Incentive - August 2008 - (Page 34) KeyBank employees across the country give back to the community under the “Neighbors Make the Difference” program Times Square, where they were invited guests, followed by a tour. Later that morning business sessions included ideas from top financial planners about their practices, such as customer service and how to build a business. Esther Berger, a top financial planner from Beverly Hills, discussed her practice. Friday evening, a black-tie dinner on Rockefeller Center’s rooftop garden featured a string quartet. At the next morning’s business meeting Tulane University finance professor Peter Ricchiuti spoke. Young describes Ricchiuti as being a cross between Alan Greenspan and Robin Williams. Spouses on one morning visited Greenwich Village and toured with Marisa Tomei’s mother, Addie Tomei. They were invited into her home for refreshments and traveled up and down the street being introduced to various shop owners. Despite the fact that many attendees were from other regions of the country, there still was a substantial local contingent, and even they were amazed. The Jersey Boys event rated a five out of five on evaluation forms and the Village tour a 4.9 out of five— incredible results, considering a substantial number of New York locals were participants. Even the meetings rated a four. As for New York City as a destination, Young says the food is top-notch, the theater, the sights and the shopping are always outstanding. The city experience is unlike anything else in the world—especially for financial planners—as this is, after all, the financial headquarters of the world. culate that those volunteer hours equate to approximately 50 workweeks.” Across the country more than 7,000 employees are involved in the program. (KeyBank has 985 branches in 13 states.) “Neighbors Make the Difference” has been running for 17 years, and people love it, according to Sax. “They are giving back to their community, which builds teamwork. When employees get out of the office, it gives them a lift, plus they get to see a project actually come to a conclusion. It is a win-win situation for both the employees and the communities in which they live and work.” KeyBank has another incentive for employees. If an employee serves on the boards of federally registered nonprofit organizations, KeyBank makes a $500 leadership gift. In addition, if an employee makes a gift to a nonprofit organization, KeyBank will match it. “Part of our culture at KeyBank is to support and give back to the community,” adds Sax. “We look to our employees to serve on boards and participate in nonprofits in whatever capacity they would like. If you are committed to an “This started as a grassroots effort among employees, and has now taken hold across the entire company.” –Ellen Sax, KeyBank A Bank That Gives Back O ne of Cleveland, Ohio–based KeyBank’s incentives for employees is also a benefit to the community. “Neighbors Make the Difference” day is an annual program started in 1990, that involves all KeyBank branches across the country. Employees leave their offices at noon and spend the afternoon helping in the community. For example, 500 employees from New York’s capital district volunteered at 57 different locations this year. These volunteers go out and help different nonprofit agencies with everything from weeding gardens to painting walls, filing, sorting bottles or even washing dogs. “This started as a grassroots effort among employees, and has now taken hold across the entire company,” says Ellen Sax, vice president, community relations. “It’s great for our employees and great for the community. In the Capital region alone, we cal- organization, your service to them is acknowledged by KeyBank through a gift to that organization.” Health, Fitness and Star Tellers t BB&T Corporation—a bank that covers much of the southern and midAtlantic United States—employees can take advantage of a strong wellness and fitness program. If employees improve their wellness statistics, they get incentives directly applied to their health benefits in the form of reductions in premiums. BB&T reviews its incentive plans on a regular basis, asking for input on what employees and customers want to see, or things that might best motivate them. A bank task force studies ways to enhance the incentive system to make sure BB&T is in line with the competition. A 34 | Incentive | August 2008 | incentivemag.com http://incentivemag.com
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