A Conversation With ... Paula Stringer

We really just (made that change) at the first of the year. Mom (Patti Penny) decided that at the first of the year, she was going to try to sell more … she is out trying to help grow more business, mainly in our Indiana, Kansas City and St. Louis areas. But her goal was to try to visit all the offices at least a couple times during the year. So with her out more, then I’m taking on more of an internal day-to-day role. I basically deal a lot with the branches, a lot of corporate accounting (issues). We have a new software system that we started at the first of the year, and we’re making a lot of changes for the better, where our branches can become more independent. They’re writing their own checks now. We don’t have to do that here at the corporate office. Being involved in a lot of that kind of activity has been my role so far.

What would you say are some of the company’s significant achievements in the last 12 months?

We’re growing. We’re opening in Washington, Mo., soon. The staffing business is still just very strong, and we’re doing very well, not just in Springfield, but really, all of our branches our doing well. Penmac also has received several awards, including being selected as a 2005 Top Diversity-Owned Business by DiversityBusiness.com. Penmac also was ranked the No. 1 Top Women-Owned Business in the state of Missouri, and the No. 1 Top Small Business in the state. Nationally, Penmac ranked No. 41 among the Top 500 Small Businesses in the United States, and No. 38 among the Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses in the United States.

What are the company’s goals right now?

Basically, one of the main goals is to get the branches, or offices, especially in the larger markets, profitable. I think that’s probably our main goal. We’re doing a lot of what we call on-site providing at some of our larger clients’ (locations). It’s becoming more and more popular with the larger manufacturers, where we have an on-site supervisor, or manager, if you will. We’ve really been striving to work out those (arrangements). It’s sort of a learning curve, and every company is different, but that’s been one of the big things. Then, to get some of the larger markets, like the Indiana market … getting those growing. We’re doing a blitz in some of (our service) areas, where we target certain clients that we visit every week for four weeks, and we give them a gift.

What are some of the major challenges facing the staffing industry in southwest Missouri?

Trying to find good, quality people, which is, I think, an issue … that’s never changed. I think the employers look to us (to) provide (workers) with whatever they need to get to the level that they’re supposed to be at, but getting people to commit to that … is hard. (People) just have such a variety of things that they can do, and you just don’t see a lot of the commitment that you did a long time ago. A lot of times, you would just stay with a job and hope to work up through the ranks, but today, you see a lot of people hopping around … but they have those choices.

How is Penmac positioned to meet those challenges?

We provide transportation, and it’s becoming one of the bigger, more important (services) people are looking for. We’re always looking for things that make us different. I think Penmac offers more than just your regular staffing service. We offer the GED classes, still, working with OTC. We have tutorials, especially for people wanting to improve their clerical or computer skills. We offer transportation. We’ll get them to work and bring them home. There’s a limitation to getting to work, but we do try to help … and it’s becoming a very big selling point. Businesspeople like it, because it gets (workers) there on time. Another thing that we’re doing a lot of is daily pay (placement). We’ve really found that it’s becoming more popular, and it certainly helps to get a job filled quickly.

What’s something your parents taught you that is still applicable to your life today?

They instilled in me a good work ethic and honesty. I always worked, even as a kid. Growing up, I had part-time jobs. I have three boys, who are older now, and a large part of my life (when they were younger) I stayed home with the boys … . So that was a good portion of my career, which I don’t regret … because I think it’s important. I’ve been with Penmac for 10 years.

Tell us about your family.

My son Stuart is 21, Payden is almost 19, and Cy is 14. Stu works here at Penmac part time (and) puts in 20 to 30 hours a week, and has for several years. Payden does, too, but he’s a senior, and works two or three hours a day.[[In-content Ad]]