Time and time again I am surprised by what pleases our new hires. We do a lot of communicating with our new people before they start, but I still never really get around to telling them about the things like free breakfast Thursdays, free drinks in the fridge, etc. I figure it’s a nice thing to find out on their first day that solidifies their decision that we truly care about our people. But one thing that almost always gets a positive response is our gift card to get a shirt with our company logo.
Tag Archives: Random
Company Book Club? There’s a Better Way
Company Book Club vs. Developing an Employee Reading Program
In a previous blog post titled hire for attitude, train for everything else, I wrote about the importance of considering a required reading program for your employees (takes it a step further than the corporate library, right?). At the time, it was just an idea spawned from observing another company and how they operate. However, I am now giving this kind of idea serious consideration in my own organization. See, this year we are going to focus on emphasizing our corporate culture as a recruiting tool, and this is just one more thing (strategy) to set us apart from the average employer.
Why I Believe in Reading (And Why HR Should, Too)
Before I try to sell this idea, I want to explain why reading matters to me. According to some (terrifying)Â statistics, in 2002, nearly 90 million adults in the US did not read a single book. That might not have an impact on you; but it should. I'll put it another way.
Those are our employees. Those are our managers. Those are the unemployed who so desperately want to find jobs. Continue reading
I’m Running (And Other Updates)
Whew. It has been quite a week. By the time most of you read this I will be a few miles into a 50 mile, 3 day stage race on some gnarly trails in Birmingham, AL. Yes, I have a running problem; however, it beats a drinking problem, and in HR, that’s almost a job requirement. :-) I’m hoping that I get a lot of brilliant ideas and clarity out of the most difficult physical challenge of my entire life, but I’ll probably just end up with some really sore legs and hobble around like an arthritic 90-year old for a few days. I’ll try to post something semi-coherent on Monday (we’ll see). Now for some very cool updates that I’m hoping everyone is excited about (because I know I am!). Continue reading
Flexible Work-How I Do It
I work for a small company and have the flexibility to change my work schedule, work remotely, and do a lot of things that would have been unheard of at some of my previous employers. In fact, that flexibility is a great benefit that we offer our staff that doesn’t have a set price tag (hint to the big HR/marketing companies out there: I’d love to have some data on how much people would accept in less salary for the opportunity to set their own work schedule).
As you know, I also blog (duh) and run an online business. I use a handful of tools to help me get everything accomplished, and I thought it might be helpful to discuss some of those.
Productivity tools Continue reading
Barefoot Running and Convictions
I’m taking a moment for a non-HR post today. Enjoy!
In about a week I’m going to be running a local 5k race, and I’m hoping to get out there and have a great time. Oh, and I’m going to leave my shoes in the car. Why? Because barefoot running is something that I truly enjoy. I’ve learned the hard lessons already, and now it’s just a chance to feel free and happy while I’m getting in some miles.
What are the hard lessons, you ask? Well… Continue reading
Thinking On Your Feet-The Hidden Leadership Skill
As I’ve been pulled into more meetings and face-to-face interactions with our leadership team, I’ve noticed two things.
- Some of our leaders are very, very good at thinking on their feet.
- Me? Not so much.
Okay, I get that perspective is a big part of this discussion, but it’s really been interesting to observe some people taking on tough questions without flinching. Is it competency? Seniority? Age? Job function? What’s the secret?
If I had to say, it’s probably a good mix of all those, plus a dozen other intricate details (personality, familiarity with the group, etc.). So what’s a person to do if they are not very good at it to start with?
Lessons from improv
I did a little research to get some ideas on how to respond more naturally to those types of questions, and the “Yes, and…” tool is one that I’ve started implementing already. Continue reading
How to Be the Smartest Person in the Room
My former manager was an amazing leader and mentor. She had some brilliant sayings that I took to heart, and she recently left me with a piece of advice that I’ll never forget.
Become the smartest person in the room by knowing you are not.
You don’t get smarter or better by thinking you’re the best. You get that way by looking for the good in others and being open to what others can teach you.
The moment you start thinking you’re better than everyone else in the room is the moment you start falling behind.
I think sometimes we could all use that reminder.
