends and how they can be applied to your particular body structure to get maximum results from minimum effort. When you wear clothes that flatter your figure it completely changes your overall look. When you look good, you feel good and people will undoubtedly notice! With the assistance of a style consultant, you will never be a fashion victim again.