I Love Team Building

To anyone who has ever participated in a team building activity at work, would you please answer my one-question poll?  Click: http://polls.linkedin.com/p/46900/wject

We should all run our companies like AGM Container Controls. Check out their stats on employee retention!

http://www.azbiz.com/articles/2009/06/26/news/doc4a451f1e5e299274621765.txt

Increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism and increasing retention are all things that translate to a stronger bottom line. And there are no doubt many variables that affect these factors. I’ve heard of many, but here is a new one - sustainable offices:

“Employers are increasingly correlating their sustainable offices with increased work productivity, lower absenteeism and higher employee retention — significant advantages for businesses of all shapes and sizes.”

Unfortunately the article I read cites no source for this claim…I’d be interested to hear whether anyone can substantiate it. Here is the article.

Also…what do YOU think?

Although salary is an important piece of what keeps an employee working for you, it is not necessarily a significant factor in what keeps that employee engaged and motivated. Excellent thoughts on this topic in this article by Ken Thomas.

http://www.managesmarter.com/msg/content_display/training/e3ia63351ea832b17bff55792cc22591fee

Telecommuting is on the rise.  And it is also a great way to cut costs and retain employees. Check out this article for more information.

NEW TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR BUSINESS LEADERS – HOW TO THRIVE DURING 2009
Business Performance Specialists Critical Pathfinders Offer Open Training Session, Leveraging the Power of Crisis

TORONTO - February 04, 2009

The economic slowdown has many business leaders worried, stressed and anxious. The new training program, Leveraging the Power of Crisis – How to Thrive in 2009 for business leaders teaches how to identify and take advantage of the significant opportunities that are available this year. 

The program is provided by performance experts, Critical Pathfinders.  The focus is on seeing opportunity, maintaining a powerful state of mind while everyone else panics and generating effective solutions to the most pressing business problems.

Co-created by Canadian personal and corporate development specialist, Gina Mollicone-Long, Leveraging the Power of Crisis is designed specifically with senior managers and business owners in mind.

“I work with business leaders all the time, hear their concerns and see the mistakes they are making in their thinking, their leadership and in their decision-making.  Creating this program was the best way to help as many leaders as possible as quickly as possible,” explains Ms. Mollicone-Long, who is also the author of the best-selling book, The Secret of Successful Failing.

“People are constantly telling me that they are worried about 2009.  I’m here to tell them that more millionaires are created in times of recession than during high times.  The companies and leaders that stand out this year will be those who step up and change their mindset,” she adds.

Mollicone-Long has over 15 years experience in growing businesses.  She is the co-owner of two international team development companies (Critical Pathfinders and Scavenger Hunt Anywhere) a motivational speaker, successful author and master trainer.

Leveraging the Power of Crisis is available for corporate groups and also as an open session for individual participants.  The first open session is taking place in Toronto on March 5, 2009.  The second one is on March 31, 2009.

For more information about Leveraging the Power of Crisis, visit http://www.criticalpathfinders.com/powerofcrisis.html

Andrew Long
Critical Pathfinders Inc.
http://www.criticalpathfinders.com
(905) 901 -9300
END

Interesting to see that employee retention remains a key concern.

TORONTO, Jan. 8 /CNW/ - A recent survey suggests today’s employers are
most worried about hanging on to good employees, even in the current economy.
When asked about their greatest staffing concern, 35 per cent of senior
executives interviewed cited employee retention, while 23 per cent said staff
morale. Recruitment was named by 22 per cent of respondents.

The survey was developed by Robert Half International, the world’s first
and largest staffing services firm specializing in accounting and finance. It
was conducted by an independent research firm from Sept. 15 to Oct.15, 2008,
and is based on interviews with 100 senior executives in Canada.

Executives were asked, “What is your greatest staffing concern?” Their
responses:

    <<
              Retention …………………………  35%
              Staff Morale ………………………  23%
              Recruitment ……………………….  22%
              Productivity ………………………  17%
              Other …………………………….   1%
              Don’t know ………………………..   2%
                                                       —-
                                                       100%
  �
“Many firms are operating with lean teams in which every staff member
plays a key role in the business, making retention a greater concern,” said
Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Human
Resources Kit For Dummies(R), 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.).
“Companies that lose top performers may not only experience declines in
productivity but also incur significant costs in replacing these
professionals.”

Mike Gooley, branch manager for the Toronto operations of Robert Half
International added, “Maintaining employee morale will assist with retention
efforts. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through effective
communication, making it is essential for executives to engage in frequent
dialogue with staff members to keep them updated on company news and offer
praise and encouragement.”

Robert Half International has more than 360 staffing locations worldwide
and offers online job search services at www.rhi.com.

Research shows that cuts in training and development can go much deeper and resonate noticeably longer than business leaders may initially predict.  Read more: http://www.kansas.com/business/perspectives/story/655278.html

A recent Canadian survey found that “half of working Canadians have issues fitting in their workplace. Apparently one in three feel ‘dragged down’ by a negative work atmosphere.” 

Why create a positive work environment? Because it keeps employees productive and less likely to leave the team.

Read the full article here: http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/Home/News.asp?id=50470