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The Connector: Edition 134

Jan 28th, 2026 | The Connector

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, TOC turned inspiration into action by coming together for a meaningful Day of Service. In the spirit of Dr. King’s call to serve others, our team members, Liz Thomas, Rebecca Weaver, and Colleen Hamilton gave back to causes close to their hearts, creating impact, building community, and honoring the legacy of service that defines this day.

Rebecca and her daughter brought together a group of five moms and eight high school students to gather in their church kitchen and prepare meals for hospice patients and their families. Together, they cooked 24 pans of baked ziti and 16 quarts of chicken noodle soup, which will be delivered to Homeland Hospice to support families during a difficult time.

Liz and her husband volunteered with the Greater Norristown Art League, putting together care kits for the homeless community that included affirmation cards, hats, gloves, socks, and personal care items.

Colleen spent her time volunteering at the St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona. What a wonderful way to spend the day.

1. Scorecards that Actually Improve Hiring Quality 

For mid-market companies, hiring mistakes are costly. One misaligned hire can impact productivity, morale, and leadership credibility fast. Yet many organizations still rely on gut instinct, inconsistent interviews, or vague “culture fit” conversations. That’s where hiring scorecards come in, when they’re done correctly. 

At The O’Connor Group, we work with mid-market companies every day to improve hiring quality, reduce bias, and build teams that actually perform. Read the full blog here!

2.  AI in Talent Acquisition: Think Small to Win Big

AI is firmly on the radar for talent acquisition teams—nearly 60% of recruiters using it say it improves candidate quality, and most plan to increase adoption this year. But enthusiasm doesn’t always translate into results. Experts emphasize focusing on clear business problems first, not shiny solutions.

At LinkedIn, TA leaders are prioritizing small, controlled pilots, segmenting tools by role and hiring need, and scaling only what works. Success also depends on culture: empowering open-minded “power users” and fostering an environment where experimentation and learning are encouraged. Read the full article here!

3. For Pete’s Sake Young Professionals Society CEO Panel

Join our CEO and Founder, Marcia Zaruba O'Connor, and other Philly industry leaders on February 4th from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the For Pete’s Sake Young Professionals Society CEO Panel: Charting Your Course, hosted by Essent!  Register here!

4. TOC Client Opportunities

We know that finding a meaningful and rewarding job can be a long journey. Our goal is to make that process as easy as possible for you and to create a satisfying work environment - one that you'll look forward to coming to every day.

Take a look at a few of our client opportunities: 

People and Culture/HR Generalist – onsite, Norristown, PA

Director of Finance, Administration and Systems – Remote

Corporate Controller – Scottsdale, AZ

See our full list of opportunities here!

5. Permission to Pivot

Permission to Pivot is an empowering evening designed for women navigating transition and exploring what’s next. Created for those rethinking their careers, returning to the workforce, or seeking a new chapter, the event focuses on building clarity, confidence, and support. Attendees will explore how financial confidence creates freedom and learn how to approach life and career transitions with purpose without pressure, fear, or overwhelm. This experience is about reconnecting to what matters most and permitting women to pivot on their own terms.

If you’ve been feeling a pull toward “what’s next,” this evening is for you.

🗓  Thursday, February 19 | 6:00–8:00 PM

📍 The Free Shop | Ambler, PA
💲 $25 | Includes light bites, wine & curated shopping

RSVP by February 12th. Space is limited. Register here!

6. Wellness Wednesday

Did you know that staring at screens all day gives your brain extra light and stimulation, which can make it harder to wind down at night? If you’re struggling to fall asleep, this might be a contributing factor.  But you don’t need a crazy bedtime routine to improve your sleep.

Here are some quick tips!

  • Create a buffer – stop work/scrolling 20-30 minutes before bed
  • Dim the lights – use warm light at night and lower screen brightness
  • Close the loop – shut down work tabs/apps so your brain can “clock out”
  • Mind the caffeine – try to stop by 2 pm if your sleep feels off
  • Get morning light – 10 minutes of daylight when you wake up helps reset your sleep cycle 

Learn more here!

This information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. The O’Connor Group makes no representations as to the completeness, suitability, or validity of any information contained herein and will not be liable for any errors or omissions.

Let’s start with a conversation.