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We recently celebrated Customer Appreciation Day, which made us consider, “How do our customers prefer we connect?” We posted a poll on LinkedIn to gain valuable feedback on our follower’s thoughts, asking the question: What is the BEST way to practice outreach with your clients? The response options were: • Email • Phone • In-Person Visit • Other (please comment) In doing so, we also researched strategies to strengthen our connections and build more meaningful relationships. Customers drive our business, and their behavior offers great insight into which motivating factors (e.g., benefits, values, solutions, features, etc.) influence their decision to remain loyal or seek an alternative provider. The poll results may be a surprise to some, as a phone call received only 10% of votes, while an email received 37%. An In-Person Visit was the clear winner, with 49% of the votes. According to Motista, face-to-face interaction builds loyalty and trust, creating an emotional relationship. In fact, customers with an emotional relationship to a brand have a 306% higher lifetime value and recommend the brand 71% of the time versus the average rate of 45% (Motista.com). We also included the “Other” category to gain additional insight. One person responded that his client prefers different methods of contact in the morning versus the afternoon, but said that ultimately, “Getting to know your customers is the key to effective communication.” We couldn’t agree more, as adding that personal touch to every encounter makes all the difference. Be intentional with your outreach. It is those authentic and genuine interactions that allow you to discover the real reason for your customer’s frustration or delight (genesys.com). In summary, don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach with your customers. They want to be seen, heard, and feel special. Customize your interactions based upon your conversations and feedback to build the relationship and gain trust. Check-in, respond to concerns, and make interactions more personal instead of transactional. Interested in learning more about your customers? Create your own poll to learn how your customers prefer to connect. Your customers will thank you.

Appreciation. A word often overlooked and undervalued by companies today. It’s often overlooked because…well, just how do you measure appreciation? It’s not an exact science, and people are as different as they are complex. But the difficulties of understanding how our customers and staff feel appreciated does not mean we should ignore it. So, we decided to post a simple question on a poll to our 12,000+ followers on LinkedIn: What makes you feel most appreciated? The options were: Gift card or treats Personalized Thank you Providing Immediate Solutions Being Publicly Recognized The response was a little surprising, but ultimately … Which do you think was the top choice? Maybe upon reading through, one option jumped out to you as the clear winner. Interestingly enough, the responses were nearly equal across the board averaging close to 25% per option. However, the winner by a fair margin was – Personalized Thank You. Seems simple, right? There’s nothing easy about it. That’s because personal does NOT mean just including a customer’s first and last name in a mass email. Personal means you take the time to write something meaningful, taking care to remember personal details, accomplishments, or times they helped you out. Although, nowadays sending a thank you email isn’t enough; we’re too desensitized to digital. Personal means going above and beyond with a bespoke touch that cannot be duplicated. The old school is the new, NEW SCHOOL. Technology had made it faster and easier than ever to send an email or text. Due to its efficiency, the electronic medium has lost its value. That is why handwritten cards or letters are still well received and cherished to this day. It shows that someone took time and energy beyond what is normally given by most other companies. In an era of touchless and socially distant communication, sending someone a small trinket of their favorite sports team can go far beyond the average thank you call or email. Simply put, being appreciated equates to feeling seen. If done correctly, showing appreciation to our most loyal and dedicated customers can lead to a higher retention rate, and increased profits. While that doesn’t have to be your reasoning behind showing genuine appreciation, it certainly helps to know your efforts are never in vain. This month is Customer Appreciation Month. How will you show your appreciation? Check out the results of our Linkedin Poll. Give it a try and create a poll of your own so you can understand what makes your customers feel appreciated.

At BGSF, one of our goals is to transform lives by giving people purpose. This is what mothers do every single day. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we want to give a special shout-out to the amazing, hardworking moms at #BGSF. We invite you to read more about our BG Moms, including those from our field talent team. Learn about what they are grateful for this Mother’s Day, what inspires them, and what being a mom means to them. We hope their stories warm your heart and encourage you to take some time out to celebrate yourself, and each of those who serve as mothers to us. Before I became a mother, I didn’t know how broken I was. My babies have saved my life. I’m a better person and I’m growing as a mother each and every day. Tamekya Moore, Staffing Coordinator – InStaff I have been working for InStaff since 2005! I work every day to be a great employee with outstanding attendance and performance. But what drives me is being the only provider to my household, I strive to be a dedicated mother. Maria Cabral, Field Talent – InStaff Martha Rotenberry is an exemplary field talent employee and mom that has been working for InStaff since 2011! We are proud to honor her for her hard work and dedication to both on this Mother’s Day! Martha Rotenberry’s Family, Field Talent – InStaff I’m a mom of two; Damien, age eleven, and Eliza (Lizzie), age four. It’s the most fun, stressful, important, tiring, loving job that I’ve ever had. Even though they can drive me absolutely crazy some days, I wouldn’t trade the wild ones for the world. My mom was only 17 when she had me and it was extremely inspiring to see her earn a degree, work full time, buy a house, and achieve several other accomplishments while having a child so young. It was something I don’t think I fully appreciated until I became an adult and had children of my own. Having a young mom was also a blessing because it meant spending a lot of time around my grandmothers, as both of my parents still lived at home when I was born. All three women have overcome several challenges that I cannot even imagine. They have been a huge inspiration and I’m very thankful to still have them around!  My favorite “mom-ism” is, “Do as I say, not as I do…”  I usually reserve it for when my kids catch me shoveling a brownie into my mouth after I finished telling them, “no snacks until after dinner.” It’s still a favorite of my mom, who now uses it as a grandma. Holly Yingling, Field Talent – Vision Technology Services Being a mom has given me a new way to see things. They are the light at the end of my day. They can make the worst days just vanish with a smile or a funny joke. They definitely keep my battery charged when I need a kick or an extra push. We have a new member joining the family soon. Angel (oldest), Kylie, and Bruce (baby) keep me on my toes at all times. My mom has been there for me at my best and worst. I want to give my children the same individual, unconditional love that I experienced. Sandra DeLaCruz, Onsite Supervisor – InStaff My son, Xander, loves that his mom gives him cuddles and kisses, makes him laugh, and helps him with school. Xochitl Flores, Account Manager – BG Multifamily To my girls, “Everything I do is for you.” My girls are my rock and the reason why I will continue to strive for success. Thank you, BG Multifamily, for allowing me to be part of such an amazing work family. Alvina Quiroz, Staffing Coordinator – BG Multifamily I’ve never had anyone look up to me the way that my daughter, Ava, does. She is my strength and inspiration, while I’m her foundation. A mother’s job is never done! Ronesha Ellis, Staffing Coordinator – InStaff We have a very non-traditional family. My oldest is adopted, and we have been very lucky that we have been able to form relationships with the parents/ adoptive parents of all of her siblings. It isn’t easy all the time, but I’m beyond thankful for these moms and I honor them and their tenacity on this Mother’s Day! Betsy Kirkpatrick, Strategic Account Executive – BG Multifamily Being a working mom to a toddler in the middle of a pandemic has been tough. If anything, it’s taught me to enjoy these moments, give myself grace in the moments where I’m stressed, and don’t take things too seriously. (I remind myself to) Have fun and keep loving my baby the best way I know how! At the end of the day, I was chosen to be her mama and that’s all that matters. Chandler Griffis, Onboarding Advisor – BG Multifamily I became a new mom on May 27, 2020, and started with BGSF 3 months later. I had no idea how supported, encouraged, and acknowledged I would feel when I introduced myself and told everyone I was a new mom. My colleagues ask about my son often, I’ve made so many new mom friends (who give amazing advice), and the whole company truly cares for and supports working parents. As we approach Louie’s 1st birthday, I am overwhelmed with love for my family and appreciation for where I am in my personal and professional life. Brittany Berrodin, Marketing Specialist, Professional – BGSF We thank each of our moms who were willing to share with us. You inspire us daily by balancing multiple roles at once, enriching our lives with great values, and paving the way for the next generation of women who can do it all! We see you; we appreciate you; we thank you. Happy Mother’s Day!

This year, BGSF is celebrating Cinco de Mayo in a fun and new way! This brief article will help unpack some interesting facts about the holiday we all know and love. You’ll learn how Mexico and the US became allies during the time of the Civil War and how Cinco de Mayo is more like the movie 300 than Nacho Libre. Let’s dive in and learn five things you might not have known about Cinco De Mayo. 1. Not Mexico’s Independence Day. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. That historic date falls on September 16, 1810. So, what is Cinco de Mayo? The fifth of May marks a significant military victory known as the Battle of Puebla; a similar comparison to American history would be the Battle of Gettysburg. While notable and revered, this battle was famed for its struggle and strategic military boast given to the war efforts as a whole. Like any battle that results in lost lives of brave soldiers, the battle associated with Cinco de Mayo is held in higher regard by locals rather than the nation. Similar to the way in America we don’t celebrate numerous famous battles with fireworks and parades. Instead, we reserve that excitement for a single day of celebration on the Fourth of July. 2. Cinco de Mayo is NOT widely celebrated in Mexico. As mentioned before, the Battle of Puebla was a minor victory that was part of a larger struggle in the fight to gain independence. Because Mexican citizens understand that historical context, the holiday isn’t widely celebrated throughout most of the country. It is however celebrated every year with parades, dancing and song in the city of Puebla. The area where the battle took place located southeast of Mexico City. 3. The battle was prompted by unpaid debts. Mexico was indebted to Britain, France, and Spain. Both Spain and Britain were able to come to an agreement while France saw this as an opportunity to take a military stronghold in the Americas. At the time Napoleon III saw the Civil War to the north of Mexico as the perfect distraction to set up a military advantage that was certainly not going to end with the overtaking of Mexico. Napoleon had his eyes on the strategic prize that was the robust and vulnerable United States. 4. The French weren’t expecting a fight. (Similar to the Persian army in 300 The Movie) Like the Battle of Thermopylae in the movie 300, the Persian army expected a certain victory due to the sheer number of soldiers on their side. The French commander was under the impression that the town was pro-France and had planned to overthrow the local municipality as soon as they arrived. This would prove to be a costly mistake even though they outnumbered the Mexican forces 3:1. Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza used the landscape of the mountainous region to his advantage. While the Mexican troops were poorly equipped and untrained, he was able to lead them into victory; only suffering the loss of 83 soldiers in comparison to the 462 total French fatalities. To continue the similarity to the battle of Thermopylae, the French, like the Persians would come back in much larger numbers to win the battle they had initially lost in humiliation. However, the continued resistance of battle like these gave the US time to establish itself during the Civil War, and funds were delivered went South after Lincoln’s reelection of 1864 by way of Mexican-American communities, along with donations from other sympathetic American communities. 5. Mexican silver and gold miners are to thank for the holiday here in the US. Some of the first recorded celebrations of Cinco de Mayo took place in California when native-born Mexican miners caught wind of the victory. They were so filled with national pride that they began shooting guns in the air and celebrated with music and song. To this day, the festivities of Cinco de Mayo have taken a life all its own. The day is celebrated throughout the US with parades, food, and music. However you chose to celebrate this year, remember the history of this special occasion, and celebrate the unity that was formed by Mexico and the United States, as each country struggled side-by-side, and not against one another, in their own fight for freedom. Written by – Ozzie Leyva (Marketing Coordinator) To learn more, check out these links. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo https://coffeeordie.com/battle-of-puebla/

At BGSF, we continue to establish ourselves as a leader in workforce solutions, through the thoughtful evaluation of our customers’ desired outcomes. Therefore, BGSF’s Professional Division is evolving our managed services to fit your needs. Our entire Professional Division is here to assist you in your project journey! Please contact us anytime for additional support.

Okay, so you finally received a call for an interview; now what? I recommend you find out as much about the company from any public relations publications. No one cares if you can regurgitate a 1990’s mission statement or whatever else shows up on the first page of a company website. A more impressive approach is to read up on a recent acquisition or presentation given at a Zoom conference. Here is why this is important: You sit down for an interview and the person asks, “What do you know about our company?” First of all, it’s a vague question, which means you could go down a rabbit hole the interviewer couldn’t care less about. Rather, since you’ve done some research, you can say, “I read about your company’s recent acquisition from nine months ago that’s expected to increase your company’s sales by 20%, how’s that going?” Now you’ve just placed what can be an ambiguous question back in the lap of the interviewer and they are talking about the original question rather than you.

The one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown has come and gone, inspiring many of us to reflect on the impact of this past year. We checked in with several of our BGSF consultants to see how they were personally and professionally impacted by the pandemic and where they stand now as we look toward a future past COVID. The Shutdown The shutdown was abrupt for many of us, including our consultants. Most were first told that their offices would be going through deep cleaning, quickly followed by an announcement that they would not be returning. At this point, a few had gone back to get some of their things, but they wished they had more time to prepare as they would have brought home files, documents, etc. when they first went remote. The “Work from Home” Transition The biggest change for everyone was, of course, working from home full time. While some employees had previously held remote positions and were prepared with home offices, others had to take the time to get situated with new computer monitors and to get set up on the client’s network. The initial transition was met with some connectivity issues, but overall, there was a smooth changeover regarding communication and working virtually with their colleagues. “We were very lucky because we had Teams set up beforehand and everyone communicates very well through that.” Each consultant also expressed that their output did not change much at all during this transition. In fact, they found that their productivity actually increased across their teams because they felt less burdened by the daily commute and less distracted by office interruptions. “Our team has been just as productive, if not more so. I have found myself to be quite productive and I believe my team members feel the same.” Consequently, some of their workloads increased, and their hours slowly extended due to the blur between work and home life. But overall, they each had a positive outlook on working remotely and expressed that they would be interested in a hybrid (working from home 2-3 days a week) as we slowly move back to the office. “My biggest hope is that coming out of this, managers will recognize that you don’t have to physically be together in a certain location to be productive.” Maintaining Relationships The discussion of relationships emerged as we examined their current team dynamics. Many missed the everyday, personal interactions and the ease at which they could communicate if they were in the same location. However, they believed moving to virtual interactions went smoother than anticipated because they had established relationships with their colleagues in person, having worked with their clients for at least two years before the shutdown. “We have virtual meetings twice a week to stay connected and we do leave time to talk about our daily lives.” So, while personal interactions have clearly changed, some felt better prepared for this transformation because they had begun these relationships in person. One consultant even noted that they couldn’t imagine coming into a completely virtual situation without being able to physically meet anyone on their team. Professional Support Each consultant maintains that their transition to remote work was fairly straightforward, and many attribute that to the support they received from the clients and BGSF. “I actually had COVID in November, but I was given enough support from the client, who allowed me to be flexible in my hours. This made me feel appreciated and pushed me to get back to work as soon as I could.” “Jacqui [my BGSF Client Engagement Manager] has been great. She is always asking if we need anything.” “BGSF was extremely supportive, especially Kristen [my BGSF Client Engagement Manager]. My wife has pulmonary issues and when I reached out, explaining I couldn’t put her at risk, Kristen spoke with my manager so I could work remotely before everything actually shut down.” “I received the best support from Jacqui [my BGSF Client Engagement Manager]. She checked in once or twice a week when this first started. She’s very helpful and will even reach out on weekends.” The COVID shutdown upended our lives and challenged us in a way we could have never prepared for. But from the chaos has come new realizations about the way we function as a workforce, what is possible when we need to rely on new technologies and processes, and has highlighted the support we give to one another when navigating new challenges. We are excited to see a future past COVID and curious what that will look like for us, our clients, and our consultants.

By: Eric Peters, President of the Professional Division It’s almost been a year since most BGSF offices transitioned to remote amid the Coronavirus pandemic…yes, a full YEAR! Feels like ten, doesn’t it? We’ve taken a moment to reflect on how this year has not only impacted us, but our candidates, and clients as well. Of course, we’ve all shifted to heavily rely on technology and video for our daily work lives. Ah, don’t you miss the days when a computer was a feature and not a necessary fixture? How Has This Impacted the Industry? Our Clients: Video killed the work/life balance! A necessary evil, but clients now must rely on video for recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and retaining talent. As well, there need to be meetings on strategy, initiatives, project management, and overall engagement. Topics easily discussed in passing in an office setting. The virtual work environment also brings new challenges to the work/life balance and allows for “relaxed” business etiquette to creep in. Our Candidates: This new virtual world has made it difficult for consultants to network and discover new opportunities. It also limits their ability to see the true work environment/culture of a company and makes mannerisms challenging to view on the candidate/hiring side. The Importance of Video Etiquette Dogs, kids, and messes! Oh MY! In this new age of WFH, it’s sometimes difficult to maintain professionalism which can sometimes have disadvantages when talking to potential, and current clients and candidates. Here are some easy tips and tricks to keep that work and life boundary up and running: Do’s Mute your microphone when necessary If you remain unmuted, your everyday noises may be completely disruptive to those speaking. We’re talking shuffling of clothing, clearing of the throat, dogs barking, etc. Your mic picks up a lot more than you think! Wear meeting appropriate clothes Keep your surroundings suitable and clean Try looking at the camera, to simulate ‘eye contact’ Stabilize your device – shaky camera movements will take the focus Select a professional background or picture Do Not’s Don’t position your camera too low, or too high Don’t try to multitask during meetings, stay focused. Don’t sneak out! Don’t mumble, but don’t shout Don’t interrupt others Set Your Space Up for Success Impressions are everything! Especially the first ones. Working from home presents unique challenges and culture shock.  A topic which we covered in Elaine Priesman’s Feature Friday blog. Equipment and Lighting Make sure your internet connection, camera, and microphone are all set up and functioning properly. Try to troubleshoot before any meetings. Frame your face! Set your camera as close to eye-level as possible Assess your lighting: Make use of natural light and overhead lighting. Backlighting can cause shadows and make it difficult for others to see you. Check your camera angle prior to meetings to catch any up-the-nose situations or the most dreaded: double-chin angles Connect your computer to your ethernet cable so you can have the best internet connection possible. If you cannot be hard-wired, make sure you have adequate bandwidth on your WiFi network. If you must use your WiFi network, forewarn those living with you that you will need the bandwidth for a certain amount of time, so they can limit their use. Privacy and Background If you cannot find a private space, use headphones to reduce background noise. If you have others in your home that are working from home or virtual learning, let them know you’ll be on a call to reduce interruptions. Clean up your background! Tip: Too messy, and too little time? Try using a blurred or virtual background. Tempting though it may be to use the fun backgrounds, try to choose less distracting ones

A lot of us are dealing with the unusual challenge of working from home full time and keeping your video calls professional. Even if you have worked from home before, the unusual circumstances probably make it feel like a whole new world. Not only that but now you have more variables to deal with: pets, significant others, roommates, children and the like.  It’s sudden, it’s for an extended period, and the whole company is doing it! Below are some tips that will help make sure you’re successful, with clients and candidates over video calls: 1. Create a quiet, professional work environment. Your home is now your office space, and the best way to utilize it is to find a spot that is: Quiet As away from pets as you can be Somewhere where the background is neutral 2. Plan and prepare. The video, audio, or conference calls Test video and what it looks like prior to call Have a sign for outside your door, so as not to be disturbed EX. “Call in Progress, Please Do Not Disturb” Have a plan-b Have direct-dial phone numbers in case the video call fails Download an offline form of materials, i.e. pdf or something similar Confirmation The day before confirm the date, time, and agenda with whomever you’re scheduled with Make sure to attach the link to download video conferencing software or video conferencing number 3. Routine and Professional Dress Maintaining some sort of routine will get you ready for your day, just as going to the office might. Dressing the part is something that will help you get into the work mode, it signals to your brain that it’s time to work. This helps maintain some normalcy for you as well as clients and candidates; it shows that you’re still here to work for them. Allot time in the mornings to ready your mind for work. Things like taking the dogs out, having a cup of coffee, or making breakfast to get your day started. Making new and maintaining morning routines will ensure, walking into your home workspace equates to a successful day.

Whether an industry veteran or just getting started, it’s never too early to start thinking about where you want to take your career. Having one, three, five, and even ten-year goals can help guide you in your current role and help you discover how to achieve your next steps. Keep reading for some helpful tips to not only hone your passion in the real estate industry but how to get to your long-term, short-term, and everything-in-between term goals. 1. Define your why. Is it to enrich your residents’ or tenants’ lives? Is it to build something beautiful? Is it to create meaningful connections to current and future clients through strategic and innovative marketing platforms (*waves*)? Start with WHY you want to do what you do in the industry. Hint: never make it about money. You can earn a living doing a million things. Why do you want to work in real estate? Note that your “why” can change over the course of your career! The most important part is to be aware of the reason you do what you do. 2. Pick your passion. List everything you do in your role from your most favorite thing to your least favorite. List everything, even the mundane! Now, look at your top five-six items. Those things can be used to start defining your passion in the real estate industry. Is it talking with clients or meeting new people? Is it coming up with new ideas or training new employees? Your passion can encompass more than one aspect, but those top items will help guide you to pinpoint your career path. 3. Think long term. Picture your career in ten years. Where are you? What role do you have? What is your title? What are your job responsibilities? How are you making an impact? Think BIG and know that ten years ago, people rarely had the title of “marketing director” or “social media strategist”. Now (*waves*), look where we are. So know that as the real estate industry continues to grow, so will the roles and positions we haven’t even thought of yet. 4. Think backwards. Starting with that lofty ten-year goal, work backwards. Where are you in five years? Does that five-year goal line up in a trajectory path to your ten-year goal? Take it back again; think about where you want to be in three years. Two years? One year. Six months. And now we start building our goal path. 5. Share it. If you don’t have a mentor in the real estate industry yet, get you one. Network with your local or state association, join a committee, reach out to a seasoned colleague or experienced leader in your company. Talk about your goals and ask for their feedback. What steps are you missing and what help might you need to get to where you want to go? Whether it’s credential courses, extra classes on design, engineering, public speaking, or leadership, there are lots of educational resources out there to help you along the way. Getting someone else invested in your goals is a great way to not only get advice on your big picture goals but to offer resources you might not have considered yet. Additionally, share your goal with your boss! Especially if you want to grow within the company you are with now, your boss will be delighted to help you along the way and keep you invested. 6. Keep checking in with yourself. Set yourself a calendar reminder for a self-check-in every six months. Ask questions like: “Am I still on the goal path I set for myself?” “What hurdles am I facing now and what do I need to overcome them?” “What can I do in the next six months to get me closer to my big picture goal?” “Who do I need to talk to about my career path?” 7. Don’t give up! Yes, we get passed over for promotions sometimes. And yes, there might be setbacks or days where you don’t feel like you’re progressing. Don’t give up! Ten years isn’t a short amount of time, and any long-term career goal should be a marathon, not a sprint. Treat each setback as a stepping stone and talk to your mentor or your boss about how you’re feeling. You might find that eventually, those setbacks were the perfect thing to get you even closer to your end goal. For all your goals, big and small, let BG Real Estate help! We offer the best in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire candidates. We also have the perfect jumping-off point to get started in the real estate industry! Contact our team today or learn more at BGSF.com.

If you were laid off due to COVID-19 or another unforeseen circumstance, don’t be idle during your job search.  There are several things you can do to help keep your skills fresh, make yourself more marketable, and stay up to date with the latest technologies. One thing you can do is pursue certifications such as cloud certifications and other certifications in your field.  You can also work on your own side projects or build your own home lab to practice. Don’t forget to add those projects to your resume to highlight those newly learned skills. Potential hiring managers will appreciate your work ethic, commitment to your craft, and ability to learn when you are seeking new opportunities. The time is NOW to build up your skillset. Check out these links for some trusted resources to obtain HOT certifications that could make you more marketable and can be completed remotely! PMP AWS A+ Certified Scrum Master CCNA For all your goals, big and small, let BGSF Professional Division help! From IT implementation/configuration, data management, financial & accounting, project support, HR, creative marketing, and more, we deliver the largest national network of highly-skilled specialized talent. Whether you need professional recruitment for full-time positions, temporary labor, or sourcing for consulting engagements, there’s no business challenge we can’t solve. Contact our team today or learn more at BGSF.com.