Berks & Beyond Blog

Stephani Williams Hired for Management Role
in Rapidly Growing Harrisburg Market

Wyomissing, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to name Stephani Williams as Branch Manager of their Harrisburg office.   In her new role, Williams will manage sales, customer service and day-to-day activities for the branch.  Additionally, she will ensure that Berks and Beyond sends out only the highest quality employees with the experience, skills and work ethic to consistently exceed clients’ expectations.

Although Williams is new to the company, she is not new to the staffing industry.  In fact, she spent five years successfully managing several of the Harrisburg area’s largest staffing accounts, both in an onsite capacity and remotely from a field office.  Her knowledge of all aspects of temporary staffing have helped her to reduce turnover, improve fill rates, increase productivity and identify qualified associates to join her clients’ workforces.

“We’re thrilled to have Stephani join the Berks & Beyond team,” says Chris Garner, President of Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc.  “Her strategic workforce experience, passion for staffing and strong work ethic will help us maintain our position as a staffing leader in the Harrisburg market.”

Williams is equally excited about the opportunity.  “I’m looking forward to working with all of the wonderful local companies by providing them with great staff and customer service,” she says.

Outside of the office, you can find Williams in Philadelphia cheering on her favorite sports teams, the Flyers and Phillies.  She is also an avid traveler, having visited nine countries in 2011, and she enjoys spending her downtime with her friends, family and puppy.

Berks and Beyond’s 2012 Open Enrollment for Field Employees Runs April 4^th – May 3^rd

Wyomissing, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to announce its annual open enrollment for health benefits offerings to temporary employees.   The leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania staffing service is holding open enrollment now through May 3, 2012, for their comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Special low group rates
• Single and family coverage
• Dental and Vision plan options
• Coverage for doctors’ visits
• Inpatient benefits
• No pre-existing condition limitations
• No health questions asked
• No waiting period on medical benefits

While offering health benefits is not mandatory, Berks and Beyond goes beyond the call of duty to create a win-win situation for everyone involved.  For staffing clients, benefits are a perk that helps Berks and Beyond attract the best and brightest talent.

On the flip side, health benefits come at time when Berks & Beyond field employees need them most. “Offering medical benefits to our employees gives them peace of mind that their families are covered and protected, be it routine or unexpected,” says Chris Garner, President of Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc.  “Due to the economic downturn, many former full-time employees find themselves working temporary or temp-to-perm jobs again, usually without benefits.  That’s not the case with Berks and Beyond employees.  Our employees are offered health benefits with no waiting period.  We are finding that by offering these benefits, we are able to attract a more diversified and skilled work force.  Berks and Beyond has had this program in place for over a year, and it has been a positive experience for everyone involved.”

In addition to health benefits, Berks and Beyond also offers Direct Deposit, to simplify banking and ensure field employees are paid in a timely manner.  New enrollment employees should contact their Branch Managers for more information.

Diane McDonnell Promoted to Management Role in Well-Established York Market

Wyomissing, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to name Diane McDonnell as Branch Manager of their York office.   In her new role, McDonnell will manage sales, customer service and day-to-day activities for the branch.  Additionally, she will ensure that Berks and Beyond sends out only the highest quality employees with the experience, skills and work ethic to consistently exceed clients’ expectations.

While McDonnell is relatively new to the company, her determination and management skills propelled her to the top of Berks and Beyond’s candidate list.  “Diane has worked with Berks & Beyond for a short period, but in that time she has demonstrated a great desire to go the extra mile for each of our clients and employees,” says Chris Garner, President of Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc.  “We considered outside applicants for this position, but felt that there was nobody better qualified to represent our company than Diane.  I am looking forward to having her continue to build a strong team in one of our longest-standing markets.”

McDonnell is excited about the opportunity to manage and grow the York branch.  “I look forward to developing new client relationships and building on the existing ones,” she says.  “The staffing industry is fast paced and continually presents new challenges.  I am thrilled to begin working in my new role, meeting the dynamic needs of both our clients and employees.”

Outside of the office, McDonnell attends school full-time, working towards completing her B.S. in accounting.  She is actively involved in her children’s sports and can often be found at the local baseball fields during the spring and fall.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, working on her home and caring for her family’s pets.

Allentown Office Beats Out Seven-Time Winner for Coveted Morning Call Award

Allentown, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that their Allentown, Pennsylvania branch was named a winner of the Morning Call’s annual Readers’ Choice contest.  The staffing and placement firm, which currently serves much of Southern and Central Pennsylvania, won in the Services/Employment Services category – and caused a bit of an uproar by beating the previous seven-time winner.

Katie Barker, Branch Manager for the Allentown office, says that both staff and customers are responsible for the victory.  “I would like to thank all of our customers who voted.  It really means a lot to be voted the best at what you do each and every day,” says Barker.  “All of our staff members here at Berks & Beyond are amazing.  Your team is only as strong as the weakest link, and I’m proud to say we do not have a weak link on our team.”

Chris Garner, President of Berks & Beyond, is overwhelmed by the level of enthusiasm his employees displayed to earn this award.  “Our staff at the Allentown branch went above and beyond all of our expectations in recruiting votes,” states Garner.  “We are extremely proud of what they’ve accomplished and are already looking forward to defending our title next year.”

Winners of the annual Readers’ Choice contest were chosen based on the number of community members’ votes they received from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and surrounding areas.  Votes were cast through ballots in the Morning Call and on themorningcall.com in July and August of 2011.

Leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania Staffing Firm Number Five on Greater Reading Top Businesses List

Wyomissing, PA –Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that they were ranked fifth on this year’s Greater Reading Top Businesses list.  This latest honor comes on the heels of several other recent marks of distinction for the leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania staffing service, including being named to Inavero’s 2011 Best of Staffing™ Client List, as well as the 2010 Berks Top Employers list.

Making the top five, let alone the Top 50, is a source of great pride for Chris Garner, President of Berks & Beyond.  “It’s an honor to be recognized as one of Reading’s top businesses.  We don’t get a lot of ‘thank yous’ in this business, but we go to bed at night knowing that we make a difference in our community.”

The success of this year’s Top 50 is great news for the local economy, proving that businesses of all sizes, and across all industries, have been able to sustain themselves throughout years of tremendous economic upheaval.  Garner spoke to this point when interviewed.  “Berks and Beyond’s success reflects a strong local economy, because we do business primarily with local companies,” stated Garner.  “If they’re doing well, we do well.”

To make the Greater Reading Top Businesses list, companies had to nominate themselves or be nominated, and agree to supply revenue figures, which had to be at least $1 million yearly, for 2008 through 2010.  They had to have headquarters in the Greater Reading area, and those not based in Berks County had to be members of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry.  To create the list, co-sponsor KPMG used a formula that took into account actual dollar increases and percentage increases during the three-year period, giving the most recent years more weight.  For more information on the Greater Reading Top Business Awards, contact Kristin Boyd at the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry, at 610.376.6776.

Leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania Staffing Firm Now Offers Health Care, Direct Deposit and More to Field Employees

Wyomissing, PA –Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that they now offer benefits, including health insurance, to their temporary employees.  The leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania staffing service is holding open enrollment now through June 2, 2011, for their comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Special low group rates
• Single and family coverage
• Dental and Vision options
• Coverage for doctors’ visits
• Inpatient benefits
• No pre-existing condition limitations (no health questions asked)
• No waiting period

Interested employees should contact their Branch Managers.

But that’s only part of the story.  Many of Berks & Beyond’s employees work shifts that make banking difficult.  To simplify things, Berks & Beyond is now also providing Direct Deposit service.  This will help ensure field employees are paid in a timely manner and allow them to access their earnings before most major holidays.

So why is Berks & Beyond going beyond the call of duty for their employees?  “Simply put, it’s a win-win for everyone involved,” said Chris Garner, President of Berks & Beyond Staffing Services, Inc.  “A large part of today’s temporary workforce is comprised of former full-time employees who lost jobs during the recession.  Offering benefits to these people affords them peace of mind during what can be a difficult transitional period.  On the flip side, benefits are a perk that helps Berks & Beyond attract the best and brightest talent for our clients.”

Leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania Staffing Firm Makes Inavero’s 2011 Best of Staffing™ List Again

Wyomissing, PA –Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that they’ve been named to Inavero’s 2011 Best of Staffing™ Client List for the second straight year.  Best of Staffing™, presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, is the nation’s only satisfaction award that recognizes exceptional client service within the staffing industry.  Throughout North America, more than 26,000 staffing firm clients rated their satisfaction with their provider relationships.  When the dust settled, less than 1% of staffing firms were named to the 2011 Best of Staffing Client List.

Once again, Berks and Beyond made the cut.

“We take a lot of pride in knowing that our hard work is appreciated by our clients,” said Chris Garner, President of Berks & Beyond Staffing Services, Inc.  “Being recognized by our customers as one of the best staffing companies in the country, two years in a row, is one of the biggest honors we can ask for.”  Never content to rest on his laurels, Garner added, “Every year, we strive to improve our procedures to increase our level of service and hope that we continue to exceed our customers’ expectations.”

Staffing firms competing to make the Best of Staffing List underwent a rigorous client survey process followed by careful analysis of responses to determine satisfaction levels.  Berks and Beyond received satisfaction ratings of 9 or 10 (out of 10) from 63.1% of their clients – nearly double the staffing industry average of 33%.

“These are exciting times as the staffing industry is helping lead the way to renewed economic vitality,” said Eric Gregg, Inavero’s Founder and CEO.  “It has been estimated that staffing firms have helped to fill at least one quarter of the 93,000 new jobs opening up each month in North America over the past year. Along with the increase in demand for talented job candidates, companies engaging with staffing firms expect impeccable service more than they ever have.  It is our hope that businesses searching for a staffing partner use the Best of Staffing List as a guide to firms that have truly outperformed the industry for the service that they provide.”

Inavero’s complete Best of Staffing list can be viewed at www.bestofstaffing.com.  For more information about Inavero, visit www.inavero.com.   To learn more about Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc., visit www.berksandbeyond.com.

Leading Southern and Central Pennsylvania Staffing Firm Named to Top 25 Berks Employers List

 Wyomissing, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that they have made the 2010 Top 25 Berks Employers list, coming in at number 16 with 1,107 employees. 

The leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania staffing firm started 14 years ago in Berks County with just a handful of employees.  Hard work and strong business relationships with the area’s best employers (several of whom also made the Top 25) helped the staffing service grow each and every year since then.  This year, Berks & Beyond made the list for the first time.  

Like many of the employers in the Top 25, Berks & Beyond enjoyed significant growth in 2010 – despite difficult economic times.  In fact, sixteen of 2010’s Top 25 increased their numbers, according to an article recently published in the Reading Eagle.  Overall, the Top 25 companies employed 43,410 people last year – reflecting an increase of more than 1,438 jobs than 2009’s total of 41,972.

When interviewed, Chris Garner, President of Berks & Beyond, spoke about the important role temporary staffing plays in aiding businesses during times of both growth and recession.  “It is an honor for us to be recognized as a leader in employing the most people in Berks County,” stated Garner.  “Since our business is staffing, the only way we grow is if our clients have a need for employees.  In these hard economic times, I view this growth as a great sign for employment throughout Berks County and an indicator that we have turned the corner in this recession.  We could not have had such significant growth without the support of our clients and the loyalty and commitment from our employees who go to work every day.”

Berks & Beyond Wins Prestigious 2010 VOICE Award for Social Media

Wyomissing, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. has been named the 2010 VOICE Award winner in the Social Media for Independent Firms category by the American Staffing Association.

 The leading Southern and Central Pennsylvania staffing firm created its comprehensive social media campaign to target both potential employees and hiring authorities throughout the markets it serves, and to drive more traffic to its corporate website.  At the core of Berks and Beyond’s social media strategy is its company blog.  Updated twice weekly, the blog features both employer and job seeker resources as well as company news, and is automatically fed to Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn company pages. 

Other components of Berks & Beyond’s progressive internet marketing strategy include LinkedIn profiles for all employees and frequently updated Twitter postings.  And while millions are using Facebook to keep in touch with friends, Berks & Beyond is using this powerful social media platform to promote available jobs, recognize top temporary employees, and keep in touch with both employers and job seekers.   

The annual VOICE Awards competition recognizes ASA members’ vision, originality, innovation, creativity, and effectiveness in their communication efforts.  Berks & Beyond’s President, Chris Garner, is thrilled to have earned top honors this year. “I am proud to be recognized for our efforts in recruiting.  Berks and Beyond strives to differentiate ourselves from our competitors when it comes to attracting the best talent available in every one of our markets,” says Garner.  “We are planning more changes and additions to strengthen our social media strategy in the near future.”

Expanded Services Mean More Comprehensive Staffing Solutions for Area Employers

Wyomissing, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that they have joined forces with Chris Talarico and her staff.   The partnership, effective September 1, 2010, will further solidify Berks & Beyond’s position as a leading staffing firm throughout Southern and Central Pennsylvania.

Chris Talarico is the owner of Chris Talarico & Associates, which is a premier clerical and professional personnel placement company providing temporary, temp-to-hire, direct hire and payrolling services.  The privately-held corporation specializes in placing office support, customer service, retail, accounting, information technology, engineering, project management and trades personnel throughout Berks County. 

Over the years, Chris Talarico & Associates has won numerous professional awards, including being recently named as one of Inc. Magazine’s “Top 5,000 fastest growing companies in the United States.”  Their reputation for excellence, combined with a focus on clerical and professional staffing, make them ideally suited to partner with Berks & Beyond.

“We’re excited to have Chris Talarico and her staff join us,” says Chris Garner, President of Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc.  “Their expertise is a natural complement to our own and will help us deliver even better service, especially in office and professional staffing, to our clients and candidates alike.”

In addition to providing more comprehensive staffing solutions for clients, Chris Talarico will also enhance Berks & Beyond’s services for job seekers.   As an accomplished author and savvy job expert, Ms. Talarico has been “successfully connecting good people with great jobs” since 1988.  She will continue to share her methods for job search success via professional speaking engagements and workshops.  For more information, visit www.youremploymentmarketplace.com.