November 2024 Edition

A Word from Our Partner

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our clients, partners, and employees. Your trust, collaboration, and dedication have been essential to our success. I am truly thankful for the relationships we've built and the opportunities we've shared.

In addition, we are excited to introduce The KO Insider, our monthly newsletter where we’ll share valuable insights into market trends within the consulting world, covering HR, hiring and employment laws, and more. We’ll also keep you updated on the latest happenings inside KO, from events to company news.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with warmth, joy, and gratitude.

Real Client Results: Hiring for Core Financial

In February 2024, we had the pleasure of partnering with Core Financial Outsourcing, a leading firm in the financial services industry, to help them fill five crucial mid-to-senior level positions within their organization.

Over the next six months, we worked closely with their leadership team, focusing on finding top-tier candidates for these key roles, including two manager-level positions.

We were able to fill each of these positions for Core with just 3-5 candidate submissions - and in under 50 hours of work! This rapid and effective approach speaks volumes about the precision and success of our recruitment strategy.

Terry Bishop, Managing Partner at Core Financial Outsourcing, shared his thoughts on our work.

“I've been working with KO Business Solutions for about a year, and the entire team has been incredible. I've presented a variety of staffing needs at multiple levels, and the KO team has been very consultative, active listeners, engaged, and present candidates of high quality. I highly recommend KO and have referred them to other clients and network connections with positive experiences as well. Glad to have KO as our recruiting partner!”

Due to the outstanding results delivered for their Chicagoland practice, we were also approached by Core's leadership in Philadelphia to assist in filling another manager role. We applied the same level of dedication and expertise to this project, ultimately helping them fill the position quickly and efficiently.

We are incredibly proud of the national impact we’ve had with Core Financial Outsourcing and look forward to continuing our successful partnership with them in the future. Here’s to more shared success ahead!

Service Spotlight: Our Pay-As-You-Go Hiring Model

At KO Business Solutions, we understand the challenges operations managers face with high turnover and the constant pressure to find reliable, long-term hires. That's why we've developed a new, holistic hiring process designed to deliver better results.

In the past two months, our hiring team has created, tested, and successfully implemented a unique hourly recruiting model that saves businesses 40-60% per hire compared to traditional staffing agencies. This pay-per-use approach allows businesses to control their hiring spend, turning the search on and off based on immediate needs, providing flexibility and cost-efficiency.

What sets us further apart is the quality of our hires. Unlike traditional staffing firms, we use a unique scorecard to evaluate candidates, assessing not only their technical skills but also their company culture fit and soft skills. This ensures that the candidates we place are not only qualified but aligned with your organization's values and long-term goals.

Clients who have switched to our hourly recruiting model, as well as new clients, have seen outstanding results, including a 99% retention rate—making this the preferred staffing solution. With our team's expertise, we streamline your hiring process, reduce turnover, and help you build teams that are both skilled and engaged. At KO, we're committed to delivering hires who are long-term, valuable contributors to your success.

To learn more about our hourly recruiting model and how our scorecard can improve your hiring process, call Shannon at (331) 253-1602 or fill out our Contact Us form.

Limited-Time Offer: As a way of giving back, we’re excited to offer a special promotion this season! Now through the end of this year, any business that enrolls in our hourly recruiting model will receive a complimentary market survey ($500 value),?helping you gain insight into the current talent market and measure the competitiveness of your hiring strategy - ensuring you attract and hire the best candidates.

KO in the Community: Feeding Families of Westchester

On November 9th, 2024, our KO leadership team joined Berna Foundation’s Turkey Brigade to help support families in need this Thanksgiving season by preparing and distributing meal kits.

Berna Foundation hosts this annual event, generously donating the majority of the food included in the meal kits. This year was especially impactful, as the foundation provided a record-breaking 2,000 meal kits to families in Westchester, IL, and surrounding areas.

Shannon Nicholson, CSMO of KO Business Solutions, reflected on the significance of our involvement, sharing how meaningful it was for the team to support families in Westchester, a community with deep personal ties to the Nicholson family.

"Years ago, this was where we first came together as a family, managing a collections agency that served the U.S. Department of Education. Returning with our exceptional leadership team of KO Business Solutions, our first family-founded business of eight years, to give back to a place so closely connected to our roots is truly a full-circle moment."

We are excited to continue collaborating with Berna Foundation to make a lasting impact in our Chicagoland communities, including their upcoming toy drive.

If you're in the Darien or Chicagoland area and would like to get involved, you can donate new, unwrapped toys to a Berna Foundation drop box located on the first floor of our office building at?8301 S. Cass Avenue, Darien, IL 60561 or contact Berna Foundation to find the nearest drop box location for you.

Did You Know? We continue to partner with higher education institutions to provide tailored solutions by becoming an extension of your team, systems, and processes—without requiring long-term commitments.

Interested in how we can support your institution? Visit?our website?to learn more and explore the possibilities!

Empowering People: Our Solution to Keeping Remote Workers Engaged

Building a vibrant and inclusive corporate culture is central to our mission. During COVID-19, our Partner and COO, Brianna Nicholson, established our Employee Engagement Committee to keep our team connected while working remotely.

“A culture that values inclusivity and respect allow people to bring their best selves to work, and that energy drives our success,” Brianna shares.

Now led by our Hiring Solutions Advisor, Maddie Bates, the committee continues to foster diversity and engagement with monthly events that celebrate different cultures and holidays. This month, the committee is creating a holiday cookbook featuring employees' favorite cultural meals and traditions, showcasing the diverse ways our team celebrates the season. This commitment to culture and diversity makes KO not only a great place to work but also a trusted partner for our clients.

Are You Ready to Build a Stronger, More Inclusive Workplace?

Here’s how we can consult with you to elevate your organization:

• Employee Engagement Strategy Development: Tailored strategies to keep your team connected and motivated, whether remote or in-person.
• Diversity and Inclusion Programs: Design initiatives that celebrate diversity and create an inclusive environment.
• Cultural Assessments and Alignment: Assess and align your company culture to ensure it supports your values and goals.
• Team Building and Internal Events: Plan and implement engaging events that strengthen collaboration and employee connections.
• Workplace Communication and Collaboration: Improve remote and hybrid team communication to ensure everyone stays engaged.
• Employee Retention and Satisfaction: Create programs that boost employee morale and reduce turnover.
• Workplace Culture as a Business Advantage: Foster a culture that not only benefits employees but also enhances client relationships.
• Leadership Development in Diversity: Equip your leaders to manage and inspire diverse teams effectively.

If you'd like to learn more about how we can support your business with a tailored consulting plan, contact Shannon at (331) 253-1602 or fill out our Contact Us form.

From The KO Team: Happy Holidays!

From all of us at KO Business Solutions, we wish you joy this November—in all the ways you choose to celebrate!

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible clients for entrusting us with your business needs this year. Whether collaborating on process improvements, streamlining hiring, or addressing other challenges, your partnership means the world to us.

As we approach the close of the year, we’re excited to finish strong together, meeting targets and setting the stage for even greater success in the year ahead. Here’s to ending the year on a high note together!