People are your most important asset. And your ability to hire and retain them is your competitive advantage in the future. This webinar gives viewers the opportunity to learn about the current state of the agriculture workforce, as well as ways ag retailers can weatherproof their business by reducing turnover, streamlining the hiring process, and becoming a destination employer.

If you missed out on the opportunity to watch the webinar live, and would be interested in the topics discussed, you can click here to watch a recorded version of the presentation. The link will take you to the webinar registration screen where you can complete your information and view the on-demand webinar.

If you have questions after viewing the webinar and want to speak additionally with a recruiting consultant, please contact Mark Waschek or Mark Esfeld to engage in a valuable conversation.

“Becoming A Destination, Not Just A Workplace” article featured in the March issue of CropLife magazine written by Ag 1 Source Recruiting Consultants Mark Waschek, Mark Esfeld, and Rick Rupp.

Becoming A Destination, Not Just A Workplace

The most successful companies at keeping employees are those that have an established image in their communities, clients and potential workers.

One of the primary concerns within any segment of the ag industry is people. How to find them and how to keep them will come up every time you ask a manager about the future. Cependant, there are some organizations that don’t need as much help when it comes to finding and retaining employees. Some companies are able to consistently find hourly employees while others struggle. Others always seem to be able to find a salesperson when they need them but never find a precision ag specialist. We have studied many of our clients that are very good at recruiting employees and noticed they all have a somewhat consistent set of steps and processes in place to become what we call “destination employers.”

What is a destination employer? A destination employer is an organization perceived by community as a company at the top of its game. This company has worked to build a very positive image or brand in the marketplace — not only to customers, but also to potential employees. The organization is considered the ultimate destination in an employee’s career — a place they want to work and would have no reason to leave. There is reputation in the community that working for “that” company is a great opportunity. Building a strong employer brand is most critical to keep a pipeline of candidates in the more difficult-to-fill positions especially technical roles such as precision ag or high-end application and operations roles.

Becoming A Destination

To give you a good view of tactics…Read More.

À propos Ag 1 Source
Founded in 2002, Ag 1 Source has grown into a premier recruiting organization serving the needs of agricultural organizations and job seekers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. With recruiting consultants strategically positioned around the U.S., they are committed to exceeding the expectations of clients.

Ag 1 Source is a trusted partner in the job placement process. With repeated investments in technology and training, they are continuing to add highly talented recruiting consultants in an effort to better serve our candidates and clients in key agricultural markets. Their continued success is proof that Ag 1 Source is the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the Agricultural industry.

To recruit employees, some ag retailers are helping out with underwater home values.

There’s little denying that things are looking good for agriculture again in 2013. Having just spent the past few months on the road at many of the industry’s annual winter meetings and trades shows, the overall mood among ag retailers, equipment manufacturers, input suppliers and growers is extremely positive. If there’s a negative note out there, it’s the fact that some companies are already “sold out” of their products for the season because of strong demand by customers.

Of course, this has led to another industry negative, one that’s been around as long as I’ve covered the marketplace and surely dates back even further — a lack of manpower. Last spring while visiting with many equipment manufacturers across the Midwest, I was surprised to learn just how desperate some companies are for workers. As I pulled into many a parking lot for a visit, the greetings signs at these facilities often showed “Help Wanted” messages, asking for skilled welders and machinists. Indeed, many company representatives told me that they bought radio spots asking for workers across a 500-mile or better radius from their plants.

And this lack of labor is also affecting ag retailers. In our annual survey of the nation’s top dealerships and cooperatives, the ability to find/keep good employees always finishes in the top five reasons why companies can’t significantly grow their businesses. In many years, the ag retail market’s inability to find workers for its locations has ranked as the No. 1 impediment to achieving growth in a given year.

According to many experts, one of the reasons ag retailers (and other businesses) have had such a tough time finding workers ties back to the burst housing bubble. During the early 2000s, many consumers bought homes with reckless abandon. In many cases, these were purchased using interest-only and adjustable rate mortgages.

Unfortunately, when the housing bubble burst in 2008, many of these consumers found themselves “underwater” — owing more on their homes then these properties were now worth if sold. Consequently, this has kept many potential workers from being able to relocate to where a job might be waiting.

Until now, that is. According to Ag1Source’s Mark Waschek, some ag retailers have begun offering to help potential employees with “forgivable” loans to make up the difference of selling their homes at a loss, enabling them to move to where they are needed. “Each year of service is equivalent to the annual payment on a five-year note, and after five years, the loan is forgiven,” says Waschek. “This way, the worker earns a steady paycheck while the ag retailer gets an experienced employee to help grow its business.”

An old saying goes: “Home is where the heart is.” It’s nice to see that some ag retailers have taken this saying’s advice, stepping up to keep the American dream of home ownership alive while at the same time helping out their businesses in the process.

Source: CropLife Magazine: Ag Retailers Joining The ‘Home’ Team (3-1-13), written by Eric Sfiligoj

Hesston, KS – Février 27, 2013 – Ag 1 Source, the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the agriculture industry, today announced that Wayne Rosenbaum will join the Equipment industry practice team.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Wayne to our equipment team,” says Rick Rupp, Partner and Equipment Industry Division Lead. “His extensive background working with equipment manufacturers will make a very positive impact for our Central USA equipment manufacturing clients as well as prospective candidates.”

“I am very excited to be part of the Ag 1 Source team,” says Wayne. “I look forward to working with manufacturing, engineering, and operations personnel throughout the Midwest.”

Wayne joins Ag 1 Source as the Equipment Manufacturing Specialist. His role will have him focused on engineering, manufacturing, operations, purchasing, and accounting professionals. As part of the Ag 1 Source experienced team, Wayne brings industry specific experience in these areas for both the clients and prospective candidates. Wayne will concentrate his efforts in the Central United States Region.

À propos Ag 1 Source

Founded in 2002, Ag 1 Source has grown into a premier recruiting organization serving the needs of agricultural organizations and job seekers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. With recruiting consultants strategically positioned around the U.S., they are committed to exceeding the expectations of clients.

Ag 1 Source is a trusted partner in the job placement process. With repeated investments in technology and training, they are continuing to add highly talented recruiting consultants in an effort to better serve our candidates and clients in key agricultural markets. Their continued success is proof that Ag 1 Source is the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the Agricultural industry.

1. The status of tight supply of key ag employees
2. Retention strategies for companies and how to reduce turnover.
3. Long term strategies on how to become an employer of choice (destination employer).

It was a privilege for Mike to speak on such important issues that companies are facing today and what they will continue to see in the future. If you would like to learn more about this topic or discover ways that Ag 1 Source can help your organization, you can contact Mike at 1-800-388-1214.

Below are some pictures from the board meeting.

Back Row(L-R): Stan Stark, Kevin Brady, Mike Shirley, Pete Goetzmann, and Tom Tunnel
Front Row: Mike Smith and Congressman Huelskamp

Mike speaking to the Board of Directors

Mike with Donnie Taylor, Director of Member Services for the Agricultural Retailers Association

Hesston, KS – Février 18, 2013 – Ag 1 Source, the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the agriculture industry, today announced that Kelly Huxman will join the Equipment industry practice team.

“I am excited to have Kelly join our growing equipment team,” says Rick Rupp, Partner and Equipment Industry Division Lead.” She will focus her efforts assisting our current and future retail equipment dealership clients in finding talent for their parts, service, administration, and sales departments. This is an area we have been looking to expand in and Kelly’s background is a perfect match. I am confident she will become a valued partner to our equipment industry clients and candidates in Kansas and the surrounding states.”

“It was important for me to be able to work alongside a team where integrity and trust are key in the company culture and Ag 1 Source is a perfect fit,” says Kelly. “I am looking forward to bringing both our clients and candidates my driving passion to help them find exactly what they are looking for. This is a great company to be associated with and I’m extremely pleased to be part of the recruiting team.”

Kelly joins Ag 1 Source after spending over 24 years in the Agricultural Equipment and retail side of the industry. Together with her husband, they have served Ag Equipment dealerships in several states providing professional business services as liaisons between the dealer and the manufacturer. With her understanding of agriculture equipment sales and service, Kelly maintains a keen awareness of her client’s needs. Kelly began as Research Coordinator and her experience in searching for top talent quickly resulted in her promotion to recruiter and project manager for the agriculture equipment team at Ag 1 Source. Combined with her vast knowledge of the industry and her honest and professional approach, she brings an innate ability to understand the needs of her clients and an unrelenting passion to provide excellence in her service as a recruiter.

À propos Ag 1 Source

Founded in 2002, Ag 1 Source has grown into a premier recruiting organization serving the needs of agricultural organizations and job seekers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. With recruiting consultants strategically positioned around the U.S., they are committed to exceeding the expectations of clients.

Ag 1 Source is a trusted partner in the job placement process. With repeated investments in technology and training, they are continuing to add highly talented recruiting consultants in an effort to better serve our candidates and clients in key agricultural markets. Their continued success is proof that Ag 1 Source is the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the Agricultural industry.

Mark will present at the West Central, Inc., spring agronomy meeting in Owatonna, MN. He will be speaking to over 80 of West Central’s top customers from around the region. ”One of the greatest challenges facing agronomy retailers nationwide is the ability to find and retain quality employees,” said Waschek. ”Unless steps are taken today to change the approach that has been traditionally taken to manage people in this industry, employers will not be able to attract the talented people they need tomorrow, period.”

Mark will present on February 13th.

À propos Ag 1 Source

Founded in 2002, Ag 1 Source has grown into a premier recruiting organization serving the needs of agricultural organizations and job seekers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. With recruiting consultants strategically positioned around the U.S., they are committed to exceeding the expectations of clients.

Ag 1 Source is a trusted partner in the job placement process. With repeated investments in technology and training, they are continuing to add highly talented recruiting consultants in an effort to better serve our candidates and clients in key agricultural markets. Their continued success is proof that Ag 1 Source is the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the Agricultural industry.

Mike will present to the Agricultural Retailers Association’s Board of Directors about employment issues employers face, now and in the future. ”Many of the members of ARA have expressed that finding and retaining their employees is now their number one problem. Many don’t realize that in many agricultural areas, they are not working from a surplus supply of candidates,” said Smith when asked about the upcoming presentation. “These are real issues facing the world in agriculture, and there are practical solutions to help combat the problem.”

Mike will present on February 13th at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

À propos Ag 1 Source

Founded in 2002, Ag 1 Source has grown into a premier recruiting organization serving the needs of agricultural organizations and job seekers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. With recruiting consultants strategically positioned around the U.S., they are committed to exceeding the expectations of clients.

Ag 1 Source is a trusted partner in the job placement process. With repeated investments in technology and training, they are continuing to add highly talented recruiting consultants in an effort to better serve our candidates and clients in key agricultural markets. Their continued success is proof that Ag 1 Source is the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the Agricultural industry.

“Ag Retail Employee Survey: Sharing Your Vision” article featured in the February issue of CropLife magazine written by Ag 1 Source Recruiting Consultants Mark Waschek, Mark Esfeld, and Ryan Gale.

Ag Retail Employee Survey: Sharing Your Vision

Employee recruitment and retention is more successful when workers understand the company’s vision, and see themselves as a key part of it.

If the grass is always greener on the other side, how do you keep your existing employees? You show them how the grass is greener right where they are. How so? Talk to them. Talk about where the company is going, what role they can play in that growth and what bigger role they can aspire to.

We all want to know as much as possible what the future holds for us, especially in our professional roles. In our research, talking with 238 sales agronomists during June, we asked them a series of questions about where their company was going, their role in the future and how well the strategic direction of the company was laid out to them. Let’s look at statistics in the responses and identify actions that can be taken to reduce turnover…Read More…

À propos Ag 1 Source
Founded in 2002, Ag 1 Source has grown into a premier recruiting organization serving the needs of agricultural organizations and job seekers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. With recruiting consultants strategically positioned around the U.S., they are committed to exceeding the expectations of clients.

Ag 1 Source is a trusted partner in the job placement process. With repeated investments in technology and training, they are continuing to add highly talented recruiting consultants in an effort to better serve our candidates and clients in key agricultural markets. Their continued success is proof that Ag 1 Source is the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the Agricultural industry.

“5 Keys To Making Employees Stay” article featured in the December issue of CropLife magazine written by Ag 1 Source Recruiting Consultants Mark Esfeld, Mark Waschek, and Ryan Gale.

5 Keys To Making Employees Stay

Employers need to look hard at their employee value proposition to make certain the best workers feel like sticking around.

In the Septembre and Octobre issues of CropLife®, we dissected job satisfaction data from 238 retail agronomy sales people across the country. In those two articles, we focused on the statistics of employees considering a career change, and how simple steps can improve employee attitude and retention of those employees. The other statistic that jumped out at us was the percentage of “happy” employees. Our survey found that 20% of sales agronomists are thrilled with their role in the company.

Unlike the others, this group of employees is, for the most part, completely satisfied in their role, and sees their current employer as their long-term career destination … for now. What makes this group different than the other 80% of salespeople we interviewed is a concept called Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Careful attention to your EVP will keep this group engaged, and not falling into the “thinking of a change” category of employees.

Lou Adler, a well-known recruiting and human resource consultant, initially introduced…Continue Reading

À propos Ag 1 Source
Founded in 2002, Ag 1 Source has grown into a premier recruiting organization serving the needs of agricultural organizations and job seekers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. With recruiting consultants strategically positioned around the U.S., they are committed to exceeding the expectations of clients.

Ag 1 Source is a trusted partner in the job placement process. With repeated investments in technology and training, they are continuing to add highly talented recruiting consultants in an effort to better serve our candidates and clients in key agricultural markets. Their continued success is proof that Ag 1 Source is the most trusted and reliable recruiting firm in the Agricultural industry.