Cooperation pays off . Competition is a mantra in the business and even non-profit worlds, but more and more organizations are learning that cooperation pays off. Many times during planning meetings, the agencies partaking in the recruitment campaign shared ideas and tips to help each other. They frequently would refer a prospective worker to other agencies if the fit was not right for them, knowing that the favor would be, and often was, returned. At the job fair, many agencies found that in addition to meeting prospective workers, they could learn more about each other in ways that would help all of them achieve their goals.
Autonomy is critical .
From the beginning, DMR said it would sponsor the effort and provide support, but that it was up to the agencies to share and direct the campaign. If there were any doubts about the Department s promise to let the agencies run the show, they were dispelled. The agencies drove the campaign from the start, and continue to do so today. Their willingness to stay with the campaign, especially as the agency representatives themselves are very strapped for time, indicates more than anything else that it was worth their while. Follow-up is essential .