Importance, Urgency, and Marketing Genius

Corey reminded me of this (below); had been a while since I'd checked it out.

We need to find a way to communicate this effectively. Can you make the connection to WV?

Economic Improvements for Disabled Employees and an Employer

The Department of Labor (DOL) has reported that unemployment numbers for individuals with disabilities fell in December to 11.7%, thus showing that individuals with disabilities had better prognosis for finding employment in 2012.  These stats are down from 12.7% reported the month before.  December marked the fourth consecutive month that the unemployment rate declined for Americans with disabilities.  Unfortunately, the jobless rate remained largely unchanged for the general population at 7.8%, despite an addition of 155,000 jobs to the economy according to the DOL.  The DOL has been tracking employment among individuals with disabilities since 2008 and they have not come to a conclusion whether the percentages are based on seasonal trends among this population base.  Data includes individuals with disabilities over the age of 16 who do not live in institutions.  The DOL releases monthly reports targeted to the individuals with disabilities group. 

Other highlights that the DOL reports on individuals with disabilities includes:  an individual with a disability is three times as likely as an individual without a disability to be age 65 and over;  the employment population ratio for all age groups is much lower for individuals with a disability than for an individual with no disability; one-third of the workers with a disability were employed part-time compared with about one-fifth of those with no disability; and, individuals with a disability are more likely to be self-employed than those with no disability.

Studies have found that when an employer hires individuals with disabilities, they are hiring focused, dedicated and loyal people.  Disabled employees tend to stay longer on the job than their non-disabled counterparts.  There is little difference in productivity and attendance rates between people with or without disabilities.  Companies such as Walgreen’s, Home Depot, Marriott and Pizza Hut report that absentee rates are actually lower among their disabled workforce.  Marriot’s turnover rate among their employees was 6% with disabilities vs. 52% overall.  If an employee is a disabled veteran, the employer often sees additional qualities such as discipline, respect and team work.  Employees with disabilities have, by definition, proven themselves to be experts at persisting to overcome obstacles.  Employees with disabilities can give businesses the inside track to a sizeable niche market for their company’s products and services.

If you are an employee or job seeker with a disability, be proud. While finding a job may seem daunting, it is proven that, as an employee, you are part of a group of people who improve the success of businesses and provide reliable and valuable services, all traits employers find extremely valuable.

 

Beech's Apiaries & Honey Producers uses Compensating Balance Loan to Seed Start-Up. Next Step, Kickstarter?

Raymond Beech, owner of Beech's Apiaries & Honey Producers, meets with LaDonna Hardman, a loan officer with  CWV TEL Federal Credit Union, to wrap up loan paperwork. Raymond, in partnership with CWV TEL and Job Squad, secured a small Compensating Balance Loan to aid his start-up by making possible the purchase of an additional 10 bee hive frames and associated tools and supplies (queen bees, smokers, suits, etc.).

This is Job Squad's 3rd Compensating Balance Loan. Information about the first two loans can be found here: Loan #1 and Loan #2.

Raymond has kept bees for the last 6 years as a hobby, in addition to working full-time. He is now exploring the varying ways artisanal apiaries generate revenue, which include--in addition to honey production--the sale of pollen, wax, propolis, royal jelly, bee extraction, pollination, and services related to processing honey for others. Raymond has met with the area's Business Coach with the Small Business Development Center and is seeking support from the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation.

Raymond, a technophile, is also researching other way to share his passion and skills. He looking into securing start-up funding through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to create a web series to showing the creation of a honey bee house (check out Creativebug for inspiration). Raymond tells his own story best and, after the pictures of Raymond in gear, you can read a draft version of his Kickstarter idea.

Who am I:

Hi, my name is Raymond, father of six, veteran and beekeeper. I love keeping honey-bees and my children love to help dad with the honeybees; but my wife is furious and I’m running out of room (and time according to her.) For the past six years I have been keeping honeybees as a hobby. I really enjoy my honeybees, even when they sting me. But my wife has finally put her foot down; and I can’t say that I blame her.

What is the issue?

You see my bee gear and equipment take up lots and lots of space – a good portion of my Master Bedroom/Bathroom, a large portion of my Living room, a small portion of the kitchen, a little bit of here and there throughout the rest of the house, and of course scattered out in the yard. When I only had two or three hives it wasn’t a big deal – now that I have a quadrupled my hives – it’s definitely an issue. Eventually I would like to have a few hundred hives – but that’s another story.

What is the Project?

To create a website explaining who we are, what we do and will do, our team, and much more. Our primary goal is to create a web series that shows the planning, designing, and construction of a building or the purchasing, moving and setting up of modular or trailer – to use as a honeybee house; and of course the moving of my honeybee gear, equipment, and hives (which should be an extremely fun-filled day) into this honeybee house. 

As stated previously some of my children show a real interest in my bees and actually help me with my honeybees (imagine that – they can move away from the computers, consoles and phones for more than twenty minutes.) Unfortunately a lot of the work can’t be done on my living room floor (we’ve tried and failed miserably.) With a new building to house my gear, equipment and bees; it could also be designed to with a designated area to work in – which would offer a place where my family’s passion can grow. While working together building our bee boxes, frames, or splitting hives; all while growing a family bond.

Making Connections builds a solid path to employment.

Rodney Bowers is not a first time job seeker.  He had been employed through a sheltered workshop and also through a large corporate chain store but he knew there was something more for him out there.  Networking and making connections with the job seeker is essential to gaining access to local business owners.  With the help from a connection to a local business owner, Rodney has been able to reach the first milestone, for a long term dream.   This is to work in the trucking industry.  He has envisioned a long term goal as a truck driver; however, this takes extensive training and knowledge of the trucking industry.  Without connections in this field, little to no experience can be a great barrier for many people.  Rodney has a chance to reach many of his dreams in this area.  He has recently been hired by Connor’s Trucking, a locally owned family trucking company.  He has to prove his worth and his grit to become a shop apprentice.  Through hands of training Rodney will be able to learn mechanical skills that will  provide extensive building blocks to get him closer to his long term goal as a truck driver.  The first steps are usually the hardest, learning the tricks of the trade and showing one’s worth as an integral part of the shop team.  Rodney is on the right path to lead him to his ultimate goal.  He works five days a week receiving the hands of training he needs to become knowledgeable of the skills and responsibilities associated with working in the trucking industry.  Attached is a video of Rodney using a power wire brush so he can remove the paint from the fork lift so he can prime and paint it.