Jim's blog
Jim Marshall has been the MD of Ifftner since 2004. He is regularly engaged for Consultancy assignments to help SME's and hiring departments improve the quality of their recruitment processes.
Ifftner Solutions
Ifftner - sponsorship update
STOW update
We were delighted to receive a report from Marie at STOW reporting back on the 10 young people that Ifftner Solutions are sponsoring in Tanzania. Despite a very tough start in life the overwhelming image is of smiling faces. Gill will provide a full report at a later date. In the meantime do visit http://www.stowcharity.org
AngliaIT
I am very, and rathaer belatedly, pleased to announce the incorporation of AngliaIT (*AIT - www.angliaIT.co.uk) into Ifftner Solutions. Tessa Stonehouse and Gemma Kirk (nee Batch) have joined the team and will continue to leverage their local permanent recruitment expertise. The integration of systems and processes has proven more complex and lengthy than I expected. However, we are nearly there and I am really enjoying offfering a more complete service to our East Anglian-based customers.
Tweet tweet
Now on twitter (twitter.com/JNMarshall) - hoping to therefore keep everyone better informed.
Apologies for the 'radio silence' - so much to tell you about! - Only a couple of weeks to go until .....
Will only take cash ...
When one of our finest Infrastructure consultants called to say he was selling his beloved Porche (the technical Infrastructure market seems to have been harder hit than most), it reminded me of something:
![[object Object]](/;filelibrary;uploaded/DEPRESSION.jpg/)
A bit of a 'hard-times' cliche I know! .... and to be honest levels of both client enquiries and new vacancies have increased throughout March. (We are also aware of a number of large client programmes that are reliant on fresh injections of cash from Q1 budgets).
Bond Adapt User Group - East of England
We rate Adapt by Bond as one of the most powerful Database / CRM software systems in the Recruitment Market. We have been using various versions of Adapt for over 10 years, but are aware that: we only use a fraction of the potential functionality; it is not the most user friendly software; and there are issues about moving onto the latest version. I am sure there are others who would value sharing their experiences. Perhaps an informal meeting once a quarter would help us to get the best out of Adapt. Please let me know if you would be interested in taking part - jim.marshall@ifftner.com
The Placement Dance
A quick one to cheer your Wednesday morning - The Placement Dance
Our celebrations tend to be somewhat more muted, although there has been talk of the 'Peter Crouch Robot' for great placements!
Déjà vu
If you feel you’re repeating a very similar cold winter Monday – then you’re not going mad – it’s because it’s Ground Hog Day!
Made famous by the Bill Murray film Ground Hog Day is genuinely an annual holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada (on which if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If on the other hand, it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks). The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
(Vaughan seems to remember that the Ground Hog in the film was called - Punxsutawney Phil – a fountain of knowledge!)
I am disappointed to report that the Ipswich Ground Hog – Ipswich Ian? – retreated after seeing its own shadow – 6 more weeks of Winter folks
Supporting Tanzanian Orphans and Widows
A quick thank you to Marie and Jem Adams who visited the Ipswich offices today to provide an overview of STOW (Supporting Tanzanian Orphans and Widows) to the Ifftner Team.
We were delighted to be able to handover a cheque (money saved from not sending Christmas Cards) to an organisation that is able to make a huge difference to individuals that have been given a tough start in life.
A humble reminder that our country's current economic 'woes' should be kept in context.
I look forward to providing greater insight into the work of STOW and the strengthening corporate partnership with Ifftner.
How I Survived Blue Monday!
How I Survived Blue Monday!
Blue Monday
The third Monday of January is said to be the most depressing day of the year. People are purported to be ‘sad’, literally. (sad: Seasonal Affective Disorder or “winter blues”
The third Monday of January is said to be the most depressing day of the year. People are purported to be ‘sad’, literally. (sad: Seasonal Affective Disorder or “winter blues”
Some doubt on the accuracy of Blue Monday?
Cliff Arnall (the researcher) formally of Cardiff University calculated the date by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action. Subsequently Cardiff University distanced themselves from Arnall’s findings printing a statement in the Guardian Newspaper stating that Arnall was no longer associated with the university, the statement also suggested that Cliff Arnall’s equations … failed even to make mathematical sense on their own terms. (Source: Wikipedia)
Cliff Arnall (the researcher) formally of Cardiff University calculated the date by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action. Subsequently Cardiff University distanced themselves from Arnall’s findings printing a statement in the Guardian Newspaper stating that Arnall was no longer associated with the university, the statement also suggested that Cliff Arnall’s equations … failed even to make mathematical sense on their own terms. (Source: Wikipedia)
Positive thoughts that got me through Blue Monday
Seasonal
• I saw some snow drops pushing the ground in my garden. Spring is on the way!
• The days are getting noticeably longer
• I saw some snow drops pushing the ground in my garden. Spring is on the way!
• The days are getting noticeably longer
Economy
• Even Robert Peston admits that it is not all Doom & Gloom
• Share Prices, House Prices and the costs of purchasing business’ are now low enough to attract the cash rich investors back
• Even Robert Peston admits that it is not all Doom & Gloom
• Share Prices, House Prices and the costs of purchasing business’ are now low enough to attract the cash rich investors back
Philosophical
• If money is the root of all Evil, then we have seen about a 30% drop in Evil?
• If money is the root of all Evil, then we have seen about a 30% drop in Evil?
Sport
• Ipswich Town won at the weekend!
• Ipswich Town won at the weekend!
Politics
• I am pleased that Barrack Obama will be in The White House, but despite the comedy value, I am even more delighted that Mr. Bush is on his way out
• I am pleased that Barrack Obama will be in The White House, but despite the comedy value, I am even more delighted that Mr. Bush is on his way out
Location, Location, Location
Of course it's great to be able to in the heart of the City inside 90 minutes and it's handy having Stansted less than an hour away, but here's the real reason why it's great to be at the Peninsula Business Centre:
View from the office (January 6th 2009)