Going Green – St. Patrick’s Day
Since 1967, the St. Patrick’s Association, Inc. has spearheaded the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown St. Paul. The year’s March 17 noon parade marks the 52nd spirited tribute to the area’s sizeable Irish population. Mayor Thomas Byrne led the first parade in from the Hilton Hotel (now the Radisson) down Kellogg Blvd. to the St. Paul Hotel. The focus of the parade has always been families. “It’s a baby buggy parade, and we work hard to keep it that way,” notes association treasurer Steward Loper. The Association traces its founding back to Sean and Judith Clerkin’s desire to take…
Work-flex – Part II: Manufacturing Employers
When you’re talking workplace flexibility or “work-flex” in the same breath as manufacturing, there’s bound to be some head shaking. Some grunting and huffing to go with the arms jerked tight across the chest. Work-flex in manufacturing, however, is not a complete impossibility. Sure, some out-of-the-box thinking will have to happen. And no, pieces of manufacturing equipment can’t be toted home so that Tom or Jane can work while caring for a sick child. News flash: telecommuting is not the only way that workplace flexibility is defined. Will a work-flex scenario work for every position within your plant? Most likely…
5 Tips for Keeping Key Employees
If the new year finds the HR department holding their collective breath, fearing/dreading the announcement that a top-notch employee has resigned, it’s time to rev up efforts to prevent the loss of your workers to greener or perceived greener pastures. Everyone knows losing a key employee is costly, making employee retention a challenge facing every organization today. So, what steps will make a positive impact on your retention efforts? 1. Demonstrate Appreciation It may sound too simple but think about it. Who doesn’t want to feel rewarded, recognized and appreciated? When thank you’s, pats on the back, and sincere expressions…
Stress: Part II – Eliminate, Manage, Cope?
So, now that you understand the mechanics of stress, all that’s left to do is divide and conquer, right? Identify the stressors interfering with your mental, emotional, and physical well-being and all will be good. Well, if it were that easy, the harmful type of stress that chips away at people’s health and happiness would have been eradicated long ago. Let’s face it. Watching the evening news is a stress-inducing activity. Hey, just reading about the effects of stress is stressful. Uncertain times whether it be political or personal, work or family related eat away at us. When we feel…
Happy New Year
There’s no need to worry about the post-Christmas blahs settling in with so many fun, exciting, and interesting events still to come this month for the residents of the Twin Cities. With a plethora of ways for Minnesotans to ring in the new year, folks of all ages will be saying goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018 in style. Lovers of the great outdoors will appreciate the variety of outside event noted on Midwest Weekends. Fort Snelling State Park will offer a candlelight walk and ice-skating plus marshmallow roasting. In Eagan, Lebanon Hills Regional Park will hold a New Year’s…
4 Effective Onboarding Strategies
Employee retention has to be top of mind for every business. One of the best ways to improve in this critical area begins with a focused approach to the new-hire experience. Remember, the possibility that this ideal candidate may defect and work for a competitor not only should be a genuine concern but also an incentive to make onboarding a priority. Your onboarding process must welcome, educate, connect, and assimilate new employees. It should position newbies on the team and situate them within the organizational structure and the company culture. It must provide each hire with the necessary tools and…