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There are precious few things better than free giveaways. Whether attending a tradeshow, a conference, a workshop, or a dinner meeting, the sight of a free SOMETHING is enough to elicit excitement in even the most minimalist of hearts. How do you make sure that what you’re giving is well-received? How do we ensure that the thing we spent hours choosing from our vendors, designing, approving, and waiting patiently for those tracking numbers is actually worth something to the people we are giving it to? Here are the top 5 trends in swag for 2023 and get ready to make this your best gift-giving year yet in the eyes of your customers. 1. Environmentally friendly gifts. Gone are the days of sticky notes that don’t stick, notebooks that get tossed or the pages and pages of information printed on glossy paper that a customer might glance through once. Look at investing in things that can promote your business or company without the ding to our tree friends. Reusable memo boards Notebooks made from recycled cardboard mean that more trees stay planted Reusable straws to save the turtles Bamboo flatware sets and lunch containers to forgo plastic Packs of seeds to encourage your customers to give back to the environment 2. Things your customer can use where they are. Are you setting up at a tradeshow where your customers are going to be flying in to attend? Don’t attempt to give away large or bulky items like beach towels or yoga mats. Things that people need during the event are a sure way to not only make their lives easier, but have other attendees ask “hey, where did you get that?” Travel items like: Portable chargers Mini mouses Clear travel bags Wireless earbuds 3. Throwback items that are sure to please. There’s a reason why stress balls, highlighters, and pens are always the first to be grabbed. There’s nothing better than the classics we all grab and love to use! A pen that writes REALLY well, A highlighter with all five or six colors A perfectly squishy stress ball. 4. Make a statement with memorable gifts. While a bit more expensive, quality is always better than quantity- choose your top customers, your internal employees, or people you really want to show an extra level of appreciation for. A coffee travel mug, An upscale pen A commuter-friendly tote bag 5. Make it fun and unique. The best gifts are the ones you didn’t know you needed. The top trending items so far are: The Crumbee Desktop Vacuum to get up all those pesky little crumbs off your desk. A zen rock garden A fluffy blanket A personalized sleep mask with lavender-scented beads No matter what you give, make sure it’s impactful, useful, and something YOU would use yourself. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and picture how/where/when they would use your product. For all your hiring and workforce needs, BGSF is here for you. Learn more at BGSF.com!

With the rise of ai writing intelligence and tools like ChatGPT, some are utilizing the tool to write cover letters and resumes. It’s only fair at this point that candidates catch up to the sophistication of software used at companies to read, select, and throw out the resumes for them.  But what will this look like when machine writing meets machine reading? And how do smaller companies that still manually look at resumes compete? How will you separate candidates? Here’s what you can expect to change or at least what we know so far: 1. Flawless Resumes The newest version of ChatGPT will be able to analyze a job description and curate a carefully written resume bio and cover letter to stand out from the crowd. Of course, candidates will have to stand on their own in the vetting process. Most interviews will still require a technical skill test or project, especially for industries such as information technology. Questions may have to be modified to help prevent candidates from using ChatGPT to write code or answer various technical questions. Overall, this means more time the recruiter and employer will spend more time vetting candidates to ensure they match the experience on their resume. 2. Rise in the Human Touch These tools will make it easier to produce content, job descriptions, and resumes. Forcing candidates and employers to stand out from the noise. This could result in an increase in video format with real members of the company recording content to help humanize the message and communicate the team culture. To be human is to be flawed. A prediction not yet popularized is that one day misspelled words on a piece of content or resume will be a clear sign that a human wrote it. Rather than being seen as a horrific mistake, it may be embraced. 3. New Jobs Savvy staffing agencies will be able to utilize AI software dedicated to identifying language created by tools like ChatGPT. All new software comes with caveats though, identifying abilities are limited and many are witnessing writing that is 100% human written labeled as 65-80% AI written. Companies will need to integrate a human element into their vetting process and not rely so heavily on the written word. As with all things in the digital age, those who adapt survive. AI is here to stay and will continue to have a powerful impact on all industries, however, staffing and recruiting will be at the forefront. If you’d like to stay up to date on how AI will shape the future of staffing, follow us on social for more blogs and resources.

Women have always played an important role in innovation throughout history, but their contributions have often been overlooked or undervalued. Today, however, women are taking a more prominent role in shaping the future of innovation in various industries. From technology to healthcare, women are leading the charge and breaking down barriers to pave the way for future generations. Here are some ways women are driving innovation and what the future may hold. Women and the Future of Innovation Increased Representation: There is a growing awareness of the need for more women in leadership positions in various industries. This is especially evident in the technology industry, where there is a push for gender parity in the workforce. As more women enter leadership roles, they are bringing more inclusive ideas and suggestions to the forefront, leading to the development of solutions that can be applied to a wider population. Embracing Diversity: Diversity in the workforce is a key driver of innovation. Women bring different perspectives and life experiences to the table, which can lead to more creative solutions and problem-solving. Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion are more likely to foster an environment where innovation thrives. Disruptive Technologies: Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming various industries. Women are playing a critical role in developing and deploying these technologies. For example, women are leading the development of AI systems that promote fairness, ethics, and transparency. Entrepreneurship: More women are taking the entrepreneurial route to innovation. Women-owned businesses are growing at a faster rate than any other segment of new business in the United States. Women entrepreneurs are driving innovation by developing new products and services that meet the needs of underserved markets. The future of innovation looks bright, and women will play a critical role in driving it forward. By increasing representation, embracing diversity, promoting disruptive technologies, and fostering entrepreneurship, women can continue to shape the future in a variety of industries!

The state of women in the workforce in 2023 is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both progress and ongoing challenges. While significant gains have occurred in recent years, gender inequality remains a pervasive issue in many industries and occupations. One step forward, two steps back Women in leadership: One area of progress has been in the number of women in leadership roles. In 2023, more women than ever before are occupying high-level positions in a range of industries, from finance and technology to politics and entertainment. For example, the number of women serving as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies has increased steadily in recent years, with women currently holding more than 50 positions (finally hitting over 10%). Gender pay gap: However, women continue to face significant barriers to advancement in many fields. The gender pay gap, for example, remains a persistent issue, with women earning an average of only 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This gap is even larger for women of color, who face additional barriers to advancement and are more likely to experience workplace discrimination. Work-life balance: Another challenge for women in the workforce is the ongoing struggle to balance work and family responsibilities. Despite the increased availability of paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements, women still bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities and often face career penalties for taking time off to care for children or elderly relatives. Impact of the pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly impacted women in the workforce, exacerbating existing inequalities and creating new challenges. Women have been disproportionately affected by job losses and reduced work hours, and have also faced increased demands for caregiving and homeschooling. Hope for the future Despite these challenges, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of women in the workforce. The increased visibility of gender inequality has sparked important conversations and led to tangible policy changes in many industries. Additionally, more and more companies are recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion and are taking steps to ensure that women and other underrepresented groups are given equal opportunities for advancement. While there have been significant gains in recent years, gender inequality remains a pervasive issue, and there is still much work to be done to ensure that women have equal opportunities for advancement and are treated with the respect they deserve in the workplace.

We recently sponsored the “Let’s Kick Glass Together Table Talks” at the Dallas Regional Chamber’s 25th annual Women’s Business Conference. Our own Ebony Butler, VP of Diversity & Development, led our “Table Talks” experience, with the main theme being, “What sparks you to inspire HER?” We had (12) BGSF team members facilitate discussions and ‘spark’ conversations among the small groups, building connections and sharing ideas to spark these concepts along our personal and professional journeys. Ebony asked the following questions: How do you show up as your authentic self at work? How do you encourage others to be their authentic selves at work? What is one action you will take in the next 24 hours to ignite YOUR spark? It was empowering to listen to these ladies and allies step out of their comfort zones to share their wisdom, hopes, and authentic selves with our team members, sparking encouragement that our team members made a lasting #impact, facilitating genuine discussions with key takeaways to further ignite sparks throughout the Dallas community and beyond. “I come as one; but I stand as 10,000.”  Maya Angelou Ebony recited this quote as she leveraged the conversation on how we are intentional about lifting up other women.  This quote, by Maya Angelou resonates with Ebony whenever she needs support and when she is providing other women with mentor and sponsorship support.  This quote serves as reminder to live boldly and acknowledge your tribe and community of strong women who came before and to always remember to clear the path for courageous women to come. For twenty-five years, Dallas’s top professional women and business leaders have gathered at the Women’s Business Conference WBC to turn bold ideas into action, taking the spark from one day to drive professional and personal growth throughout the entire year — creating a stronger, more inclusive region. We are grateful to have been invited to sponsor the “Table Talks,” and leave you with one question, “If failure wasn’t an obstacle, what SPARK ✨would you ignite?” Interested in finding out more about BGSF and what sparks us to be a 2023 Best Staffing Firm award winner? Click HERE! You can also Search our jobs or contact us!

We recently marked three years since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, which has undeniably had a profound impact on the workforce. The pandemic and subsequent shutdown completely transformed the way we worked, collaborated, and functioned within our organizations. But what have we learned from this universal experience? What trends and outlooks remain a permanent fixture within our organizations? Remote and flexible work is here to stay One of the most significant changes has been the widespread adoption of remote work. With offices closed and employees forced to work from home, organizations around the world had to rapidly transition to remote work arrangements. This shift has proven successful for many companies, with some even reporting increased productivity and employee satisfaction. However, remote work has also presented challenges, including the need for effective communication and collaboration tools and for organizations to support their employees in maintaining a work-life balance. Another lesson we have learned is the importance of workplace flexibility. The pandemic has highlighted the need for organizations to be adaptable and responsive to changing circumstances. This includes offering flexible working hours and accommodating employees with caregiving responsibilities or health concerns. By embracing workplace flexibility, companies can not only attract and retain top talent but also create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture. The Digital Transformation continues to accelerate The pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in the workforce. From video conferencing to cloud-based collaboration tools, organizations have had to quickly adapt to new technologies in order to maintain productivity and communication. This shift has created opportunities for technology companies to innovate and develop new solutions and has also highlighted the importance of investing in digital literacy and upskilling programs for employees. Health and safety are a top priority The pandemic quickly highlighted the importance of prioritizing employee health and safety. At the onset, organizations had to implement new safety protocols, including social distancing, mask-wearing, and increased sanitation measures, in order to protect their employees. These concerns shined a light on a business’s responsibility to its employees’ well-being and underscored the need for organizations to also prioritize mental health, in addition to physical health. This includes providing easy access to mental health resources and support. These types of benefits are now seen as critical to many populations within the workforce, especially younger generations entering the market. Resilience and adaptability are key The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability in the workforce. Employees have had to navigate a rapidly changing work environment, with many facing job loss or furloughs. However, many have also demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, pivoting to new roles or industries and acquiring new skills in order to remain competitive in the job market. Moving Forward Three years into the pandemic, we have learned a great deal about the workforce and how it has adapted in response to the challenges that emerged. From the widespread adoption of remote work to the importance of workplace flexibility and digital literacy, these lessons will continue to shape the future of work for years to come. As we move forward, it is important for organizations to continue to prioritize employee health and safety, resilience, and adaptability, in order to create a more sustainable and equitable workforce.

U.S. Economy Continues to Show Strength with Impressive Job Growth The U.S. economy continues to show its resilience by adding 311,000 jobs last month, surpassing economists’ expectations of 225,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate experienced a slight increase to 3.6%, but this was due to an encouraging rise in labor force participation. These monthly job gains are well above pre-pandemic levels when roughly 180,000 jobs were added per month between 2010 and 2019, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This impressive job growth is a testament to the ongoing recovery efforts from the pandemic. Labor turnover data released earlier this week for January showed that there were 1.9 job openings for every person looking for one. This indicates that employers are still struggling to find workers despite the strong job growth. Bank of America data shows these missing workers are primarily older workers with traditionalists and baby boomers making 53% of the workers not returning to work, citing a variety of reasons including retirement, caregiving responsibilities, migration trends, and deteriorating health (both related and unrelated to COVID). Average hourly earnings grew by 0.2% month-on-month and were up by 4.6% over the year before. This metric is closely watched by the Federal Reserve as it evaluates the impact of rising wages on inflation. Employment in professional and business services continued to trend up in February (+45,000), with a gain of 12,000 in management, scientific, and technical consulting services. Employment in professional and business services had increased by an average of 35,000 per month over the prior 6 months. Eric Peters, Professional Division President for BGSF said, "Moving into February, organizations began funding for projects and initiatives in technical consulting such as software selection, implementation, and customization. Companies continue to look for ways to improve areas of efficiency and automate processes. With the recent acquisition of Horn Solutions, our firm is well-positioned to meet the demand for resources in areas of business process improvement and management consulting." The real estate and leasing sector showed signs of their annual seasonal growth adding more than 5,000 jobs and nearly reaching a YOY increase of 70,000 jobs when compared to Feb 2022. "Supporting our client partners by sharing data around wages is one way that we plan to continue on the path of attracting talent to the careers available in the Property Management segment." Said Kelly Brown, BGSF Real Estate Division President,  "This is a key component to remaining competitive as an employer of choice. Our maintenance training platform will empower individuals to secure stronger wages and bring new talent into the industry that may have otherwise chosen other career paths. " In other positive news, earlier this week the Labor Department reported that quits fell from over 4.1 million in December to 3.9 million in January 2023 with an overall quits rate of 2.5%. This indicates that workers are feeling more confident in their current positions. Overall, this latest jobs report is another positive sign for the U.S. economy as it continues its strong recovery from the pandemic. Visit our job section to view openings in your market today!

Tradeshow season is upon us. It’s time for the comfy walking shoes, company hats, and business cards to make their way out of the storage closet and into waiting bags and backpacks. Planning on attending at least ONE of your industry’s tradeshows this year? Keep reading for the top ways to get the MOST out of your tradeshow experience. Attend with your team. You get some great face-time with your colleagues, and you can make a true event out of it- wear company t-shirts, matching caps, or go all-out and dress in the tradeshow theme. As much as it’s about the people who are exhibiting, you can use the opportunity to brand yourself and your company to other attendees too! Be prepared to talk. Don’t just grab at the awesome-looking swag and run. Make a point to ask the exhibitor about themselves and their business. Even if it’s a service you can’t use right now, you might be able to pass the information on to a friend or file it away to use later. Also, be prepared to talk about your company and your role within the organization. Scope out the people you want to see. Whether swinging by a trade partners’ booth or searching for a new service for your company, look at the tradeshow floor map and plan your route to ensure you get to see everyone you need to see. Refresh and hydrate. If it’s your first rodeo, let us be the first to say that there’s a lot of walking involved here. Put on comfy shoes and don’t forget to bring a bottle of water. Most tradeshows offer snacks and drinks on the expo floor and there will probably be some exhibitors with food to give at their booths as well. Respond to follow-up emails. If you hand out your business card at a tradeshow, be warned that it will come back to you in the form of an email from the exhibitor after the show. Most exhibitors are expected to follow up with all potential clients – that’s you! Be cordial and respond, even if you cannot use the service or product now, thank the exhibitor for reaching out and for their time. Kindness doesn’t cost a thing. BGSF attends tradeshows all over the United States throughout the year. Be sure to swing by our booths and say hello! For more information on our services and workforce solutions, visit BGSF.com.

Remote or hybrid office situations have become the norm. According to EmploymentHero.com, 26% of US employees work remotely and 51% of businesses across the country have adopted a hybrid working environment. Employees say they have a better work-life balance when working from home at least two days a week and the launch of a hybrid work model has helped businesses increase performance by 22%. Whether embracing a new team with technology or just wanting to brush up on how to keep your team connected; here are five (5) ways to lead a virtual team. Encourage team bonding. A virtual team lunch or an after-work virtual happy hour dropped on the calendar is an awesome way to facilitate a little team bonding, even virtually. Even if the “meeting” is only 30 minutes, some time away to talk about something other than work is a great way for your team to connect on a more personal level; and let’s be honest, when we like who we work with, we’re more satisfied to work with them, right? Don’t criticize in front of others. We get it, people make mistakes. As a leader, it’s important to not criticize or get outwardly frustrated with an employee in front of their peers. Frustrations happen, of course, but it’s wise to ask for a private chat about how the situation could have been handled better in these moments. This allows your employee to respond, apologize and ask questions without their colleagues around. Conduct check-ins frequently. Having a monthly check-in outside of your regular meetings to discuss projects is a great way to be able to give praise, discuss career growth and next steps, ask how the employee is doing and talk about bigger things that just that every-growing to-do list Let go of control. When not in-office, it’s easy to wonder if your employees are doing work or just watching Netflix. A great quote to remember is “Hire the right people for the job, then trust them implicitly.” If you’ve found the right person for the job, let them do their thing; no micromanaging or pinging them every hour needed. Over-communicate, especially with change. Changes come. Of course they do. In these seasons, it’s important to share the “why”, “how” and “when” with your team and allow them to ask questions and feel their feelings. Asking them for feedback and for suggestions on change management is also a wonderful way for your employees to feel involved with the decision making process and trust that you have their best interests at heart. At BGSF, we are always working to learn and grow a better internal leadership culture and heart, which we always emulate to our clients and field talent. For more information on BGSF and our roles, please visit BGSF.com.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are essential tools that help businesses manage their operations, processes, and data. As businesses continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape, ERP systems are also evolving to meet the needs and demands of modern enterprises. Here are some of the key ERP trends that businesses should keep an eye on in 2023. ERP Trends in 2023 Increased Focus on Cloud-Based ERP: Cloud-based ERP systems have been gaining popularity over the past few years, and this trend is set to continue in 2023. With more businesses moving to the cloud, ERP vendors will continue to invest in cloud-based solutions that offer scalability, flexibility, and cost savings. Integration with Other Technologies: ERP systems are no longer stand-alone solutions, but rather integral parts of a larger technology ecosystem. In 2023, we can expect ERP systems to be more tightly integrated with other technologies such as customer relationship management (CRM), business intelligence (BI), and supply chain management (SCM). Rise of Intelligent ERP: Intelligent ERP systems, which incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and predictive analytics, are becoming increasingly important in the business world. In 2023, we can expect ERP vendors to introduce new intelligent ERP solutions that help businesses automate routine tasks and make more informed decisions. Emphasis on Mobility and Accessibility: With more employees working remotely, ERP systems will need to be accessible from anywhere, anytime, and on any device. In 2023, we can expect ERP vendors to focus on delivering solutions that are mobile-friendly, intuitive, and easy to use. Greater Focus on Security and Privacy: As businesses get deeper into the digital transformation, the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches will continue to rise year after year. In 2023, we can expect ERP vendors to introduce new security and privacy features that help businesses protect their systems and data. Learn how our experts are embracing trends like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and incorporating them into their cybersecurity strategies to protect their enterprises here. In 2023, ERP systems will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of modern businesses. With a focus on cloud-based solutions, technology integration, intelligent ERP, mobility and accessibility, and security and privacy, ERP vendors will deliver new and innovative solutions that help businesses grow and succeed. Learn more about our ERP expertise here!

Appreciation makes an impact in the workplace, fueling camaraderie, improving morale, creating a culture of belonging, and increasing employee engagement. Employees who feel appreciated reduce their chances of burnout by 84% according to a 2022 Global Culture Study by O.C. Tanner Institute. Even more alarming is the finding that 79% of employees are not engaged at work according to Gallup. You can start the ripple to increase this number by taking today to show appreciation to your employees and increase connections with your teammates. Here are five ways that you can show appreciation: Acknowledge: Send a text, email, or handwritten note to a candidate, client, or coworker to let them know you appreciate them. Collaborate: Ask if you can support teammates with a project, learn a new skill, or assist with their workload. Recommend: Endorse someone on LinkedIn, give positive feedback, or provide a recommendation to a coworker. Recognize: Give a shout-out to a teammate on an internal platform like Workhuman, a tool designed to inspire team members to recognize and celebrate each other’s successes! Listen: Ask your team members how you can be a better coworker and do it! Act: Consider your words and tone in all communications, especially as you communicate via online messaging platforms or email. Ensure your messages are clear and pick up the phone to avoid miscommunication. The goal is to create a kinder, more positive working environment that people enjoy being a part of. According to Achievers, 63% of employees who feel recognized and heard at work are unlikely to look for a new job. Encouraging and modeling a culture of kindness and appreciation benefits everyone, increasing job satisfaction and employee retention. Interested in finding out more about BGSF and what we value? Click HERE! You can also Search our jobs or contact us!

In today’s workplace, your online image is often the first interaction potential clients and candidates have with you or your business. According to Forbes magazine, you have seven (7) seconds to make a first impression. Surprisingly, it may take only a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger from their face alone according to Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov. Increase the likelihood of a positive impression with a headshot that accurately represents you and your business. Benefits of a professional headshot: Conveys your brand: A professionally taken headshot displays your identity, approachability, integrity, and competence according to PreferredHeadshots.com. Makes an instant impression: First impressions often occur online before meeting face-to-face. How many times have you searched the LinkedIn profile of a candidate or potential client before reaching out? Builds trust: A professional headshot conveys a message that you are trustworthy and will represent yourself and your business with integrity according to Gorn Photo. Makes you more relatable: Your online image allows others to “meet” you virtually before you meet in person. A focused image with a warm smile shows you care about yourself and your brand. This conveys approachability, warmth, and professionalism, making you more relatable. Demonstrates that your career is important to you: This is especially important if you are seeking a new job, clients, or leads. A professional headshot can help open doors to new opportunities! We live in a digital world where social media is vital in promoting brands, including our own.  A good headshot is an effective way to give people an idea of what you’re made of before they meet you physically. Often the first impression made in the virtual space will determine if an in-person meeting will ever happen! Put your best impression forward and start making new connections today! Interested in finding out more about BGSF and what we value? Click HERE! You can also Search our jobs or contact us!