You probably didn’t say that in so many words, but it’s a common practice to give new folks a 90-day period to ensure that they’re a good fit with your organization. Most often, new hires pass the test. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure their success and make the probationary […]
Author: Carl Martens
All Hands On Deck…Including New Hires
You’ve brought your new hire on board, made all the proper introductions, created a welcoming environment. Now what? The first week or so is even more critical than the first day when it comes to integrating a new team member. That’s when new hires – and organizations – begin to meet the expectations set during […]
Start Workers Off Right
The first day on a new job can tell someone a lot about whether they’re in the right place! After you get through the requisite paperwork, here are a few simple tips to make sure your new hires feel confident and comfortable: Set expectations. Send a welcome email prior to the first day with a […]
Happy Workers, Happy Business
Yes, sometimes it’s just that simple. When your employees are happy, they’re more productive – an average of 12% more productive, according to research by the University of Warwick in Great Britain. And it doesn’t take a professional researcher to conclude that higher productivity is good for business! The question is, how do you make […]
Perfect Employee Attendance Initiative Programs
Remember back when you were in school and perfect attendance was a really big deal? When you think about it, why should it be any different today in the workforce? After all, regular attendance is critical to job continuity and productivity. Conversely, a “slacker” is going to have a negative impact on the department, causing […]
Awards Aren’t for Salespeople Only
Salespeople are the lifeblood of most corporations and have traditionally been treated accordingly – not only with generous commissions, but with cash, travel and merchandise awards. In the case of sales, awards also act as powerful incentives to bring in new customers and meet or beat increasingly aggressive sales goals. But the tide may be […]
Low Budget? No Problem!
There’s a glimmer of hope on the economic horizon, as least concerning job growth. There are fewer claims for unemployment and many companies are even hiring again. Maybe yours is one of them! But even the most optimistic organizations are still watching expenditures very carefully, especially where rewards and recognition are concerned. Recognition is a […]
The Case Against Cash Awards
When it comes to compensation above and beyond salary or commission, companies have traditionally turned to cash. It’s fast, it’s easy and everybody likes it! But according to The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), many companies are now recognizing that cash awards and incentives aren’t necessarily the best way to go. Here’s the case against cash: […]
Retrain and Retain
When a good employee leaves, is he leaving your company…or his manager? No matter how progressive and worker-focused your company is, a bad manager’s employees can’t see past the ugly brick wall in their way. The only choice many see is to turn around and look for a better view somewhere else. You may be […]
Balancing Act
Talk about maintaining a work-life balance is too often just that: talk. The reality is that even among the most well-meaning managers, there’s too much work and not enough people or hours in the day to get it done. Add to that the fact that email and cell phones make most of us accessible for […]
Creating a Fun Place to Work
“Fun is good.” Dr. Seuss once said that. We’ve all likely had the opportunity to read one of Dr. Seuss’ books throughout our lives. His works have sparked the imaginations of countless children, and adults, over the last 50 years. I think we can all take a hint from Dr. Seuss when he says that […]
What’s In It For Me?
No matter how much your employees might love their jobs, not one of them would be willing to do it for free. One of the top reasons for leaving a company is poor compensation or lack of rewards. Compensation management is one of the most critical functions of Human Resources, encompassing not only wages and […]
Hiring Employees with “The Right Stuff”
Values and visions are just words without the right people to carry them out! Initially, it’s the task of the HR department to recruit and hire the best men and women for the job, but ultimately, it’s everyone’s responsibility to nurture their talent, reward their efforts and keep them around. Let’s start with the hiring […]
Why Employees Leave
An old song says, “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” – but unfortunately, good employees do it all the time. Even with the standard two weeks’ notice, their departure can leave a gaping hole in your department’s structure. While you go through the time-consuming and expensive process of recruiting a replacement, other employees struggle to […]
Craft a 20/20 Vision Statement
We’re all encouraged to get our vision checked once a year – the same should apply to your corporate vision statement! If you’re not clear on exactly what that is, it’s closely tied to your company’s core values. Where the core values are a list of closely held beliefs and ideals, the corporate vision statement […]
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise
According to the old adage, that’s what you become when you’re “early to bed and early to rise.” Maybe so, but encouraging wellness in the workplace has the same outcome! Healthy. It’s no surprise that healthy workers are happier, more productive, and a better influence on their co-workers. Employee wellness programs are increasingly popular and […]
Corporate Culture 101: Steps to Success
No books required. ;) Do you want to refer to a manual for every action you take during the day? I didn’t think so. And neither do your employees. Rules and regulations are great and they have their place in every organization. But a firmly established corporate culture, embraced by all employees, will have a […]
Core Values, the Key to Corporate Culture
Quick: In 30 seconds or less, can you list your company’s core values? Don’t feel bad if you can’t. Most of us need a cheat sheet! But if it’s because your organization hasn’t identified their core values, keep reading and take notes. You might be thinking it’s a bit of fluff to establish core values. […]
Eyes on the Prize
Most of us don’t wake up in the morning intending to accomplish a goal. Unless of course, you aim low…like not spilling your coffee or misplacing your phone. Seriously, we’re often just too busy getting things done today to think much about where we want to be months or years from now. Same goes for […]
Idea of the Month
Employee of the Month Programs for Productivity Many organizations in today’s work environment have removed Employee of the Month programs as they are deemed not necessary. If your organization has set this tradition aside, it’s time to give it another look…and bring it into the 21st century. Whether you work for a corporation with multiple […]