Strategies for attracting employees unveiled at spring meeting
By Brock Huffstutler
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Strategies for attracting employees unveiled at spring meeting

Members of the Mississippi equipment and event rental industry gathered in the Tupelo, Miss., area on April 19 to receive the lowdown on what’s changed in the employment world while getting an inside look at Thompson Machinery and Busylad Rent-All.

The ARA of Mississippi’s spring event featured roundtable discussions, lunch, two store tours and special guest speaker Jim Goodwill, co-owner of Tupelo-based Express Personnel Services.

The event kicked off at Thompson Machinery where roundtable discussion topics included plans of action to yield the best results for finding employees, strategies for making an unforgettable impression on potential employees and methods to clearly define company culture.

Then, during his presentation, “Well, THAT was Wild: What’s Changed in the Employment World, Besides Everything?” Goodwill discussed what employees are looking for today and how to keep them working for you.

Marlee Cain, controller, Taylor Rental Center, Greenville, Miss., and ARA of Mississippi treasurer, found Goodwill’s presentation to be “spot on — Jim made excellent points on getting creative in reaching those looking for work and on the differences in what our expectations are vs. today’s candidates’ expectations. He also mentioned the necessity to simplify the interviewing and hiring process. With so many changes in the last few years, there’s a huge challenge of reaching potential candidates, finding good employees, and then keeping them engaged and motivated.”

The notion of getting creative in recruiting people in today’s labor market also resonated with Lee Hutchinson, general manager, Mississippi Tent & Party Rental, Madison, Miss., who also serves as ARA of Mississippi president. “The battle to attract and retain employees is the toughest it has ever been. We as employers have to be creative to attract people, whether that be through pay scale or flexibility of work schedule,” he says.

After lunch, the group shuttled down the street for a tour of Busylad Rent-All. Both Cain and Hutchinson agree that the store tours were eye-opening elements of the day’s activities.

“I really enjoy seeing other rental stores to see how things vary, how they run their daily processes and the discussion on what issues they face along with their resolutions,” Cain says.

“The store tours were great. It was really neat seeing the workings of a heavy machinery shop as well as a rental store that does both equipment and events,” Hutchinson says.

At the end of the day, the opportunity to just get together face-to-face with other rental folks was the biggest benefit, according to Cain. “I am really glad that we have been able to have in-person events. I always look forward to the meetings and discussions with other ARA [American Rental Association] members,” she says.

Brock Huffstutler

Brock HuffstutlerBrock Huffstutler

Brock Huffstutler is the regional news editor for Rental Management. He writes and edits articles for ARA’s In Your Region quarterly regional newsletters, Rental Management, Rental Pulse and other special projects. Outside of work, he enjoys biking and spending time at the few remaining vintage record stores in the region.

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