I was reading an interesting article about making your own luck. I found it compelling to read because I always thought that luck was a random thing. In the article the writer agreed that some events were uncontrollable such as a tornado blowing your house down and leaving your neighbor’s house intact. But it was also explained that there was truth to the adage that, “you make your own luck”. The fact of the matter is that you make your own luck by utilizing strategies that can increase the probability that you will be successful. When you think about it, it all makes sense.

To be lucky in business you have to let prospects know that you are there. This is where automation can play a major role. The day-to-day tasks that you perform with your staffing software that integrate with social media instantly put you into the spotlight with very little effort. The same holds true for job board integration. Multiplying the chance that employers and high quality candidates “make the connection” with you makes your firm a serious contender for their business.

Being visible on social media, job board sites and blogs indicate to others that you are at the top of your game. People want to do business with companies that keep abreast with the latest in technology. Recognition as an industry expert will earn you points. Take as many opportunities as possible to illustrate what you know and what you have to offer. Email your clients periodically about trends in the industry, helpful hiring hints and other information that keeps your name and brand in front of them. Your staffing software is the perfect element to accomplish this easily and effectively because all of your client and candidate contact information is stored there (hopefully). If it is not, make sure you get it in.

It is important to note that multiple means of communication with employers and candidates will cause a domino effect for success. For example, a local newspaper may come across some of your information and end up doing a story on your company. Maybe you will be asked to speak at a local community business event. The exposure multiplies and chance of success is increased.

Success can only come about as a result of some type of action. Position your company by utilizing as many features of your staffing software as possible. It should help you to generate opportunities for success.

Document specific conversations about your clients where it is easily accessible when you need it. When your client begins talking about their son’s success with their new job, chime in about how fantastic that is considering he just graduated last year. Such dialogue helps you to develop business relationships with your clients. By knowing more about your clients you can service them better and more effectively. Send your clients free baseball tickets that you cannot use since you have documented that they love the Yankees and coded them as a baseball lover. All of this increases the chances for you to do more business with them.

Marketing is an ongoing adventure. If one campaign does not work then try another. In order to do this you must be able to keep track of the success of specific marketing campaigns. Document this in your software. Then think of more ways that you can use your staffing software to reach more people and better establish a partnership. Perhaps you can periodically search through completed job orders and send clients information pertaining to similar projects or candidates that may be of interest to them. Consult on how such a project may be accomplished more efficiently by utilizing candidates that possess certain skills, or by your company managing the project for them.

Repeat advertising and persistence are the keys to increasing your chances of getting more business. One of our very long term customers said that it was our persistent periodic calling and sending information that made us stand out from the competition. We were able to stay in contact because of the use of our follow-up system in our automated daily planner. We were able to maintain a predictable follow-up system that insured that we kept in touch but not so often as to become a nuisance. We also made sure that when we communicated we had some interesting information to convey and we documented good notes on our last conversation so we did not go in cold each time. An automated solution can help you keep track of what was sent, when and to whom or who was called and what was said. Because of detailed documentation your message can always be new.

Being organized with your software allows you to tap into opportunities that may not otherwise have presented themselves. Create your own luck and steer clear of black cats and ladders – just to be sure.

Terri Roeslmeier is President of Automated Business Designs, Inc., software developer of Ultra-Staff software for the staffing and direct hire industry. Ultra-Staff is a staffing software business solution with components for front office, back office and the web. Terri’s email address is TAR@abd.net or for more information on Ultra-Staff go to www.abd.net