Easy Come, Easy Go
True in Poker, Not True in the High
Stakes World of Hiring & Firing
Malcolm Johnson: Principal, The
Entertainment Technology Source
Stacy Hering Astor: Insurance and Benefits
Consultant, Stacy Hering Astor and Associates
Jeffrey W. Rose, Esq.: Attorney at Law
Do You Need a New Employee?
Consider your existing staff: Re-evaluate to
maximize resources
If hiring is the best option:
 Review your business plan
 Establish a budget
 Job description: Clarity first
Don’t Gamble With One of Your
Most Valuable Assets
Attract the Best
 Hiring is a process, not an event
 You’re Competing for People
Retain the Best
 Enhance Quality of Life
 Nurture Careers
 Make Great Games!
Let the Games Begin:
The Search
Consider hiring from within!
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Communicate the position internally
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Existing staff may be very interested
Encourage staff feedback
Say No if employee is not a fit
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Reinforce current contributions
Discuss other growth options
The Search Continues
Maximize your Odds
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Use company website
Employee network
In-house recruiting team
The Search Continues
Need Help? Get a Recruiter!
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Set the standard high
The recruiter should be able to
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Understand the position, company & culture
Communicate easily & effectively
Matches people with positions, not resumes
What’s the right approach for your position?
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Contingency placement
Retained search
Build a Hiring Team
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Create the Team
Prepare them for the task
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Use the same group for all candidates
Train your team
The Position: Clarity & Understanding
Interview Preparation
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Don’t forget to promote your company
Evaluating Potential
Candidates
Establish a clear hiring process
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Review candidate credentials
Telephone Screening
Onsite interview & testing
Creating the right package
Offer, Negotiation, & Acceptance
Transition
Acclimate
The Offer
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Offer Letter
Letter of Intent
Employment Contracts
Raising the Stakes:
Build a Great Benefits Package
It all counts!
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Compensation
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Market rate
compensation
Paid vacation/sick
time (or PTO)
Merit bonuses
Raising the Stakes:
Competition Gets Fiercer!
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Insurance Options
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Dual option
medical insurance
Dental/Vision plan
Group disability
insurance
Individual (3x
salary) or group
term life
Raising the Stakes:
Be Professionals!
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Retirement Plan:
You can’t afford not
to!
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401(k) plan:
inexpensive &
dynamic
Raising the Stakes:
Build a Benefits Package
They Can’t Ignore!
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Payroll deductions/
tax deferred options
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Section 125 Plan
Premium Only
Plan
Commuter Check
Playing for Keeps:
Employment Contracts
Protecting Your Assets
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Invention Assignment Agreements
Confidentiality Agreements and Procedures
“At Will” Employment
Freelance/Subcontractors
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Work for Hire Agreements
Confidentiality
Playing for Keeps:
Employment Contracts
Non-Disclosure Agreements for other
third parties
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Protecting your own assets
Protecting those granted to publishers
Rules of the Game:
Personnel Handbook
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Defining Company Policy
Avoiding Confusion
Establishing procedure for handling
disputes
Hitting the Jackpot:
Retaining Employees
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Effective hiring: Have a high bar
Be goal oriented
Nurture their careers
Quality of life
Smooth Exit Strategy
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Have your departments organized & ready
Early in A.M., short & sweet meetings
Meet with unaffected employees to dispel
fears of additional firing
Encourage open communications. Watch
morale
Work with other studios to assist affected
employees
*Word spreads quickly
How Can We Help?
Malcolm Johnson
[email protected]
T: 707-773-1279
www.etsource.com
Stacy Hering Astor
[email protected]
T: 415-289-0609
www.heringastor.com
Jeffrey Rose, Esq.
[email protected]
T: 949-833-3634