Category Archives: Industry Insights

Training and development of staff is key.

CRS General Manager, Mariska Seereeram shares why companies must support staff with continuous skills development and training because even technical staff with relevant skills need to retrain for this changing world of work.   

Technical Training   

CRS specializes in recruiting job specific roles in Information Technology, Energy and Technical positions. Candidates in technical positions undergo significant training due to their job being very role centered in nature such as Business Analysts, business, sales and technology roles but not much is done to develop their soft skills.   

Delegate responsibility in projects  

Providing an opportunity for hands on experience is the best way to learn on the job. This can be done via “shadowing” whereby the potential managerial candidate spends a few hours a day with a well-informed person in their field. Invaluable insight will be gained from the day-to-day experience.  Also, a potential managerial candidate must be able to delegate or assign responsibility to a person to carry out a specific task. Delegation is one of the most important time management strategies for a manager. So, to delegate effectively as a manager, you need to a have a comprehensive to-do-list of all your tasks. Next, you will assign responsibility of a particular task based on the team, their area of expertise and willingness to do the task. Allowing a potential managerial candidate to team lead a project will provide the hands-on experience she/he needs.  

Identify the gaps in management and training  

It is important to conduct performance reviews with your employees and review the job description so that you can communicate their strengths and weaknesses and offer training where needed.  

For soft skills training, it can include:  

  • Communication Skills (Written and Verbal) 
  • Business Writing Skills  
  • Time Management Training  
  • Critical Thinking  
  • Problem Solving Skills  
  • Presentation Skills and Public Speaking  
  • Conflict Resolution  

Pairing staff with mentors in the organization  

This concept is well known across large organisations and there is no reason why small businesses cannot adopt the same concept. Ensure you are in continuous conversations with your employees so you can understand their goals and see how it fits the needs of your organization.  You may notice a particular strength in them or a skill gap that you wish to improve. Pairing them with a leader or manager in the organization is a key learning opportunity for them to hone their skills. Not to mention a networking opportunity, often across functions. This is key to the success and sustainability of your business as employees are able to learn across functions and meet leaders in the business.  

Mentorship is a relationship between the mentor and mentee. This process works when both parties want it be successful and are committed. A mentor will aid in your personal and professional growth and help guide you through your career journey. Mentors are connectors which leads to opportunities.  

Benefits of Mentorship 

  • Having access to a senior role model in your chosen field 
  • Help you identify the current gaps and strengths in skills and knowledge and correct them 
  • Personal and professional development for the mentee in terms of self-esteem and confidence 
  • Help you to develop Communication and Interpersonal skills  
  • Gaining insight and a border perspective on career options and opportunities  
  • Networking  

Adaptability is the key to success for any potential managerial candidate. Thus, the right balance of technical and soft skills training will position managers for tomorrow’s demands.  

CRS can assist businesses in the soft skills and professional development training of their staff. Book a session with Mariska at mariska@crsrecruitment.co.tt to chat about your needs. 

Author: Johanna Thomas

Human Resource Outsourcing (HRO) is a service where companies can transfer their Human Resource (HR) functions to an external consultant / team in the absence of a Human Resource Department or specific HR skills. 

There are many benefits to outsourcing all or parts of your Human Resource function. Having access to knowledgeable and experienced Human Resource consultants is one of them. Human Resource Outsourcing can significantly add value to any organization no matter size, industry or location, by reducing operational /administrative costs while improving efficiency.  

This approach allows companies the time to focus on their strategy and vision without spending time or have the hassle of administrative processes. 

Our comprehensive range of Human Resource Outsourcing Services (HRO) consists of:  

1) development and implementation of a strategic HR plan 

2) HR policies and procedures 

3)Employee handbooks

4) Performance Management

5) Compensation – Payroll and Benefits administration  

6) HRIS – HR Dashboard and Metrics 

7) IR and employee relations. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to reassess their HR strategies to cope with the many concerns surrounding the organization and its people. Our Human Resource solutions are customized and tailored to the needs of our clients. We believe understanding our clients’ culture, objectives, internal and external stakeholders are critical to providing the best solutions. 

Chat with us to discuss your HR Outsourcing needs and how we can help you. Schedule a call with Mariska Seereeram at mariska@crsrecruitment.co.tt 

Author: Johanna Thomas 

It’s time to propel your business forward and you may not know where to start. Subject matter experts are in high demand lately in the Caribbean and can provide a level of industry or technical expertise to help businesses propel their business forward by providing consulting services or guidance in the employee interview process and/or to also guide their staff in the field over a set period of time. 

Right now, expert guidance is invaluable to businesses and CRS can search and select the best experts and consultants needed for projects, contracts or 1-1 advisory support as and when the business requires it. 

Check your business strategy and determine whether you need a subject matter expert to help you interview the right staff for your business or you may decide to hire an expert on a contract basis to help you train your staff for a short time. 

Experts can join the interview panel 

Businesses also hire SMEs to join their interview panel when they are recruiting a specialist in a particular field.  Their expertise will aid any interview panel in securing the right person for that job specific role. Having an industry expert on your interview panel improves the quality of the interview as they understand the intricacies of the job specific role and what knowledge and skills this candidate must possess to be hired for that job.   

Experts can be hired on contract

We all know budgets are tight at the moment, yet you need to propel your business forward. CRS can assist companies in sourcing job specific experts on a contractual basis to help you move forward and help guide and train your staff.   

If a business wants to hire CRS to find an expert, there is some basic information we need to start the process such as a job description for the expert. For example, ‘Seeking an attorney for a contract position in the oil and gas industry to provide legal counsel for industrial relations matters.’ We will discuss their role, responsibilities, experience needed, the reporting and supervisory function, and where the position ranks in the organizational chart. We need to understand how this person adds value to your organisation and will thus satisfy your human resource objectives and business strategy. 

Book a free consultation to discuss how we can help you source the best consultants or experts in your industry – either for an interview panel or on a contract basis.  Schedule a call with Mariska Seereeram at mariska@crsrecruitment.co.tt 

Author: Johanna Thomas  

The changes in our work environments have forced business owners to increase HR’s impact within their companies. Here we discuss, HR’s role and how it will continue to evolve in 2021 and beyond. 

 

Work Life Balance  

If your place of work is your home, staff may find it difficult to separate the two. How to have worklife balance in the same space which is your home? This is the question on staffers and employers’ minds. HR and business owners must play a critical role in helping employees manage these uncharted waters Communication with staff is important to hear what issues staff are facing in this new work environment.  

CRS works with organizations and their HR teams to creatively engage their staff. When staff feel supported and listened to, this can propel the business to success. “CRS is able to help companies because we had to do it ourselves. We have learnt from the practical experiences within our own organization, thus we are able to assist our clients. 

CRS HR Advisory Services  

Companies need to have a clear understanding of their future goals. Once a company knows its next move, CRS can assist with meeting those human resources needsThings are changing  constantly and at some point, business owners may question if they need this resource or not. We can gage what processes, benchmarks or KPIs are needed to structure your resources accordingly. Basically, what resources do you need now but also for the future.”  

Measuring Staff Performance 

For an employee in an administrative position, this “new normal” can affect how they work and their role within the company. A manager provides new technologies but may not equip staff with the necessary trainingIt is not as simple as adding technologyOur HR advisory service can access how these changes as a result of the pandemic affect a persons performance, how you plan to measure their performance and what recommendations can be made for re-training staff.” 

 HR’s role in 2021 and beyond 

HR has to continually build relations with the staff and act as an advisor to staff and employers to resolve any issues Traditional employee interactions have forever changed where they may no longer host staff functionssports days or Christmas dinners. HR can partner with staff to reinvent the employee experience and make staff a part of the planning process.”  HR teams will measure results as staff engage in organized virtual interactive events and some outdoors excursions in small groups. This unforeseen situation has presented an opportunity for better camaraderie and teamwork but also a new found respect for HR.  

Chat with us to discuss what are your employee challenges and how we can help you. Schedule a call with Mariska Seereeram at mariska@crsrecruitment.co.tt 

 

Author: Johanna Thomas 

 

By Angela Lee Loy, Chairman – Aegis Business Solutions, Eve Anderson Recruitment and Caribbean Resourcing Solutions

 

We can all agree that COVID-19 is going to be with us for a while and this is forcing us to change the way we do business. I don’t have a magic ball to see the future and how 2021 will evolve. But there are a few areas businesses can explore further for development and this is based on some key areas that emerged over the last year.

 

Are you reviewing your physical space?

Many companies are shrinking their offices spaces and testing the capabilities of their online networks. Although many parents are struggling to meet the demands of homeschooling their kids whilst managing work, the reality is, many of them may not have a reason to return to their physical office once things improve.

The Banking Sector is also reviewing their real estate space(s) and are restructuring based on their current and future needs. As they begin to restructure, some retail operations have already started exploring the process of moving inventory to increase sales transactions online. Foot traffic continues to decline therefore making rent and leases more difficult to sustain.

The landscape is changing at an unbelievable pace. The real estate business continues on decline as many of the traditional brick and mortar stores are now operating online or are in the process of transitioning to that model. This is happening globally. Our cities and downtown areas will evolve as we continue to move operations and customer experiences online in the Caribbean.

As a leader in any business, irrespective of the sector, it is important to invest the time now to move your operations online. It is extremely important to support your staff in getting the right tools, training and, developing the right attitudes for successful remote working.

 

Are you exploring new areas of service?

We have to pivot our business as the landscape changes. People need to re-examine and analyze which of their services cannot work during this pandemic and explore new areas for development.

One example is the hotel industry. Across the Caribbean, we are dependent on tourism. With a significant decline in air travel, our hotels and bed and breakfast businesses are suffering and a critical part of this is food and beverage revenue. Some restaurants have implemented ‘curbside pick-up’ and others have reduced their services in one area to make room for new services. This is to help generate the revenue and to also support the business through this challenging time. There are even those business owners and sole traders who have completely changed their entire business. I anticipate many people may take this route and completely start another business.

As a business owner, you must continue to look at your business differently now, without the emotional attachment of your original vision. Businesses have to evolve. Think about what services are needed at present and determine how you can meet those needs with the current resources you have.  Continuously ask yourself, ‘What else can I do?’ and do your research and adjust accordingly.

 

How often have you asked your employees, ‘How are you doing?’

We all have different personalities. Introverts may enjoy working from home at this time and avoiding their videos on Zoom meetings. Extroverts on the other hand, need social interaction. They may feel isolated at times and miss coming in the office environment to see their colleagues.

As we continue to navigate the challenges ahead in 2021, we have to book time in our diaries to check-in on those who work for us. Exploring ways to continuously keep our employees engaged in our business during this challenging period is important. As an owner, ask yourself, ‘How can I better understand the challenges my employees are experiencing so that we can work in solidarity with each other?’

 

Find new ways to support local

As foreign exchange continues to be more difficult to obtain, businesses should begin to explore how to produce things more locally and collaborate with local suppliers, innovators and research institutions. We cannot do it alone. But, we can do it together. This is the time to innovate, plan and prepare. This could well be a time when your businesses ‘leap frogs’ into the future.

Our manufacturing sector is extremely vibrant in Trinidad and Tobago and there are a lot of things that can be produced locally. This could be a period of innovation and adaptability for the manufacturing sector.

 

Invest in technology

If you are already investing in technology, that’s great. But it does not end there. As a business owner, I am constantly looking into new technologies with my IT Manager to ensure I have the competitive advantage. Technology is changing so rapidly. As we buy a new phone or software, there is already another version out on the market.  Delve into the details of your business to explore what efficiencies you can create through the use of technology so that you can focus on your staff to manage more meaningful work.

One of the areas I am fascinated by is – hydroponics in the agriculture sector. I firmly believe we need to continue to encourage people to grow our own food, buy local and support the new local products many people are developing. If you are not into technology and innovating  your services, you will be left behind.

Further your knowledge

The world is your oyster. You are no longer limited by geographic location to learn something new and with technology, you can have a wide array of products and services to market and sell.  Education is going to be key.  What education do you need to give your children now as we move forward? What skills do you need to learn as a business owner to move your business more online? We can look at every area across all industries and dissect it – how can I learn to do this better? What are the tech trends in my industry? There is so much to learn.

 

Be an authentic leader

People are struggling and things are getting more difficult. Whilst profitability is important, in 2021 it is not the most important thing as we work towards resetting. We have to think about the people working with us. If we don’t have people working, economies cannot move forward. Yes, businesses will take a massive hit and these businesses will dive into reserves for survival.

As difficult as it is, we have to look at maximizing your people. You can come together as an organization, communicate the situation and let them know what compromises can be done. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

You do not always know individual employees’ situation, so you need to have these honest conversations and be prepared to be vulnerable. Your employees will surprise you. The profitability will come. You cannot think short-term for long-term solutions but you need to work together.

If you are a leader and reading this – don’t lose sight of what is important. You have to understand this – ‘It is important to have business but the business you have is dependent on the people working for you.’ If you don’t treat your people right, you cannot expect them to give 100 percent? It is a partnership.

Shareholders with a dual role of director are in the position to determine their remuneration, as well as, they had many years to build their nest egg. Managers  and staff do not have that discretion. During these COVID times, shareholders/directors could survive on less.

 

There are going to be many things you can do differently in 2021 but there are some fundamentals that are emerging:

  • Isolation is real. Stay connected regularly.
  • Technology is the way forward. Educate yourself.
  • Retail space is on the decline. Build an online business.
  • Support local and seek opportunities.
  • Authentic leadership is key at this time.
  • Whilst profitability is important, it is not the main thing.

 

Angela Lee Loy is Chairman of leading business outsourcing firm, Aegis Business Solutions and the two longest standing recruitment agencies in the Caribbean, Eve Anderson Recruitment and Caribbean Resourcing Solutions. All three companies work together as a business hub for local and international companies operating in the Caribbean including Guyana. For more information, visit www.aegistt.com, www.eveandersonrecruitment.com, www.crsrecruitment.co.tt

View our story on page 19 and other stories here – https://amchamtt.com/Linkage-3/2020

 

How 20 minutes with your staff can lead to creative solutions and increased engagement? 

Stay Interviews are informal one-on-one structured discussions between a supervisor and a team member. It’s designed to provide insight into what keeps employees working for an organization and what aspects need improvement.  It is a conversation meant to identify the factors that drive an employee’s individual retentionengagement and morale. 

This is good way to get employees to feel part of the decision making of the company, get creative solutions on how they think the company can look at their services , new technologies and tap into the talent apart outside of the strategic level. This virtual world is a great setting for millennials thrive. By engaging staff this way, employers show individual support, empathy and motivate employees to be continue pushing through the pandemic, because now they engaged. 

 

The Benefits of a Stay Interview  

  • The information from interviews can also help to redefine your human resource strategy going forward. 
  •  Stay Interviews show that you recognize and admire the commitment and contributions of valued employees and that you care about their job satisfaction.  Furthermore, the employer can learn from employees their definitive reasons for continuing to work for this organisation 
  • These interviews will provide knowledge on how to retain current and valued employeesManagers can engage their teams to work better and increase productivity while still motivating them. 
  • Stay Interviews can create a trusting employee-employer relationship.
  • COVID-19 pandemic has led companies to adopt a work from home approach to ensure the safety of workers. Additionally, staff interaction and activities are less frequent or non-existentStay Interviews allows employers to know how staff want to be engaged and that they want to contribute to planning and organizing of such initiatives. 

 Tip: For new hires, Stay Interviews should be held in the first three to six months. For confirmed employees, it should happen at least once a year  

The saying, “You don’t’ know what you have until its gone.”, are very wise words employers should heed. You don’t want to receive a resignation letter from one of your valued employees. Caribbean Resourcing Solutions (CRS) can assist you with this stay interview process 

As your external Human Resource Partner, we will assist you in learning the possible reasons for why your staff stay and why they may possibly leaveStay Interviews can build trust between employers and employeesMost importantly, the insight gained in these interviews causes changes to be made to support and motivate staff in their work environment which leads to the betterment of the organisation 

 

 

 

Meet Johanna Thomas, a Public Relations Professional and avid film enthusiast whose marketing and social media internship with CRS ignited her desire to pursue a career in Digital Marketing.

How is your internship experience going?

It has been extremely productive and has invigorated my desire to further explore Digital Marketing and Communication as a career.  The opportunity to assist CRS in their Social Media content creation and management has challenged me to become more expressive, creative and authentic. Social media is always evolving and the chance to work in this field,  with CRS and fellow interns has been an amazing experience.

What are you studying and why?

I’m currently a 3rd year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Minor in Film Studies. I have worked in the field of Communication & Public Relations and wanted to further my studies. I enjoy watching films and wanted to deepen my knowledge in cinema but mainly Caribbean Cinema. I believe we have amazing stories to tell and I would like to assist filmmakers or anyone  in the promotion of their ideas or concepts.

Share your projects, ideas and what you want to achieve.

I want to achieve 1st Class Honors in Communication Studies with a minor in Film Studies  and graduate in 2021.  To become certified in Social Media Management is a goal, so I want to attain a certification from Hubspot Academy or any accredited institution. I want to work in a production company or state agency using Digital Marketing and Public Relations to promote projects or ideas for creatives. Being part of a production team that makes a film, is also a project worth pursuing. I would also love to own a company that produces and sells local juices.

We enjoy chatting about communities a lot and we would be keen to know what you think you would like to do with regards to your community and interests.

I would love to see more activities geared towards Youth Development. I was involved in an Arts Programme in my community that introduced me to photography, film & singing and this propelled me to study communications and film. I also became a member of  The Marionettes Chorale due to my involvement in that Arts Programme , so I would like to see similar initiatives that  allow youth to learn and develop holistically.

What advice would you leave with future interns about doing a volunteer internship during the vacation period?

During this unforeseen time, opportunities such as internships like this are hard to come by. However, once selected absorb as much information, network, take any free and online courses but also put what is learnt into practice. Being able to work remotely and still receive hands-on experience during the vacation period can give one the edge needed to secure employment or stand out amongst your fellow colleagues.

CRS Recruitment in Guyana
Our social media and marketing intern, Futima Fraser met up with our General Manager, Mariska Seereeram to learn more about our company CRS and how we are shaping our space in the recruitment industry in the Caribbean and now in Guyana.

Adapting to new climates

When it comes to talent recruitment and building business relationships, Caribbean Resourcing Solutions (CRS) aims to always be accessible and adaptable. CRS prides itself on being the premier Caribbean based agency specifically for technical recruitment, and in keeping with their vision of supplying candidates to all of the Caribbean, they have taken a proactive approach when it comes to entering the oil and gas industry in Guyana.

General Manager, Mariska Seereeram said,

“One of the key things for CRS is to let companies know that they continue to evolve in facilitating processes virtually and are able to operate remotely.”

Supporting local in Guyana

CRS shows a real take-charge attitude in supporting the local businesses in Guyana, CRS is very driven towards local firms and cares for their livelihood. In a statement, Ms Seereeram said, “It’s keeping up to date and informed with developments in Guyana and how these companies would be affected and developing solutions beforehand. Building a partnership with local organisations is also key.” There’s no doubt that businesses who choose to collaborate with CRS, will be in great hands.

As CRS embarks on this new venture in Guyana, you may be wondering if anyone from around the world, including locals can join their database of candidates? Well it’s now easier and more accessible than you thought. Once applicants apply and send their information to CRS and it’s received, they contact the candidate and get an understanding for what they are looking for.

Maintaining relationships

“I believe that’s what sets us apart from the competition – we get on a personal level with candidates. This is also a plus for our clients whereby we are sending candidates that have a skillset that we understand fully and we know will be ideally suited. So expectations between clients and candidates are aligned.” says Mariska. This demonstrates the kind of meaningful relationships CRS cultivates between employers and employees.

As it pertains to Covid-19, there have been some challenges, but recruitment is not one of them. CRS has been able to adapt and also help companies adapt to the virtual world as communication is key in this time. Though the borders may be closed and business at a stand still, CRS is committed to helping companies evolve and find alternatives.

CRS has a track record that proves they have what it takes to support companies and create lasting relationships.

Due to their forward thinking, they have established, through their registered office, partnerships with local firms in Guyana. They are determined to make this current endeavor a success. Through these times CRS stresses the importance of adaptability and continues to make themselves accessible to all the world.

Author: Futima Fraser

Meet Futima Fraser, a budding interior designer and future entrepreneur who shares her experience on our remote internship program.

This year CRS launched it’s first July/August vacation Caribbean remote internship in partnership with business outsourcing firm, Aegis Business Solutions’ and fellow recruitment agencies – Eve Anderson Recruitment and Professional Resourcing Solutions.

How is your internship experience going?

I have learnt so much and grown as a person. My favourite part about this whole experience is meeting so many inspiring and hardworking people. Aside from the Managers and employees at the company, every week we have virtual meetings with entrepreneurs and persons who are excelling in their chosen fields.

It is an incredibly rewarding experience, especially the fact that it is virtual. I am able to work full time and still be a part of this year’s internship.

What are you studying and why?

I have chosen to study Marketing because I would like to work in the creative field, and run my own business. It is a lot more interesting than a regular business degree and would be the perfect blend between the business aspect of my business and the creative aspect. This would allow me to run my business successfully.

I would like to be an Interior Designer. I enjoy art, graphic design, crafts, DIY projects, and videography. All of these will help me in my pursuit of becoming an interior designer.

We enjoy chatting about communities a lot and we would be keen to know what you think you would like to do with regards to your community and interests?

Currently I work alongside my NGO, Rotaract Club of Tobago to execute community projects. However, how awesome would it be to one day say that I make people’s lives better and more organized through a well designed space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

What advice would you share to other interns about doing a volunteer internship over the vacation holidays?

Go for it 100%. I have learnt so much without sacrificing the traditional relaxation and leisure time of the July/August vacation holidays. However you have to be organized, so ensure you make note of due dates and set reminders for meetings etc. This is all made easy now with scheduling options and apps that you can download on your devices.

Lastly, just do your best!

Guyana’s developing energy industry has led to numerous opportunities for businesses, investments and prospective job seekers. With CRS establishing operations and partnerships in Guyana, General Manager, Mariska Seereeram shared her insights on this development.

She discussed how CRS can provide recruitment and talent management support to local and international businesses entering Guyana.

CRS focuses on talent management

CRS specialises in recruiting in the I.T. and technical field and this is a key service offered to firms in Guyana’s energy sector. CRS General Manager noted,

“The focus is on talent management solutions. Partnering with or assisting local businesses with their business objectives, strategies and understanding how we can assist them. Whether it be sourcing, full cycle recruitment or part of that function, training, interviewing process, on-boarding and even psychometric assessment.”

There are many ways in which CRS can provide support to firms in Guyana. Seereeram shared, “Recruitment is our core service but we support local businesses by providing solutions to problems beforehand. As a recruiter, providing advisory skills is key in recruitment. Keeping firms informed about ongoing developments in Guyana and how can this affect their business are some of the ways we can also lend assistance.”

With companies such as ExxonMobil in Guyana and recent discoveries of oil and gas in Suriname, CRS had the foresight to set up offices in Guyana.  This facilitation will assist firms and build strong relationships.

The need for talent management solutions is evident and when implemented strategically can align with the organization’s objectives and goals. Sourcing talent for various functions in engineering and I.T. are some of the areas CRS discovered is in most demand.

CRS is ready to partner with those companies and manage their recruiting needs.  This agency is also able to partner with other recruiting firms in Guyana to assist with those projects.

Attracting the best technical talent

The recruitment agency also lends support in talent acquisition which allows firms to acquire exceptional and skilled professionals in their respective departments. To note, attracting talent and aligning them with a company that is suitable and the right fit is also of importance. For example, a specialized engineer with specific skills is hard to find. CRS works with companies to develop attractive packages. Thus, compensation is an important course of action to recognize, reward employees and their contributions.  This acknowledges their value to the organization.

Innovation is key during COVID-19

It is clear that recruitment is an ongoing process and that it is evolving. Even in this unprecedented time, Mariska shared that COVID-19 has not stopped recruitment. It has forced companies to be innovative and adjust to this new normal. She stated, “In terms of COVID-19 we have been able to adapt.

Communication between client and candidate has become crucial during this time. The realisation is that businesses, employers and employees cannot do it alone. CRS is competent to recruit in the I.T. and technical field and can offer sound guidance in talent acquisition and compensation.

As firms chart their next quarters, CRS will be a wise resource to companies wishing to conduct business or employ people in Guyana.

To schedule a meeting, email info@crsrecruitment.co.tt

Author: Johanna Thomas