It’s time for Michigan to open doors to talent by including LGBT protections in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act

November 6, 2014 by

End LGBT Discrimination In Michigan

Strategic Staffing Solutions is proud to support Freedom Michigan, an unprecedented bipartisan campaign of business, civil rights, religious, community and LGBT leaders with the singular goal of putting a bill on Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s desk during the final days of the current legislative session that will end legal discrimination against gay and transgender individuals.

The campaign will deploy organizers and volunteers to amplify support in key legislative districts across the state for updating the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

“We would ask legislative leaders to support Gov. Snyder and Michigan residents, the majority of whom oppose discrimination based on orientation and gender identity by holding an open vote on the floor of the House and Senate on updating the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act,” said Cynthia J. Pasky, president and CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions and a co-chair of Michigan Competitive Workforce Coalition, a business organization formed to support the legislation.

For a little background in case you did not know, legislation is pending in the state House that would prevent discrimination based on “sexual orientation and gender identity” in Michigan. It would amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act that already prevents discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight and marital status.

We’re united with many other business and community leaders in pushing this change, and polls show a strong majority of state voters believe that it’s time to protect gay and transgender Michiganders from discrimination. In addition, surveys of small business owners show that a strong majority support striking this important balance.

“Gov. Snyder opposes discrimination against gay and transgender people, who today can be fired from their job, evicted from housing, or refused service in a restaurant or doctor’s office just because they are gay or transgender.  We are ready to engage in a civil debate on the issue during the coming lame duck legislative session as Synder has called for,” said Josh Linkner, noted Michigan entrepreneur and founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners.

The new web page is www.freedommichigan.org and you can keep in touch on Twitter and on Facebook.

“Michigan’s economic success is dependent on attracting talent,” says Pasky. “Our business community has to be able to attract the most talented and vibrant individuals who are committed to our continued revitalization and growth. At Strategic Staffing Solutions we hire based on talent and people’s souls. It is time that our legislation include protections for these same principles.”

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S3 President and CEO Cynthia Pasky Named ‘Executive of the Year’ By The Detroit Executives Association

October 7, 2014 by

We’re pleased to share some more great news. The Detroit Executives Association will honor our president and CEO Cynthia J. Pasky as its 2014 “Executive of the Year” at a luncheon Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC).

Cindy PaskyNow in its 33rd year, the annual Executive of the Year Award is presented to a business or community leader who exhibits exceptional leadership and devotion to the betterment of the Detroit area.

“S3 is a global IT and business services company that has 31 branch locations and 2,700 employees in the U.S. and Europe – and it’s all headquartered here in Detroit,” said Detroit Executives Association President Sam Giannola. “Cindy is committed to Detroit and the communities S3 serves globally. S3 and its global team contribute millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours each year. Cindy chairs the Detroit Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, and is a member of several other boards including Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.”

If you didn’t know, the Detroit Executives Association was founded in 1926 and is comprised of business owners and principal decision makers in and around the Detroit metropolitan area. The association was built on the premise that members will work together to promote not only their own business, but each member’s business, as well, through the exchange of leads at weekly meetings, held at the Detroit Athletic Club.

“S3 opened almost 24 years ago in Detroit with a mission to provide opportunities to our team, customers and communities and to help people change their stations in life,” said Pasky. “It is truly appreciated that the Detroit Executives Association doesn’t base their award purely on business success, but also on executives’ efforts to drive change in the communities they serve. I am truly honored to be recognized on behalf of the tireless work of the S3 team.”

Past “Executive of the Year” honorees include Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland, DTE Energy CEO Anthony Earley and ePrize CEO Josh Linker.

The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 with cocktails and lunch at the Detroit Athletic Club.

Learn more at http://www.detroitexecs.com.

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S3 Supports The Talent Of The Future At National Black MBA Association Banquet

September 4, 2014 by

Atheneum

It was a great day for young people in Detroit. The National Black MBA Association, or NBMBAA, honored three local youth with scholarships to forward their education.

Local area powerbrokers, media and luminaries spoke such as Mayor Mike Duggan, The Michigan Chronicle’s Bankole Thompson, WXYZ’s Chuck Stokes, and others had sage advice to the young people who will be taking the next step in their life.

Let’s meet the three scholarship recipients.

Christopher Rutledge is as Barbara L. Mahone Graduate Scholar at University of Michigan in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. He is a second year MBA student where he is focusing his studies on Organizational Strategy and Finance.

Lauren A. Black is a high school scholar at North Farmington High School. This fall she will attend the renowned School of Business and Industry at Florida A & M University, pursuing a degree in Business Administration and Management.

Maria Rodriguez is an undergraduate scholar at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She is working towards a Bachelor in Business Administration and is a top scholar while working two jobs.

Left to right: Mayor Mike Duggan, Valencia Parker, Elyse Sherman

Left to right: Mayor Mike Duggan, Valencia Parker, Elyse Sherman

S3 is a corporate sponsor of the Detroit chapter of the NBMBAA along such notable companies and organizations as AllState, Chrysler Corporation, The Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, DTE Energy, Dow Chemical, Eaton Corporation, Ford Motor Company, State Farm Insurance, and Walmart. Our own Elyse Sherman was the chair of the event.

NBMBAA is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to leading in the creation and development of economic and intellectual wealth for black communities on a global basis since 1970 and stands at a membership of 6,000 African-American business professionals, MBA students, and entrepreneurs located in 44 U.S. chapters and one international affiliate.

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Detroit’s Mosaic Youth Theatre is dancing in the streets of Europe

July 9, 2014 by

mosaicworldchoirgamesAs you may or may not know, the talented student members of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit are visiting Latvia, Lithuania, and the World Choir Games. It really is a case of Detroit vs. Everybody as there are more than 500 competing choirs.

However, along the way, there has been a lot of singing and dancing breaking out, and we just had to share it!

Check out the the video below sent back from Europe. It’s on the streets of Riga, the capitol city of Latvia. It’s exciting to see Detroit represented in such a great way by such gifted young people. Follow the action with the hashtag #MosaicWCG14 on social media and we’ll also be posting some updates here.

Post by Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit.
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Hot job: Have past call center experience? We’re looking for you!

March 7, 2014 by

Downtown Detroit Picture

We need to fill some positions here in Detroit doing call center work and are looking for some phenomenal folks who have previously worked in a call center. Here are the seven key functions and responsibilities you’ll be doing at your new job.

  1. Initiates and responds to customer inquiries related to the
disconnection or turn on of electrical and gas services and billing/
payments concern.
  2. Initiates and responds to customer inquiries regarding electrical
and gas outages, gas leaks and other electrical and gas problems.
  3. Initiates and responds to customer inquiries related to various
products and services.
  4. Gathers data from customer records, reviews and analyzes customer
records data to respond to and resolve billing, payment and service
inquiries.
  5. Follows-up with key contacts in operational departments to assure
timely resolution and completion of complaints, inquiries and
requests.
  6. Reviews and analyzes customer records analyzing payment history to
negotiate payment agreements for residential customers, as business
dictates. Negotiate agreements with residential customers in
accordance with corporate and Michigan Public Service Commission
rules according to established guidelines.
  7. Process payments by phone according to established guidelines.

Here are other requirements we’re looking for.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent with 2 years experience in a customer contact position. One year as a Customer service representative preferred; or Technical diploma or Associate Degree (or two years of a four year degree) with one year experience in customer contact position.

Testing/Training: Must demonstrate PC proficiency on corporate applications and data management tools needed to do the work.

Also you must obtain an evaluation of “acceptable” on the
Clerical and Human Relations portions of the Customer
Representative Tests.

  • Intermediate oral and written communication skills.
  • Must have a good speaking voice and use proper grammar.
  • Intermediate analysis and decision making skills.
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to identify and resolve customer complaints, payment problems 
and customer inquiries, while maintaining a high degree of customer
satisfaction.
  • Thorough knowledge of various products and service, policies,
procedures and regulations pertinent to the customers’ needs.
  • Must demonstrate a working PC proficiency on related corporate
applications and data management tools and systems.
  • Flexible and able to work under changing priorities.
  • Flexible and able to work shifts and extended periods of overtime
occurring any hour of the day or night and any day of the year.

If you’re interested in getting the job, email your resume to csrpositions@strategicstaff.com. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

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Cindy Pasky Awarded For Investing And Promoting Lithuania

February 26, 2014 by

Jeff Nelson (L), Cindy Pasky (R) and Denise Kurowski (R) in Lithuania

Jeff Nelson (L), Cindy Pasky (R) and Denise Kurowski (R) in Lithuania

Recently, Cindy Pasky was awarded the Global Lithuanian Leaders Award for her involvement in investing and promoting Lithuania.

Below, you’ll find a video produced that highlights some of the accomplishments of Strategic Staffing Solutions International since it opened in the country in 1999.

Here’s a translation of the voiceover of the video as well as the video, as the narrator is speaking in Lithuanian.
 

Laureate of Global Lithuanian Awards 2013 – Cynthia J. Pasky For Investment Attraction

For the promotion and formation of a positive image of Lithuania to potential investors to set up representative offices in Lithuania and starting up her own company, Strategic Staffing Solutions International, in Kaunas in 1999. After assembling several advertising programs it did not take her long to prove to the foreign investment companies that Lithuania has it all. Smart people, a growing economy, quality education, arts and a super location.

There are many success stories. Their 1000+ jobs brought back from overseas helped talented Lithuanians.

Cindy, along with President Valdas Adamkus and the US Ambassador, and her supported initiative of the ExCEL program, enable 10-plus high school kids from Lithuania to come to the best schools in the US to study for one school year.

For enriching Lithuania with foreign investment and good experiences, we thank & award Cynthia Pasky, Strategic Staffing Solutions founder, president and CEO.

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Christmas is a little bit warmer this year for children in need thanks to Adopt-A-Child

December 12, 2013 by

carl-bently-adopt-a-child

Throngs of smiling, excited children from all corners of the region rushed into Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit with their families on December 6 as if Christmas was coming early.

That’s because in a way, it was.

They were part of the Adopt-A-Child program created by the North End Youth Improvement Council (NEYIC). Again this year people working in S3’s Detroit offices and other business and organizations in the city brought Christmas gifts for more than 2,500 underprivileged youngsters. Those participating are asked to donate warm coats, mittens, gloves, clothing and a toy. S3 employees have donated gifts to the program for more than 10 years.

“The children receive much needed clothing and often a toy or other gifts that let them know love, kindness and caring are very much a part of Detroit,” said Cindy Pasky, president and CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions, which is participating in the program. “When the children’s faces light up you can see the true meaning of the season … giving back and gaining joy from the true meaning of love …. doing things for others.”

The program is open to every family and child who needs it, no matter which neighborhood or metro Detroit city they live in. It was founded more than 50 years ago, and they’ve seen a lot of changes over the years.

“Our goal is to extend a hand of loving kindness to youngsters who come to us from foster care, single parent homes and shelters,” said Mary Bennett of the North End Youth Improvement Council (NEYIC). “Typically we run out of good Samaritans long before we run out of kids in need of our assistance.”

Sponsors include 36th District Court, Craig Strong, Lakeshore, Child Protective Services, Detroit 300, KPMG, Skillman Foundation, NAACP, White Castle, the Detroit Police Department, Betty DeRamus, Mayor Bing’s Office; the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Comerica, IRS, General Motors Foundation, Skillman Foundation, The UPS Foundation, City of Detroit ITS Department & Department of Recreation, The Lake Community Church and other volunteers from near and far to give a helping hand.

A litany of organizations presented checks during the event, including UAW/GM, Sheriff Benny Napoleon’s office and Strategic Staffing Solutions. The UAW check exceeded $10,000. Many of the employees of these groups volunteer their time wrapping and selecting presents, as well as spending time with the kids.

There’s still time if you want to support the organization with a donation. After all, need knows no season. Visit the North End Improvement Council website here.

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America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade goes to the dogs and cats

October 24, 2013 by

As kid I bet you loved Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. You’d waited all year long for the holiday season to begin and you couldn’t wait to watch the spectacular floats, loud marching bands, colorful clowns and high flying balloons move down Woodward. Then, finally, along came the reindeer pulling “the real Santa Claus” in his sleigh down the street to a podium where he accepted the key to our city “and the hearts of good children everywhere.”

Float 2 compressedWhat am I saying? I bet you still love it as an adult.  I also bet you love animals. Well, have I got a deal for you. This year there is a new float in the America’s Thanksgiving Parade that is loaded with dogs and cats … wagging tails and all.

The new Strategic Staffing Solutions’ float called “Disco Dogs & Cool Cats” will be a star in this year’s parade. Called the world’s longest convertible by The Parade Company, this larger-than-life mobile display measures more than 120 feet long and is more than 14 feet tall. It’s adorned with more than 17 cats and dogs, an 8-foot tall disco ball and more than 100 dog bones. Take special notice of the dog and cat sitting at the front of the float. The dog is Chrissy and the cat is Trumbull, the pets of Paul Huxley, S3 chairman, and Cindy Pasky, the company’s president, CEO and founder. Huxley is also vice chairman of the Michigan Humane Society board.

The float is sure to become a favorite for animal lovers and parade goers alike. It was designed by Mishara Walker from S3 in collaboration with The Parade Company.

float 3 compressedThe float was unveiled on Wednesday, October 23 by S3 and The Parade Company along the riverfront at Rivard Plaza and Pavilion, which is maintained and operated by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. The Conservancy is developing three-and-a-half miles along the east riverfront, which has more than three million visitors annually.

“At S3 we value traditions. Traditions like the America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade bring joy to so many and bring together the metro Detroit community,” said Pasky. “This parade is truly part of Detroit’s culture. It is a very special and wonderful time to show our city off to the world.  S3 is very pleased to be a part of it.”

“We are extremely grateful to have S3 as a Parade Company supporter and our team is privileged to work with a Detroit company that is so committed to our community and region,” said Tony Michaels, president & CEO of The Parade Company.

float 5 compressedThe unveil also supported the Michigan Humane Society. Those attending brought a can of pet food drive and all who donated entered a chance to win a unique opportunity to walk in the parade with S3.

The need to help animals in Detroit is great. Huxley said the humane society’s Cruelty and Rescue Team responds to 10,000 calls each year. In addition, the society’s Detroit Center for Animal Care at 7401 Chrysler Drive just off I-75 sheltered 12,000 animals this year alone.

So, in honor of the new float and dogs and cats everywhere, put your paws together for Detroit, America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Parade Company and the Michigan Humane Society.

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The story behind our green Detroit roots

October 17, 2013 by

Green. Why in the world is everything at S3 green?

detroit-tigers-s3It’s one of those things that inevitably comes up with new hires and talked about with customers. Why, in a world where everyone’s trying to attach themselves to the color and flavor of the month, did Strategic Staffing Solutions pick, and stick with, deep green as its corporate color 20 years ago?

To find the answer, you need to look back into the history of the company, its proud Detroit roots and the passion S3’s founder, Cindy Pasky, has for baseball.

If you’ve met Cindy, you know she’s an avid Detroit Tigers fan. Opening Day in Detroit is a spectacle, especially around the S3 office. It’s common on that day to see the office filled with folks working in the jerseys of their favorite Tiger players.

But as you might know, the colors of the Detroit Tigers are orange, blue and white. Not green. So you may think our story is ending. Au Contraire!

Here’s an interesting fact. If you took a look at the seats of the old Tiger Stadium, the one Cindy watched the games from as a child and the one the Tigers still played at when S3 was founded, you’d notice they are … you guessed it … that shade of green!

Now you know why S3 goes green.

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Strategic Staffing Solutions Ranked As One of Michigan’s Top 10 Diversity-Owned Businesses

October 1, 2013 by

Strategic Staffing Solutions has been ranked as one of Michigan’s top 10 diversity-owned businesses by DiversityBusiness.com. The award also distinguishes S3 as one of the leading woman-owned companies in the US.

DiversityBusiness.com, a national web-based resource portal for business communications, surveyed more than 1.3 million businesses in the US for its 13th annual business recognition. S3 was listed in three categories based on its revenue, employment numbers and growth rate.

For 2013, S3 ranked 9th among the Top 50 Diversity Owned Businesses in Michigan, 30th among the Top 500 Women Owned Businesses in the US, and 91st  among the Top 500 Diversity Owned Businesses in the US. This is the sixth consecutive year S3 has been named to one or more of DiversityBusiness.com’s top business lists.

“The S3 team is dedicated to finding new solutions and opportunities for our customers,” said Cynthia J. Pasky, S3 president and CEO. “That commitment is what drives our company and builds the relationships we need to continue to be one of the leading entrepreneurs in the US. We are proud to be named a Top Business recipient.”

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