Grooming & Kennel Expo Pasadena | Angela Clark & Mike Hooper

Competitive Recruiting Strategies

Angela ClarkAmerican Grooming Academy

Introduction

My Background Over thirty years in the grooming industry Founder and Owner of American Grooming Academy Experience in the private industry as a business owner Major Pet Supply/Retail Grooming Business

Responsible for 9 Districts which included 132 grooming salons

Introduction

Competitive Recruiting Strategies

• All grooming businesses struggle to find the “RIGHT” person.• How do you find quality candidates in this market? • A good plan is essential in developing a winning team. • I will share strategies to find the star talent you need.

Introduction

Today’s Topics

• State of the Pet/Grooming Industry• Looking Within Your Business– 4 Step Action Plan

• Attracting Key Candidates• Where to Find Key Candidates• Q & A

State of the Industry

The Pet Industry

The Pet Industry has a strong track record of growth. Over 62% of the US households own a pet. There are over 160 million dogs and cats. Total US pet industry expenditure is over 52 billion dollars. APPA estimates grooming sales will exceed $4 billion in 2013. Estimated 30,000 grooming facilities.

How does this impact grooming?

American Pet Product Association,. 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey


Pet Groomers State of the Industry Report 2013

Demand for groomers continues as it has for decades. Pet Groomers posted over 10,000 help wanted ads/yr. Approximately 5,000 cat and dogs per grooming facility. Many professional grooming jobs are unfilled. 2011 hiring of groomers was up 12%. 2012 doubled - employers sought to hire groomers.



Top Five States for Groomers2011 2012

California 2,800 3,023Florida 2,100 2,802Texas 1,900 2,201Pennsylvania 1,500 1,633New York 1,300 1,489

Concentrated Grooming JobsCalifornia 14,117Florida 9,932Texas 8,799New York 6,484Pennsylvania 6,165

Opportunities:



My Big Box Retailer Theory! Over the past 15 years the major pet industry pet

retailers (Petco and Petsmart) have been opening upwards of 75 new stores each per year.

Each store opens with a grooming salon and requires a minimum of 5 grooming employees. Add it up!

Looking Within Your Business

STEP 1Evaluate Your Team

and Business

STEP 2Determine

Staffing Need

STEP 3Define Processes

and Roles

STEP 4Assess Yourself

As a Leader

Determine Grooming Sales & Goals

Evaluate your Associates’ Strengths and Weaknesses

Clear processes, roles, and responsibilities help

determine the right person

Leaders set the tone for the business

YTD Grooming Sales and Budgeted YTD

Grooming SalesFull or Part Time? Operations Manual

Observe your own behavior. Are you a

good leader?

Daily/Weekly Sales Trend and Goal

Are you adding a new Groomer position or replacing a Groomer?

Job Descriptions What are your strengths as a leader?

Current Daily Hours of Operation and Goal

Are you adding a new Grooming Assistant or

replacing one?Shares Plans and Goals What are your

opportunities as a leader?

# of Customers Being Turned Away and When

Flexibility – Don’t get locked into to seeing only

one way to staff Team Buy-In Get input from your team

Looking Within Your Business

The seed of any business culture grow from the values, attitudes and behavior of the business

leaders, that is YOU! The quickest way to begin assessing if you have the culture that is attractive to the “right” people is to first observe your own

behavior.

Attracting Key Candidates

Health Check!How will your business stand out and attract talent?What sets your business apart?How does your business look, feel, and operate?

Presentation Daily Operation Social Media

Why does this matter?


Project a Professional and Consistent Image


Compensation…Get Creative!

Direct Compensation AlternativesBasic Pay: Cash wage paid to the employee. Paying a wage is a standard practice, the competitive advantage can only come by paying a higher amount.

Incentive Pay: A bonus paid when specified performance objectives are met. May inspire employees to set and achieve a higher performance level and is an excellent motivator to accomplish goals.


Indirect Compensation Alternatives…

Flexible working schedulesInsurance (Health, Dental)PTO, Paid Time Off Continual Education, Seminars and WorkshopsIn-house trainingEmployee DiscountsSponsor Grooming Competition EntryGrooming Equipment Allowance

What are other ways to improve compensation?


Sweeten the job offer for that PERFECT candidate!

A sign-on bonus can be offered upon sign-on or for staying a certain length of time.

Guarantee base pay can be set for a period of time.

Employee Referral Bonus A referral rewards your employees a pre-set amount of money if they present candidates to open positions and stay through probationary period.

What other ways can you sweeten the job offer?


Compensation Highlights:

Compensation packages can be linked to business structure, employee recruitment, retention, motivation, performance, feedback and satisfaction.

Compensation is typically among the first things potential employees consider when looking for employment.

It is important, therefore, to give a lot of consideration to your business's compensation structure.

After all, for employees, compensation is the equivalent not to how they are paid but, ultimately, to how they are valued.


The Power of Networking

Where else canyou network?

Dog Trainers

Pet Sitters

Veterinarians

Human Societies Rescue Groups

Business Vendors

Dog and Cat Clubs

Grooming Schools

Professional Organizations

Pet Community Events and Fundraisers

Network Referral Program

Job Fairs


Email applications

On-line applications

Walk In/ phone

How will candidates apply?

Success Tips!Have a designated associateBe quick to respond and follow throughTurn every event onto a recruiting event

Where do you find

candidates?

Social Media

Business Website

Business Facebook

LinkedIn

TwitterBlogs

Groomer Chat

Rooms

Message Boards

Job Search Sites

Finding Key Candidates

The Power of Social Media

Where else canyou look?

• Google Adwords• Google Maps• Search Engine

Optimization (SEO)

Advertise Job Openings on Facebook

Facebook Advertising

Other Online Platforms

Visit Booth 115 for Raffle Prizes and Questions! Be sure to take photos, and use #hashtag #Booth115!

“In hiring "the right people," the good-to-great companies placed

greater weight on character attributes than on specific educational background,

practical skills, specialized knowledge, or work experience.”

Jim Collins

Questions?