The Latest News for Professional Search Practice
1/31/2017 November 2016 will go down as the Fall Uprising: politics, identity and the uncommon pursuit of justice in the United States. An uprising that shattered unwritten rules on what gets talked about in the workplace: politics, religion and race were being openly discussed and even asked about—outside a diversity training workshop.
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1/17/2017 At the 2Plus2 Blog, our SharePoint experts spent the last a couple of months looking at and dissecting SharePoint's document library features.
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12/23/2016 We wish you peace, joy and prosperity throughout the coming year.
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12/8/2016 Good listeners can become great listeners by taking a more active role in the conversation.
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11/22/2016 A note of gratitude to our clients and consultants, vendors and partner firms, family and friends!
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11/14/2016 Ashton Associate Valerie Peck leads our Customer Journey Mapping teams. Read about how she turned one of her scariest projects into a success!
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11/11/2016 This blog is dedicated to all my hermanas veteranas for serving our country, leading our troops and disrupting traditional gender roles.
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10/31/2016 Mercedes E. Martin, Ashton212’s Executive Vice President, Business Transformation & Innovation, and Tatyana Fertelmeyster, Founder and Principal, Connecting Differences and SIETAR Advisory Board will facilitate a session at this year’s SIETAR conference—Intercultural Stories of Disconnection: Insights into the Polarization of People and Places—Member. Their dialogue forum titled Elections Night is Over. Do We Have a Morning After Pill? will serve to open the conversation about politics and the impact of our current political climate on the workplace.
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10/4/2016 Sheila tapped to speak on the topic of "Achieve-And Sustain-Success on Your Terms" at Women in Consulting in the South Bay on October 20, 2016.
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8/30/2016 Ashton212 is proud to be a part of Oakland-based Cuisine Noir's first Behind the Business Conference.
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7/25/2016 “At Urban Solutions, we build strong neighborhoods one business at a time.”
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6/23/2016 How often have you been inspired by something or someone unexpected? Two members of our team had the good fortune of joining many other working professionals at Alternatives in Action where high school students allowed us a glimpse into their lives.
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5/9/2016 Ashton212 is honored to have a group of advisors who are the best of the best. This month, we’re happy to introduce George Ramirez as the newest member of our Lookout Team.
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1/29/2016 The Alameda County Small Business Development Center is holding an event on February 4, 2016 for women entrepreneurs.
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12/24/2015 The team at Ashton212 wishes you and all you love a very wonderful, safe and generous holiday and a new year full of more than you could ever imagine!
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12/17/2015 Shopping for holiday gifts, it's so easy to get caught up in the holiday sales, deals and newest Read More
11/25/2015 We're taking a pause here at Ashton212 to give thanks!
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11/11/2015 It’s Veterans Day! Whenever you see a veteran, take a moment to say thank you. They’ll appreciate you and you’ll feel all the better for it.
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10/5/2015 Ashton212 is lucky to have access to some really big business brains—our Lookout Team. This month, we introduce Amy Haugerud.
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9/24/2015 To kick off what will be a fabulous series of pre-Super Bowl 2016 events here in the Bay Area, the Northern California Chapter of the NFL Alumni, Inc., in collaboration with Key Point Credit Union, is hosting a Black & White Luncheon honoring 13 accomplished women of the Bay Area.
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9/15/2015 We enjoy introducing our readers to the talent that makes Ashton212 a premier provider of consultants and contractors. Today we’ve caught up with Todd Shikora.
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9/11/2015 The Bay Area Women Leaders Network, led by Julie Abrams, is hosting an event on September 14, 2015 focusing on how to move the needle on women in leadership.
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9/1/2015 Living life creatively? Find out what academicians and business folks think about creativity!
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8/3/2015 There's no better time than now to add take your resume up another notch. See how you can quickly add new information that makes you even more appealing to hiring managers.
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7/20/2015 We’ve heard from you that you enjoy knowing more about members of the Ashton Associate community including the work that they do and what’s on their minds. This month we are happy to introduce you to our guest blogger, California-based author, speaker and employee engagement expert Ruth Ross.
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7/3/2015 The San Francisco Chapter of the National Black MBA Association hosted their first in a series of panels targeting current and “hope to be” entrepreneurs - Planning for Your Business.
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6/17/2015 We’ve heard from you that you enjoy knowing more about members of the Ashton Associate community including the work that they do and what’s on their minds. This month we are happy to introduce you to our guest blogger, California-based leadership coach Jenny Clevidence.
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6/8/2015 The Ashton212 consultant team includes the best of the best from a variety of fields and industries. Today we catch up with Chris Bryant, Chief Experience Officer of Bryant Group in Los Angeles.
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5/30/2015 Our President, Mary Ann Munro, attended the May 11th "Strengthening and Supporting Courageous Leadership" panel presentation hosted by The Bay Area Women Leaders Network.
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5/18/2015 Sheila serves on the Steering Committee of 2.0akland, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Oakland’s growing tech ecosystem. One organization of particular interest for 2.Oakland is Uptima Business Bootcamp who has two courses open for applications now!
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4/16/2015 When we need advice, one place we look is to our Lookout Team. This month meet Bill Harris!
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1/19/2015 Of course Ashton212 Associates are excellent at what our clients expect of them. But our consultants much more than their work, and we enjoy learning about what they’re like away from the office. Today we’ve caught up with Meghan Pariso.
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1/1/2015 It’s a brand new year, and for many Read More
12/17/2014 The shopping days are winding down and we have some wonderful shops in Old Oakland that can make those days less stressful. Stop by and support our local merchants and receive a lovely discount just because you know us!
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12/1/2014 Ashton212 CEO Sheila Lewis has become one of the Bay Area's premier event emcees. Check out her December schedule.
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11/25/2014 Take some time to enjoy the start of the holiday season!
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11/10/2014 For all who own or run organizations, large and small, the idea of hiring veterans should become a high priority.
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11/3/2014 Gen Xers who are the engine of business today, providing leadership in organizations throughout the country.
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10/20/2014 Successful globalization strategies begin with the preparedness of corporate management to recognize what they know - and what they don't. Being globally competent is a challenge some American companies may not be ready for.
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10/6/2014 Of course Ashton212 Associates are excellent at what our clients expect of them. But our consultants are so much more than their work, and we love to find out they’re like away from the office. Today we’ve caught up with Ruta Jaks, who came to the United States from Lithuania to pursue her American dream and is well on her way toward realizing it.
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9/24/2014 What types of jobs will exist in the not too distant future that don't exist today?
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9/8/2014 If you believe the popular press, Millennials are a pretty Read More
8/25/2014 The contingent workforce is here to stay. Many reasons drive the increases we are seeing today.
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8/12/2014 It goes without saying that Ashton212 Associates are great at what they do. But terrific consultants are so much more than their work, and we love to find out what other talents and passions motivate them when they’re away from the office. Today we’re talking with Gary Carter, whose skills are wide-ranging and whose interests are equally far-flung.
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7/28/2014 Interim roles are particularly challenging and even more so when it's an executive-level role.
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7/14/2014 It’s summer and that means summer interns. Meet ours and catch up with or former interns too!
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7/1/2014 Ashton212 was invited to assemble a team of consultants to facilitate two workshops for the International Association of Interpreters' International Conference in San Francisco.
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6/16/2014 We are always delighted when good things happen to good people. This week we're happy to share some news about our client, Richard Chacon, Senior Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Development, Union Bank.
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6/9/2014 At Ashton212 we look forward to celebrating the successes of our team members, clients and associates, at work, at play, and when making significant contributions to our greater community. Today we turn our lens on Ashton212's Director, Talent Strategy & Client Relations, Mary Ann Mancuso!
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6/2/2014 More and more skilled professionals are trying out the consulting life. It’s not easy, but it can be rewarding and nothing beats working for yourself if you can make it work.
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5/27/2014 Ashton212 is thriving and growing and we’re delighted to introduce the latest additions to our team.
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5/19/2014 Ashton212 is lucky to have access to some really big business brains—our Lookout Team. This month, we introduce Dr. Jon Turner.
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5/14/2014 Soul Stroll 2014 is here! Come out and join us on May 17, 2014 and bring your family and friends. It's a fun and healthy day for everyone!
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5/7/2014 This Mother's Day, consider a gift that saves lives.
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4/30/2014 On March 13th, Ashton212 held its second Inclusivity Choice™ event for members and guests of the San Francisco Black MBA Chapter. Participants attending the event learned about, “The Deep Dark Secrets of a Successful Consultancy”. The goal of the evening program was to provide attendees a sampling of what one would need to know and think about before jumping into the world of consulting.
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4/23/2014 Terrific consultants are so much more than the work they do and we love to find out what other talents and passions motivate them away from the office. This time, we’re talking with Laura Ehlert – an marketing and product management consultant with creative flair.
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4/11/2014 We are proud to share the news that our client, Ascent Private Capital Management of U.S. Bank, recently was recognized for the most effective and innovative brand launch in the “Brand Launch or Relaunch” category.
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4/1/2014 Ashton212 CEO Sheila Lewis will join a prestigious regional panel of Judges at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated's 85th Far Western Regional Conference.
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3/26/2014 As tax time approaches, we take a look at how the IRS defines the difference between independent contractors and employees.
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3/10/2014 Terrific consultants are so much more than the work they do and we love to find out what other talents and passions motivate them away from the office.
This time, we’re talking with Ross Tuttle – an HR consultant with a surprising and creative side business.
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2/24/2014 When it comes to contingent workers, businesses often forget about engagement. While it’s a hot topic for the full-time workforce, contingent staff are often seen as a “quick fix” or a short-term solution, so they aren’t included in the kind of engagement behaviors that managers try to model for other employees.
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2/24/2014 We are pleased to announce our panelists for our March 13th meeting to be held at our office. If you are seriously considering becoming a consultant and/or starting a consulting firm, this event should be on your list of places to be.
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2/17/2014 We are delighted to announce our second panel discussion: The Deep Dark Secrets of a Successful Consultancy.
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2/10/2014 It’s expected that by 2050, Hispanics will represent over half of the US working population. Are companies doing enough to understand and attract Hispanics?
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1/28/2014 Google Helpouts allow people to pay for video calls with experts. Is this going to catch on for consulting?
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1/14/2014 Terrific consultants are so much more than the work they do and we love to find out what other talents and passions motivate them away from the office. This time, we’re talking with Terry Thiesen.
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1/13/2014 With the recent updates to veteran hiring benchmarks for federal contractors, there’s a lot of talk lately about the pros and cons of hiring veterans.
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1/6/2014 On Friday, February 7, 2014, Sheila Lewis, Ashton212's CEO, will provide closing comments for the Mills College Graduate School of Business Black Success Conference.
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12/31/2013 Happy New Year and be sure to join us in 2014 as we continue redefining the world of consulting!
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12/20/2013 Ashton212 is lucky to have access to some really big business brains—our Lookout Team. This month, we introduce Sally Crawford.
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12/16/2013 Still looking for holiday gifts for family and friends? We’ve got a few suggestions for thoughtful gifts that support local businesses and our select charities.
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12/9/2013 Would you like to do something great for someone special while doing something really great for others? We've got the perfect gift idea for you or your business.
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12/2/2013 The right consultant will solve a problem and propel your business forward. But just like full-time employees, consultant will work best in different settings and on different projects. How do you make sure you're choosing the best person, or team, for your needs?
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11/26/2013 On Thanksgiving and for every day for the rest of the year, pause to consider all that is available to you, all that you have and all that is coming your way. And consider doing the unexpected
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11/17/2013 We are delighted to add new talent to our HQ team in Oakland.
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11/11/2013 There's lots of talk about hiring vets, but it takes more than promises. Both vets and businesses need to address the cultural and language challenges in transitioning from the military to the civilian world.
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11/8/2013 Sheila Lewis, our CEO & Ashton Navigator, will serve as emcee of the 2013 Women's Health Conference hosted by the African American Community Health Advisory Committee, the community outreach initiative for Sutter Health Mills-Peninsula Health Services,
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11/4/2013 The assumption that baby boomers would follow their parents’ model and move into retirement promptly at 60 has been radically altered by the recent economic crisis and recession. We take a look at how learning options are developing to meet the needs of an older workforce.
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10/28/2013 Employee engagement is closely tied with trust in executives - but in a fluid workplace, is trust more elusive?
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10/21/2013 Millennials are increasingly taking leadership roles. What effect will this have on the business environment?
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10/14/2013 According to the latest census data, minorities will become the majority in the workforce by 2038.
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10/7/2013 Would your project get off to a better start if you had a more comprehensive onboarding strategy in place for consultants?
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9/30/2013 Talk about employee engagement is everywhere, but it also concerns consultants. We spoke with expert Ruth Ross about a simple way to counter employee disengagement no matter who it affects.
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9/24/2013 We are pleased to announce our panelists and facilitator for the "So You Want To Be A Consultant?" event to be held at our office. If you’ve ever considered becoming a consultant, this is a must attend event. The team at Ashton212 has decades of experience placing subject matter experts and project teams on assignment at many of the largest firms in the country.
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9/17/2013 Social recruiting is a coming trend and one that is very much underused right now. What can you be doing right now to make better use of social data to help locate the right employees?
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9/9/2013 For many of us, education brought opportunities that have allowed us to create a satisfying career and a rewarding life. For most of us, the chance to complete our schooling was taken for granted. It's not so for everyone. But you can help.
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9/1/2013 Our Ashton Associates are great at what they do – that goes without saying. But terrific consultants are so much more than the work they do and we love to find out what other talents and passions motivate them away from the office.
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8/30/2013 Increasing numbers of workers are opting for, or being encouraged into, the freelance life. While all this sounds very positive for businesses that rely on independent workers, is that only one part of the picture?
Not every job is suited to the independent or remote model. There will always be jobs where employees need to physically be in the same place at the same time and not everyone wants or is suited to the independent life.
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8/23/2013 Ashton212 is lucky to have access to some really big business brains—our Lookout Team. This month, we introduce Greg Webb.
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8/20/2013 For decades corporate America has found attracting, nurturing, promoting and retaining diverse talent to be a challenge, leaving an ongoing void in mid- to senior-level positions. Ashton212 has a uniquely different way of envisioning a diverse workforce.
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8/15/2013 We know that a strong business network is invaluable to building a consulting career. But not just any network. A strong business network means being connected with the right people and engaging with those contacts on a reasonably frequent or regular basis.
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8/1/2013 Here at Ashton212, we’re proud to support the work of First Place for Youth, and you can too at First Place for Youth.
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7/29/2013 You’ve probably never heard of Charles Batcheldor, John Kreusi, Ludwig Boehm or Francis Upton, but it was their teamwork under the great Thomas Edison that led to an astonishing stream of breakthrough technologies and products including the phonograph and the light bulb.
Likewise, it’s hard to imagine that Steve Jobs could have built Apple to its current success without those early days alongside the four man research team that came up with the original Macintosh computer, a turning point in the history of personal computing.
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7/23/2013 Figures shared by the Freelancers Union suggest that one-third of the workforce is self-employed or provides some form of contingent work. That number is increasing and recent studies suggest the proportion could hit 40 percent by the end of the decade. That's good news for consultants but it will also affect workforce planning for many businesses.
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7/15/2013 If you're a consultant, finding a good time for a vacation can seem impossible. Sheila takes a look at the good reasons why you should book that time off.
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7/9/2013 Mary Ann takes a look at whether consultants are bound by more than legal agreements and the role of ethics in building a consulting practice.
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7/5/2013 We had some fresh faces around the office this summer. We're thrilled to introduce Bernita Dillard and Queen Denchukwu.
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7/2/2013 With lots of businesses taking on interns for the summer, check out our tips for ensuring that everyone benefits from the arrangement.
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6/18/2013 According to the latest population predictions from the Census Bureau, minorities will become the majority in the workforce by 2038.In addition, the population as a whole will grow more slowly. These changes will have a dramatic effect on the workforce as we know it today.
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6/11/2013 Unveiling the latest shopper marketing trends and best practices.
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5/29/2013 Those of us who are busy are often asked to consider being busier. You know they say, "If you want to get something done, give it to a busy person." And that's so true. What's a person who is intentionally not busy going to do with a request to do something? They say what we busy people should say. No.
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5/21/2013 Our hearts are with the people of Oklahoma who have suffered the devastating effects of massive tornadoes this week.
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5/15/2013 Most Ashton Associates didn't begin their professional lives as consultants; instead, they most often held full time positions in business before making the transition to consulting. If you're thinking about making the leap, We've got five tips to help make your transition to consulting go as smoothly as possible.
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5/1/2013 Here at Ashton212, we’re proud to help and you can too. Please consider a gift in honor of a friend or family member. Just $30 is enough to provide one person with access to safe drinking water. Find out more and donate at Blue Planet Network.
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4/15/2013 The San Francisco Chapter of the Brand Activation Associationis holding a conference - "Marketing to the Omni-Channel Shopper: Using Technology to Win Hearts, Steal Share & Build Brands" on June 12-13, 2013.
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4/1/2013 We are very pleased to introduce you to Lori Leiva and Danielle Dowdy, our two newest Ashton212 team members!
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3/18/2013 Sheila served as emcee of the invitation only 2013 Soul Stroll for Health: Heroes for Health Awards Program on Friday, May 17 at the Westin, Burlingame, California.
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2/15/2013 On February 6 we started a series of events at Ashton 212 with our Gratitude Open House. The room was filled with guests from near and far. Cheers to everyone for your support!
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2/1/2013 In a world where honesty sometimes an option and not a standard operating practice, we know that the truth should never be compromised.
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1/1/2013 January 2013 finds Ashton212 in our new offices in the Old Oakland business and retail neighborhood. We hope you’ll drop by to say hello if you’re in the area: 472 Ninth Street, Oakland, California 94607.
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12/6/2012 We asked Lisa Nash, CEO of Blue Planet Network about leading the nonprofit and the importance of addressing the water crisis and about an easy way for people to support their work in this season of giving.
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11/29/2012 We love to talk about trends and theorize about how we'll help our clients meet future challenges. But you can't understand the future without a firm grasp of where we've come from. So we asked Mary Ann Munro, one of Ashton212's founders how her knowledge of the staffing industry helps Ashton212 stay ahead of the curve.
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11/15/2012 It's very important to us that Ashton212 provides a way to give back to the community and promote worthwhile projects.
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10/31/2012 Terrific consultants are so much more than the work they do and we love to find out what other talents and passions motivate them away from the office. This time, we’re talking with Ruth Ross – an accomplished human resource professional with a new message about employment.
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10/16/2012 We talk a lot about Ashton212’s bold approach to workforce solutions but what does it mean in practice and where did it spring from? Sheila Lewis spills the beans.
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10/1/2012 A recent report from Randstand shows 67 percent of U.S. companies using a mix of permanent and contingent workers, of whom nearly one quarter (21 percent) expect to expand their contingent workers over the next year.
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9/22/2012 Ashton212 is lucky to have access to some really big business brains—our Lookout Team. This month, we introduce Dr. Lynda Applegate.
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9/15/2012 Different is sometimes better and in the business of consulting and professional staffing, Ashton212 has carved out a niche that fits for consultants and clients alike.
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9/1/2012 If you’re ready for a fresh approach to professional staffing – you’ve come to the right place!
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