We at GCA International would like to wish all of our families and friends, clients and colleagues a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day. For many this week officially marks the start of the holiday season, which traditionally marks a period of increased challenges for those firms looking to hire top-talent professionals, especially in the engineering and architecture industries. Even some job seekers tend to slow down their search this time of year, caught up what can be the hectic hustle and bustle of the holidays. Firms that take a proactive approach to actively recruit new hires early on in the holiday season always benefit in the new year.

Enjoy Turkey Day, everyone! Best wishes from all of us here at GCA International!

With Thanksgiving this Thursday, many people have their minds on turkey, travels, family and football. A short workweek leading up to a big holiday can mean a slowdown in workflow. What can be done about this? First, you don’t have to crack the whip on employees excited for festive free time; in fact, that kind of excitement can have a positive impact on the workplace. Rather, firms and managers can offer seasonal incentives during short work weeks such as this one. Set up a points system based on certain objectives for employees to make the workweek not only an exciting short-stretch to time off, but also a fun competition where coworkers can compete in a friendly way. Offer prizes such as a frozen turkey or a holiday ham, tickets to a holiday concert or performance, simple ski passes to local resorts, or even something as simple as scented seasonal candles. Be creative. Ask for employee feedback. Even if such an incentive is set up a day before the break, it can mean a big difference in employee focus, morale, and output.

The 2010 ASLA awards call for entries for landscape architecture professionals and students is now open and we encourage you to enter.

Could be the next vending machine at GCA.  Check it out at YouTube.

We’re well on our way into the fourth quarter of 2009, and that means the holiday season is soon approaching. What does this mean for recruiting top-talent professionals? Traditionally, the holiday season is a challenging time for companies to attract, recruit, and attain these prime candidates, as many are anxiously awaiting holiday bonuses, vacations, and company holiday parties. How can hiring firms overcome such seasonal challenges? The first step is to start seeking out these individuals early on in this part of the year. Offer invites to prospective hires to attend your company’s holiday parties as a means to introduce these candidates to companies employees and allow them to get a sense of your company culture. Counter holiday bonus resistance with holiday sign-on bonuses to new hires. And allow for first-of-the-year start dates for hires made before the holiday season is over to allow the candidate time off.

“We’re very pleased to host CLCA certification and testing,” said John. R. Mundy, general manager of LVMWD. “Intelligent outdoor water use is key to making the most of our limited water resources.”  Read more at DBusinessNews.com.

In today’s electronic world, recruiting goes beyond phone calls. Social media tools are used more and more by businesses not only for brand building and viral marketing, but also to seek out, identify, and recruit top-talent candidates. The internet provides a vast web-work of professional connections and networks. The key is know which social utilities are worth your time, and then know how exactly to use them for the intended purpose. At first glance, this may seem easy enough, but the levels of complexities in certain social media utilities create a range of dos and don’ts that few are entirely familiar with. For this reason, we are starting to see social media consulting companies emerging. The reality that many companies are soon going to have to realize is that social media consulting will likely become not only a necessary but a much-needed service.

Happy Halloween!

A new podcast episode about specifics, rules, and regulations of architectural industry in Russia at Urban Design Pod Cast.

Class I: Will Clarke, Perennial Solutions, MA

Class I: Kirsten Soriano, Barlow Flower Farm, NJ

Class III, IV, VII: Joanne Kostecky, JK Garden Design, PA

Class III: Richard Weber, Springhouse Gardens, KY

Class III: Kevin O’Brien, Lifestyle Landscaping, OH

Class IV: Mike Blackwell & Laura Justice, Chalet Nursery, IL

Class V: Warren Klink, Urban Thickets, WA

Class VI: Marion McNew, Mt Hood Gardens, OR

Class VII: Brenda Adams, Gardens by Design, AK

To learn more about the 2010 PPA Landscape Design Award program – applications are due Feb 1, 2010 – and the Perennial Plant Association, please visit: www.perennialplant.org

]]> http://gcaintl.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/2009-ppa-landscape-design-awards-eleven-merit-winners/feed/ 0 GCA International http://gcaintl.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/senior-mechanical-p-e-hvac/ http://gcaintl.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/senior-mechanical-p-e-hvac/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:31:44 +0000 GCA International http://gcaintl.wordpress.com/?p=1249 ]]>

20 years of experience in HVAC design and plumbing systems for large residences and commercial buildings including offices, restaurants, movie theaters, manufacturing and industrial plants, supermarkets and department stores, schools, ice rinks, airplane hangars, and retail stores. Responsibilities include writing specifications; writing proposals and estimate design fees; estimating construction budgets; assessing client needs and establishing optimal design criteria.  Also performs construction observation and writes punch lists; performs HVAC studies and writes reports; supervises drafters, designers, and EIT’s.  Licensed P.E. in Maine, Alaska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, California, Colorado and Ohio.  Open to relocation.  Base salary at  $88k.

For more information on this candidate, please contact Frank Rivelli at frivelli [AT] gcaintl.com, or at 978-785-8197.