SPHERION ENERGY LIFTS JILL BERG’S TEAM TO OWNER OF THE YEAR

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It’s one thing to love your job. It’s another thing to find jobs for people and people for jobs.

Jill Berg, owner and president of Spherion in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot and Perham, and her team worked hard to achieve the “pinnacle” award in the Spherion network.

To earn the highest distinction in the company, “Owner of the Year,” takes standout work – and that is work for people.

Spherion is a word that blends sphere, which means global, and ion, which means energy. The award is based on hard data. It means Berg and her team are engaged on multiple levels in the company, that they are a vital task force within the business, that they engage in learning experiences and, perhaps most importantly, they are a 21st century business. There is no resting on your laurels at Spherion.

One of Berg’s credos is that as an owner she works for her employees. Her business model means she does not just work in the business, she works on the business.

Berg started the first Spherion franchise in North Dakota in 1994 in Fargo. She has 20 employees with a network of three branch offices and one on-site location. The company places office support, call center, light industrial and professional employees for numerous clients.

The sales team visits businesses and finds out who they need to be successful. Applicants fill out online forms at Spherion. Then the matching begins. Spherion selects the best people for the positions.

John Funk, area manager, once worked 367 days to make the right match. The client tried a few people while Funk searched. None worked. When Funk knew he had the applicant for the job it turned into a perfect match. He finds great satisfaction in continuing to work for people on both sides of the working partnership.

In the first conversation he had with Berg, two decades ago, she asked what he wanted in his career – an often-asked question. He said he did not want to be bored and one day would like her job. “She stood up and asked me to change seats with her and we continued the interview with me behind her desk. I reflect back to that crossroads moment in my life and believe it was the best action I have taken,” he said.

“Her philosophy is that our responsibility as managers is to grow our people and improve processes. This is the core of our business relationship with our customers and the culture of Spherion.”

Berg and her team discover client needs, create relationships and craft solutions that meet those needs. Berg noted, “We ask the questions. What challenges you? What would help you?” The discovery work she and her team do answers questions that create successful partnerships.

“When we recruit a potential employee, we look at their skills, behaviors and the cultural fit with the employer. Then we work hard to find the right fit,” she said.

Spherion staff knows the other side, too. “To serve our business partners, we have to know where the target is. Then, it’s a lot easier to hit it,” she adds with a smile that means business.

Karen Witzel, regional sales manager, said working at Spherion allows her the autonomy to network and build meaningful relationships with her customers. “I love seeing that my efforts contribute directly to the success of the business. Jill has been supportive of my professional development – a significant factor in why I’ve stayed with the company for sixteen years,” she said.

Witzel cited Spherion’s tagline as something that is true for her, “Our job is finding people jobs. We love what we do!”

Kathleen Toft, senior professional recruiter, echoes Funk and Witzel, and adds another element to the success equation.

“I trust that every day I will be a blessing to someone I meet and have the opportunity to impact someone’s life. I meet with people who are in various places or stages in their lives. Listening is key and means asking the questions to understand their needs, what motivates them or what keeps them up a night.

“It is very gratifying to find the career fit for someone,” Toft said.

Berg credits her success to selecting the right people, playing to their strengths, never giving them a cap and continuing to mentor. “I let them mentor me, too,” Berg added. “We are in a relationship.”

Spherion is a team – a team is passionate about staying on top.

We’re Spherion, North Dakota’s staffing experts, recently named “Owner of the Year” by our franchisor. We’ve been serving the recruiting and staffing needs of area businesses for more than 20 years. While our address is new, the same dedicated team of professionals stands ready to achieve your workforce goals.

In our business, it’s all about who you know - and we know a lot of people! Gain the local advantage - call Spherion today!