IN THIS ISSUE:
IMPROVE EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT A shift in mindset and a few new strategies can help leaders overcome hurdles in recruiting to attract and secure the best possible talent.
RESCUE 42 TO THE RESCUE Aside from the toll on people and the
person, making them fast and easy to take
environment,
wherever needed, on-road or off.
natural
disasters
like
wildfires and hurricanes create an urgent need for reliable communications.
Learn more about Morrison Bookkeeping & Support Services Provider Mayra Price.
the
(COW)
disasters can take out electricity, phone
Dixie Fire took off and was burning towards
lines, cell towers, and other communication
Lake Almanor, a Cal Fire-Butte County Fire
infrastructure critical to first responders.
SatRunner was deployed to support Incident
That which remains is often overwhelmed
Command, air operations, and PG&E utility
by a spike in civilian usage, further
responders. When Hurricane Ida impacted
impairing vital communications by first
the Gulf Coast, a CRD for FirstNet was
responders. This summer’s Dixie Fire in
deployed to New Orleans City Hall, providing
California (nearly one million acres as of
internet and cellular service so that city
this writing) and Hurricane Ida are only
management operations could continue.
and
other
Now celebrating 26 years in the fire and
These calamities also illustrate the life-
rescue business, Rescue 42, Inc. didn’t start
saving
Rapid
with high tech communications equipment
internet
and
for large-scale disasters. Tim and Celia
developed
and
O’Connell lived in the Marina District of
manufactured by Chico, California based
San Francisco during the Loma Prieta
Rescue 42. Used to ensure communications
earthquake of 1989 that took down part of
by first responders in disaster hit regions
the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and
importance
Deployables cellular
Check out some of our highlights from this past season.
Cell-on-Wheels
developed for the Verizon network. When the
hurricanes,
recent examples.
MORRISON SNAPSHOTS
SatRunner™
natural
Fires,
GETTING TO KNOW MAYRA PRICE
Similar to the AT&T CRD for FirstNet is
of
(CRDs)
Compact
for
connectivity,
around the world, Rescue 42 has become an
international
leader
in
emergency
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
communications equipment. The CRD is a wireless communication system built on the back of the PodRunner, Rescue 42’s heavy duty cart system, which can be attached to a standard 2 inch trailer hitch. The CRD™ for FirstNet® is a deployable cell tower designed for the AT&T
CLIENT CORNER
FirstNet system to provide cellular and Wi-
There is always something new going on, so get caught up with our latest client news.
CRD units can be deployed by a single
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Fi coverage wherever it is needed. These
On-site at Hurricane Ida
NEWSLETTER | FALL 2021
WHY SMALL AND MID-SIZE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS NEED IMPROVED EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT FOR POSTCOVID-19 SUCCESS
shift in mindset and a few new strategies can help leaders overcome hurdles in recruiting to attract and secure the best possible talent. The lean nature of smaller to mid-size food processors and farmer- or partner-owned operations such as cooperatives and familyowned businesses might make them very effective business models, but the traditional nature and cultural worldview of these organizations can sometimes get in the way of hiring much-needed new talent. For instance, farmers and ranchers don’t tend to pay themselves much week over week, preferring instead to put as much profit
This article first appeared on Food Logistics
as possible back into the business. They generally need a few key managers to operate efficiently, however, and these managers usually require salaries higher than what the farmers pay themselves. While
those
cooperative
or
sitting
on
agricultural
partner-owned
business
boards likely understand the need and
are
membership regarding new hires’ salaries,
HOW AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS CAN BRING IN TOP TALENT IN THE FACE OF RECRUITING CHALLENGES
considered
the
particularly when it comes to hiring managers
The labor market has been tight for years, and
expectation during COVID-19 has largely
with higher salary requirements. Needless
as everyone becomes accustomed to the new
been “business as usual,” only with added
to say, the tension poses some recruitment
normal, employers are hiring, and pent-up
logistical challenges brought about by the
challenges for many food and ag operations.
demand for employees is making the market
pandemic.
surrounding
even tighter. If a small to mid-size food and
and social distancing have certainly hurt
agricultural organization wants to find new
communication, teamwork, workflow and so
talent, then, a passive approach won’t cut it.
importance of bringing in new hires — as well as the economics of the payback the coop will receive by paying new hires market wages — tension can exist with the general
The need to recruit people to support growth, promote strategic innovations, and respond to normal attrition is still very real, however
THE PANDEMIC IS COMPLICATING EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT EVEN FURTHER Because
agricultural essential
The
businesses infrastructure,
difficulties
on for many co-ops.
To
attract
top
talent,
it’s
increasingly
— and perhaps the need is even greater
Conflicting priorities are creating distractions
given the effects of the Coronavirus disease
important for an organization to cast a vision
for leaders today, and it’s easy to focus more
(COVID-19), as businesses have needed to
of its long-term stability. Any business that
on the “urgent” rather than the “strategic.”
innovate and adapt. At the same time, the
has weathered the COVID-19 storm so far has
Since the pandemic hit, many leaders have
pandemic has created even more recruitment
become much stronger and has demonstrated
focused on putting out fires as they happen
challenges. It’s time for agricultural leaders
its stability and ability to survive, if not
rather than preventing them for the long term.
to face these challenges and allocate some
thrive, and greater job security can be an
They’re spending time responding to the virus
focus
few
attractive quality for even the passive job
and all its related impact in the workforce,
strategic shifts can help them bring in better
seeker. Capitalizing on this in recruitment
handling risk mitigation, and keeping up with
talent and help their companies thrive now
strategies can make a significant difference
all the new regulations. What’s more, as stress
and into the future.
in attracting talent.
is high, the possibilities for interpersonal
on
recruitment
practices.
A
challenges abound, and frustrations and shorter fuses are commonplace.
This
particular
employee
recruitment
strategy isn’t a cure-all, however. Many high-performing
employees
are
focused
The impact of the pandemic on employee
on
recruitment for small agricultural operations
successful in this business climate more than
is significant. Consider those with heavy
on their own career advancement — a fact
sales
With
that can help reluctant members buy into
restaurant revenue falling, these companies
the recruitment strategy in the first place.
have been cutting costs and tightening their
But, this also means workers are simply not
belts, which often results in hiring freezes.
perusing the want ads with any regularity.
Those serving food retail, on the other hand,
If food and agricultural organizations want
have experienced some of their highest
to attract talent, they must get in front of
sales as consumers began stocking pantries
candidates with impressive and attractive
at the beginning of the pandemic. These
opportunities — not rely on candidates to
organizations may need more staff, but the
line up with résumés in hand.
in
the
foodservice
industry.
economic situation coupled with an uncertain economic future has still made it difficult to commit to new hires. Besides, people with jobs have been somewhat reluctant to leave for new opportunities. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, as they say.
making
their
current
organizations
One relatively simple way to get in front of top talent is LinkedIn. Networks and groups make it easy to find candidates who look promising, and direct messaging allows employers to reach out to passive job seekers with new and enticing opportunities. Again, simply posting a job and waiting for résumés to trickle in won’t work in this landscape. Instead, outreach on LinkedIn can enable a
more
proactive
employee
recruitment
strategy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Recruitment challenges may persist, but it’s
Morrison Principal, Shawn Miller,
important for smaller agricultural operations
oversees Morrison’s People Solutions.
to consider them now if they want to stay
To get in touch with Shawn visit
innovative and successful well into the
www.morrisonco.net/contact.
future. Otherwise, the best candidates will be gone from the ever-shrinking talent pool. Fortunately, a shift in mindset and a few new strategies can help leaders overcome hurdles in recruiting to attract and secure the best possible talent.
RESCUE 42, CONTINUED Rescue
42
still
produces
a
version
of
the O-Plate, but it didn’t stop there. You may have seen one of their more popular products in news stories showing a vehicle precariously laying on its side while first responders extricate a victim. The Rescue 42 product used to stabilize and prop up the halted the World Series. Many buildings had
vehicle in these situations is the TeleCrib®
Strut System, a proprietary device using
jammed doors so rescuers were often unable
lightweight Kevlar® fiber tubing instead
to enter. Tim, a firefighter and former Navy
of
nuclear engineer, began tinkering with a
manufactures a variety of other products
heavy rescue plate to grip the curb so the
that enable rapid and effective response to a
Jaws of Life™ could rip doors open, and also
wide variety of emergency systems.
be used to support extrication of victims
Rescue
42
also
Rescue 42, providing support for their
his local fire station and using it during
accounting team during periods of transition
training and rescues, many other stations
and growth. Our engagement was initially
and fire departments asked him to make
as a fractional CFO and evolved to include
them for their use too. They started calling
interim Controller work during a staffing
them “O’Connell Plates™” (later shortened
transition. At Morrison we are honored to
to O-Plate™). As requests poured in, Tim Rescue 42, Inc. was born.
steel.
We are fortunate at Morrison to have served
from crashed cars. After making one for
decided to start a business. On April 1, 1995,
traditional
work alongside innovative companies such as Rescue 42 on a daily basis.
On-site at the Dixie Fire
MORRISON
SNAPSH TS
TEN YEARS WITH TIM The Morrison team recently celebrated with Tim Peters as he marked his tenth
“I did EVERYTHING” – Eden Pritchett
anniversary with Morrison. Reminiscing
MORRISON’S SUMMER BBQ RETURNS!
over lunch, the team traded stories of Tim
Our Morrison family has grown so much since our last gathering in 2019, and it was such
over the past ten years. Congratulations
a joy to finally get together and celebrate at our annual summer BBQ. After face painting,
Tim, we are honored to be a part of this
balloon animals, pony rides, Tulip the donkey, swimming, cornhole, and a scavenger hunt,
team with you.
it’s safe to say this year was worth waiting for.
TEAM MEMBER PROFILE Q&A WITH MAYRA WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST FOOD YOU’VE EVER EATEN? I think I was more adventurous with food when I was a kid than am I now. Or maybe I just didn’t ask questions and ate whatever my mom told me to eat. Either way, I remember eating Menudo almost every weekend growing up and it was one of my favorites things. Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup made with cow’s stomach in broth with a red chili pepper base. As I got older, I was more and more grossed out by the cow stomach texture so I haven’t eaten it in years.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
GETTING TO KNOW
MAYRA PRICE
Mayra Price serves Morrison clients with bookkeeping and back office services including monthly financial statements, accounts receivable and billings, accounts payable and preparation of payments, payroll and related reporting,
Honestly, my kids motivate me more than anything. I love taking them to new places and doing new things with them. When I was a kid we rarely took family trips so a lot of the things my kids experience for the first time, I also experience for the first time and that is such a cool feeling.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT MORRISON? I really love the culture in the Morrison office. The
account reconciliations, and related support and services.
level of trust that Brent has in the team as a whole is
Mayra started her career with a privately owned bookkeeping firm, where she
before. Everyone has something different to bring
assisted clients with bookkeeping services including accounts payable and receivable, account reconciliations, payroll processing, quarterly and monthly tax returns, and operating and business taxes. While there, she worked in a variety
something I have never experienced in a workplace to the table and they are there to help each other out whether you’re in the same service line or not. The best part though, is everyone’s sense of humor meshes
of industries, with a focus on small business and businesses with multiple legal
together so well! There’s always something to laugh
entities.
about, especially if it involves a Brent story.
Mayra holds an Associate’s degree in accounting and Tax Preparer and Accounting/
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
Payroll Clerk certifications from Butte Community College. Mayra is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish fluently.
I am the happiest when I am cooking for big family gatherings. I love to cook! My dream has always been to open my own catering company one day. My daughters also enjoy cooking and baking so when all three of us are in the kitchen, it is definitely a fun time. Cooking and traveling have to be my two favorite things to do for fun. We love to travel as a family any chance we get. The pandemic has made it a little more challenging to travel, but we have tried to take small trips and try new things locally. Going to baseball and football games is what we all miss the most during the pandemic. Go Giants! Go Niners!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE AND WHY? This is a tough question. One of the things we like to do as a family is having weekly movie nights! I recently watched the entire Star Wars movie series and I finally understand all the hype. I really enjoyed the entire story line and all the characters; C3P0 has to be my favorite. I also really love watching movies that are nostalgic like My Girl, Home Alone, Jumanji, Space Jam, Hook, and Mrs. Doubtfire; those are all my favorite movies.
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C L I E N T CORNER The Morrison Client Corner is a regular feature of our newsletter.
If you’re a client of ours, we’d love to stay up to date with what
Here, you’ll find updates on what a number of our clients are up to,
is going on within your organization and invite you to share your
their achievements and milestones, and the generally great things
highlights in this space. Feel free to send any press releases,
happening in their companies or organizations.
newsletters, or happenings to Michelle at mgenova@morrisonco.net.
SUPPORTING SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND UNDERSERVED FARMERS The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation was recently awarded grant funding through the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm Equity California Underserved And Small-Scale Producer Grant Program. Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s application was one of just 11 successful projects selected for funding throughout the state. Through the leveraging of grant funding, the project is providing education and direct technical assistance to Napa’s underserved and socially disadvantaged farmworkers and farmers helping them to address impacts from COVID-19. Morrison has had the opportunity to assist Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation in these efforts, providing direct support to producers applying for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, and other similar relief programs.
RENEWAL CENTER RECEIVES A GIFT The Jesus Center recently received a $75,000 gift from Tri Counties Bank to support their efforts on their Renewal Center project, a cross-agency effort designed to more holistically offer help and support to those struggling with homelessness. This remarkable project, and the transformative work of the Jesus Center, was featured in our Summer 2021 Newsletter. As a board member of the Jesus Center, Morrison Managing Principal Toni Scott had the opportunity to accept the donation alongside Jesus Center Executive Director Laura Cootsona and the Tri Counties Bank team. The team at Tri Counties Bank is also offering education on budgeting, financial planning, how to manage debt, and ways to plan for the future for Jesus Center participants.
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NEWSLETTER | FALL 2021