Blogs

Creating a Great Workplace
People managers are the ones who manage people in organizations, not HR managers or top management. A vast majority of them are line managers with little or no expertise in how to manage people in organizations. Almost all senior managers seem to agree that developing line managers as good people managers is one of the top three people related challenges for an organization, yet only few have tackled this challenge successfully.

Creating a More Engaging Learning Experience
How can we create transformative learning experiences?  Workplaces spend a lot of time and resources coordinating these events with the hopes that employees will leave more developed than before, so it is important we figure out how to create experiences that are memorable and transformative.

Owners have a lot on their plate, so why add being a great workplace? Amidst the hundreds of decisions and discussions demanding attention daily, it seems natural that an owner's focus would fall solely on keeping the lights on, and not employees' experiences. Yet even in today's economic uncertainty, many owners still make it a priority. Read more to find out why.

Rethink How You Work
To my left sits a stack of books topped by a lush golden pothos plant cascading where it wishes. To my right, a water feature with a calm and perpetual flow that both soothes and serves as my cats’ drinking fountain. I have everything a desk dweller might need, and yet still, there is something very critical missing; something that may be contributing to my cognitive demise.

A huge shout out goes to Google, #1 on the 2012 Best Companies to Work For® list, for hosting Great Place to Work on a tour of their San Francisco facility this past Monday. Twenty of us rolled in, ate lunch at their yummy, yet nutritious cafeteria, and caught a glimpse of their award-winning culture.

Ideas for Developing Leaders
As the third quarter of 2012 comes to an end and you plan your company’s budget for next year, consider how you can be a better manager in 2013. Consider how you can inspire and build your team to be strong leaders using concepts and best people practices compiled from Best Companies.  Here’s a sample of what Best companies do:

Ryan LLC is a global tax services firm located in Dallas, Texas that was previously known for long hours, zero flexibility and a rigid work environment. The CEO, Brint Ryan had built his business around a model typical of accounting firms- one based on mandatory hours required all year round. But slowly attrition rates began to rise, and the number of job applicants grew fewer and fewer.

How do we create a sustainable resource for innovation?
It is strange how a workplace can take on the characteristics of an individual.  It develops a personality, an unique style, a circle of friends, acquaintances, and even adversaries.  Often, it can feel like an entity unto itself. If, however, a workplace was able to converse, here are a few of the questions I might ask:

Less than a third of employees believe that a survey will result in significant organizational change. With so many companies setting ambitious goals and administering employee surveys, why is it that so few actually realize the changes they seek?

The Foundations of a Great Company Culture

In her recent article, Time for a New Leader in the C-Suite?, Meghan Biro of Forbes presents a number of compelling reasons for why companies should add a Chief of Culture Officer to their C-Suite. It’s easy to see why culture is so important, with companies such as Google and Whole Foods consistently demonstrating that putting people first helps them achieve record-breaking results.