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SusanAscher
The Ascher Group | sascher@aschergroup.com | President & CEO | 10/30/2002 | CEO
Susan Ascher is Founder##comma## President & CEO of The Ascher Group##comma## a provider of contract human resource professionals##comma## located in Roseland##comma## NJ.
What kind of training or education did you acquire before your venture?
I am a Lehigh graduate and opened my own business by the age of 28. As my company has grown##comma## I have evolved from running the daily operations of the company into a Labor Market Futurist for The Ascher Group##comma## the small business community and the national staffing arena.
What services or products does your organization offer?
My company offers professional level human resource executives on a contract or contingent basis.
What type of business or organization do you operate?
The Ascher Group is an S corporation chosen because of the tax advantages.
How many employees do you currently have?
I have 8 staff employees and the number
How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
The Ascher Group was founded as an executive search firm in 1981##comma## and later a temporary administrative division was opened as a corollary to this service. When the recession of the early 1990s occurred##comma## I combined my executive level search division and my temporary area to create ##quote##The Ascher Group Temporary Professional##quote##. While there have been some tweaks along the way##comma## in 1999 we rebranded into The Ascher Group Contract Human Resource Professional##comma## we are still based on the business model developed in the early 1990s.
How did you originally fund your organization?
personal funds
Are you the founder of your organization?
Yes
Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
At The Ascher Group##comma## I try to build a culture where our clients are treated as clients##comma## our candidates are treated as clients and our employees are treated as clients. In return##comma## I receive tremendous repeat business and loyalty.
What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
The biggest obstacle was getting both corporate America and professional level candidates to accept the concept of contract employment.
Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
I feel that if an entrepreneur has the vision and the drive advisors play a secondary role in his endeavor.
Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
No
What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
Saying what I mean and meaning what I say.
What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
By offering the best service at the best price.
What types of marketing do you employ?
Branding my service
Using public relations and community involvement to raise awareness
Do you employ any web or online marketing?
Absolutely##comma## it has allowed my company to streamline and deliver my service more efficiently.
What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
Everyone has made mistakes##comma## I try to see failure as one step closer to success.
Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
Wanting to run the show has been an ingrained aspect of my personality since I was a young girl.
What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
I would recommend reading every newspaper and trade magazine in your industry that you can get your hands on. In my particular business##comma## The Age of Unreason by Havard Professor Charles Handy##comma## helped me re-engineer my company.
Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
There are lots of trends occuring today. Of interest to me is the aging of the Baby Boomers because having them leave the employment arena will create a tremendous void.
Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
I believe it is critical to network at all times. It should be a part of life not only when you need a job##comma## a contact or a reference. If you keep an open pipeline to everyone##comma## information will automatically flow in.
What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
To say what I mean and mean what I say.
If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
I feel a college education demonstrates to the world that one can start a project and finish it. If you are going into a specialized field##comma## then an advanced degree would be useful.
What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
To believe in yourself and follow your passion.
