2008-07-08 22:52:06 -

www.epochworkforce.com/ - PAN Communications Ann Shannon, 978-474-1900 epoch@pancomm.com Professional services firm EPOCH(SM), a provider of independently employed financial services executives and accomplished professionals for short term and project based work, has created a "critical business initiatives roadmap" that outlines a new talent strategy to help financial institutions complete critical business initiatives amid expansive downsizing in a troubled economy.

"As the global credit crunch continues to pound Wall Street, entire departments within financial institutions are facing elimination. Once the downsizing takes place, the ability to drive business results and execute business plans is significantly compromised," states Linda Stewart, CEO, president and founder of EPOCH and former Fidelity Investments executive. "Engaging executives on a short term or project basis, who have

completed similar projects in similar organizations gives companies access to deep knowledge and expertise all for a variable cost. It is an extremely efficient, new and cost effective way to run businesses."

The most critical pain points for financial institutions in a down economy:

-- The ability to continue to execute ongoing business plans with reduced staff

-- The ability to develop new and creative product initiatives to remain competitive, with reduced resources

Utilizing her experience in senior management at Fidelity Investments and as acting COO of Veritude, a national recruiting, staffing and talent management organization, where she grew revenue and contribution margins by more than 30 percent in the first year and more than 20 percent in each of the two following years, Stewart notes the following guidelines are important to consider during a down economy:

-- Minimizing business interruption and fixed costs by engaging variable cost external experts

-- Executing critical business initiatives with done-it-before talent

-- Using "free agents" for one-time events

EPOCH is one of the first companies to pioneer the concept of engagement style work - a.k.a. "workshifting" - by matching highly experienced executives and accomplished professionals with financial service organizations that need their proven expertise for limited time and variable cost projects.

For more details on hiring options in a down economy, contact: info@epochworkforce.com.

ABOUT EPOCH

EPOCH is a pioneering provider of executive project services that help organizations obtain the executive talent they need on a free agent basis for short term or project based work. The company's mission is to be the leading broker of independently employed financial service executives and accomplished professionals. EPOCH works with an organization's management team to accelerate the execution of critical business initiatives by identifying and engaging proven executives who have successfully completed similar projects around the world. Accomplished professionals in their portfolio have proven track records in planning and executing complex projects here and abroad.

EPOCH's founders each bring more than 25 years of executive business and recruiting experience in financial services. As accomplished professionals and executives in unprecedented numbers are seeking challenging projects in which they can leverage their expertise, organizations representing a broad cross-section of the financial services industry rely on EPOCH's portfolio to meet their critical business needs.

More information on EPOCH and its Executive Portfolio can be found at www.epochworkforce.com. EPOCH is headquartered in Boston, Mass.

EPOCH and The Next Way to Work are service marks of EPOCH Partners, LLC.

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