By John Long, CEO of Avionté Staffing Software
For those that don’t know, Avionté provides software
solutions to the staffing industry. As such, we are only indirectly affected by
many of the onerous legislation that targets the staffing industry. But, our
company philosophy is based on true partnership and what happens to you, happens
to us.
I have become increasingly involved politically over the
years. I firmly believe that nothing
could fundamentally change staffing as an industry faster than
legislation. Also – I really worry about
America as a country, as the path I’m seeing centers on collectivism,
entitlements and this belief that by being an American, you have a right to an
easy life. And I worry about the overall image of “Temp” staffing: that it’s
being perceived as a dirty word.
The “Temp” Agency’s Image, and the Staffing Industry’s Current State in
Legislation:
I go to the ASA Law Conference every year and hear it
directly from EEOC commissioners. I see
it from Big Labor. I see it in the
media. To exacerbate the situation,
staffing always has the few knucklehead companies that personify the issue by
skirting worker comp and employment laws.
As we all know, though, what you do brings hope, work and meaning to
millions of people every day.
As I have spent more time with politicians, I’m amazed – and
saddened – by the process in which decisions are made. Decisions that dramatically affect all of us
are made on scant information. At
best. At worst, the decisions are made
based on one-sided anecdotes or as direct favors for campaign
contributions. Our futures are being decided
every time your local, state and federal legislators meet.
I’m concerned by the relatively low involvement staffing
companies have in the political process.
Recently, my state of Minnesota wanted to impose a 6.5% sales tax on
services, including temporary work. Members of my staff and I went door to door
to staffing companies to make sure they knew this was being considered. Around
50% knew nothing about it.
Representation Starts
with the American Staffing Association:
As the CEO/Founder of a growing company, I understand time
and energy constraints. In addition to the enormous about of time it takes to
run a business, I have four kids and a life outside of work. I don’t have the time or energy to read every
piece of legislation. As a part of the National Federation of Independent
Businesses, I work with people that are significantly more up to date on issues
than I am. All of this points to why we
need to have people representing us on the issues and talking directly to the
legislators.
For me, representation starts with the American Staffing
Association (ASA). This organization has
many purposes, but one of the main ones is to be your voice. I know the perception is that ASA only
represents the big staffing organizations, but having personally interacted
with ASA for the last 15 years, I know this isn’t the case. If I was a staffing owner, I would without
question be a member of ASA.
Further, ASA has a Political Action Committee (PAC) called
StaffingPAC, which is aimed directly at supporting pro-staffing legislation. I
decided to get involved with StaffingPAC, and announced this involvement at our
recently-held 5th Annual Client Connection Forum.
Getting Involved in
the Fight for a Rightful Image:
At 300-plus attendees this year, we hit a new record for
Client Connection Forum attendees. At the end of my Forum presentation, I
announced an aggressive promotion of StaffingPAC. For the attendees of the conference, I
announced that Avionté would deduct from their September invoice – dollar for
dollar – any contributions to the StaffingPAC during the conference, up to
$1,500 per company.
Here is the few minute clip of the actual offer here: http://bit.ly/1qNQ8Xe. Based on
my speech, I’m clearly better off behind a keyboard!
I wasn’t sure what to expect. It shocks me how few staffing companies
actually directly support the StaffingPAC.
Here, though, was an opportunity where staffing companies could donate
to the StaffingPAC that literally would cost them no money. I wasn’t sure if I’d get crickets or if
things would go the other way( where I’d have to start begging for forgiveness
from my Board of Directors)! I was
hoping for 10 independent companies that would contribute the full $1,500.
Well, I’m very excited to announce the initiative was
extremely successful! We had 27
different staffing companies contribute $38,500 to the StaffingPAC! These dollars will be significantly useful to
ASA and to you, the staffing company.
Why You Should Donate
Too:
While I won’t be able to continue matching dollar for
dollar(!), I definitely encourage every staffing company to contribute to the
StaffingPAC. To donate, follow this link: http://bit.ly/Zik9FC. Every dollar is useful.
It is more useful to the StaffingPAC if you do an individual
contribution as they can use the money in whichever way is the most
beneficial. If you do a corporate
contribution, the dollars have to be used for their Admin fund.
Secondly – if you contribute $1,500 or more, you will be
considered as an “Industry Leader” and every year at the StaffingWorld
conference, held this year in D.C., you will be invited to a fantastic event
and dinner. Last year, the event was
held at the Isleworth Golf and Country Club, where we saw the tree Tiger Woods
hit on his infamous night. This year the
event is held at the National Portrait gallery.
At the end of the day, every staffing company is directly
affected by legislation and those effects can be catastrophic. This might be
the biggest risk to your long term business. I encourage you to educate yourself and support organizations like ASA
or your state chapters: those that battle on your behalf.