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08.26.10 - Memorandum of Understanding Updates
The SMARTT Network prides itself on successfully maintaining professional relationships and providing premier quality services to employers using the Network. So far in the year 2010, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Momentum West, Globe University, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and University of Wisconsin-Stout have updated their contracts with the SMARTT Network. The Memorandum of Understanding contracts form an alliance binding efforts towards raising awareness of economic opportunities within the region in order to facilitate expansion and further development.
07.08.10 - Innovators and Entrepreneurs: Contest Seeking New Ideas
06.23.10 - Curt Manufacturing Receives Paragon Award
09.15.09 - SMARTT Network Connects With Over 30,000 Area Alumni This Fall
Read Full Press Release07.28.09 - Financial Services Firm Locates in Eau Claire, Brings Jobs
05.13.09 - Over 100 Technologies Available for Licensing on the SMARTT Network
11.25.08 - New Online Talent Management Tool Launches
Eau Claire, WI, November 25, 2008 - The Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) launches the SMARTT NetworkTM today, an online network that connects people to career, technology, and business opportunities in Western Wisconsin. Development of the SMARTT Network was funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) program.
The SMARTT Network (a Strategy for Marketing and Recruiting Top Talent) was designed with the help of businesses and individuals who have experienced the limitations of existing services. HR professionals from companies like Realityworks, Xcel Energy, Manpower, Luther Midelfort, KRM Information Systems, Phillips Plastics, and Hutchinson Technology, as well as representatives from UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, and CVTC, participated in product development to ensure that the tool would be usable and efficient for their recruitment efforts.
For Teresa Ritzinger, HR Director at HTI, the SMARTT Network fills an unmet need. "The connection to the community, the ability to build relationships and the ability to act when the opportunity is right are the key things to me," she says. Ritzinger notes that her greatest recruitment successes have been with people who have previous ties to the community. The SMARTT Network will allow area employers and the region to build relationships with individuals through monthly communications.
Another element of the Network that appeals to her, says Ritzinger, is the ability to connect with passive candidates. "I want to attract people who are already employed," she admits. "But how do I even know they're looking?" The SMARTT Network helps candidates find opportunities while maintaining confidentiality. The ability to create profiles that focus on specific skills, rather than personal details (e.g. name or employer) allows candidates to explore new options without risk.
"Having been a Chamber and EDC director in other areas and having heard the recruitment needs of businesses this region, I've seen the limitations that existing tools have," says Doudna. "The SMARTT Network is really focused on relationship building," he says. "In addition to current residents, we're reaching out to individuals who grew up in Western Wisconsin, went to college here, or have some other personal connection. Those are the people most likely to return and stay for the right opportunity when it becomes available."
The SMARTT Network includes a statistics-driven relocation section, providing a wealth of information for those who want to come back to the area. Scott Hodek, with the Department of Workforce Development, says this would have been a great tool for him not that long ago. "I moved to Oregon and worked there as an economist for a couple of years and then decided to come back," he says. "If I had had a resource like [the SMARTT Network] it would have made coming back to the Midwest a lot easier."
Area educational institutions will play an important role in informing people like Hodek about the SMARTT Network by providing a connection to alumni and students.
"We have had great support from educational institutions, who are helping us reach out to alumni and students," says Doudna. "We are also currently working on developing marketing campaigns and building relationships with talent."
In addition to talent recruitment, the SMARTT Network also provides numerous technologies that are available for licensing, as well as a section for listing/viewing business opportunities, such as franchises and new/next generation ownership. These tools are designed to spur growth of early-stage and existing companies in the region.
The SMARTT Network serves a 60 mile radius of Eau Claire, the region's employment hub.
Regional News About The SMARTT Network:
April 2010 - Eau Claire Among Top Fifty in Forbes' Best Small Places for Business and Careers
July 2009
Three Local Programs You Must Know
January 2009Making SMARTT Connections - A New Tool Links Talent With Area Businesses
December 2008From The West Side on Wisconsin Public Radio: Western Wisconsin businesses have a new way to attract talent to the region. The SMARTT Network is an online, anonymous, searchable database of people with needed skills who might be interested in moving back to where they were educated. Guests include Executive Director of the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation, Brian Doudna; Regional Economist with the Dept. of Workforce Development, Scott Hodek; and President of Realityworks, Inc., Timm Boettcher.
Listen
November 2008
From the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram: http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-business.asp?id=BIFR1FQUGUN
From WEAU.com: http://www.weau.com/13newsatnoonand5/headlines/35089429.html
From Volume One Magazine: http://volumeone.org/magazine/articles/225/Get_Smartt.html
October 2008
From the Stoutonia (UW-Stout): http://media.www.stoutonia.com/media/storage/paper1199/news/2008/10/30/News/The-Smartt.Network-3515059.shtml
From the Spectator (UWEC): http://media.www.spectatornews.com/media/storage/paper218/news/2008/10/02/News/Graduate.Smartt-3465962.shtml
Media Kit:
Members of the press/media can contact Gwen Schuppel regarding any inquiries about the SMARTT Network: 800.944.2449 or email: talent@smarttnetwork.com
Request Hard Copy of Media Kit
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