Monday, February 14, 2011

Flexibility Wins in the Talent War

The economy is recovering, quickly. Today's Washington Post reports that Washington, DC-area unemployment is hovering around 6%, a full 400 basis points below the national average.

We're seeing this every day, reaching out to candidates who say "I got a job last week" or candidates getting 2 or 3 offers when considering new opportunities. The war for talent is on and the companies that offer flexible schedules are winning.

Over the last few years, we've found a great "sweet spot" for mid- to senior-level professionals working 32-40 hours per week with one or more days of regular telecommuting. It provides enough coverage to not upset a traditional corporate structure and respond to client demands, but provides a substantial level of flexibility that makes life work for many of our candidates.

This is how we've helped high-growth companies like Morgan Borszcz Consulting, Natrik Consulting and Zavda Technologies. We help them pull key Project Management professionals from the "Big 5" firms and work out the individual flexibility solution that works for their families (school bus hours, early start/finish, 1 day/week telecommuting, you name it!)

It's how we've helped law firm start-up Clearspire, whose mission is to restore value to the delivery of legal services for both clients and attorneys, build a pioneer team of AMLAW 100, Top 20 law school attorneys. They augment their full-time team with attorneys who work 20-40 hour work weeks using cutting-edge technology to primarily work remotely.

It's how we've helped non-profit organizations like Business Professional Women's Foundation and the National Association of RC&D Councils build out staff and meet organizational goals with constrained budgets: contract employees whose hours ebb and flow with budget cycles and whose subject matter expertise is exactly what the organization needs.

Smart companies and organizations are winning the war for talent by offering the one thing money can't buy and doesn't cost a cent: flexibility.

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