In a recent episode of my podcast, I had an enlightening conversation with Lenore Convery, Chief Revenue Officer at the American Staffing Association (ASA). Lenore brings extensive expertise in sales, recruiting, and leadership, and our discussion uncovered valuable insights about thriving in business, building a resilient culture, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Here’s a deeper dive into our conversation:
đ Navigating Turbulent Times with Flexibility
Lenore emphasized that businesses must remain agile, especially during economic shifts. Her advice is clear: “Go where the money is.” This means quickly shifting focus from sectors experiencing downturns to those showing resilience or growth. For instance, if travel healthcare struggles, pivot attention to booming areas like allied healthcare or locum tenens.
Lenore also highlighted the importance of establishing oneself as a trusted industry resource. âWhen clients see you as an expert, they come to you not just for your services, but for your insights,â she explained. Building this credibility makes businesses indispensable, especially in challenging times.
đŻ Strategically Diversifying and Aligning Teams
Diversification can be an effective strategy for growth, but Lenore cautions that it must be strategic and aligned across teams. Many staffing firms are expanding into new markets like healthcare or project-based work (SOW projects). However, without aligned marketing and sales strategies, even the best ideas can stall.
âYour marketing and sales teams must move in lockstep,â Lenore emphasized. âMarketing campaigns should precisely support new sales initiatives, and your sales teams should leverage these marketing efforts effectively.â She suggests regularly sharing successes and lessons learned between teams to reinforce collaboration and strategic alignment.
⨠Building Culture as a Growth Engine
Lenore passionately spoke about the crucial role organizational culture plays in long-term success. At ASA, culture isnât simply about perksâitâs about shared purpose, mutual respect, and continuous recognition. âCelebrate wins, large and small,â she advised. âStarting team meetings by highlighting recent successes builds momentum and fosters an environment where everyone feels valued.â
She believes companies with strong, positive cultures achieve greater employee engagement, leading to higher productivity and innovation. The secret sauce? Ensuring everyone understands and connects to the organization’s larger purpose.
âď¸ Practical Strategies for Work-Life Integration
As a seasoned professional and passionate runner and triathlete, Lenore understands the importance of maintaining balance. Her insights on achieving work-life integration were both practical and relatable.
âFind your ârunningââwhether it’s actual exercise, reading, meditation, or walkingâand prioritize it every day,â she advised. She also recommends simple, practical measures such as blocking regular breaks into your calendar, structuring meetings to include preparation and reflection time, and prioritizing personal activities that provide clarity and rejuvenation.
đ Harnessing Purpose-Driven Positivity
Lenore shared the transformative power of positivity and purpose-driven leadership. Citing research on positivityâs impact on lifespan and overall well-being, she underscored that leaders must consciously cultivate positivity.
âKnowing your ‘why’ and aligning it with your daily activities ensures sustained motivation and success,” Lenore said. Leaders who clearly communicate their vision and purpose inspire their teams to follow suit, driving both individual and organizational growth.
đĽ Rapid-Fire Fun
We wrapped up with a lively rapid-fire segment filled with fun, spontaneous insights. Be sure to listen to the full episode to catch this engaging conclusion!
đ Key Takeaways:
- Remain agile, pivoting quickly in response to market changes.
- Align your sales and marketing teams closely when diversifying.
- Invest consistently in building a strong, purpose-driven culture.
- Prioritize balance and integrate personal wellness routines into your daily schedule.
- Foster a culture of positivity, aligning it clearly with organizational purpose.
Which of Lenoreâs insights resonates most with you?
