As we announced in last week’s issue of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, Top Echelon was sold in an asset purchase to SageLink Capital.

I’m sure this news might have caused a bit of consternation and quite possibly concern. Such a reaction would be understandable. After all, the announcement of an acquisition brings with it a certain degree of uncertainty. That is why we’ll be addressing the acquisition in a more in-depth fashion in this issue of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog.

From the very beginning, we stressed to SageCapital how important our customers are to us. We made known that their loyalty and faith in our service and support was not something we took for granted. It’s something we have to earn every day, every month, and every year for us to move forward. We told them that for the acquisition to happen, it had to be excellent for our customers and excellent for our employees. And we believe, that with these resources and the confidence that the Top Echelon leadership has in the new ownership, it will be excellent for both our customers and our employees.

Of course, with any transition like this, there will be some changes and I’ve listed four of the major ones below:

1. The most obvious is the ownership. Mike Kappel, the company’s founder, is no longer the sole owner of the company. However, he does have a seat on the board of directors.
2. After being President of Top Echelon for over 15 years, I’m now the President and CEO reporting to the board of directors.
3. The company name has changed from Top Echelon Network, LLC to Top Echelon Software, LLC. However, our two main products are still Top Echelon Network and Big Biller.
4. SageLink has the resources to help us develop our split network and our recruiting software to a greater degree and more quickly than we could do so otherwise.

Now, what has not changed:

• Drea Codispoti is still the Director of the Network.
• Our staff is still here and ready to take your calls and answer your questions.
• The Top Echelon headquarters is staying in the same building in Canton, Ohio.
• And our mission for the split network remains the same: to help recruiters make more split placements! As a matter a fact, the split network was a major factor in the acquisition and is a foundational piece of our go-forward strategy.

As you can see, what’s not changing is who we are as Top Echelon.

Our employees, our company culture, our passion for service, and our core values as an organization have not changed one iota, nor shall they.

The “heart” of Top Echelon is rooted firmly in our commitment to ethics and the “soul” of Top Echelon is anchored by integrity in thought, word, and deed.

So I guess you could say that in this instance, the more things change, the more things stay the same.

Last but not least, I want to thank all of you for your loyalty and patience as Top Echelon Network members. We would not be where we are today without you, and your commitment is yet another reason why this is an exciting time for Top Echelon. Thank you all!

Okay, the dust has settled. I know that you have questions. I saw them on the Top Echelon Network Discussion Forum during the past seven days. In fact, I addressed many of them on the Forum.

And like Mark Demaree, I also understand the concerns regarding the uncertainty surrounding SageLink Capital’s acquisition of and subsequent partnership with Top Echelon. I thought that the easiest way to do this was through an informal question and answer (Q&A) format. Except in this case, we’re going to both pose the questions and answer them.

Q: What’s in it for you, the customer?

A: In short, we are going to provide you with more of what you’ve come to expect from us in terms of your Top Echelon Network membership. Specifically, there is going to be more in terms of development of the Network software. We have big plans regarding the Network software. We want to make it even easier for members to share job orders, candidates, and other information with each other. Our over 30 years’ of experience has taught us that when recruiters are able to share information more easily and quickly, they make more placements together. And this opportunity will enable us to facilitate this.

Q: What is happening to the Top Echelon staff?

A: The Top Echelon staff are staying right where they are. Mark Demaree is still the President, I’m still the Director of Network Operations, Todd Bossler is still a Software Product Manager, etc. The members of the training and technical support teams are still here. Nothing is changing in terms of the Top Echelon personnel and staff.

Q: Are Network prices going to increase?

A: No, the cost of Network membership is not going to increase. Currently, there is a $330 start-up fee for new member agencies in Top Echelon Network. The monthly cost of Network membership is $130 per month. There is a 6% brokerage fee on all split placements made in the Network, with 3% paid by each recruiter involved in the placement.

Q: Is there going to be less focus and less of an emphasis on the Network now?

A: Absolutely not. In fact, just the opposite is the case. SageLink Capital is excited by the prospects of growth for not just the Big Biller recruiting software, but also for Top Echelon Network. So in no way, shape, or form will the Network be “sacrificed” in the interests of generating more growth for Big Biller. The goal and the plan is to grow both at the same time by devoting the appropriate resources (and the appropriate amount of resources) to each.

Q: Is the Network eventually going to be sold?

A: Simply put, the Network is NOT going to be sold. As I just explained in my answer to the above question, the Network is an integral part of SageLink Capital’s overall plans for Top Echelon’s growth. And that is the number-one reason why I answered the first question above the way that I did. There is plenty of reason for you to be excited about this transaction as a Top Echelon Network members.

And there’s plenty of reason for us to be excited, too. We look forward to what the next chapter in Top Echelon’s story will bring, and we’re glad that you’ll be taking the journey with us.

We may be answering more questions about this acquisition and partnership in future issues of The Pinnacle. If you have any specific questions for me about these recent developments or about your split network membership, I encourage you to contact me.

You can do so by calling 330.455.1433, x156 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

As we announced in last week’s issue of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, Top Echelon was sold in an asset purchase to SageLink Capital. However, Top Echelon Contracting was not part of that acquisition. With that in mind, we’re pleased to announce that the new name for Top Echelon Contracting is now FoxHire.

It’s understandable that you might have some questions about this transition. So I’d like to answer those questions in the following Q&A format.

Q: Does FoxHire have new contact information?

A: Yes, FoxHire has a new phone number. That number is 888.534.9417. (Please note that since Top Echelon Software and FoxHire are separate companies, Top Echelon employees will not be able to transfer Network members to FoxHire.)

As you might have already guessed, FoxHire also has a new website address. The new URL is www.foxhire.com. All links on the Top Echelon website that connected to Top Echelon Contracting web pages and blog posts will now be redirected to the FoxHire website.

Q: What if I have an active placement with Top Echelon Contracting?

A: If you’re a Top Echelon Network member with an active placement with Top Echelon Contracting, you can still use the login link that you’ve used to this point. The process that you’ve used to this point will not change.

Q: If I make a split contract placement in the Network, will FoxHire take care of the employer of record back office details?

A: Yes. TEC handled the back office details for split contract placements in the Network, and now FoxHire will do the same.

Q: Will FoxHire have different employees than Top Echelon Contracting?

A: Aside from the recent retirement of Top Echelon Contracting President Debbie Fledderjohann after 26 years, FoxHire will have the same employees as TEC.

Q: Can I expect the same level of service from FoxHire as I did from Top Echelon Contracting?

A: Absolutely. FoxHire will provide the same high level of service. As the legal employer of record for contract workers, FoxHire handles all of the employment and personnel related tasks. FoxHire employees possess a tremendous amount of expertise regarding all aspects of contract staffing and back office services for recruiting agencies. There will be no drop-off in terms of customer service or support.

Q: Will FoxHire be in the same physical location as TEC?

A: Yes, it will. That location is in Canton, Ohio. In fact, FoxHire is residing in the same building that Top Echelon Contracting was in prior to the name change.

Below is additional information about Foxhire from its website:

To make hiring contract workers as easy as possible, we reinvested millions of dollars into streamlining our software systems in 2018 and 2019. Soon you will be able to log in and start running quotes to see your client’s bill rate, your contractor’s pay rate, and what you will earn!

We have been known as Top Echelon Contracting for nearly two decades, but with the simplification of our software systems came the need for a simpler name. Starting in 2019, we started doing business as d/b/a “FoxHire” — but our values and dedication are the same.

Not only are we excited about the future of Top Echelon Software, but we’re also excited about the future of FoxHire!

Going forward, we at Top Echelon are going to strive to communicate more information to Network members about the many upgrades and improvements being made to the Network software.

There are two simple reasons for this:

1. We are continually working on the software. However, if we don’t communicate what we’re doing, then Network members like yourself may think that we’re not doing anything. That is certainly not the case. Although we share information at recruiter networking events like the upcoming Fall Conference, not every member attends those events.
2. If you’re fully aware of the upgrades and improvements that we’re making to the Network software, then you can better plan how you’ll utilize your split network membership. Planning is one half of success. Execution is the other.

Software release: Network Candidates

With this is mind, we’re excited to announce a new software release that is upcoming. That release is Network Candidates, which is a fresh approach to the MEGA Database from the legacy version of the split placement software.

Please note that this is NOT just a different version of the MEGA. It is better and provides you, the user, with more decision-making data. What, exactly, will it have?

• For starters, you’ll search in one place for your candidates within the Network software. Specifically, you’ll click the “NETWORK” tab in the search results to see what’s available in terms of the over four millions candidates to which you have access.
• Multiple state location searching
• Filters: Most Common Locations, Education Levels, Resume Add Date, and the top five recruiters representing data in the list
• More information to make a determination regarding which candidates to request:
  • Current Position Title
  • Location
  • Parsed skills from the resume
  • Display of past work history position titles and the number of years/months in those positions
  • Summary on the candidate

When will all of this be available in the new Network Candidates tool? Our goal is to release this tool within the next month.

In the meanwhile, tune into The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog next week, when I’ll have a short video showing the Network Candidates tool in action!

You can register for the 2019 Top Echelon Fall Conference!

That’s because Early Bird Registration for the conference is now live. You can sign up for just $249 per person.

We strive to keep the cost of attending our recruiter networking events as low as we possibly can. From our perspective, there is no good reason to raise the price, regardless of inflation.

That’s because we want you to attend. When you attend, you meet other recruiters and build trading partner relationships. And when you do that, you make split placements.

Live from Chicago . . . it’s the Fall Conference!

Not only is Early Bird Registration for the Fall Conference now live, but it will be available until August 31. Regular Registration for the Fall Conference will run from September 1 until October 9. The price of Regular Registration will be $295 per person.

This year’s Fall Conference is scheduled for Monday, October 21, though Wednesday, October 23. The site of the conference is the Sheraton O’Hare Suites (formerly the Sheraton Gateway Suites). Our room rate with the Sheraton O’Hare Suites is $189 per night. That rate is good for Top Echelon split network members attending the conference.

To make hotel reservations at the Sheraton O’Hare Suites, call 1.847.699.6300. Be sure to reference the “Top Echelon conference” and its dates when you make the reservation. Please note there are a limited number of rooms available at that rate for our group. As such, they will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Sheraton O’Hare Suites is located near the Chicago O’Hare Airport. A courtesy shuttle will be available for your transportation. Also keep in mind that you do not have to stay at the Sheraton O’Hare Suites. You also have the option of staying at any hotel of your choice and traveling to the Sheraton.

How and where to register

Now . . . how can you register for the Fall Conference? Once again, we have a special website for conference registration. Click here to visit that website, which contains the following information:

• The preliminary agenda
• The speakers (including representatives from Haley Marketing!)
• A link to register for the conference
• A link to book your room at the Sheraton O’Hare Suites

Or, if you want to “cut right to the chase,” you can click the link below to register for the Fall Conference:

Yes, I want to register!

It’s a proven fact that attending our events helps recruiters enjoy more success as members of Top Echelon’s split network. This event will be no different. I can promise you that there will be sessions and activities specifically designed to help increase your billings. And I don’t mean just your TE billings. I mean your overall billings, as well.

So sign up, save some money, and make some placements!

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!