– Written by Corey Jeppeson, ORA

Walking into MV Advancements’ office on a gray Monday, one can sense the excitement. There’s a palpable energy as you walk in the door. People chat loudly; not quite shouting, but at a volume and pitch required to be heard above the buzz.

It’s a party atmosphere, and why not? With seven October placements in the midst of a department reorganization, MV Advancements’ Employment Team is hitting on all cylinders. It was time to fuel up. ORA invited itself that afternoon to share in the team’s reflection on its success – and in a little cake.

What comes across immediately is that this group likes working together, and they respect their coworkers. Compliments bounce around the room as each person explains their role in the organization and others tack on the details that humility left out.

A month and a half ago, their jobs were much more specialized. But MV Advancements believed it could improve customer service by specializing less. Rather than assigning job seekers separate job developers, job coaches, and all the other positions in between, each person is tied to two employment specialists, who each have their own caseload. “It really improves the relationship,” they say, “and allows someone else to fill in when the primary specialist isn’t available.”

With all the changes, the team has been busily cross-training each other on all the things they used to do separately. It appears to be working well. “There’s no competition,” one says, and others around the room nod appreciatively.

The team takes a lot of pride in how they’ve brought together their diverse talents and experience into cohesion. “There’s no silos,” they exclaim. Of course, job placements require more than just good feelings between coworkers. With seven in October (plus one more that couldn’t be processed until the first of November), they’ve clearly found a model that works for them, and for their clients in Polk and Yamhill Counties.

First, there was Joe, a longtime worker within an enclave at Western Oregon University. He had a goal of obtaining a community job. Through MV Advancements’ various civic connections, an opportunity opened up at a local vineyard to do a working interview. Joe was hired on the spot, and now you can find him performing various maintenance tasks, raking leaves, and even driving heavy equipment. “He loves working by himself,” his employment consultant says.

Next in line was Trenton, a high energy young man who was already working to tend the plants in downtown McMinnville. When that contract ended, MV Advancements asked the Downtown Association if they would like to hire him. The answer was yes. “He was a little excited that day!” the team says.

Third, came Jessica, 21 and fresh out of transition. MV Advancements cashed in on a long-term relationship to get her a tryout at a local brewpub. No one previously on staff wanted to clean the front area and bathrooms, so that task was carved out for Jessica. “She is very independent, and now after one month we’re already fading,” her specialist says. Her job is already expanding, too, as she picked up dishwashing to get more hours.

Trent, meanwhile, gained employment at a local halogen light bulb manufacturer as a coil operator, winding up wire coils that go inside the bulbs. “He was OK with it once he found he could decorate his jacket,” his specialist says. “He wasn’t into the whole uniform thing.” Trent quickly gained proficiency on the job and already runs three machines simultaneously.

Tim had worked in MV Advancements’ wood products division for 18 years, right up to the moment that it closed. For him, the transition to another local wood products company went smoothly. Friendly and outgoing, he’s already made friends and “wants to talk to every forklift driver that goes by.” The fact that his new workplace is bigger and busier than what he was used to has been a huge plus.

Kevin was the fastest of October’s placements. He was referred to MV Advancements on a Friday, and connections —sprinkled with a little luck — led to a job as a dishwasher the next week. He had an offer in hand before the paperwork was even ready for that first step. “He’s the fastest dishwasher known to man,” the team says. “He’s rocking it!”

Sami started her second job at a retirement home. This one appears to be a much better fit than the first home, in part because of the acoustics of the place. Residents in her previous job complained that she was too loud, but sounds are masked much better at the new center.

And that was it: an October to remember. The team is clearly carrying a lot of momentum into November, and we asked them what advice they might have for others hoping to replicate their success.

“Always network. Make sure you’re talking to everybody.”

“A lot of it is up to the client. If they want to work, it’s easy to get them a job.”

“Do as many follow-ups as possible. Wait a while and go back. Over time, you’ll build a relationship.”

“Collaboration is huge. If you come to a dead end, others might have the ideas and experience to keep it going.”

ORA wishes the team the best of luck in November and into next year, but we’re also pretty sure they’ll make their own luck.

October was no accident, and they’ve laid the groundwork for a great 2019.

Access original article here.