FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2007
Deborah Farrar
317-218-1900
Fax: 317-841-8416
dfarrar@salesmeridian.com

Lushin & Associates, Safari Solutions Join Forces to Create SalesMeridian

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (September 21, 2007) – Many college graduates are hard pressed to meet the expectations they’ve set for their dream job and ideal salary. Long gone are the days when a degree guaranteed a good paying job. Competition is fierce and employers demand not only the education, but also relative on-the-job experience.

Two local companies have teamed up to not only help college students gain real-life experience, but also to help local businesses attract and retain local talent. Lushin & Associates, a sales and management training firm in Indianapolis, announced today the joint partnership with recruitment management consulting firm, Safari Solutions, and entrepreneur Deborah Farrar to create SalesMeridian.

“I am delighted to offer TargetPort to my clients as a compliment to their listings on big job boards, like Monster and CareerBuilder,” said Safari Solutions founder Ann Clifford. “With TargetPort they can build a branded experience as part of their company website. This will allow my clients to engage candidates by delivering positive, compelling information about their company, its mission, its culture, and most importantly, available job openings.”

SalesMeridian provides sales and management training for recent graduates as well as a personal recruiter to help them secure a career, not just a job. This training supplements an earned college degree giving them an edge in the marketplace. Young professionals will receive professional sales and management training as well as one-on-one mentoring and coaching from Lushin & Associates. In addition, Safari Solutions will launch a recruiting initiative to attract young professional to the SalesMeridian program and manage the matching process of SalesMeridian Certified professionals with corporate employment opportunities.

“This partnership will be instrumental in matching young professionals and local businesses,” said Paul Lushin, president of Lushin & Associates. “Our sales and management training complimented by Safari Solutions’ recruiting relationships with local companies will successfully match the right professional with the right company.”

Entrepreneur and successful business owner, Deborah Farrar, will drive the venture by launching the program through the development of corporate and university partnerships as well as recruitment of candidates. An Indiana native, Deborah earned her degree from IUPUI and has successfully served as sales director for several local businesses before owning her own. As a previous business owner and executive, she will also serve the young professionals through mentoring and coaching.

The ideal candidate for SalesMeridian holds an associate or bachelor’s degree with a few years experience on the job – whether through part time, internships or full-time status. The service and training are free to the young professionals provided they successfully complete the certification program. Companies who hire the professional through the recruitment process with Safari Solutions will contract for continued sales training for the hired individual.

“We feel this program will offer professionals real-world experience to compliment their education earned at the University, making them more attractive for higher paying jobs,” said Ann Clifford, owner of Safari Solutions. “For the companies, we reduce the hiring risk factor by offering well-trained, experienced professionals they can trust to get the job done.”

SalesMeridian, Lushin & Associates and Safari Solutions are located at 5655 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive in the Castleton Creek office park on Allisonville Road north of 86th street before 91st. For more information, call 317-218-1900.

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