Companies Turning to IT Staffing Firms for Programmers Must Be Wary,
Says Global Consulting Group

Technology Knowledge, Topnotch Consultants, Confidentiality and Reliability


TAUNTON, MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/13/06 -- When businesses,
nonprofits and government agencies look to hire advanced programmers
who know the latest technology, they often come up dry.


"It's a growing problem. Our educational institutions aren't training
enough high-level programmers," says Vincent Shelzi, chief operating
officer of Global Consulting Group, an IT staffing firm with offices
in Massachusetts and Maine.


To meet demand, the firm imports top talent from Eastern Europe and
Asia to work in the US under HB-1 visas. They become employees of
Global, which in turns places them as consultants at client companies.


While the IT staffing industry has matured, some staffing companies
are still just "body shops" looking to place consultants as fast as
possible without really understanding client needs, he says.


Shelzi says to look for a firm offering:





-- An understanding of technology and how to meet client needs. The

staffing firm's representatives should know how the pieces of the

technology puzzle fit together, so the client gets programmers who bring

the right set of skills to the job, whether it's Java, C++, OOD or

whatever. The firm should be sensitive to deadlines, budgets and skill-set

needs for the project. "Having an ongoing relationship and developing

rapport with individual managers helps a great deal too," Shelzi says.

Since Global's other divisions specialize in IT security consulting and

software production, it has a ground-level understanding of technology.


-- A sense of urgency. "The sense that client needs must be satisfied

right now should permeate the staffing firm's entire organization," he

says. The client should feel he or she's being taken care of and never

have to hound anyone. "Doing even small things with urgency can be seen

as a big win," Shelzi adds. "And once the consultants are on the job, they

should continue to feel a sense of urgency to complete the project."


-- A top-quality product. Clients should expect consultants with

advanced technical and analytical skills, solid academic training,

familiarity with cutting-edge technology and a strong work ethic. "They

should show up ready to start producing immediately," he says.


-- Confidentiality. Consultants often work with proprietary technology

and confidential information. The staffing firm's employment contracts

with its carefully vetted consultants should bind them to confidentiality

and include a non-compete agreement. "Security is a paramount issue, and

our background in security drives home its importance," Shelzi says.


-- Complete reliability. The staffing firm should provide a predictable

process, so the client knows what to expect. Additionally, the firm should

provide support services to consultants, including arranging transportation

and housing, so they can focus on work instead of worrying about finding an

apartment.


-- Cost-effective solutions. The staffing firm should provide

consultants who are exactly suited to do the job. Less-expensive

consultants who are under-qualified for a project are no bargain. On the

other hand, sending someone who is overqualified for the job wastes talent

and money. "It's a matter of fitting client need with talent as precisely

as possible," Shelzi says.



Headquartered in Taunton, Mass., Global Consulting Group also has an
office in Portland, Maine, and three additional offices in Canada and
Europe. It has placed hundreds of global IT workers with a long list
of Fortune 100 and other prominent companies in various industries,
including technology, financial services, manufacturing, government,
communications and automotive.


For more information, see www.gcg-itstaffing.com or contact Jeff
McLeod at jmcleod@bestusajobs.com or 774-227-7400.