Cindy Neal is president of Express Personnel Services, responsible for overall business development and sales growth through management of a team of staffing professionals.

She is president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Central Illinois Chapter; treasurer of the Peoria Business Boosters’ Club; a certified temporary staffing specialist; and Ranked in the top three percent of Express Personal Service franchises internationally (more than 400 offices) for office service staffing.

Neal serves on the board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Greater Illinois Branch), on the CILCO Customer Advisory Council, and on the board of Project Upward (and adult literacy program).

Neal has served the Suburban Kiwanis Club of Peoria as president, treasurer, and is a current board member and membership chair. Through her involvement with Kiwanis, she has been active in the Adopt- A- School program at Harrison School, the annual seniors’ Christmas bus trip, assisting the YMCA at GusMacker tournaments, and other events to benefit local non- for- profit organizations.

Tell us about your background, schools, attended, family, etc.

I grew up in Chillicothe and attended Illinois Valley Central High School, Illinois Central College and Sangamon State University. I married East Peoria native Greg Neal, and now reside with Greg and four dogs (one German Shepherd and three miniature Dachshunds).

Tell is about the franchise you own, Express Temporary Services, and how you chose to buy that franchise.

I opened Express Personnel Services in Peoria on October 27, 1989. I looked into starting my own staffing company but decided franchising offered a proven system- which was beneficial for a successful start up.

I looked into several franchised staffing companies and found Express to be a family- oriented, Christian organization with the highest ethics and values.

To this day, I know I made the right decision. Express Personnel Services, founded in 1983, has been named numerous times to the prestigious Inc. 500 list of the fastest- growing, privately held companies.

What is unique to Express Temporary Services compared to other staffing services? What screening process do you put potential employees through to select qualified applicants?

We are a full- service staffing organization offering traditional temporary help, strategic staffing, evaluation and direct hire placement services for all types of industries/ companies throughout central Illinois. We specialize in placing office workers, workers for light industry, technical workers and professionals in accounting and information technology.

Each applicant has something unique to offer and our Express 21- step interview process is designed to determine a person’s special skills and abilities. Screening always includes reference checking and a variety of skill testing- i.e. computer software, office skills, manual dexterity and industry specific skill testing.

Many positions require pre- employment drug screening and understanding of our drug- free workplace policy. Drug screening consent is required for employment by Express Personnel Services.

How was the temporary staffing industry changed in the past 14 years?

We have seen tremendous growth in the industry, with many staffing companies specializing in niche areas like information technology or engineering. Probably the biggest change for me personally has been keeping up with technology requirements. It’s hard to believe that when I started my business in 1989, everything (except payroll) was done manually. We literally kept track of everything on paper.

Tell us about the competition for hiring personnel through a staffing service in this area. The tight labor market has spawned the growth of additional staffing services. How have you handled the increased competition?

The increase in the number of staffing services is a result of increased demand from a growing base of companies utilizing staffing services. It’s been challenging in our business- because of the tight labor market- to recruit and retain the best qualified employees for our client companies.

Applicants, however, are reaping the benefits of this labor market as companies compete by offering better wages, incentives, and benefits. Additionally, applicants have more choices, but should carefully select one or two staffing services that best meet their particular interests and values.

How do you predict personnel staffing services changing in the next five to 10 years?

I see technology playing an ever- increasing role in how we conduct our business. For example, some of our clients now e-mail job order requests, and some invoicing/ billing and payment is done strictly electronically.

I personally believe that in business there is nothing that will replace a face- to- face visit, a firm handshake and the working relationship or partnership we develop with our clients.

You are currently President of NAWBO. Tell us about the organization and its importance to women business owners.

NAWBO is the National Association of Women Business Owners, and I am currently president of the Central Illinois chapter.

Women- owned firms constitute an ever- growing business and economic force. These businesses generate new employment, income and profits- all of which contribute to the economic wellbeing of the nation. NAWBO creates an environment to promote and foster the success of women- owned companies. Members of the association gain access to, and become part of, a significant pool of resources.

What unique struggles do women business owners face? In this area?

Once a woman takes on the challenge of running her own business, I think the hurdles have just begun.

The struggles women business owners face are the same any business owner would face… but many women, in addition to running their businesses, are still primarily responsible for family issues- the primary caretakers of children and elderly parents.

A new woman- business owner (with a male business partner) I spoke with the other day described something she experienced. She talked about meeting with prospective customers (with her business partner) and shared how these prospects looked to her male counterpart rather than her for authority/ credibility. I don’t believe these scenarios are unique to this area.

You serve on the boards of several non- profit organizations. How do you select the organization for which you volunteer?

This community has been very good to me as a business owner, and I believe in giving back to the community whenever I can.

In determining how to assign my most precious resource- time- I look at organizations whose missions I feel strongly about and those in which skills/ talents can be best utilized.

What is your greatest concern as a women business owner?

My concern as a business owner is to successfully grow my business by delivering the best customer service to both my external clients and associates and my internal customers… my hardworking staff.

How is the labor market pool in Peoria? Strengths? Weaknesses?

The Peoria- area labor market, as we all know, is very tight. Fortunately, though, we’ve not had the extreme labor market conditions many regions of the country have experienced.

There are a lot of very talented people in our area. Unfortunately, there is a segment of the area population we consider un- employable. That’s one of the reasons I’m involved in adult literacy.

What positions do local companies call upon you most to fill?

We get a lot of requests for clerical positions: receptionists, customer service, data entry, executive assistants. Also highly requested are skilled- trade positions like welding and CNC machinists.

If you could change something to improve Peoria’s job market, what would it be? (Peoria’s education system, quality of life, etc.)

I think the Peoria area is a great place to live and work. It offers much sophistication, like a “big city” without all the congestion and hassles, but retains a small- town, friendly quality.

I believe the area schools are working hard and trying new things, and from my perspective, it would be wonderful to see students complete a “workforce ready” program.

What are the ages of most of your employees?

The ages of my internal staff of eight range from 30 to 71 years. The majority of our Express Associates are 22 to 45 years of age.

What, if any, are the misconceptions regarding the temporary staffing industries?

It was perceived that going to “one of those temp places” was considered a sort of last resort for employment. Absolutely not true. Going to a staffing agency today means opening the door to employment opportunities with several hundred potential companies. We are like a supermarket of jobs for employment seekers. It is true that temporary employment bridges the gap while searching for the perfect full- time position but many of our employees are career temps who have been with Express for years. They earn holiday pay, vacation pay, health insurance coverage and retirement savings options with Express. Our average hourly pay rate is over $9 per hour.

What is your greatest challenge? Reward?

My greatest challenge is to make sure to maintain balance in my business and personal lives. It’s hard, as a business owner, to “turn off the business” and not take it home.

My husband is very understanding and allows me to use him as a sounding board for specific business challenges I face. I believe my greatest reward has been the success I’ve had in taking the risk and growing my business from nothing to what it is today. TPW