PIHRA Scope - Spring 2009 - (Page 11) GRASS continued from page 9 In addition, remember that trust is a two-way street. Your employees need to feel that you trust them as well. To prove this, companies such as Chaparral Steel and Nucor Steel have opted to get rid of time clocks, and Best Buy has increased productivity at its headquarters by allowing some employees to make their own hours rather than work the typical 9 to 5 shift. By monitoring their employees less, the focus for both the employees and their leaders is placed on the work at hand. And because employees in these companies feel trusted and appreciated they do a great job to show their gratitude. offered by The New York Times, send their interns right out to find stories, and some of the best programs allow interns to shadow the company’s toptier executives. do,” says Sujansky. “It’s the right thing to do if you want to create a successful business. Furthermore, it’s not just a matter of trying to retain people for retention’s sake to avoid the high cost of recruitment, for instance. Engaged employees are creative, productive, motivated and brimming with good ideas. Not only will they stay, they’ll be fully committed to their jobs and to the company’s success.” ■ For over 25 years Joanne G. Sujansky, PhD, CSP, has been helping leaders to increase business growth and profitability by creating and sustaining what she calls a Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organization. Her expertise, insight, wisdom, humor, and practical solutions have made Joanne a highly sought-after speaker for keynote addresses, seminars, conferences, and workshops. She has brought fresh concepts and effective techniques to executives and audiences in over 30 countries around the globe. For more information, please visit key groupconsulting.com or joannesujansky. com. 16 SEED #16: TAKE A SEASONAL APPROACH TO SHOWING EMPLOYEES YOU CARE “There are any number of ways to do this,” says Sujansky. “Be creative. In summer, consider giving half-days off on Friday, or give a half-day off before an employee’s vacation to help her minimize the stress of leaving town. Even something as simple as providing fresh fruit or flowers for the office can make an impact. At the holidays, bring in gift wrappers or give employees a day off to take care of their seasonal shopping. These ideas aren’t expensive, and they go a long way toward showing employees that you care.” “Striving to keep employees happy and engaged is not just a nice thing to 14 1 5 SEED #14: RID YOUR PASTURE OF WEEDS The weeds in your figurative pasture are those poor performers and negative employees who stifle the good attitudes and high performance of their fellow employees. If you’re not pulling out your weeds, then it’s likely their counterparts won’t stick around and keep working with them. They’ll choke out your best performers. “Any environment where employees are not held accountable for their actions, whether they’re positive or negative, can create a poor working environment,” says Sujansky. “The greenest pastures are never filled with weeds so keep that in mind when you are growing and developing yours.” Bolton & Company Redefining Benefits Services Bolton provides Superior service and more tools for your Benefits and Workers’ Compensation needs Find out how you can: • • • • Get a Free HRIS/Employee Benefits Admin System Get a Free Health Risk Assessment tool for your organization Get Free Total Compensation Statements Attend a Free Workers’ Compensation training course Contact SEED #15: USE INTERNSHIP AND MENTORING PROGRAMS TO GROW AND NURTURE NEW TALENT These programs allow promising prospects and employees to learn what your company culture is all about while also developing their own professional skills. They offer a win-win situation for your company because they allow you to get a good look at new talent without paying out a huge salary or, making a long-term commitment. The Egg Factory, LLC, offers what they call the Innovation Challenge to help interns learn about innovation and entrepreneurship. Many journalism internships, including those Bolton & Company Employee Benefits Broker 626.535.1492 Direct info@boltonco.com Proud Supporter of 245 S. Los Robles Ave., Ste 105 Pasadena, CA 91101 License # 0008309 Spring 2009 PIHRAScope 11 http://www.keygroupconsulting.com http://www.keygroupconsulting.com http://www.joannesujansky.com http://www.joannesujansky.com http://www.boltonco.com
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