Waving the Flag in Minneapolis
It was a proud day in 1858 when, on July 4th, a star was added to the flag of the United States of America for the state of Minnesota, who had joined the Union on May 11, 1858, as the 32nd state. To this day, Minnesotans continue to proudly celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence for the “land of the free and the home of the brave” with a host of family-friendly events and activities in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Check out the Minneapolis 4th of July Guide for details on these (and other) family-friendly activities celebrating…
Inspiring the Team: Part 1 – The Do’s
How can you be the motivational force that urges the team toward greatness? That boosts their efforts, nudges, and prods, but mostly encourages them to be all they can be? As the manager/department head/supervisor, you need to fill that role if you want your team to reach its maximum potential. And why wouldn’t you? There’s no way you put all that time and energy and effort into forming this particular group of employees into a cohesive team only to see them produce mediocre results. Here’s how you can motivate them to meld their combined energy, knowledge, and skills into an inspired force committed to reaching for the…
Employee Handbook Series – Part III – The PROCESS
As a management tool for employers and a roadmap for employees, the employee handbook shouldn’t be considered a “one and done” situation. Because it addresses all issues pertinent to the day-to-day operation of the company and ultimately, it’s success, it will require consistent review to remain the cutting-edge resource it needs to be. “The handbook is a living organism that needs to be changed constantly,” says employment attorney Albert Rizzo. Any number of situations can signal the need to review the handbook and make necessary changes. For instance, growth within the company can bring about the need to revamp conflict resolution procedures. When the inevitable skirmishes and other related blips, bumps, or snafus arise, the detailed plan outlined…
Creating a Positive Workplace Culture
Workplace culture matters. It’s not all about the money anymore. That’s not to say competitive pay should be ignored when putting together a benefits package. Salary matters, too, it’s just not the only factor, nor is it the top consideration these days. Company culture—the sum of the company’s values, traditions, and beliefs coupled with the interactions, behaviors, and attitudes that drive the business—is a game changer for many would-be employees who understand the bigger employment picture. Employees who believe there’s more to a job than the zeros on the paycheck. Positive psychology expert and author Shawn Achor, says that “when…
Employee Handbook Series Part 2 – The HOW
It’s really a no-brainer. An effective employee handbook benefits both sides of the employment equation. In fact, it may well be the most important document your company creates. And the number one reason for that is this: every area of any importance has to be hammered out before it can make the pages of the handbook. Policies have to be set; procedures worked through, decisions made. A meeting of the minds has to occur to figure out the tough stuff, rather than endlessly push to the back burner the issues that, though critical to the company’s success, are sometimes just plain difficult to iron out. Once the policies and procedures are in place, it’s…
Employee Handbook Series – Part I – The WHAT
If you think that by now something has certainly replaced the trusty employee handbook, think again. Even in today’s high-tech world, the need for this comprehensive document has not diminished. If anything, the techie-ness of our society has created a greater need for this compilation of information. By definition, the employee handbook is an assembling of the policies, procedures, working conditions, and behavioral expectations for any particular workplace. Its contents guide both employer and employee expectations and as well as actions. Simply put it lays out how the employer wants employees to be treated and how workers are expected to behave. “It’s an introduction to who we are,” says Julia Grafton, an HR generalist at Boston-based architecture firm Shepley Bulfinch. Effective employee…