As we move through the first quarter of 2005, I am very excited about the way our momentum from late last year has carried through to our business this year.  We plan to grow and bring in a great amount of new clients throughout 2005, which creates even more opportunity for you, our employees!  We also plan to announce more programs that benefit you, making Todays the company you and your family and friends want to work for.  Thank you for all you do - and keep up the wonderful job.

Dan Neuburger

Unique Benefits From Todays
In partnership with Cingular Wireless (formerly AT&T Wireless), Todays Staffing offers you a discount on both cellular phones and service. The program also offers waived activation fees, ordering via Web or phone, payment choices which include: check, credit card or monthly bill, and various other incentives. To access the Todays discount program, just log on to www.attws.com/benefits/todays or call 866-868-8092.  The Todays Staffing Foundation Account numbers are TDMA 00024698 and GSM 00090074.

Another perk you can take advantage of is discounts on Dell computers! In partnership with Dell, Todays is offering you a discount on Dimension desktop and Inspiron notebook systems.  Go to www.dell.com/eppbuy and enter Member ID GS14202824 to order your system and receive your savings. 

And don’t forget free checking! Todays offers free checking with four major financial institutions: US Bank, Wachovia Bank, Bank of America/Fleet Bank, and Chase Bank/Bank One. When you sign up for free checking from Todays Staffing, you receive an account from one of these financial partners, and all the benefits that come along with having a checking account. Ask your Todays consultant for participating banks in your area. Say no to those extra fees and debits and bring home more of your hard-earned money!

New National Survey by Staffing Industry Finds Customers Value Flexibility and Access to Talent
Many Customers View Staffing Services as Important Element in Their Business Model
A national survey released by the American Staffing Association (ASA) offers a unique and comprehensive look at the demands, concerns, and expectations of business customers in interacting with the growing staffing services industry.

The research, conducted by Porter Novelli in the second half of 2004, included a series of focus groups among a cross section of customers, one-on-one interviews with Fortune 500 buyers, and a national poll of 500 business customers.

The survey shows that business customers draw on a broad range of skill sets from the nation's staffing firms. And more than three in four customers hold a positive view of the staffing industry, based on their experiences.

"Staffing companies are giving their customers what they want," said Richard A. Wahlquist, ASA president and CEO. "Again and again, our customers told us they sought the flexibility to keep staffed up during busy periods. And they view staffing firms as offering an effective means of identifying people who can become permanent employees."

Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed (72%) believe that the quality of temporary employees recruited from staffing companies is the same as or better than the quality of their regular employees.

Customers turning to staffing companies seek a variety of skill sets, according to the survey. Along with office-clerical employees (62%) and industrial employees (58%), business customers reach out to staffing firms for accounting and finance help (28%), information technology and tech support (17%), and health care workers (15%). Other expanding sectors included executive and management recruitment (7%), sales and marketing (5%), and legal (4%).

"About half of those customers asked said that their use of temporary and contract employees was an important part of their business model," said ASA vice president Steven P. Berchem, who directed the research project. "Two in five also said they viewed staffing suppliers as 'partners' in their endeavors."
Three of four customers polled expressed satisfaction with the industry's capacity for matching temporary employees to jobs, but some cited it as an area where the focus should be on continuing improvement.

The ASA survey comes at a time when staffing companies in the United States employ an average of 2.55 million temporary and contract workers per day. Temporary help sales in 2004 totaled $63.3 billion.
ASA represents the U.S. staffing industry. Member companies provide temporary help, contract labor, and permanent placement services through 15,000 offices across the nation and account for 85 percent of U.S. staffing industry revenues.

Excerpt from: http://www.staffingtoday.net/staffstats/release030105.htm

Get your Pay Information Online!
Todays E-pay is a new tool that will make getting your pay stubs and income information as easy as a click of a mouse.  Scheduled to roll out in June 2005,  this system will replace our current paper payroll check stubs with two options: an online payroll stub or a voice response system that will provide the current payroll information.  This new system allows us to offer more timely information to you!

More details will follow in the upcoming Todays Times, as well as in dedicated materials you will receive.

FasCast: Finding You Work Faster!

How to Keep Your Cool the First Day at a New Job
Tips on what to prepare the night before and ideas on how to stay calm
The first day of a new job can be very stressful on you and even the people around you. The apprehension of the unknown and being a new person can be overwhelming. Following are some tips on how to keep you calm and how to fly through your first day. Also, included are some ideas on how to prepare for your day at the new job and things to remember to get you through it.

The night before your first day is the crucial time to prepare items of necessity. Prepare yourself for the unexpected like your alarm not going off, accidentally sleeping in, or your vehicle not starting. This will ensure that you will be on time and even early. Pick out the clothes that you will wear and have them laid out. Have them cleaned, ironed, and ready to throw on.

Preparing food for your first day is another thing that you should try to prepare the night before. You may be very jittery in the hours before your new job and feel that you will not be hungry, but you have no idea what to expect and you should bring something along. It is better to have left over food then to be hungry and have no nourishment. You may be famished when your lunch hour arrives, or you may only be able to nibble, but either way if you have food there, you are safe.

The morning before your first day should be fairly calm if you have prepared everything above. You should be able to shower and get ready without much fuss. The nervous time before you leave is lessened while you busy yourself with the preparations of yourself. Make time for a cup of juice or coffee and a glance through the paper. This distraction is good for your mind and should set you at ease.

Once everything is ready and you are about to walk out the door is generally when you will become nervous. This is because you know that this is the last step that you have to take before you will be at your new job. Remain calm and think of things that make you happy. Listen to one of your favorite songs on the trip, or listen to something that puts a smile on your face. This can be a great tool in easing your apprehension and making the drive full of cheeriness.

You should try to arrive at least ten minutes early to show that you are reliable and a punctual person. This will give your employer a good feeling about you and usually will make the whole day better. Be cheerful and friendly with people that you meet. Be yourself and be comfortable with who you are, as this is the best route to go to make friendships through work. Most companies will welcome you with open arms and make you feel very welcome.

Overall, just breathe and stay calm. The first day is always an experience and it will get better. You have to have faith in your abilities and believe that you will succeed. This is the only way that you will accomplish all of your goals and see yourself through until the end. Stay calm and be yourself!

Excerpt from: http://ks.essortment.com/firstdayjob_rfjv.htm

Valuable Web Sites
www.todays.com - News and information on Todays Staffing
www.irs.gov - Information on the U.S. Department of the Treasury
www.mapquest.com - city maps and driving directions