Temporary Staffing Agency - How to Start

The temporary staffing industry continues to expand, with yearly double-digit growth being commonplace. Companies find it convenient and cost-effective to work with a temporary staffing agency to fulfill unforeseen demand, fill short-term vacancies, and assist with changing workloads due to restructuring or mergers. Additionally, employers are enticed by the idea of "test driving" new employees to minimize risk and ensure a good match for permanent positions.

Many a job seeker has reaped great rewards from temporary staffing. Skilled but yet-inexperienced workers are able to get a foot in the door at prestigious companies, where a weak resume would have made it very difficult to be considered. Similarly, "drifters" (those who tend to rapidly drift from job to job) may be plagued by an overly-long resume. Temporary staffing services can be ideal for drifters, as they have the opportunity to work on short-term projects and move on without the negative repercussions. Retirees and college students are also very common candidates. A retired nurse may find enjoyment and extra income from a temporary medical staffing firm. A computer science major can gain valuable experience working with a technical agency.

Only a small number of personnel is required to handle recruiting and clientele. Even the largest international firms tend to function with small, mostly-independent branch offices serving specific regions. This modular structure means it is quite possible for a one-office temporary staffing agency to compete effectively with established firms.

Overall, the triple-benefit to clients, associates, and entrepreneurs has contributed to the phenomenal growth of the temporary staffing industry. Because of these advantages, it will remain an integral part of the employment process through good times and bad.

Start Up Costs and Financing Sources:

$5,000 to $25,000

The startup and operating costs of a temporary staffing agency are much lower than many other businesses. The basic requirements are a small office with the typical supplies, a computer system with general accounting software and database software for organizing contracts, and the people skills to work with clientele and associates. It would not be impossible to start a temporary staffing agency on a shoestring budget of a few thousand dollars.

The largest business expense is payroll. It is common for associates to be paid by the agency before the agency is paid by the client. An account must be maintained with sufficient funds to cover payroll costs until bills are paid by the clients.

It is difficult - but not impossible - to get help from venture capitalists in covering part of the costs of setting up a temporary staffing agency. A well-researched, forward-looking business plan is essential.

Pricing Guidelines for Service:

Associates are paid by the hour, and the agency covers its costs by charging a premium to the amount billed to the client. The exact amount of the premium differs from case to case and can vary from 5% to 50% or more. Some associates are willing to work for less and some clients are willing to pay more, which when properly matched can result in very decent profits for the temporary staffing agency. The contract usually spells out a flat fee to be paid to the agency in the event that a client decides to permanently hire an associate.

Advertising and Marketing:

A competitive hurdle for small startups is that larger agencies already have established reputations and brand recognition. This is actually a minor obstacle because of the localized nature of the business. It is not necessary to wage a national marketing war to gain exposure for a new agency. An inexpensive and well-directed marketing campaign can quickly build a valuable reputation within the local operating region of the startup.

Essential Equipment:

An office (perhaps a home office) should be equipped with the standard office supplies and at least two telephone lines.

At least one computer system with accounting software and a database for keeping track of projects is mandatory. A printer is used for printing invoices and job listings, and a high-speed Internet connection connects the agency with online job search sites.

Many temporary staffing services have computers with tutorial software available to help associates to train their keyboarding and basic office software skills. These computers are also used to test the skills of applicants.

Income Potential:

Many billions of dollars are spent on temporary staffing services each year. A small, single-office agency can earn profits in the tens of thousands of dollars. The large, international firms rake in millions every year.

Target Market:

A temporary staffing agency is the middleman between two distinct markets: clients and associates.

It is usually not a difficult matter to reach hundreds of applicants with simple help wanted advertisements. More focus will probably be placed on connecting with client companies and convincing them that your services will help their businesses.

Certain industries seem more receptive to temporary staffing. Financial institutions and other office-centric companies are constantly seeking qualified office support staff. Factories frequently need labor for light industrial work, product assembly, and shipping and receiving tasks. Hospitals and clinics use temporary medical staffing to hire transcriptionists, certified nursing professionals, and other support staff. Increasingly, high-technology companies hire computer programmers, database specialists, and systems engineers on a temporary basis through agencies specializing in technical placements.

Tips for Success:

Develop a niche!

In larger markets, providers of temporary staffing services have found it useful to branch into niches such as temporary medical staffing, legal, financial, or technical fields. The focused nature of these agencies allows recruiters to build a pool of highly-educated, trained, and experienced associates who are able to provide the best service to clients within a particular industry.

A hospital executive would feel more comfortable contracting nurses from an agency dedicated to temporary medical staffing than from a one-stop-shop that also places welders, janitors, and filing clerks. This confidence also helps associates to command better wages than they might otherwise receive through a general-service temporary staffing agency.

Automate!

Much of the work of running a temporary staffing agency can be automated by computer software. Well-designed database software can ease the process of matching qualified associates with appropriate job openings. Accounting operations can be very heavily automated (but working closely with a good accountant is still advised). With these tools in place, just two major tasks remain: finding clients and finding associates.

Use your own services!

As the business grows, it will become necessary to add staff to handle the recruitment and marketing. That should never be difficult, since typically dozens or hundreds of qualified candidates are already in contact with the agency!

Training, Skills or Experience Needed:

Recruiters are at an advantage with a background in human resources, business management, and marketing. A degree is not essential for starting the business, but the knowledge gained through a business management program is immensely helpful. People skills are important, and can be learned through experience and self study. Numerous books have been published, specifically addressing temporary staffing as a business opportunity.

Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet

People were born with different physical characteristics in their bodies. With regards to feet considerations, you may be blessed (or cursed) to have a flat foot. In accordance with this aspect of biological uniqueness, the best running shoes for flat feet should be used for optimum comfort and convenience.

What is a flat foot?

Having a flat foot can sometimes be a frustration in searching for the appropriate accessory, like shoes. A flat foot is characterized by your foot print looking like a blob contoured in the general shape of a foot. You can easily check this using a footprint on a piece of paper. Also, physically, you may
observe that there is almost no curve going inward from your toe to your heel. Another significant characteristic is that when you press firmly on any surface, your foot seems to spread out.

What shoes to use?

Shoes are generally created to provide protection to a person's feet. However, even though most of the commercially available shoes are using soft and shape shifting materials, a specific pair of shoes should be used for flat-footed people. Usually, when a person has flat feet, they are also considered
to be an overpronator. It is a condition when the foot rolls inward while running. That is why the appropriate shoes should be used.

The most appropriate shoes for flat feet are the ones that are equipped with high stability properties as well as with motion control materials. Also, shoes with firm mid-soles are far the most efficient types. These factors reduce the capability of your flat foot to roll over in specific areas, thus making your walking or running more comfortable. You should avoid shoes that are highly curved in inward soles for these types may reduce your stability and compress your foot painfully.

Since running shoes were manufactured based on the activities of runners, they are equipped with padding and cushion materials for greater flexibility. You won't need shoes that have multiple layers of padding since this will apply pressure to your flat feet, thus making it very uncomfortable to use. You can just use running shoes that have at least a single layer of comfort pads but are not too curved.

There are some health problems that you may have if you do not use running shoes ideal for flat footed individuals. For example, if you tend to run long distances with an inappropriate shoe type, you may experience instability from the flat panels of your feet towards the upper portion of the legs. These conditions may cause knee and leg injuries while running. Also, your balance capability is compromised, leading to an uncontrollable body movement while in motion.

If you are going to purchase a pair of running shoes, you can search over the basic items sold in the market. But, you should always bear in mind that you might need to sacrifice style and brand in order to make sure that you have the best running shoes for flat feet. Although this may seem to be a
little frustrating, you should always consider the health factor of using them. You may ask for assistance to get you the right model and brand of shoes for flat feet.

How To Find REAL Wholesale Dropshippers For Almost Any Product

With more and more people getting online, many of them are searching
for information on specific products that they are interested in
purchasing.

Thus one of the best possible ways to turn a profit online is
to find wholesale sources that will drop-ship thes products directly
to your customers who come to your website for more informatation.
Also you could set up ebay auctions to sell these products.

BUT....

Most of the wholesale sources ebooks, list of 10,000 drop shippers
etc. that you see being offered online just don't cut it. Either
they are full of links that lead to websites that are no longer
active, lead you to wholesalers who carry junk products (dollar store
items, as seen on TV stuff), or the price are too high for you to
make any profits.

Actually most of the time the so called wholesale sources you find
in these ebooks and lists are nothing more than “middle men”. They
are buying from the real wholesalers and then reselling the products
to you at a marked up price so they will make a profit.

But what if you could cut out the middle men and find real wholesalers
of brand name products at prices that will be profitable for you.
Well you can do this but it won't happen by depending on those outdated
ebooks and drop shippers list.

You need to find these sources your self. It could be as simple as
finding a porduct manufaturer or supplier and simply asking them if
they can drop ship the product directly to your customers. Some times
you may have to negotiate a deal to get them to drop ship for you.

Either way you'll make more money because you can get the in demand
brand name products you want at a good price.

So how do you find wholesale suppliers?

Just use the links below and you'll be able to find plenty of wholesale
sources that will drop ship for you, some of them in your own back yard.

http://www.yellowpages.com - Don't over look this as your number one
lead to wholesalers. Think about it for a second. Just about every
brick and mortar business in the United States is listed in the yellow
pages including wholesalers. Just use the "Search By Word" option and
type in "Wholesale" along with selecting your state from the drop down
box. You can also do a nation wide search.

http://www.surplus.net - This website lists lost of overstock and
pallet lots of surplus and refurbished merchandise at very good prices.
Theres lot products listed here and sometimes you can get 50%-80% of
the wholesale price.

http://www.alibaba.com - This is one website where you will be able
to find tons sources for product to sell. This site it HUGE chance are
if you search for aproduct type or brand name here you'll more than
likely find a supplier.

[http://www.globalsources.com] - The suppliers here are from all over the
globe. The majority of the suppliers here are the actual manufacturer
for the products they offer so you can get some really good prices.

http://www.ec21.com

This site is very similar to alibaba and the suppliers are located
all over the globe.

http://www.exportbureau.com -Legitimate businesses are listed here
and many of them are the manufactures of the products.

[http://www.fashions.net-Clothing] and fashion overstock, surplus and
salvage.

http://www.computers.org -Computers, Laptops, printers and related
product.

[http://www.made-in-china.com-Suppliers] and manufactures located in
china.

Other website worth a look are.

http://www.wholesale411.com

http://www.toysdirect.com

http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Wholesale_Trade/

[http://www.fleamarketguide.com/wholesal.htm]

http://www.topwholesalesuppliers.com

http://www.wholesalehub.com

http://www.4wholesaleusa.com

http://www.wholesalecentral.com

http://www.andale.com - You can search for products here and it will
tell you the average selling price for of particular type of item
based on what is selling on ebay.

NOTES:

Always get a sample of the product you want to sell before you
actually start selling it to your customers. You need to inspect
the quality of the merchandise and make sure that your wholesale
supplier is actually selling the item or brand name that they say
they are.

This can be easily accomplished if your supplier sells individual
items.

If you supplier only sells in bulk try to get them to send you a
sample. If they won't do this they may not be a company that you want
to deal with especially if they are located overseas.

And never pay for your items by wire transfer, if you supplier ask
you to do this it is just best that you walk away because wire transfers
are not traceable and if your supplier isn't trust worthy you will not
be able to get your money back.

Free Printable Bible Trivia Questions and Answers For You to Use

Need printable bible trivia for a party or another occasion? Here are some bible related trivia questions with the answers. You can print them out, and use a black felt pen to cover the answers. Presto! Free printable bible trivia quizzes!

How much time did Jonah spend in the belly of the whale?
A: Three days and three nights.

Why did a Bible published in London in 1632 become known as the Wicked Bible?
A: Because "not" was missing from the seventh commandment, making it "Thou shalt commit adultery."

The name of God is not mentioned in only one book of the Bible. Which one?
A: The Book of Esther.

What kind of wood was used to make Noah's Ark?
A: Gopher wood, according to Genesis 6:14.

Who was the only Englishman to become Pope?
A: Nicholas Breakspear, who was Adrian IV from 1154 to 1159.

For what event in February 1964 did evangelist Billy Graham break his strict rule against watching TV on Sunday?
A: The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

According to the Bible, what substance was used to calulk Noah's ark and to seal the basket in which the infant Moses was set adrift on the Nile?
A: Pitch, or natural asphalt.

How old was Moses when he died?
A: He was 120 years old, according to the Bible (Deuteronomy 34:7).

How tall was Goliath, the Philistine giant slain by David with a stone hurled from a sling?
A: "Six cubits and a span,"

What biblical Babylonian king cast Daniel into the lion's den for praying to God in defiance of a royal decree?
A: Darius the Mede (Book of Daniel, Chapter6).

What is the longest name in the Bible?
A: Mahershalalbashbaz, which is also written Maher-shalal-hash-baz. (Isaiah 8:1).

In the Bible, which of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse rides a red horse?
A: War (Book of Revelation).

How many books of the Bible are named for women?
A: Two - Ruth and Esther.

What language is Jesus believed to have spoken?
A: Aramaic -- an ancient language in use on the north Arabian Peninsula at the time of Christ. A modern version of the language is spoken today in Syria and among Assyrians in Azerbaijan.

In the Bible, for what "price" did Esau sell his birthright to his younger twin brother, Jacob?
A: Pottage of lentils (Genesis 25:29-34).

What did the lords of the philistines offer Delilah for revealing the secret of Samson's strength?
A: They promised the sum of 1,100 pieces of silver each, according to the Bible (Judges 16:5).

In the Old Testament, who was Jezebel's husband?
A: Ahab, King of Israel (I Kings 16:28-31).

What bird is named for the apostle Peter?
A: The petrel, from a diminutive form of Petrus, or "Peter," in Latin.

What was the first town in the United States to be given a biblical name? Hint: Its name is the most common biblical place name in the country.
A: Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is the shortened form of Jerusalem, which means "the city of peace" in Hebrew.

In the Bible, who did the sun and moon stand still before?
A: Joshua.

Who is the only woman whose age is mentioned in the Bible?
A: Sarah.

Windows 7 Freezes - Windows 7 Keeps Freezing, How Do I Fix It?

Been having trouble when Windows 7 freezes? Despite being Microsoft's latest release, Windows 7 still has some bugs that need to be worked out. The OS appears to have a very bright future but computer freezing can still be an issue. This can be quite a pain in the neck if you had been working on something important, only to see it lost forever.

So what causes Windows 7 freezes? The first issue can be running your system beyond it's hardware specifications. This occurs when having too many programs open at once. If the amount of RAM in your system cannot handle it then the computer will freeze. The simple solution for this is to run fewer programs or purchase additional RAM.

Some folks ask - what if Windows 7 crashes when I run a certain program? In this case you may need to update your drivers. Often times compatibility issues can cause your computer to freeze up. You can check the Microsoft Windows website for the latest updates.

If Windows 7 freezes at random, then the problem is related to the registry. When the Windows registry is filled with errors it can't stop your system from properly communicating information. The registry contains the information your computer uses to communicate between the OS, software, and hardware devices. When the registry becomes congested with errors, the communication process breaks down.

The only solution for this type of Windows 7 freezing is to clean the registry of corrupt files and various errors. Not only will this prevent computer crashing, it will also speed up your system considerably. Simply scan your computer with a top flight registry repair program.

Hard Drive Size - Why It's Important

The hard drive disk of a computer is the primary storage device of the computer. It is a non-removable device that retains all the information when the computer is turned off. A fast hard drive supplies the computer with data as fast as it needs. Hard drives are measured in Gigabytes (GB) and the larger the number, the more storage the computer has. When looking at purchasing a new home computer or laptop, it is important to understand how the hard drive works with your computer and how much storage capacity you will need.

When saving information on your computer, the application is recorded on a magnetic platter inside the hard drive. Most hard drives have several platters that allow them to spin up to 15,000 times per minute. The amount of hard drive space the computer has will affect how much data that can be saved. The data on a hard drive can be deleted or erased from the memory at any time and does not need a constant power supply to save the information.

It used to be that hard drives were small and had a capacity of no more than 5 MB, now most new computers and laptops have no less than 40 GB. Some hard drive capacities can exceed 120 GB. Today, computers with these capabilities can store a massive amount of information, videos and photos without getting bogged down.

Choosing a hard drive can be confusing if you are not familiar with what to look for. Hard drives can have a very high capacity and they can be very small. It is important when looking at hard drive for your computer or laptop to know what you need. Performance in a hard drive can vary dramatically. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to save information and learning your hard drive is full. If you plan on using your hard drive to store a minimum amount of information, you may not need to spend the extra money on a bigger hard drive.

For storing large files, videos, music and pictures, your computer will need to be equipped with a larger amount of hard drive space. You can purchase 160 GB and bigger of hard drive space on most computers. The general rule of thumb for purchasing hard drive space is to purchase the largest amount of space you think you will need and that you can afford.

Price is another factor when choosing the right hard drive size. The most common size of hard drive for the money ranges from 60 to 80 gigabytes. These hard drive sizes are readily available on most operating systems. They are a good economical choice for computer users needing the computer for everyday storage and use.

Besides the size of the hard drive and purchase price consider access times and transfer rates when looking at hard drives. The transfer rate is how much data can be transferred per second. This can vary though, depending on the condition of the computer. A computer that is nearly full may have a much slower transfer rate.

Transfer rates come in either internal or external. The internal transfer rate is how fast the hard drive can read the date. The external transfer rate is how fast the drive can speed data to whatever it is connected to. Usually, the transfer rate will be a little slower than listed, so it is best to get a faster transfer rate. The external rate is link to the type of hard drive that the computer is using.

Be aware that hard drive speed is affect by the computer's capabilities. If your computer is slow, a bigger and faster hard drive will do you little good. Also, if your computer is operating slowly, a bogged down hard drive may be the problem. If your computer system is running slow, deleting unnecessary files from the hard drive. Defrag is another option used to optimize slow hard drive systems.

Fragmentation of the hard drive occurs when the operating system breaks a saved file into separate pieces and stores them in other places. This usually happens when there is not enough room to store all the date. Defrag takes those stored file fragments and pieces them back together again. The process can be time consuming, but is a good way to optimize hard drive space and the speed of the computer.

Robert Burns Love Poem: "A Red, Red Rose"

Robert Burns, a poor man, an educated man, and a ladies' man, is representative of Scotland, much like whisky, haggis, bagpipes, and kilts. He lived a life shortened by rheumatic heart disease, 1759-1796, but his life journey through poverty, informal education, disappointed love, nationalism, and literary and financial success can be identified by all Scots and common men the world over. He has become almost a national symbol of all things Scottish. His life is like a love story with a happy ending.

The Poet, Robert Burns

Robert Burns's family raised seven children on sparse, rented farmland on the west coast of Scotland. The family cottage still stands as a proud tourist attraction. The family farm was not successful and the family moved from farm to farm. Life on the farm in western Scotland was harsh and Robert worked long hours with his father.

Burn's father recognized the value of education and he managed to hire a local teacher to tutor Robert. He was an extremely bright student, mastering Shakespeare, current poets, French, Latin, philosophy, politics, geography, theology, and mathematics. His father read the Bible during the evenings around the cottage fireplace and Robert became an expert on the Bible and a devout Church member.

Robert Burns wrote his first poem at age 15. The poem was called "Handsome Nell" and was about his first love for a girl named Nellie Blair. Throughout his life, Burns was a charming and witty man, attracting the attention of numerous women. A dozen or more women can be identified as the inspiration for various poems. Burns wrote many famous love poems, including "A Red, Red Rose" and "One Fond Kiss."

Here's an excerpt from "Handsome Nell."

"O once I loved a bonnie lass,

Aye, and I love her still;

And whilst that virtue warms my breast,

I'll love my handsome Nell."

Burns, in a later comment on this poem, stated that he had "never had the least thought or inclination of turning poet till I got once heartily in love, and then rhyme and song were, in a manner, the spontaneous language of my heart."

The Turning Point

In 1786, at age 27, Robert Burns went through a major turning point in his life. He suffered a disappointing love affair with Jean Armour, who was pregnant with his twin sons. The local community and Armour's father were outraged by the affair and her father rejected Burns's offer of marriage.

Dejected and depressed, Burns made plans to leave Scotland and sail to Jamaica in the West Indies. To finance the trip, Burns submitted a volume of his poetry for publication.

The publication of 612 copies in a simple, unbound volume was called "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect," also sometimes known as "The Kilmarnock Edition." The poems were well received in Edinburgh by socialites who were enchanted by the poems and amazed that a poor farmer could write so well.

So, instead of planning his escape to a new world, Burns planned a trip to Edinburgh. His confident manner, ingratiating style, and his obvious wit and intelligence brought Burns popularity and admiration. Soon, a second publication of his work was executed in Edinburgh.

The Growing Popularity

During his stay in Edinburgh, Robert Burns met printer James Johnson, who planned a project to print all of the folk songs in Scotland. This project enthralled Burns and embarked upon a journey throughout Scotland to collect as many folk songs as possible. Burns collected over 300 songs and wrote a few himself, including "A Red, Red Rose."

One of the results of his travels throughout Scotland was that Robert Burns ingratiated himself to everyone he met and he rose to national prominence and popularity.

The collected songs were published by Johnson in six volumes and by George Thomson in a five volume set.

Another happy outcome of this turning point in Robert Burns's life is that he was able to return home and marry his beloved Jean Armour, now with the blessing of her family.

Robert Burns continued to collect and write songs for The Scots Musical Museum, an anthology of traditional Scottish lyrical poems, until his untimely death from rheumatic heart disease in 1796.

Within a few years of his death groups of Robert Burns's friends and fans gathered to promote his memory and to celebrate his life. By 1801, five years after his death, groups met on the anniversary of his death, but later they began to meet on the anniversary of his birth, January 25. Now there are many Burns clubs and societies who celebrate his memory with dinners, including haggis, and readings of his works.

The Poem, "A Red, Red Rose"

One of the most famous songs that Robert Burns wrote for this project and first published in 1794 was "A Red, Red Rose." Burns wrote it as a traditional ballad, four verses of four lines each.

"A Red, Red Rose" begins with a quatrain containing two similes. Burns compares his love with a springtime blooming rose and then with a sweet melody. These are popular poetic images and this is the stanza most commonly quoted from the poem.

The second and third stanzas become increasingly complex, ending with the metaphor of the "sands of life," or hourglass. One the one hand we are given the image of his love lasting until the seas run dry and the rocks melt with the sun, wonderfully poetic images. On the other hand Burns reminds us of the passage of time and the changes that result. That recalls the first stanza and its image of a red rose, newly sprung in June, which we know from experience will change and decay with time. These are complex and competing images, typical of the more mature Robert Burns.

The final stanza wraps up the poem's complexity with a farewell and a promise of return.

"A Red, Red Rose" is written as a ballad with four stanzas of four lines each. Each stanza has alternating lines of four beats, or iambs, and three beats. The first and third lines have four iambs, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, as in da-dah, da-dah, da-dah, da-dah. The second and fourth lines consist of three iambs. This form of verse is well adapted for singing or recitation and originated in the days when poetry existed in verbal rather than written form.

A Red, Red Rose

by Robert Burns

O my luve's like a red, red rose.

That's newly sprung in June;

O my luve's like a melodie

That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will love thee still, my Dear,

Till a'the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my Dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun:

I will luve thee still, my Dear,

While the sands o'life shall run.

And fare thee weel my only Luve!

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again, my Luve,

Tho' it were ten thousand mile!