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Businesses are busy and for them, time is money. The more prepared a job developer can be, the more they demonstrate their respect for the business. This presentation offers job developers (or anyone approaching a business on behalf of a job seeker with a disability) the fundamentals for this approach and ways to incorporate these fundamentals into the hunt for the perfect employer.
Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Use appropriate terminology that all businesspeople use and therefore better connect
2. Further business acumen by learning how to relate with employers about what is important to them
3. Learn how to leverage local sources to find companies that are more likely to hire your job seekers
About the presenter:
Deb Russell earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois. She has always prioritized fostering collaboration, a principle that serves as the cornerstone of her boutique consulting firm, Deb Russell Inc. This outstanding consultancy has significantly influenced the corporate landscape. Through her visionary approach, Deb successfully bridges the gap between business and disability, she is known as a pioneer and leader in the field.
During her tenure at Walgreens from 2006 to 2013, Deb spearheaded a transformative initiative at Walgreens, achieving unprecedented success in elevating disability inclusion throughout the enterprise on a considerable and enduring scale. Since leaving Walgreens, she has committed herself to facilitating meaningful connections between all employers and the disability community, while aiding the disability community in establishing robust ties with the business sector. Notably, Deb has crafted over 40 hours of engaging CESP courses, empowering job developers to build effective connections with businesses on behalf of their job seekers.
Before her impactful role at Walgreens, Deb's journey was rooted in empowering individuals with disabilities to secure employment. From being a Special Education Teacher, to Mental Health, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Workforce Development, these roles laid the groundwork for her subsequent influential career.
Continuing to be a catalyst for change, Deb champions her cause through a combination of insightful thought leadership and pragmatic strategies. The foundational principles she cultivated while overseeing the pioneering and highly successful disability hiring initiatives at Walgreens now serve as the bedrock for every triumphant disability-inclusive workforce program worldwide.
