Inspiring Workplaces: Creating a Culture That WOWS!

Published: Wed, 04/07/21

View on mobile device or browser
Humor at Work ISSUE 867 - Apr. 7, 2021
header splash
   
    Creating a Culture That WOWS! 
   



 

Some of you had the pleasure of hearing Chief Culture Officer Natasha Purnell share her many inspiring ideas during a recent Every Other Wednesday culture conversation. Here are just 3 things Park Insurance does to build a stronger culture and engage employees:

1. They hire for attitude and for culture PHIT (see below). One of the fabulous questions they ask candidates to help them assess their attitude: "On a scale of 1-10, how weird are you?"  (I think I'd need a "Spinal Tap 11" scale.)

2. They offer a 20-minute paid "away-from-your-desk" wellness break every day and encourage employees to get outside during that time if possible. Employees use that time to meditate, practice yoga, or even engage in a little retail therapy.

3. To WOW their employees and promote their core "PHIT" values (Passion, Happiness, Innovation, Teamwork) they have a peer-to-peer recognition program that uses WOW cards.  To show appreciation for a colleague who wowed a client or who lived one of their values out loud in an amazing way, employees can submit a WOW card (as often as they see phit) to honor that colleague. The WOW cards are featured in their monthly "keeping you in the loop" employee bulletin and the employee who garners the most number of WOW cards throughout the year receives a special honor at their annual winter party. 

rule1
   
    Mike's Fun at Work Tip
 
Thank you Robert Manolson of Powerful Play Experiences for this great suggestion for an employee recognition award: The "Gumby Award!"  The honored employee gets presented with an actual stretchy Gumby figurine to honor them for their fantastic flexibility and amazing ability to stretch during challenging times. 
rule1
    Deep Thought of the Week 
 
Of all the things that taste like chicken, why aren't eggs one of them?
rule1
    Funny Business
 
Someone sent me a video showing an office worker wearing a sign on his back that I think we could all use from time to time: 
 
"Please don't talk to me. I have no self control and will talk to you for two hours and not get any work done."

And in other news, I mistakenly listed Administrative Professionals Day as April 21 in last week's edition (thank you Rhonda for the catch). Even though I think it should be EVERY day, the official day to celebrate your fabulous admin professionals (let's face it, nothing gets done without them) is April 28!  
rule1
 
The Jerk-Free Workplace
Virtual Book Launch!
Wednesday, April 14, which is, yes, International Moment of Laughter Day! Please join me and some special guests for a fantastic hour of laughter and wine & cheese tasting - plus there will be over a dozen fabulous door prizes!

Reserve your free seat here!

Special guests include:

Dr. Lisa Belanger, who will share some thoughts on how to be more mindful and present - even in the face of jerks!

Musician Dave Carroll, author of United Breaks Guitars, will drop in  to share his epic and hilarious story of how he created 3 viral music videos in the face of some jerk-like customer service. 

David Beaudoin, "Canada's Cheese Ambassador," will turn whining into wining with some fun wine and cheese tasting!  


 
  Follow Michael Kerr
pic8 twitterlinkedintwitter
 
Copyright © 2021 Humor at Work. All Rights Reserved.
mike@mikekerr.com