You’ve heard the term “ergonomics” and how important it is to employee health and safety, but what does it really mean?  “Ergonomics” doesn’t only refer to your keyboard’s shapely new figure—or to your own new figure when you wear that back brace to lift boxes.  Ergonomics is also a science that designs items for the safest, most efficient human use.  In the workplace, this means arranging workstations and creating work conditions that put less strain on the body.  For business owners and managers, ergonomics is also a tool to prevent employee injury.

According to OSHA, improper ergonomics is the primary cause of severe workplace injuries.  OSHA also states that ergonomic issues are common in jobs that require “repetitive, forceful, or prolonged exertions of the hands; frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying of heavy objects; and prolonged awkward postures.”  Leading the pack of injuries promoted by incorrect ergonomics: musculoskeletal disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis, which are the main cause of workers’ compensation claims among office workers.  Because these injuries may not be readily apparent and may worsen over time, affected employees may be slow to notice discomfort before it becomes a major health problem.  Such injuries cost employers millions of dollars in medical costs and lost employee productivity.

So what can be done to combat the physical strain caused by improper ergonomics?  Some employers may benefit from an independent audit of the company’s ergonomics needs, which will tailor suggestions for improvement to each employee’s workstation.  With or without an auditor’s recommendations, employers should equip workers with the tools necessary to perform their jobs with ease.  These tools may range from easy-touch staplers to brighter office lights.

Proper training is also important to promote ergonomics and to reduce injuries.  Employers should develop ergonomically correct procedures for each job and should incorporate those procedures into their company’s safety program and employee handbook.  Employees should be taught how to ergonomically perform their duties, how to recognize actions that may expose them to injury, and how to identify the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.

With the right tools and training, effective ergonomic work conditions can lead to higher productivity, decreased risk of illness and injury, and increased worker contentment.  Investing in ergonomic equipment and training will reap the reward of happier employees and reduced workers’ compensation claims.

Companies are finding that information management is evolving at a pace difficult to keep up with. Left with the challenge of filling and maintaining special skills positions that require savvy, businesses are looking for employees who are up to date on all of the latest advances in information technologies.

By utilizing some of the many outsourcing solutions available to them, companies are finding more sophisticated ways to make sure they have the human resource capabilities to process complex business transactions and information. With these advancements in Human Resources Outsourcing, they gain a competitive advantage that allows them the flexibility to expand their businesses by venturing into new fields and raise the level of competency in their present ones with little to no effort on their part.

Technology is responsible for greatly enhancing many industries including healthcare, education, transportation, engineering and manufacturing. Finding employees who have the knowledge to support current and developing technologies is vital for companies to effectively compete in today’s marketplace.

In the past, companies had to rely on in-house IT capabilities and were burdened with the responsibility of recruiting, training and managing their own teams of specialists to operate and maintain information systems.

Today there are other viable solutions to meet the challenges of finding talented employees who posses the skills to operate and maintain these complex information systems. Outsourcing IT is one way to meet this challenge.

Primary Benefits of Outsourcing IT:

• Organizations gain access to flexible infrastructure.
• Organizations achieve higher standards and levels of service.

IT Functions Most Commonly Outsourced:

• Data Entry
• Application Development
• Data Center Operations
• Network Management

As companies are increasingly reliant on IT to conduct business the price tag of recruiting, training, managing and developing capable employees has exploded, not to mention the long-term continuing education these employees need to stay at the top of their game. This is why businesses are choosing to transfer IT assets, employee leasing, HR Management, HR consulting and other HR services to a professional employment organization that will deliver cost reduction without losing ground to the competition.

Companies invest a lot of time, money and energy sending recruiters to job fairs conducted all over the world. However many employers are finding they are leaving empty handed, frustrated and without the qualified employees they were seeking.

Although job fairs are not completely unsuccessful, many companies realize that the resumes they collect at such events are far below the standards they were originally searching for. The fact remains that most employers are just not willing to settle, especially in an economy ripe with individuals seeking employment.

Top Reasons Why Job Fairs Fail to Find Talent:

• Low Caliber of Attendees
• Poor Turnout
• Disorganization
• Lack of Strong Candidates
• Insufficient Promotional Efforts

The failure of companies to effectively find strong candidates at job fairs is one of the major reasons they are turning to professional employment organizations as an alternative. By utilizing the staffing and recruiting services of human resourcing outsourcing specialists companies are finding talented employees when they need them. A PEO will provide the expertise to handle recruiting, pre-screening, position placement, training and even HR management.

Top Reasons Why Human Resources Outsourcing Works To Find Talent:

• Large Inventory of Candidates
• Thorough Pre-Screening Procedures
• Highly Skilled
• Invaluable Referrals
• Flexibility

By choosing human resources outsourcing over a job fair for finding talented employees companies can rely on the expert recruitment services of a professional team of HR specialists to assess each candidate ensuring the right fit for employers while saving them both time and money.

The astronomical cost of health insurance and related benefits is forcing small and mid-size businesses to cut back on full-time employees. However, in order for companies to continue meeting productivity goals, stay competitive in today’s marketplace and remain profitable, they are turning to Human Resources Outsourcing as a solution to offset the rising cost of employee benefits.

Due to soaring medical costs, it is now estimated that employee benefits make up approximately 30 percent of the total employee compensation dollar. As a result, the days of employers offering first dollar health coverage are long gone.

Presently it is more likely that employers will offer options such as employee contribution, co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance as part of their benefits packages. Yet during these troubled economic times the price tag of these measures is still too high for many small and mid-size companies.

When a company turns to human resources outsourcing as a solution and hires a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to assume the responsibility of employee benefits, they are able to provide competitive benefits packages while saving a substantial amount of money. This is because many insurance carriers offer PEO reduced prices for employee benefits while offering a full range of healthcare plan options.

By offering comprehensive employee benefits packages, smaller companies are better able to attract, recruit and maintain more qualified employees.

PEO’s not only help small businesses with employee benefits but also assume many other HR responsibilities including:

• Employee/Labor Relations
• Employee Leasing
• Government Compliance
• HR Audits
• HR Consulting
• Safety and Worker’s Compensation

Many small and mid-size companies are finding that by outsourcing their recruitment, HR management and other services that a PEO provides they can expand their core business with greater success.

By leaving the HR management to experts who have years of experience in not only finding a skilled labor force, but also in training and maintaining them, small and mid-sized companies can focus on productivity and growth while cutting costs at the same time.

Companies who are seeking to expand into technical fields or have taken on a project that requires employees who have special skills are finding solutions in hiring independent contractors and outsourcing agencies.

When expanding into a new arena, utilizing human resources outsourcing is an effective and reliable way to access experts with the technical background and skills needed to complete the project.

Many times retaining a full-time employee would not be profitable. Enlisting the help of an outsourcing vendor is a cost-effective way to achieve short-term staffing flexibility while filling the job to completion. By allotting the responsibility to a team of professionals provided by a professional employment organization, companies can reduce risks associated with the improper execution of additional projects or expansion.

The Advantages of Human Resources Outsourcing for Companies Seeking Skilled Employees:

• Lowered developmental operating costs
• Greater focus on production and implementation
• Access to latest technologies
• Access to employees with technical knowledge
• Efficient employee management

It is estimated by the year 2012 this country will be short three million skilled workers. A recent survey found that over 20 percent of American businesses are having difficulty finding the right people to fill open positions. By using a professional employment organization for recruitment services and HR management, companies can utilize skilled employees for one particular project without having to take on the expense and risks of hiring a full time employee.

The most commonly outsourced skilled labor includes:

• Web Design
• Computer Programming
• Data Entry
• Research and Development
• Creative Services
• Engineering
• Legal Services
• Payroll Services
• Recruitment Services
• Healthcare Services
• Customer Support
• Accounting
• Tax Preparation
• Manufacturing
• HR Management

Staying competitive in today’s marketplace often means expanding into broader arenas. Outsourcing can resolve the problem of recruiting, training and managing skilled labor.

Smaller companies affected by the present economic climate face more challenges than their larger counterparts. Studies have found that small business suffer more in a bad economy and show lower overall sales than the bigger and more widely recognized companies who rely on their brand name to get them through the tough times.

The fact that lenders have also tightened their purse strings where small businesses are concerned does nothing to help matters. So if it’s sink or swim, how does a small business stay afloat?

The answer to this question is to apply some sound business strategies that entrepreneurs have used during eras of great prosperity as well as throughout the leaner years.

Sound Business Strategies for Small Businesses:

Market like a pro

By taking advantage of mainstream media, which today includes popular communication platforms such as the Internet, mobile marketing and social media, small business can compete with larger brands.

Manage your time and money effectively

By hiring a Professional Employer Organization small businesses are able to cut cost as well as free up their time to focus on the productivity and expansion of their core business.

Keep a staff of well qualified employees

By utilizing a PEO to recruit and manage a sufficiently skilled work force small business can compete in today’s highly technical and quickly evolving marketplace.

Streamline

By reducing waste, multi-tasking and raising efficiency small businesses can step up productivity while slashing their overhead down to a fraction of previous operating costs.

Forecast

By researching trends and focusing on what the marketplace will be responding to in the near future companies can get in on the ground floor and stake their claim to innovative new products and services.

Deliver

By producing and delivering the best products and services possible a small business will build their brand as well as develop something there is still no substitute for; a reputation for excellence.

Turning things around for small businesses and making them more competitive in a difficult marketplace is what outsourcing HR services is all about. Hiring a PEO will provide a small business with the ability to implement the sound strategies that have been the cornerstones of success for many savvy entrepreneurs during both good and bad economic times.

PEO Services Include:

•    Benefits Outsourcing
•    Employee benefits
•    Employee/Labor Relations
•    Employee Leasing
•    Government Compliance
•    HR Audits
•    HR Consulting
•    HR Management
•    HR Outsourcing
•    Payroll Services
•    Recruitment Services
•    Safety and Worker’s Compensation

Saving a small business that is in trouble is not an easy endeavor. However, with the help of a team of experienced professionals most small businesses can find success even in an ailing economy.

Sherri Bovino, President and CEO of 1st Flagship, has been working in the human resources industry for nearly 30 years and has been the principle owner of the international human resources and consulting firm specializing in productivity, gainsharing and operation management since 1985. She takes great pride in providing companies as well as individuals with new opportunities for growth and expansion.

However, the most memorable aspect of Ms. Bovino is not simply her notable career accomplishments, of which she has many, but it is her considerable philanthropic work that truly makes her a remarkable person.

Ms. Bovino is a major contributor and co-chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund of Orange County which is an organization solely focused on helping women and children who are in need of support.

Founded in 2002, the Women’s Philanthropy Fund consists of over 110 members who give $10,000 or more every year to support the Orange County United Way. The WPF is the most successful group of women philanthropists in Orange County and in conjunction with the United Way provide crucial help to thousands of underprivileged women and children who are in need of basic services such as medical, education, financial and counseling.

The WPF member’s collective support of the women and children of Orange County has transformed the lives of many families in the community by providing them with the emotional and financial support to get them back on their feet to ensure them safer and brighter futures.

Ms. Bovino’s philanthropic reach extends even further by serving as the Executive Director of the Owl Foundation. The Owl Foundation is focused on out-of-school/out-of-work youth to raise their self-esteem by while enabling them to continue on with their education and teaching them the job skills to help make them successful and independent adults.

Ms. Bovino attended Boise State University and majored in Business Administration before going on to become owner and president of 1st Flagship which is the parent company of GHRO, a professional employer organization and administrative services organization which specializes in human resources outsourcing.

Even though Ms. Bovino’s many accomplishments take up most of her time she still manages to enjoy her family and pursue some more leisure interests including traveling, reading, snow skiing and learning to play golf.

However, despite her busy schedule, the amazing fact remains she is dedicated to making it a priority to contribute to the future well being of Orange County’s families and youth by generously giving her time and money to important local philanthropic work.

A growing number of companies are choosing to incorporate human resources outsourcing into their business model. However, to be successful it takes professionals who are capable of implementing successful HR outsourcing strategies:

Top 5 HR Outsourcing Strategies:

1.    Recruiting Qualified Employees – With the evolution of technology, finding experienced employees who have the skills required to make a business successful in today’s marketplace is an integral part of the hiring process. Human resources outsourcing provides professional recruitment services that will focus on connecting the most qualified employees with the right employers. By utilizing the services of an HRO, PEO or ASO, companies gain access to a diverse workforce with a wide variety of expertise and skill sets. Bad hiring practices are a common mistake companies are finding very costly, resulting in substantial losses to their production and deeply impacting their bottom line.

2. Superior Training Techniques – Adequately training a workforce is time consuming and can drain a company’s resources without the critical input of human resources experts to establish well organized and successful training techniques. When neglecting to sufficiently train employees job performance and employee retention suffer and will ultimately reflect a company’s profits as well as their credibility. Training and development requires a company to be proactive. Relying on professional HR management for guidance and structure has proven to be vital for any business model.

3.  Employee Relations – Maintaining employees is complex and involves clear-cut policies that need to continually be communicated. Employee benefits, an employee handbook and employee/labor relations are all important business practices that are designed to cultivate a working relationship between business owners and employees. Avoiding potential problems and litigation is a critical aspect of HR that is significantly facilitated by a professional employer organization.

4. Observance of Government Regulations – Companies who do not comply with the mounting amount of changing local, state and federal regulations are subject to huge fines and must pay thousands of dollars per employee to comply.  While compliance is costly the penalties for not complying is more expensive. Keeping organizations up-to-date with these regulations takes the support of HR consulting services that specialize in government compliance.

5.   Employee Incentives – The key element to effective employee relations is to reinforce an employee’s value on a continual basis. Companies must motivate their employees to retain them. A management system designed to improve retention and employee/labor relations will reward the employee for their hard work and boosting job performance and output.

Human resource outsourcing is becoming a commonly used business solution for companies who want to lower their expenditures while expanding their labor pool. Most companies are seeking creative and effective strategies to improve their profit margin in a troubled economy.

One of the most popular alternatives is the outsourcing of non-core business such as HR management and payroll services to save money and increase output without cutting back on quality.  Human resource outsourcing is important to any business because it is more cost efficient and time saving to hire an agency to recruit and train employees rather than to do it in-house. Outsourcing workers also relieves companies of the burden of assuming all of the risks and responsibilities of employee/labor relations, safety and workers compensation.

From employee benefits services and payroll processing to HR consulting and technology services, more and more companies are relying on outsourced employees to bring specialized skills to their businesses. High quality employees are any company’s most critical asset.  Outsourcing for fields such as technology and professional services has been proven to be advantageous for companies who want to focus on their core business and but still progress in the marketplace.

Your company more likely than not already outsources some services for these reasons. The most common functions outsourced by employers include:

1.    Call Centers
2.    IT
3.    Distribution
4.    Security
5.    Customer Service
6.    Tax Advisory
7.    Applications Management
8.    Bank Tellers
9.    Technicians
10.    Front Office Administration

Using the recruitment services of a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or an Administrative Services Organization (ASO) allows a company to rely on their recruitment services and employee leasing services without having to pay the additional high price of employee benefits.

Keeping up with the competition is more difficult to do in a down economy. Utilizing human resources outsourcing is an efficient way for businesses to raise their performance while lowering costs. HR outsourcing is an invaluable tool for recruiting the right people with the experience and expertise that will help a business stay competitive.

Andrew Mason is a 29-year-old music major from Northwestern and appears to be an average guy, save for one discernable feature: he has single-handedly managed to establish the fastest-growing company in Internet history.

Groupon is an online e-commerce website that is racking up astronomical sales making it the one of the most profitable portals for retailers to offer their wares. Mason combined the words “group” and “coupon” to come up with the aptly named Internet company “Groupon.” The website offers online customers attractive discounts for products and services.

Not only did Mason have the foresight to set up operations in an 85,000 square foot warehouse (previously owned by a Montgomery Ward) in the heart of Chicago, but he also took advantage of human resources outsourcing and tapped into a valuable commodity by utilizing a group of talented writers, many from the Chicago Improv scene, to help him take a unique concept and turn into reality.

The witty taglines and clever campaigns have helped the company effectively capture and dominate not only the public’s attention, but also a competitive share of the e-commerce marketplace. Despite its fledging status and the fact Groupon has only been in operation just shy of 2 years, it was recently valued at 1.35 billion.

The call to action used by this young entrepreneur “Act now” is nothing new in regards to advertising strategy in and of itself. However, coupled with the ingenious idea of making purchasing items a team effort by providing the stellar deals contingent on a number of online purchasers following suit by buying the same item on the same day and then executing the concept with upbeat advertising pitches has effectively turned his site into to a retailer’s dream and consumer-driven powerhouse.

The newly made millionaire shares profits with vendors of upwards to 50% of the take which would ordinarily make retailers scoff at such ridiculous profit-sharing strategy; but   selling in bulk is the name of the game and with the site’s over 13 million subscribers Groupon is hitting homeruns with the public as well as with its participating affiliates.

Investors like Digital Sky Technologies, (the group backing Facebook and Zynga) only add to the company’s cache and investors estimate Groupon will surpass 500 million in revenue this year alone. Groupon presently has expanded into 88 US cities and 22 countries including Turkey and Chile.