CRI???

[Incognito]

So, I've been a member here for a while now, and what hits my personal email, but a letter from Robert Lowe talking about this "professional staffing company" called Construction Resource Management, Inc. and Hardline "teaming up" to create a new division called Construction Resource International (CRI). Anyone else get this garbage?

At first, I was intregued, to say the least. There are a LOT of fancy words in there, sounds really nice, on and on and on. Again, "gold paved streets, gumdrop showers, and chocolate trees". One thing I think they fail to know is that, I'm not the smartest guy in the world, not very good with a computer, but I HAVE been doing this a long time, and know a lot of people, and can pick up a PHONE. So I did what any old coot would do, some digging.

I'm telling you this story so I can tell you another one. "Teaming Up with..." is a rather loose term. Why? Because Rob is Hardline, but at the same time, Rob is this new CRI, so in essence, Hardline is CRI, CRI is Hardline. So, the division that is being "created" is a professional staffing agency FOR Hardline. Basically, doesn't this mean that you pretty much work, where Hardline has jobs? Sure there is probably some lending of hands out to other companies, that is always a good idea, but not for the worker because the companies getting you as a hand, are paying CRI money to get you, instead of just giving YOU, the guy WORKING, the money. I'm all for companies making money on projects, but NOT for companies making money just to lend you out, have you sweat your nuts off doing the work, and they make money as long as you are just there working.

This brings me to asking what yall think about this, cause it seems a little shady to me? I've even seen the website he put in the email and it looks as though they are going to have a "chat" section. Wonder where THAT idea came from? Not sure where I saw it, but I remember reading someone saying something to the affect of just taking our logo and changing it around for a company to use, cause that is what it would be. A website made BY a company FOR a company. :nono:

Anyone else think any of this?

[mexfishguide]

I have thought about this for some time. I can say with all honesty Rob and his idea has been around for some time now, headrat can testify to that fact.

Rob has already got a large list of craftsmen including their resume, from this site!!!!:rockwoot:

Rob is an agreesive, plow ahead fellow, I would like to see him get ahead, but not at the cost of his "hands".

As is normal we as working folks, never get the full story. In this case at least
Rob is on site not trying to run the job from the office in the states. One of my brothers works for Rob and thanks well of him.

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[Pops]

personally, as long as I am being paid MY rates, I don't care if they pay a staffer 100 bucks an hour for me. as long as I am getting mine. start cutting mine to pay them though, and I DO have a problem. but thats just my:2cents

[Hardline Rob]

CRI is seperate and apart from Hardline. It will be a full time staffing agency for skilled overseas workers. Only you will still go job to job but be paid through CRI. This way you keep your benefits, seniority, insurance whatever. It is still a concept in the works, Got some of the groundwork laid and trying to get the rest of it going... hard to do as I am getting my ass kicked in Iraq at present. Don't like the idea of someone else constantly trying to find you a paying gig? Just say no. Pretty simple concept. From what I have seen, there are a lot of folks looking for a hook up. I intend to provide the service if it can be done. Only tie in with Hardline at present is to carry the clearences as we are already established. When CRI can stand alone it will. Any additional questions gladly answered. Anyone interested in this type of set up or am I wasting my time?-rob

[Pops]

I am definitely interested in this kind of setup. As long as you can say NO to a job and not be blacklisted for it.

[boothtech]

Anyone interested in this type of set up or am I wasting my time?-rob

Interested!! Would like to know more!

B.

[Expat]

Interesting concept. But as we all know the devil is in the details. Look forward to seeing how this develops.

[Hardline Rob]

To all,

I am leaving Iraq at the end of the month... My new job with Hardline is "business development". My focus initially is get CRI up and running. Most of the groundwork has been laid, it only needs the jumpstart to get it moving. I will post here as it comes together or falls apart whichever it may be. I am still doing homework and learning how things work in this arena and how the different clients operate. It is not easy finding a one size fits all.... I will continue to solicit advice and thoughts on what you the ratpack thinks or would like to see in operation. Thank you for the patience shown thus far relating to CRI as I know it is in short supply here on the ratpack...

If any of the ratpack has any ideas or thoughts of how Hardline can assist a startup, division or joint venture that mutually benefits please feel free to drop me a line to open up a dialogue-rob

[Hardline Rob]

Incognito made a resonable accusation, (Hardline is CRI) For a "staffing" program to work you either have to have all the resumes in line and looking for the contracts to employ them or all the contracts to put the people to work and trying to find them. Someone has to head it up to kick start it. SO YES that means Hardline would be a driving force behind the staffing company. It will be a separate company though. Hardline just may be one of its best customers.

Once you get either enough people and the process to search them and track them functional or the contracts to support them then the flow starts from both employees and employers. This idea has not died but in the course of trying to keep Hardline working and taking care of the "birds in hand" moving it forward has been on hold.

While this idea has been in a hold pattern I have been working on opening up the conduits in which we have access to work and contracts. We have 4 IDIQ contracts in place, are partnered and/or have ongoing relationships with more than 15 contract holders, all of which face the same dilema HII does, the correct number of skilled experts on a "when needed" basis.

I still think we (Hardline) can create a win/win scenario for the members of Ratpack. I just spent the last two years building my infrastructure to support this. We have brick and mortar location with enough office space and supporting phone lines, internet for the Personnel coordinators, sales staff and other personnel needed to kick this off. The idea being participants get assigned a real person (personnel coordinator) to help find you a job. By piggy backing on HII we also have the ability to hire in house for our own projects, maintain people’s clearances, provide health insurance, benefit packages etc.

Anybody interested in trying to develop this with me or any ideas on how to structure, how to prioritize and rate the various skill sets? First thing to kill the program is sending out the wrong people to a client or inequality in pay for obvious differences in talents within the same skill set. How do we establish the pecking order/rating system for both employees and employers? Any thoughts out there?-rob