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Leadership Lessons from 15 Years in Technical Consulting & Staffing: Insights from Colin Reposa

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:29:54 GMT

Leadership Lessons from 15 Years in Technical Consulting & Staffing:

Insights from Colin Reposa

By Colin Reposa, Executive VP at Maris Consulting Group

In the ever-evolving world of technical consulting and staffing, strong leadership can be the difference between a team that merely survives and one that truly thrives.

With over 15 years of experience in tech staffing and project delivery, Colin Reposa’s teams have placed more than 1,000 people in technology roles across 100 clients. During this time, Colin has gathered invaluable lessons that can elevate both current and aspiring tech leaders.

Lead by Example & with Passion

Your actions set the standard, and your passion drives results. When you're passionate about your work, it inspires your team to bring their best. In an industry where innovation is key and turnover can be high, enthusiasm makes all the difference.

Understand the Competition

Knowing what your competitors offer helps you stay ahead. To capture your share of the market, it's essential to understand who you’re up against, what’s working for them, what’s not, and most importantly—why.

Listen More Than You Speak

Great leaders listen. By paying attention to your team, clients, and candidates, you gather insights that lead to better decisions. Employees are more engaged when they feel heard by their leaders.

Empower Your Team

Give your team the tools and autonomy they need to succeed. Empowered employees are 67% more likely to exceed expectations, driving better results for your team and business.

Master the Art of Prioritization

In the fast-paced world of tech staffing, it's easy to get lost in the daily noise. Effective leaders prioritize what truly matters, focusing on high-impact activities that drive results. This often means making tough decisions and saying "no" to less critical tasks.

A daptability is Key

Tech staffing and consulting evolve rapidly—it's estimated that 90% of the world’s data was created in just the last two years. To stay relevant, you must quickly adapt to market changes and guide your team through constant shifts.

Be Transparent

Transparency builds trust. Teams that operate with openness see better performance. Being clear about goals, challenges, and decisions fosters collaboration and loyalty.

Celebrate Wins

Celebrate every success, big or small. Recognizing wins keeps morale high and teams motivated. Find out what motivates your team when goals are met, and use that to keep them driven.

Colin Reposa’s journey in tech consulting and staffing offers valuable leadership lessons. By leading by example, studying the competition, empowering teams, and focusing on long-term growth, leaders like Colin can create thriving organizations in any industry. Reach out and chat about how he can support your unique staffing needs.

About Maris Consulting Group:

Maris Consulting Group, a DeWinter Group company, combines unparalleled technology talent acquisition expertise with an in-depth and agile understanding of the technologies we service to create the best technology staffing experience available.

Are you considering additional technology staffing solutions in 2025? Whether you need i mmediate, short-term technology support or have an urgent project that requires specific skills , Maris Consulting Group has the technology network to help top companies thrive.

The Maris Consulting Group team offers professional on-demand technology support. Learn more and get in touch today.

8 Times Tech Companies Should Turn to a Recruiting Agency

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:08:12 GMT

8 Times Tech Companies Should Turn to a Recruiting Agency

By Matt Berg, Vice President and Managing Director at Maris Consulting Group

Hiring top-tier talent in today's competitive landscape can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. However, partnering with a recruiting agency can be your secret weapon to save time, money, and sanity.

With over 12 years of experience in IT consulting and staffing, I’ve seen it all. Here are eight crucial moments when a recruiting agency can swoop in to save the day:

1. Urgent Hiring Needs

Got a sudden departure or a project deadline breathing down your neck? No worries! Recruiting agencies have a vast network of pre-screened tech pros ready to jump in. They excel in swift turnarounds, getting the right talent in place faster than you can say “deadline.”

2. Specialized Skill Requirements

Need a unicorn who knows AI , cybersecurity , or cloud architecture ? A recruiting agency has your back! They know how to find those with the exact skills you need. They dig deeper than resumes to ensure candidates have the knowledge and tech chops your projects demand.

3. Limited Internal Resources

Feeling overwhelmed with stacks of resumes? Let a recruiting agency handle the heavy lifting! They act as an extension of your HR team, managing candidate sourcing, screening, and interviews. This frees up your team to focus on what they do best. In New England, most software developer roles get hundreds of applicants on LinkedIn, and 66% of job seekers wait only two weeks for a callback before moving on. Recruiting agencies are the most efficient way to cut through the noise and connect with the applicants that most qualified for the job.

4. Confidential Searches

Need to replace a key leader or address underperformance discreetly? Recruiting agencies maintain top-notch discretion. Their professional approach ensures your company’s privacy and reputation are protected throughout the process.

5. Access to Passive Candidates

The best talent isn’t always on the job hunt. Recruiting agencies have connections with passive candidates who might just need the right offer to make a move. Their sought-after networks of tech pros bring exceptional skills and experience to your team.

6. Temporary or Project-Based Needs

Got a short-term project or need to cover a leave of absence? Recruiting agencies have skilled temporary employees ready to jump in. Keep your productivity high without long-term commitments.

7. Geographic Expansion

Expanding into new markets can be tricky. Recruiting agencies can help you navigate local talent pools to ensure you attract the best local tech professionals and establish a strong foothold in new regions - they already know the candidates in the market!

8. Cost-Effective Solutions

Think recruiting agencies are too pricey? Think again! Partnering with one can be more cost-effective than managing the hiring process in-house. Avoid the costs of unfilled positions, high turnover, and hiring mistakes. Agencies work on contingency or fee-for-service models, ensuring you only pay for successful hires.

Whether it’s tackling urgent hiring needs, sourcing specialized skills, managing confidential searches, or expanding into new markets, recruiting agencies offer the expertise, resources, and support needed to achieve your hiring goals and drive business success. Not sure if partnering with a recruiting agency is right for your tech team? Reach out and chat about how they can support your unique staffing needs.

About the Author:

With over 12 years of IT staffing and consulting experience, Matt Berg is a dynamic business development executive and team leader. He currently serves as the Vice President and Managing Director at Maris Consulting Group, dedicated to ensuring that technical teams meet their goals by providing top IT talent. Matt resides in Millbury, MA, with his wife and three kids, a dog, and some chickens.

About Maris Consulting Group:

Born out of the fast-paced, future-focused, and highly diverse culture of the Bay Area, Maris Consulting Group believes that embracing the power of people is the key to breakthroughs. From the West Coast to the East Coast, we understand the power, depth, and unpredictability of the tech industry and can help you find the best people to navigate it.

Are you considering additional technology staffing solutions in 2024? Whether you need immediate, short-term technology support or have an urgent project that requires specific skills , Maris Consulting Group has the technology network to help top companies thrive.

The Maris Consulting Group team offers professional on-demand technology support. Learn more and get in touch today.

Maris Consulting Group 2024 Mid-Year Technology Industry Report & Compensation Guide

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 16:36:29 GMT

Maris Consulting Group 2024 Mid-Year Technology Industry Report & Compensation Guide

Our 2024 Mid-Year Technology Industry Report & Compensation Guide is here!

Get valuable insights into the current state of the tech industry to shape your strategies for the rest of the year.

Highlights from the Mid-Year 2024 report include:

Detailed compensation reporting across 63 tech and digital roles
A closer look at the tech industry and labor market
Compensation trends for 2024

Maris Consulting Group's Q2 2024 Technology Placement Newsletter

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 18:21:48 GMT

Maris Consulting Group's Q2 2024

Technology Placement Newsletter

Check out the top technology roles our Maris Consulting Group clients hired for in Q2 of this year. Does your team need technology support in the second half of 2024 or beyond? Learn more about our high-impact technology staffing solutions .

Maris Consulting Group Named One of the Largest US Staffing Firms in 2024 For a Third Year in a Row!

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:36:35 GMT

Maris Consulting Group Named One of the Largest US Staffing Firms in 2024 For a Third Year in a Row!

We’re delighted to announce that Maris Consulting Group has been included in Staffing Industry Analysts' Largest US Staffing Firms 2024!

This amazing achievement showcases our team's hard work and dedication to matching great talent with top companies.

Join us in celebrating this milestone on LinkedIn , and follow us for more updates and insights from Maris Consulting Group.

Maris Consulting Group Named One of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area 2024

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 21:45:00 GMT

Maris Consulting Group Named One of the

Best Places to Work in the Bay Area 2024

Maris Consulting Group, and our parent company the DeWinter Group , is proud to have been named one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times and Silicon Valley Business Journal! As a people-first organization, we’re thrilled our Bay Area teams are feel valued, engaged, and excited about the work we do making top-tier matches for our clients and candidates.

Take a look at some of the survey results that our teams shared.

What Are Employees Said About Working at Maris Consulting Group

Our Employee Survey Results

Derek DeWinter Named CEO of the DeWinter Group

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:35:40 GMT

Derek DeWinter Named CEO of the DeWinter Group

The DeWinter Group , a national staffing and recruiting firm with offices in the Bay Area and Boston and the parent company of Maris Consulting Group, has named Derek DeWinter as Chief Executive Officer.

Derek DeWinter is a Founding Partner of the DeWinter Group and previously served as CEO from 2000 to 2019. In 2019, Derek stepped aside into the role of President to elevate the role of the company's previous CEO, Shane Oberg. Oberg stepped down from the position in May of 2024 after a great 5-year stint as the organization's leader.

Derek DeWinter has over three decades of experience in leading strategic growth initiatives and creating hiring solutions for industry-leading companies. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to client satisfaction. As CEO, he will leverage his experience to enhance service offerings, expand market presence, and drive the firm towards new heights of success.

The DeWinter Grou p is backed by New Heritage Capital, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on founder-led businesses. The DeWinter founder-owners partnered with Heritage in 2020 to accelerate growth through organic and M&A initiatives.

Learn more about Derek's background here and catch up with Derek's podcast, The DeWinter Difference .

Kathryn Krueger Announced as President of Maris Consulting Group

Mon, 06 May 2024 19:56:59 GMT

Kathryn Krueger Announced as President of Maris Consulting Group

Maris Consulting Group is thrilled to announce that Kathryn Krueger will be stepping into the role of President. With nearly two decades of experience leading exceptional recruiting and staffing teams, Kathryn brings a strategic mindset and a proven track record of delivering exceptional results for our clients.

Shifting from her role as Chief Operating Officer of the DeWinter Group, where she’s been part of our leadership team since 2019, Kathryn comes equipped with deep knowledge of our clients' needs, our teams’ strengths and agility, and a commitment to success.

Learn more about Kathryn’s background here .

Underserved Podcast: Dom Scandinaro, Chief Technology Officer at Cameo

Wed, 01 May 2024 16:05:24 GMT

Underserved Podcast: Dom Scandinaro, Chief Technology Officer at Cameo

Maris Consulting Group is proud to sponsor Season 10 of the Underserved podcast. Check out episode 115 with guest Dom Scandinaro, CTO at Cameo and host Andrew Gelina.

Dom Scandinaro is our guest for Episode #115 of Underserved. Dom enjoyed building computers with his Dad and taking an entrepreneurial angle with their shared venture. As a young track star, a scholarship offer made his college choice for him. Luckily the CS program at Wheeling was fun and UI-focused, which has led to a career in front-end development, mobile development, and now management as a CTO. We discuss who makes a cameo on Cameo, Luxury Garage Sale, and prototyping with Francisco the Fox.

Links:

Black Girls Code: https://www.wearebgc.org/

Cameo for Business: https://biz.cameo.com/

Cameo Kids: https://www.cameo.com/kids

Francisco the Fox: https://www.cameo.com/franciscothefox

Book Dom on Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/domscand

Marathon donation page: I'm running to raise money for prostate cancer which is unfortunately what my father passed away from a couple years back. https://support.zerocancer.org/site/TR/TeamZERO/TeamZERO?px=1916970&pg=personal&fr_id=3320

about Underserved

You have found /* Underserved */ , the podcast for the rest of the technology industry! SUBSCRIBE with your favorite podcast app to get every episode as it is published, hot off the press! If you like it please RATE US (5 stars? Can you get more than that?) in your app.

INTERACT with us at mailto:underserved@gelina.net or on Twitter, @AndrewGelina.

LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE USING Apple iTunes (iOS) , Google Play (Android) , Spotify , TuneIn or.. just give me the RSS feed already! https://underserved.libsyn.com/rss

Thank you to our sponsor Maris Consulting Group for making this podcast possible!

If you need high-impact IT resource solutions, check out Maris Consulting Group .

Underserved Podcast: Jason Macauley, Principal/Founder of Another View Coaching & Software Development Leader

Wed, 01 May 2024 14:19:19 GMT

Underserved Podcast: Jason Macauley

Principal/Founder of Another View Coaching

& Software Development Leader

Maris Consulting Group is proud to sponsor Season 10 of the Underserved podcast. Check out episode 114 with guest Jason Macauley

Principal/Founder of Another View Coaching and Software Development Leader and host Andrew Gelina.

Philosophy major Jason "Mac" Macauley found his way into the industry via content moderation. He caught the coding bug when he realized that his love of logic translated well. He aimed to be an "Employee number less than 10" at a startup, cash out, and teach philosophy. After a few years, he came to terms with being a professional software developer and aimed for the next challenge - managing people. We talk about working yourself out of a job, outcome-driven sales approaches, and why golf is not a game of perfect.

Links:

My Coaching Firm - https://anotherviewcoaching.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmacauley/

Blog - https://jasonmacauley.substack.com

Great Dog - https://www.gdrne.com

Merrimac CC (Where I shot the 4 under on the back 9) - https://merrimackvalleygolfclub.com/

about Underserved

INTERACT with us at mailto:underserved@gelina.net or on Twitter, @AndrewGelina.

LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE USING Apple iTunes (iOS) , Google Play (Android) , Spotify , TuneIn or.. just give me the RSS feed already! https://underserved.libsyn.com/rss

Thank you to our sponsor Maris Consulting Group for making this podcast possible!

If you need high-impact IT resource solutions, check out Maris Consulting Group .

The 2023 DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group Annual ESG & DEI Report

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:35:15 GMT

The DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group

2023 Annual ESG & DEI Report

We are thrilled to present our 2023 Annual ESG & DEI Report, a comprehensive reflection of our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Dive into the report to discover the inspiring stories, progress made, and the vision that guides our journey forward.

Underserved Podcast: Robert Salvador CEO & Co-Founder of DigiBuild

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:01:17 GMT

Underserved Podcast: Robert Salvador CEO & Co-Founder of DigiBuild

Maris Consulting Group is proud to sponsor Season 10 of the Underserved podcast. Check out episode 113 with guest Robert Salvador CEO & Co-Founder of DigiBuild and host Andrew Gelina.

Season 10 of Underserved kicks off with our guest, Rob Salvador. Rob's late teens were spent on a computer, but playing multi-table online poker tournaments, not coding. The DOJ shut down online poker, forcing Rob to pivot. His dad's construction company proved fertile ground for learning the industry's challenges. Rob has parlayed this into a business that optimizes supply chains using AI, lowering costs and raising the success rate of construction projects.

Links

Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjsalvador?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Rob on X(Twitter): https://x.com/robertjsalvador?s=21&t=EU8jkpKVqqeaaDZlVIusLQ

Digibuild: https://digibuild.com/

Poker’s Black Friday: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2022/11/full-tilt-poker-cheating-scandal-42534.htm

about Underserved

INTERACT with us at mailto:underserved@gelina.net or on Twitter, @AndrewGelina.

LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE USING Apple iTunes (iOS) , Google Play (Android) , Spotify , TuneIn or.. just give me the RSS feed already! https://underserved.libsyn.com/rss

Thank you to our sponsor Maris Consulting Group for making this podcast possible!

If you need high-impact IT resource solutions, check out Maris Consulting Group .

Q1 2024 Technology Placement Newsletter

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 19:33:37 GMT

Q1 2024 Maris Consulting Group Technology Placement Newsletter

Learn more about the top technology roles our clients hired for in Q1 of this year. Does your team need technology support in Q2 or beyond? Learn more about our high-impact technology staffing solutions.

Maris Develops Cloud-Based User Ecosystem for Bose

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:07:33 GMT

Maris Develops Cloud-Based User Ecosystem for Bose

about Bose

Bose Corporation is driven by its founding principles, investing in long-term research with one fundamental goal: to develop new technologies with real customer benefits. Bose innovations have spanned decades and industries, creating and transforming categories in audio and beyond. Bose products for the home, in the car, on the go and in public spaces have become iconic, changing the way people listen to music.

the challenge

Bose tasked Maris with developing a cloud-based infrastructure to support millions of their users. Our team would need to pull on multiple technical specialties and services to create this scalable and secure ecosystem.

the solution

Implementation and Scaling

Our team successfully launched their new cloud-based user ecosystem, allowing a new wave of IoT devices to connect to the platform seamlessly and scale this platform to support millions of concurrent users.

Technical Expertise and Support

Maris consulted across the stack, providing resources that have built microservices at a large scale and provided DevSecOps services to secure their users.

Specialty Support

Our team provided the following specialty services and technologies to achieve our client's goals:
Microservices Development at Scale
DevSecOps
Cloud Development
Embedded engineering
IoT development

2024 Tech and Digital Compensation Study & Industry Report

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:51:55 GMT

2024 Tech and Digital Compensation Study & Industry Report

Our comprehensive report for exclusive, data-backed market insights, compensation breakdowns and trends across the tech and digital fields. In it, you’ll find detailed reporting on how Bay Area companies are compensating tech and digital professionals across levels and company sizes, so you can go into 2024 empowered with the information you need.

Highlights from the 2024 report include:

Detailed compensation reporting across 63 tech and digital roles
A closer look at the labor market
AI's impact on hiring
Compensation trends for 2024

Maris Accelerates iOS Modernization Plan for Bay Area Tech Company

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 19:36:32 GMT

Maris Accelerates iOS Modernization Plan for Bay Area Tech Company

the challenge

Our longtime client, an industry-leading social media platform, needed to accelerate their iOS modernization effort to move from Objective C to Swift.
They had over 40 modules that need to be migrated to Swift on a timeline of 6-9 months for completion.
This team was not able to take on this scope of work with existing resources and needed Maris to fully staff a team of 12 within two weeks.

the solution

Our team coordinated with the Chief of Staff to the Engineering Organization and Mobile Engineering Director to develop a custom solution for their project’s needs.
Our team’s plan would meet the key requirement to find consultants who had experience with large code bases that had done large-scale iOS migrations from Objective C to Swift on an expedited timeline.
We leveraged our Recruiting Blueprint which included streamlined screening techniques to ensure quality resources, including:
Technical coding assessments
Customized screening document to detail specific past projects and technical expertise
Reference, background, and ID verifications
Our team was able to onboard a highly-qualified team from scratch in two weeks for a time-sensitive and high-priority client project.

Maris Consulting Group Makes Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 14:26:38 GMT

Maris Consulting Group Makes Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies

We're thrilled to announce that Maris Consulting Group and the DeWinter Group have been named to Inc. 5000's list of fastest-growing private companies in the US.

This accomplishment showcases the remarkable dedication of our team to upholding excellence within a constantly shifting market environment, the ever-evolving realm of staffing, and the changing requirements of our clients and candidates.

The demand for high-quality tech talent has never been greater. As organizations strive to stay ahead in this fast-paced digital landscape, the need for skilled professionals who can harness the power of emerging technologies has become paramount. That's where our dedicated team comes in.

With our extensive network and deep understanding of the tech landscape, we are committed to providing top-tier talent to our valued clients . Our team of industry experts and recruiters work tirelessly to identify the right fit for your unique organizational needs. Whatever challenges your team is facing, we have the expertise to match you with exceptional talent that can drive your success.

Maris Consulting Group's 2023 Mid-Year Industry Report

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 14:39:51 GMT

Maris Consulting Group's 2023 Mid-Year Tech & Digital Industry Report

Maris Consulting Group's guide to what you need to know for the second half of 2023, all in one place. In our Tech & Digital Mid-Year Industry Report, you'll find expert insights and market trends affecting the tech market from coast to coast.

DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group Named to SIA's Largest US Staffing Firms in 2023 For Second Year in a Row

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:12:08 GMT

DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group Named to SIA's Largest US Staffing Firms in 2023 For Second Year in a Row

We’re delighted to announce that DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group have been included in Staffing Industry Analysts ' Largest US Staffing Firms 2023!

This achievement is a testament to the exceptional efforts of our team and their dedication to helping top companies and people reach their fullest potential.

Check out our LinkedIn post about this exciting news, celebrate with our team, and to stay up-to-date with Maris Consulting Group.

Maris Welcomes Syrinx Consulting to the Team

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:03:34 GMT

Syrinx Consulting is now part of Maris Consulting Group!

It’s official! Maris president Scott Davidson and our entire team are thrilled to welcome Syrinx Consulting to the Maris Consulting Group team!

Providing our clients with our new, expanded specialties and best-in-class service is the easy part. The name change…not so much. Check out our latest video to hear from Syrinx founder, Andrew Gelina, and some of our new Maris East team members about the switch and learn more about our new offerings.

Utilizing Staff Augmentation to Optimize Cloud-Based ERP Deployment Strategies

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 10:45:44 GMT

Utilizing Staff Augmentation to Optimize Cloud-Based ERP Deployment Strategies

In 2023, companies of all sizes face dynamic market conditions and find themselves pressed to increase productivity, improve decision-making, and simplify the management of complex business processes.

The solution? For a growing number of businesses, ERP software are providing a comprehensive option for streaming operations and leveraging efficiency.

The North American market for ERP Software is projected to surpass revenue of $63 Million by 2031, according to Astute Analytica. Considering adding an ERP to your company’s toolbelt? Check out our expert-backed guidance on selecting and implementing the right software for your needs.

In 2012 20% of ERP software sales were cloud-based. In 2014 it was projected this number would increase to a minimum of 39% by 2018. [1] Today we are facing the reality that cloud-based ERP deployments are not going anywhere. As the wave of first movers implementing cloud-based ERP solutions winds down, larger companies in the Bay Area have now begun to embrace the future of ERP as vendors begin phasing out their legacy service offerings. Well-known ERP vendors continue to roll-out and promote flagship cloud-based products such as SAP S4HANA, Oracle Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Infor Cloud. As a result, we have begun to see a shift in demand for consultants skilled in traditional legacy ERP system deployments to those with technical, strategic expertise pertaining to cloud-based systems.

What’s fueling interest in cloud-based ERP systems with Bay Area employers?

Until now many companies have utilized on-premise ERP’s for a variety of reasons. Many large ERP’s had yet to develop comparable cloud-based ERP solutions, and as a result the risk of migrating their ERP’s to new cloud-based solutions and vendors presented too many unknown variables. Therefore, the risk outweighed any potential benefit. ERP migrations are also expensive and introduce disruption making it painful for employees who oppose change.

Despite their immaturity, cloud-based solutions have begun to gain momentum as a result of their growing track record of success. They require a lower TCO, are easily scalable to grow with your business, are compliant with modern security standards such as PCIDSS, and are just as secure (if not more secure) than legacy systems. There are no upfront hardware costs, no on-site server space required, employees aren’t needed to maintain them, and no extensive on-site disaster recovery plans to worry about. These are now the responsibility of the vendor.

3 Ways to Leverage Staff Augmentation Throughout Your Cloud-Based ERP Deployment

If you work in technology or have participated in assisting with ERP system implementations or migrations in the past, you know that identifying an ERP software solution which caters to your organization’s specific needs is no simple task. Decision makers are not only faced with evaluating the total cost of ownership (TCO) and return on investment (ROI), they also are responsible for weighing the advantages and disadvantages pertaining to flexibility, usability, and security for each potential solution. This is a huge effort which consumes large amounts of time and resources within your organization. Here are three ways you can effectively leverage consultants to augment your team’s efforts and gain valuable insight each step of the way.

Informed Cloud-Based ERP Vendor Selection

If you are considering migrating to a cloud-based ERP solution or have already initiated the process, you may be asking yourself, “Am I or have I chosen the right vendor?” The options are endless. Vendors range from medium-sized SaaS companies to well-known ERP giants. Evaluating each vendor is an extensive process and presents a learning curve when evaluating the benefits and costs associated with each.

As a result of a consultant’s expertise and previous experience working with various cloud-based ERP implementations, they have an in-depth understanding of existing solutions’ functionalities, limitations, and costs. This thereby reduces the amount of time your internal team would otherwise be spending vetting each solution. It additionally adds a secondary level of proactive oversight to prevent roadblocks and additional expenses later on down the line.
Development of Effective, Proven Roll-Out Strategies

In addition to assisting with the selection of cloud-based ERP solutions, consultants can also prove extremely beneficial during the roll-out and implementation strategy development phase. Consultants provide unbiased and experienced insight. Whereby vendors and representatives of vendors oftentimes make recommendations which are self-serving, consultants are ultimately responsible for understanding your needs and working on your behalf with the selected vendor to ensure a smooth and effective implementation. They have taken part in past implementations. They know what works and can identify red flags in a company’s roll-out strategy by leveraging their own past experiences.
Experienced On-Boarding

Lastly, the third way in which you can leverage consultants to ensure an effective and “less” costly implementation (yes, believe it or not consultants present many economies of scale) is during the actual implementation of the selected cloud-based ERP system. During the roll-out phase it becomes an “all hands on deck” ordeal. System implementations generate internal pressure points amongst staff. Bringing in a consultant gives you access to an experienced hand which can augment training efforts with best practices to prevent disruption amongst employees.

If you are interested in learning more regarding our services or a cloud-based implementations specialist, contact a member of our DeWinter Technology team! To learn more, visit us online at https://www.dewintergroup.com/services/dewinter-technology/.

Case Study: Maris Develops Staff Augmentation Solution for Salesforce Implementation

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 18:34:20 GMT

Maris Develops Staff Augmentation Solution for Salesforce Implementation

the challenge

Our client, a well-known fintech company located in San Francisco, had determined the next step in their Salesforce improvement efforts to be the implementation of Salesforce Communities, a centralized portal promoting collaboration, training, and continued education for employees and the organization’s partners.

Our team had first worked with the company to assist with their migration from Salesforce Classic to Salesforce Lightning and overseeing the subsequent re-architecture of Salesforce’s CPQ module.

the solution

Working directly with the project manager, Maris quickly determined Staff Augmentation services to be the ideal solution to address the immediate need for temporary, technical support.

Given the current status of the project, leveraging consultants allowed for the hiring manager to continue to oversee the project through completion enabling improved control and insight.

As a result of the quick turnaround of the necessary professional resources, the company was able to complete the project on time without risking the effectiveness and accuracy of the implementation.

When compared to hiring an outside consulting firm or hiring additional FTE’s, leveraging Staff Augmentation solutions was a cost-effective approach to assisting the company’s team in the short-term.

Case Study: Maris Creates ERP Solution for Executive Coaching Platform

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 18:34:17 GMT

Maris Creates ERP Solution for Executive Coaching Platform

the challenge

Our client was a San Francisco-based company specializing in virtual executive coaching that can help users of their platform to be more productive and achieve personal goals.

Their team was struggling to utilize Workday as their ERP. No one on their team had experience with the system nor did they feel they were effectively leveraging it as a tool.

the solution

Our team met with key stakeholders, including their Controller, to develop a targeted plan to improve their ERP experience.

We determined that finding a dedicated Workday Administrator to help with the system would alleviate the challenges their team was facing. Tapping on our network of top Business Systems professionals, we identified and presented two highly-qualified profiles.

In less than a week, our candidate, a Workday Administrator that had primarily focused on Workday as an ERP and not as an HRIS, was selected and is still a successful part of their team.

Maris Consulting Group's Black History Month Speaker Event with Dr. Lerone Martin

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 18:19:20 GMT

Maris Consulting Group's Black History Month Speaker Event with Dr. Lerone Martin

Our team was thrilled to welcome speaker, historian, and award-winning author Dr. Lerone A. Martin of Stanford University at our Black History Month Event on February 22, 2023.

Dr. Martin shared his unique perspective on Martin Luther King, what he taught, and his legacy. Thank you to Dr. Martin, our event co-host New Heritage Capital, LLC, and everyone who attended this unique and insightful event.

If you have an interest in one of his books we encourage you to go to your favorite local bookstore, however, if that's not possible we've also made it easy for you to purchase one (or both) of his books - Preaching on Wax and The Gospel of J. Edgar Hoover .

Check out some of the insights Dr. Martin shared with our audience and learn more about the King Institute at kinginstitute.stanford.edu ."

Defining An Effective Talent Acquisition Strategy for Data-Focused Roles

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 09:53:43 GMT

Defining An Effective Talent Acquisition Strategy for Data-Focused Roles

Since we first published this blog, hiring top data and analytics professionals has only become more competitive. In fact, data science is predicted to experience more growth than almost any other field between now and 2029 , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Effectively leveraging data is a challenge most organizations struggle to achieve. A survey conducted by MIT Technology Review Insights and Databricks in 2021 , found that only 13% of organizations are delivering on their data strategy.

The solution to this widespread issue starts with knowing how to find the right data and analytics talent for your team’s specific needs. Read our guide to creating an effective talent acquisition strategy for data-focused roles and start a conversation about creating your data and analytics solution.

Understanding Role Types and Organizational Structure

In the first article of this series, “ Developing an Organizational Data Game Plan ,” we walked through an exercise to establish a game plan for data utilization within your organization. We determined how we wanted to use this data, we have taken inventory of the data we have available to us, performed a health check, and prioritized those technologies which require attention. At this point, you should have compiled a list similar to the following: Example Data Game Plan .

Now that we have a sound understanding of all applications housing data within our organization, we are going to (a) explore what types of data-focused roles exist, and (b) identify gaps in your existing org chart requiring attention to achieve your data goals.

Data-Focused Roles in Information Technology

New data-focused jobs are created every day. The field of data analytics and data science is rapidly evolving and has yet to truly mature to a point in which responsibilities are standardized by title. As recruiters, we receive requests to fill a wide variety of roles, but we are outlining six which hold constant. For these six roles, we are also going to categorize roles as either ‘Specialized’ or ‘Common’. What’s the difference?

Specialized Roles are commonly full-time positions in companies utilizing data for various revenue-generating purposes (software development, data warehousing, etc.) or large companies. Due to the cost associated with hiring these positions, at small to medium-sized companies the responsibilities of this role generally fall onto other employees, functions, or contractors.
Common Roles are roles in which employees are commonly hired full-time to complete unless it is a special project regardless of company size.

Database Architect Specialized

Database Architects bridge the gap between process and technology to communicate what data is needed and why; and determine how best to conceptually structure the data or data model.

2. Database Engineer Specialized

Database Engineers use the conceptual data model established by the Database Architect to create a final data model, assessing for scalability and security. They also work with developers to define what views of the data are necessary for their applications.

3. Database Administrator (DBA), or Manager Specialized

Database Administrators, or DBA’s, implement, maintain, and manage databases in accordance with the data model established by the engineer. They are commonly responsible for updating all or a select group of DBMS applications depending on company size, overseeing backup and recovery, ensuring security and authorization processes are in place, and testing overall database performance on a routine basis.

4. Data Quality Analyst Specialized

As we briefly established in our first article, understanding your Data Health (DH) is extremely important. Data Quality Analysts are responsible for ensuring the quality of both the data and metadata.

5. Data Scientist Specialized

The newest of the data-focused roles we have seen develop over the past few years is that of the Data Scientist. Similar to Data Analysts, their job is to analyze big data but they do so with in-depth knowledge quantitative modeling, business acumen, and generally have expert programming skills. Whereas Data Analysts work at a micro-level, commonly focusing on analyzing specific sets of data; Data Scientists work at the macro-level, working with extremely large datasets oftentimes spanning the entire organization or multiple functions.

6. Data Analyst (Including Business Analysts) Common

Data Analyst roles are the most diverse of all data-focused jobs. Using database querying and reporting tools, Data Analysts look at small(er) subsets of data relative to their Data Scientist peers and generally perform analyses specific to one function within the organization. Their positions can reside in IT-focused teams, or they can be in other operational areas whereby they are generally titled Business Analysts (although Business Analyst responsibilities can extend beyond data analytics).

Outlining Data-Focused Roles in Your Org Chart

With these six common data-focused roles in mind, we now need to outline where data-focused professionals fit into your current organizational chart. Using your existing org chart, highlight all those roles which could be classified or which complete the responsibilities outlined in those positions above (these can include third party agencies, contractors, and employees from functions outside of IT). This will be unique for every company but will highlight all those resources available to assist with your business goals as they relate to leveraging data for either internal operational improvements or external revenue generation. It also helps to unify knowledge regarding the management of data. For example, if your Director of Operations oversees a team of business analytics professionals dedicated to analyzing sales data from your CRM, you will want to leverage this individual in the discussion if one of your business goals relates to improved sales business intelligence. Unless you directly oversee these data-focused roles, reach out to the individual to understand how they and their teams are leveraging data, the applications they are using to do so, and whether or not they are working with an application that was deemed a High Priority relative to your data-focused business goals.

Identifying Gaps in Your Org Chart Relative to Your Business Goals

The last step is to review those applications which were identified as a high priority in our last blog, “Developing an Organizational Data Game Plan” and answer the following questions for each:

Which data-focused positions are currently responsible for or work in the application?
Does the application require any of the following:
Improvement to DH Grade. If it does, can a Data Quality Analyst assist with cleaning up and routinely assessing the data on an ongoing basis as a subcontractor or part-time resource? Or does it require ongoing analysis and monitoring? If so, does your organization already employee someone full-time or is this a role you need to add to the current org chart?
Assigned Resources. Does your organization have already enough support in the form of full-time employees to effectively leverage the application or will you require additional data analysts, scientists, etc?
Create a list of all those roles necessary to add, whether it can be achieved by a contractor or requires a new full-time role.
Review this list and identify where it makes the most sense to house this individual within your Org Chart.

Planning ahead and understanding where your organization structure has gaps relative to the strategy behind your business goals is key. Although plans change, having a complete or relatively complete understanding helps to clarify business goals and true responsibilities for prospective hires which decreases turnover. It also reduces the probability of unnecessarily hiring personnel full-time which can lead to inflated overhead costs.

In our next blog, we are yet again expanding on these exercises to review average compensation, hiring trends, and other factors to improve the probability of not only identifying the right talent in today’s small talent pool but also attracting them to your organization.

… and as always, if you are interested in learning more or speaking with a Maris Consulting Group team member, contact us !

DeWinter Group Acquires Syrinx Consulting

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:58:30 GMT

DeWinter Group Acquires Syrinx Consulting

We’re thrilled to welcome Syrinx Consulting to the DeWinter Group family.

Syrinx is a leading provider of high-end software development and technology staffing solutions serving clients in the greater Boston area. The company has built a strong reputation in the marketplace since its founding in 1998 through a relentless focus on sourcing high quality, hard-to-find candidates with specialized skillsets across programming languages, including .NET, Python, Java, and SQL. The company also produces a podcast called “Underserved”, which hosts leaders and visionaries from across the technology industry.

Our partnership with Syrinx will add significant scale to DeWinter Group's fast-growing technology line of business, Maris Consulting Group , and offer an expanded skillset to our clients. “Syrinx has a great reputation and brings tremendous value to our platform,” said Shane Oberg, CEO of DeWinter.

Our combined business will be able to offer clients on the West and East Coast a full suite of staffing and recruitment services for specialized finance & accounting and technology talent demands.

Find out how DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group can help build your company into the future with the top finance, accounting, and tech staffing solutions available.

Case Study: Maris Delivers Data and Analytics Solution to Industry Leading Social Media Company

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 20:37:07 GMT

Maris Delivers Data and Analytics Solution to Industry-Leading Social Media Company

the challenge

Our longtime client, an industry-leading social media company based in the Bay Area, needed to augment teams that provided Data Analytics and workflow tooling across a 1,500-person Engineering and Product organization.

These teams required expert talent and were responsible for the consumer app and all revenue contribution for the company.

the solution

Our team consulted with our client’s key stakeholders, to develop a customized plan for a more efficient and impact data and analytics support system.

We helped our client move from a disjointed “embedded” team model to a shared services team that was able to scale at a level that brought more expertise, domain knowledge and efficiency to the group.

We were able to create a standardized recruitment process that allowed us to fill each role in under 18 days on average and 1.6 candidates to 1 hire.

The Maris team of Data Analysts, Scientists and Engineers provided analytic solutions for ad partners, user behavior, consumer trends, and monetization. These insights contributed to achieving revenue growth targets and led to the development of consumer-focused features that have increased user retention.

Meet Maris Consulting Group’s New Website

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 18:56:04 GMT

Meet Our New Website

We’re excited to share the new Maris Consulting Group website. Our site was designed to better serve our clients and candidates, making it even easier to help industry leading tech companies connect with top talent.

Our new site is user-friendly, with a simple navigation and intuitive layout, and created with our partners’ needs at the forefront.

Our new website is an advancement in Maris Consulting Group’s commitment to offering our partners and candidates the highest quality of IT and digital solutions available. Check out our new site and discover how the Maris team can help your company create powerful solutions with exceptional people.

Case Study: Maris Places Cyber Risk Analyst at Major Computing Platform Company

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 19:06:17 GMT

Maris Places Cyber Risk Analyst at Major Computing Platform Company

the challenge

Our client, a major computing platform company in the Bay Area, needed additional support and expertise to help drive and mature their cyber risk program.

Maris had partnered with their Cyber Security team for a few years, finding the right talent to grow their small team.

Cyber Security expertise is in extremely high demand so finding an experienced resource in this labor market can be a challenge.

the solution

Our team consulted with the client’s Chief Information Security Officer and Head of Cyber Risk Team to define their needs.

We started our search and identified a highly qualified consultant to support their team in this specialized role. Our candidate had an extremely high level of professionalism, excellent communication, and technical expertise, including experience in both offensive and defensive practice areas to help define and operationalize new capabilities.

Our client interviewed only 4 candidates for the position and selected our consultant, who helped to establish and lead the Cyber Risk Program within the corporate Information Security organization. He helped with investigations, insider threat, threat intelligence, threat hunting, and coordinating purple team exercises to continuously improve the client’s security program.

Bringing a backgroud as Security Engineer, our Cyber Risk Analyst consultant was hands-on and a leader, driving innovation and partnership across security and non-security teams. Using his expertise and research experience, he found opportunities for improvement and for upskilling the technical defenses of the client’s environment through internal activities, public industry engagements, and R&D.

Our consultant was so successful, the client converted him to a full-time employee.

Developing an Organizational Data Game Plan - Maris Consulting Group

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 11:08:55 GMT

An exercise in assessing the value of data within your organization to understand the talent necessary to realize improved profitability.

In PwC’s 2017 case study Investing in America’s Data Science and Analytics Talent, it was projected that by the end of 2020 over 2.7M data-related jobs would be added to the job market (2) . Talent shortage projections in data analytics for the subsequent five years ranged from 40% to 50% depending on your source. It was the “impending doom” or Y2K disaster looming over a new cutting edge competitive advantage for companies both large and small. They saw the value, but could not hire those qualified enough, fast enough to realize the profitability behind it. Fast forward three years later. The number of publications highlighting talent shortages in the field has died down. No longer at the forefront of every blogger and publication’s mind, they have moved on while employers continue to struggle seeking out qualified data professionals for their teams.

Data analytics remains a developing field, we see titles like Data Architect, Database Manager, Business Analyst, and sometimes new titles such as Data Scientist thrown around every day with little alignment between responsibilities and requirements across industries. Additionally, data-focused professionals are subject to huge variations in compensation. For executives searching to understand the potential of their data and senior leadership building teams in these areas, it often leaves us scratching our heads, asking, “Where do we even start?”

In this article, the first of a two-part series, we have compiled a checklist to help guide you through the process of evaluating the need for a data-focused team or employees within your organization’s IT function.

Step 1: Setting Goals. Determine how you wish to add value with your data.

Every business decision you make requires a value proposition with a sound business proposal to assess the cost and benefit. Data is a lucrative industry but can come with a high price tag if not managed effectively. In every business, there are two ways in which you can utilize your data to improve the bottom line: reducing operating costs (streamlining operations) and generating revenue (selling your data or leveraging it commercially). First, determine which of these two ways you want to use your data. You could even use this data for both. This will help you to create an effective org chart for data-focused professionals within your organization – we will delve into this within article two of this series.

Step 2: Inventory. Evaluating what data you currently have.

Once you know how you want to use your data, it is time to take inventory so you know what you have to work with and the areas in which you need to collect additional data. Every organization should maintain a list of any technologies (proprietary and third-party) which both collects and houses data, as well as understand the types of data housed within each. This could include your customer relationship management platform (CRM), proprietary internal software applications, or data collection tools as simple as Survey Monkey.

Step 2a. Assign a Goal

For each technology, you will then want to assign any goals which this data can help you achieve, whether it be:

Internal – Reducing Operating Costs
External – Generating Revenue through Commercial Use
Both
None
Step 2b. Assign a Category

In addition to assigning a goal to this technology, you will also want to assign a category or the functions within your organization which could benefit from further utilizing the data stored within it. For example, data within your CRM can be used to understand Customer Support and Satisfaction, as well as Employee Productivity. The list of functions that could benefit your organization should be unique and specific to your organization’s existing structure.

Step 3: Health Check. Evaluate your data’s current worth.

After taking inventory of those tools you have collecting and storing data, it is now time to determine how “healthy” the data is. Oftentimes referred to as ‘data health’ (DH) or ‘data integrity’, this step requires a high-level assessment regarding the accuracy of the data. Is the data supplied directly by an end-user? If so, how reliable is it or what is the margin of error? If the data is supplied by employees, how consistent are they with their documentation? In your list of technologies, you will want to assign either a DH Grade or approximate Margin of Error – depending on your confidence level in you or your team’s understanding of the data.
Step 4: Prioritizing. Identify key technologies for data collection/storage and weakness areas for the goals set in Step 1.

Upon completing steps one through three, it is now time to prioritize the key technologies and weakness areas relative to your business goals. For those goals which you have outlined in Step 1, you will want to first identify those technologies which are key to achieving your goals. By understanding the number of technologies within your organization and how the data works together, you can determine the number of employees necessary to help you maintain, manage, and work with the data stored within. You will also want to filter your list to show only those technologies which target those goals and have a poor DH Grade or high Margin of Error. Understanding these key factors will help you when we begin to define your ideal talent acquisition strategy in our next article. As a teaser, oftentimes companies can reduce cost by leveraging the expertise of contract professionals and consultants to improve your DH Grade or Margin of Error and establish internal controls and processes to ensure the ongoing quality of your data. This should all be defined within your ‘game plan.’

In our next article, we will build upon this to provide tips and tools necessary to create an ideal org structure and talent acquisition strategy which reduces the probability of hiring data professionals simply for the sake of hiring. An error which oftentimes results in turnover, poor outcomes, and reduced profitability. Ultimately, this will improve your chances at attracting, assessing, and retaining data-focused talent by creating succinct and structured org charts, job titles, requirements, and compensation models specific to your organization’s needs.

… and as always, if you are interested in learning more or speaking with a Maris Consulting Group team member, contact us !

Meet our Director of Sales, Jennifer Moss, in our Latest Q&A

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 06:05:49 GMT

Are you considering working with Maris Consulting Group℠ on your next search? Get to know our team.

This month, we sat down with Director of Sales, Jennifer Moss, to ask her a few questions regarding her past experiences and goals for Maris Consulting Group℠. Be sure to check out our latest employee Q&A with Jennifer and do not forget to connect with her on LinkedIn !

jennifer moss

director of sales

(408) 709-4114

jmoss@mari scg.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifergreenmoss/

a q&a with jennifer moss

How long have you worked in IT recruitment?

I started my career in IT recruitment in 2004.

Why do you enjoy working in IT recruitment within the Bay Area?

The work we do is always changing and companies are increasingly looking at IT solutions to give them a competitive edge.

What makes you a great recruiter?

I love building relationships with my clients. I’m a good listener and problem solver.

How did you first learn about Maris Consulting Group℠?

I was contacted by a recruiter about the role. I was surprised to learn that Scott Davidson was running Maris℠. Coincidentally, Scott and I had met about five years earlier.

What are 3 words to describe the Maris Consulting Group (or your impression thus far)?

Professional
Genuine
Warm

If you were to provide advice to peers in tech seeking to develop their careers, what would it be?

Don’t get caught up in what didn’t work. Focus on the little wins everyday.

learn a little more about jennifer outside of work

What’s your favorite thing to do in the Bay Area/Silicon Valley?

Anything outdoors… hiking, running, photography, camping!

What did you originally want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a newspaper reporter.

What’s your favorite ’90s jam?

In the 90s, I was riding my skateboard and listening to punk rock like Bad Habit by The Offspring.

more about jennifer

A South Bay native, Jennifer Moss graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. She directed child care programs for Santa Clara Valley’s YMCA before she started off her career in IT staffing at Oxford Global Resources. During her 15 years with Oxford Global Resources, Jennifer took on various sales and leadership roles. She loves the fast-paced nature of recruiting and the enjoyment that every day is a different challenge.

Outside of work, you can catch Jennifer enjoying outdoor activities with her family. She’s also a landscape photographer, always looking for the perfect shot.

Meet Talent Sourcer, Lindsey Sanchez with our Latest Maris℠ Team Q&A

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 06:16:56 GMT

Are you considering working with Maris Consulting Group℠ on your next search? Get to know our team.

lindsey sanchez

talent sourcer

(408) 913-6850

sanchez@mariscg.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-sanchez-csp-62a2374b

a q&a with lindsey sanchez

How long have you worked in IT recruitment?

I started my career in recruiting in July 2017, when I focused on the full cycle recruitment of respite care providers for children with special needs. In April 2018, I continued my career with the San Jose branch of a well-known, national recruitment firm before joining Maris Consulting Group℠.

Why do you enjoy working in IT recruitment within the Bay Area?

The Bay Area has such a dense population of tech talent and the field is constantly changing. As a result of the dynamic nature of the industry here, I am continuously learning from the professionals I speak with on a day-to-day basis, which is extremely fulfilling and has taught me to never stop developing how I work with job seekers.

What makes you a great recruiter?

I am a great recruiter because of my background in psychology and my drive and love for developing genuine relationships. The most satisfying part of my recruiting position is when I make a placement and not only is the client pleased with my service but the candidate also feels that they have found a career opportunity that aligns with their current needs.

How did you first learn about Maris Consulting Group℠?

I first learned about Maris Consulting Group℠ and the DeWinter Group through an internal job opportunity they had advertised on LinkedIn. After speaking with one of their internal recruiters about the role, I knew my skillset aligned with their needs as well as my own career aspirations.

What are 3 words to describe the Maris Consulting Group℠ (or your impression thus far)?

Positive
Friendly
Hardworking

If you were to provide advice to peers in tech seeking to develop their careers, what would it be?

Very simply put… network, network, network! Networking is so valuable for every professional looking to advance their career.

learn a little more about lindsey outside of work

What’s your favorite thing to do in the Bay Area/Silicon Valley?

My favorite thing to do is going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

What did you originally want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a marine biologist – swimming with the orcas was my goal!

What’s your favorite ’90s jam?

What is Love – Haddaway

more about lindsey

Originally from San Jose, Lindsey Sanchez graduated from Santa Clara University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Upon graduating, Lindsey pursued her love for animals and worked for several years in administration and client services within the veterinary services industry. In July 2017, Lindsey transitioned into the recruitment industry working in full cycle respite care recruitment for children with special needs before moving into recruitment for light industrial positions. She joined the DeWinter Group’s IT & engineering contract and contract to hire division, Maris Consulting Group℠, in February 2019. As a Technical Sourcer, Lindsey is responsible for assisting Maris℠’ recruitment and client service professionals with identifying premier IT contractors and consultants.

When Lindsey is not reviewing resumes or conducting interviews with Bay Area IT professionals, she enjoys spending time exploring trails with her family, Daisy (her 9 year old Yorkie), and Pita (her 4 year old Corgi). She also enjoys trying out both old and new Italian recipes.

5 Reasons to Consider Contractors vs. Traditional Consulting Firms for your next Special Project

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 11:21:45 GMT

Have you ever hired a traditional consulting firm or a contractor to help you complete a time-sensitive or complex project? When you are managing a team, it is not uncommon to reach a point whereby the time your employees have available in their 40 hour work weeks is not enough to ensure the accurate and timely completion of special projects. So you are left with a choice: you ask your employees to go the extra mile and put in overtime, risking burnout, or seek outside support to assist you through the project’s completion.

Historically when managers begin to explore their options outside of their organization, many instinctively look to reputable, traditional consulting firms as the best “all-in-one” option to support their special project needs. With proprietary resources and an experienced team in place, they are an easy option that you can trust to get the job done. In recent years, the practice of hiring contractors has grown increasingly common within growing organizations. Experienced professionals are not only seeking “contract-based” work that is more readily available within the talent market due to shifts in traditional views of work structure, but they also present a range of benefits to your internal organization beyond what you receive from a traditional consulting firm.

Here are the five primary advantages to working with a recruiter to identify a contractor versus engaging with a traditional consulting firm to support your special project needs:

Vetted Support & Exact Skill Sets

When working with an experienced contractor, you have the ability to hand-select the individual who will be joining your team. This includes specifying the exact experiences and technical skill sets you need to ensure the successful completion of the project without a long-term commitment or the overhead of another salary. In addition to sourcing the exact technical skill set you need, you also receive the same level of comfort in knowing that the contractor has been appropriately vetted and assessed when working with a recruiter. This ultimately saves you the time you would otherwise be spending to source, interview, and onboard the individual yourself.

One-On-One Knowledge Sharing

We all know that knowledge is power. When working with a contractor, you have a unique experience to learn first-hand from a professional who has had experience working on similar projects within a variety of different organizations. They can apply this knowledge to improve the outcome of your own project based upon first-hand successes and failures. Additionally, by hiring a contractor, you have the ability to learn from a one-on-one setting versus being told best practices via the traditional consulting firm model.

Improved Project Oversight & Flexibility

Working with contractors also presents a unique benefit to the project manager in the form of control and flexibility. As the project manager, you know the expectations of your team, processes, and culture better than anyone. By hiring contractors, you remain in direct contact with all those truly executing the work to better manage the project’s timeline and obstacles as they arise. By working side-by-side with the members of the team, a project manager has improved control over not only the outcome, but also the impact on both your team and ancillary departments.

True Teamwork & Collaboration

When working with a traditional consulting firm on special projects, it is not uncommon for existing teams to develop a sense of “us vs. you.” Traditional consulting firms are a great resource but oftentimes can feel threatening to job security for existing employees. When employees feel threatened at work, productivity, collaboration and even morale can decline. When you bring in a contractor, employees are generally more motivated to help this individual succeed. They have the opportunity to share existing knowledge of the company to help the contractor do the job they were brought in to do, which ultimately helps to ensure the project’s success.

And… of course, cost

The last benefit to hiring contractors over traditional consulting firms is cost. Working with reputable, traditional consulting firms is expensive. Contractors generally present an opportunity to reduce the cost associated with completing a special project with the same level of expertise as a traditional consulting firm.

Making hiring decisions and determining how to distribute work to your employees are never easy tasks. In today’s business world, we are expected to do more with less. That said, when presented the option to hire either a contractor or consulting firm, it is important to truly assess both your needs as a project manager and as an organization. When working with contractors, not only do you have an opportunity to hand-select the expert joining your team, but you also have an opportunity to apply their experiences to improve the outcome of your own project. In addition, you maintain management control and flexibility without risking your team’s existing culture. Contractors can additionally be leveraged to provide the same level of service as a traditional consulting firm, but at a fraction of the cost. We encourage you to explore how contractors can add value to your team. Contact Maris Consulting Group℠ at hire@mariscg.com to learn more regarding our IT project management, business systems, mobile application development, and data analytics contract recruitment services.

Case Study: Leveraging Consultants for the Critical Implementation of Salesforce Modules

Mon, 06 May 2019 12:04:53 GMT

In March 2018, a well-known fintech company located in San Francisco contacted Maris Consulting Group℠, formerly known as DeWinter Technology, to request assistance identifying Salesforce engineering professionals for a large upcoming project. After working with the company in 2017 to assist with the company’s migration from Salesforce Classic to Salesforce Lightning and overseeing the subsequent rearchitecture of Salesforce’s CPQ module, the organization was now prepared to begin tailoring the application’s subsequent modules to further align and improve upon Salesforce’s integration into internal processes. The company had determined the next step in their Salesforce improvement efforts to be the implementation of Salesforce Communities, a centralized portal promoting collaboration, training, and continued education for employees and the organization’s partners.

problem

Quick access to resources who can get the job done. Identifying reliable, qualified professionals in a limited time frame who are willing to work short-term projects is challenging without pre-established connections.
Applied experience with Salesforce applications. In today’s hiring market, technical experts with several years of hands-on experience working with Salesforce.com products and applications are in high demand. As a result the pool of readily available talent is limited.
Necessity to have the individuals work onsite. Given the hands on nature and synergies generated amongst the preexisting team, it was pertinent to identify team members readily available to work onsite.

solution

Given Maris’ intimate understanding of the recent migration to Salesforce Lightning and the organization’s established corporate culture, our team was once again asked to assist with identifying qualified professionals to expedite project completion. Working directly with the project manager, Maris quickly determined Staff Augmentation services to be the ideal solution to address the immediate need for temporary, technical support.

results

Improved Control & Project Flexibility. Given the current status of the project, leveraging consultants allowed for the hiring manager to continue to oversee the project through completion enabling improved control and insight.
Faster Deployment of Salesforce Communities. As a result of the quick turnaround of the necessary professional resources, the company was able to complete the project on time without risking the effectiveness and accuracy of the implementation.
Cost Effective. When compared to hiring an outside consulting firm or hiring additional FTE’s, leveraging Staff Augmentation solutions was a cost effective approach to assisting the company’s team in the short-term.

366509b1

Leadership Lessons from 15 Years in Technical Consulting & Staffing: Insights from Colin Reposa

Lead by Example & with Passion

Understand the Competition

Listen More Than You Speak

Empower Your Team

Master the Art of Prioritization

A daptability is Key

Be Transparent

Celebrate Wins

About Maris Consulting Group:

8 Times Tech Companies Should Turn to a Recruiting Agency

8 Times Tech Companies Should Turn to a Recruiting Agency

1. Urgent Hiring Needs

2. Specialized Skill Requirements

3. Limited Internal Resources

4. Confidential Searches

5. Access to Passive Candidates

6. Temporary or Project-Based Needs

7. Geographic Expansion

8. Cost-Effective Solutions

About the Author:

About Maris Consulting Group:

Maris Consulting Group 2024 Mid-Year Technology Industry Report & Compensation Guide

Maris Consulting Group 2024 Mid-Year Technology Industry Report & Compensation Guide

Maris Consulting Group's Q2 2024 Technology Placement Newsletter

Maris Consulting Group's Q2 2024

﻿ Technology Placement Newsletter

Maris Consulting Group Named One of the Largest US Staffing Firms in 2024 For a Third Year in a Row!

Maris Consulting Group Named One of the Largest US Staffing Firms in 2024 For a Third Year in a Row!

Maris Consulting Group Named One of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area 2024

Maris Consulting Group Named One of the

Best Places to Work in the Bay Area 2024

What Are Employees Said About Working at Maris Consulting Group

Our Employee Survey Results

Derek DeWinter Named CEO of the DeWinter Group

Derek DeWinter Named CEO of the DeWinter Group

Kathryn Krueger Announced as President of Maris Consulting Group

Kathryn Krueger Announced as President of Maris Consulting Group

Underserved Podcast: Dom Scandinaro, Chief Technology Officer at Cameo

Underserved Podcast: Dom Scandinaro, Chief Technology Officer at Cameo

about Underserved

Underserved Podcast: Jason Macauley, Principal/Founder of Another View Coaching & Software Development Leader

Underserved Podcast: Jason Macauley

Principal/Founder of Another View Coaching

& Software Development Leader

about Underserved

The 2023 DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group Annual ESG & DEI Report

The DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group

﻿ 2023 Annual ESG & DEI Report

Underserved Podcast: Robert Salvador CEO & Co-Founder of DigiBuild

Underserved Podcast: Robert Salvador CEO & Co-Founder of DigiBuild

about Underserved

Q1 2024 Technology Placement Newsletter

Maris Develops Cloud-Based User Ecosystem for Bose

Maris Develops Cloud-Based User Ecosystem for Bose

about Bose

the challenge

the solution

Implementation and Scaling

Technical Expertise and Support

Specialty Support

2024 Tech and Digital Compensation Study & Industry Report

2024 Tech and Digital Compensation Study & Industry Report

Maris Accelerates iOS Modernization Plan for Bay Area Tech Company

Maris Accelerates iOS Modernization Plan for Bay Area Tech Company

the challenge

the solution

Maris Consulting Group Makes Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies

Maris Consulting Group Makes Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies

Maris Consulting Group's 2023 Mid-Year Industry Report

Maris Consulting Group's 2023 Mid-Year Tech & Digital Industry Report

DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group Named to SIA's Largest US Staffing Firms in 2023 For Second Year in a Row

DeWinter Group and Maris Consulting Group Named to SIA's Largest US Staffing Firms in 2023 For Second Year in a Row

Maris Welcomes Syrinx Consulting to the Team

Syrinx Consulting is now part of Maris Consulting Group!

Utilizing Staff Augmentation to Optimize Cloud-Based ERP Deployment Strategies

Utilizing Staff Augmentation to Optimize Cloud-Based ERP Deployment Strategies

What’s fueling interest in cloud-based ERP systems with Bay Area employers?

3 Ways to Leverage Staff Augmentation Throughout Your Cloud-Based ERP Deployment

Technology Placement Newsletter

2023 Annual ESG & DEI Report

the challenge