Just finished reading the August issue of Florida Trend Magazine's section on "Florida's Best Companies to Work For". The article and data was broken into three categories - Large (defined by 250+ employees); Medium sized (50-249) and Small (15-49). Listed were some perks from the companies and definitions from the leaders. Here is what I distilled as unique for perks:
Diversification trips around the world (int'l co); sizable travel bonus award (travel co); recognize your peers program; rewards for using green products; $2K if involved in a catastrophic event; Wii video game olympics in each office; 25% discount on Tri-Rail; free dry-cleaning; Friday beer time at 3pm and Cuban coffee breaks; two annual all-day parties for all staff; bring your pet to work several times during year; monthly poker night; quarterly bosses dessert cart; 100% paid health benefits for employees and dependents (nice!!!); manicure/pedicure svcs. monthly; paid sabbaticals; joke of the day at 4:55 pm; themed, dress up lunches; 30-seconds in the money machine; flex-time/job sharing/telecommuting; monthly massages; taco Tuesdays at a local Mexican restaurant; golf games in the hall and "Minute To Win It" games.
You can see from the list that companies are getting creative and embracing technologies, the younger generations who are shifting the way companies operate daily. It's important to include fun and variety in the daily tasks that need to get done. Good exercise is to think about how you can continue to motivate your team and staff. Maybe find a new activity from the list above to integrate into your work place or think of something else. Who knows what will evolve?
to be continued......comments from leaders
Friday, August 26, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Taking a Break - Vacatioin
I just got back from being on vacation in the mountains of Colorado for five days. Being there in the summer time is special, especially if you are a lover of nature which I am. Spent quality time with friends, enjoying leisurely dinners; bike riding down Vail Pass (14 miles); hiking around Mt. Evans where there were mountain goats and big horn sheep; attended a rodeo in Beaver Creek; walked and walked some more. I love to read and found time while out there to just sit and read, watch hummingbirds and enjoy a glass of wine and have some great conversations.
When you are focused on daily life, especially if it's business related, you need to step back from time to time to breathe, relax and find some peace. Very important for your overall health and well-being. Make sure you take time to do this even if it's only for an evening, a weekend or even better, a week. Other people will notice how calm you are on your return and you will feel so much better and refreshed. A good example of living life in balance.
When you are focused on daily life, especially if it's business related, you need to step back from time to time to breathe, relax and find some peace. Very important for your overall health and well-being. Make sure you take time to do this even if it's only for an evening, a weekend or even better, a week. Other people will notice how calm you are on your return and you will feel so much better and refreshed. A good example of living life in balance.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Present Moment Awareness
So what were the lessons and gifts from yesterday?
As I was driving down Hillsboro Blvd. I said to myself, most people have no clue that beautification has just been completed along the road as they were too busy with the thoughts in their heads. How many times have you gotten to a destination without even knowing how you got there or what you saw along the way? I appreciate that the city knew the value in sprucing up the place and am grateful for driving by beauty everyday.
After leaving Ellenville Moonlight Farmer's Market last evening, I just felt the sense of community as families gathered to enjoy good homemade food, listen to music, buy fresh produce and plants and crafts/jewerly, experience acupuncture and massage, etc. More and more of these events are occurring around the country as people see the value of grass roots camaraderie. All it takes is someone to create the setting, reach out to merchants and invite the people. Small town America at it's best which can even be duplicated in large cities.
Today, our country is reeling from the stock market dropping by over 500 points yesterday and the uncertainty of the job markets, our economy, the crisis in Europe, etc. What shows up is fear and uncertainty. We are in the midst of massive change in how we do business, how much the government is involved and how the country is being led. Change can sometimes be very difficult but also needed and this is showing up this year in many forms. Lots of lessons and time for reflection. We can't give up or give in but do what we can to keep ourselves sane and resilient.
As I was driving down Hillsboro Blvd. I said to myself, most people have no clue that beautification has just been completed along the road as they were too busy with the thoughts in their heads. How many times have you gotten to a destination without even knowing how you got there or what you saw along the way? I appreciate that the city knew the value in sprucing up the place and am grateful for driving by beauty everyday.
After leaving Ellenville Moonlight Farmer's Market last evening, I just felt the sense of community as families gathered to enjoy good homemade food, listen to music, buy fresh produce and plants and crafts/jewerly, experience acupuncture and massage, etc. More and more of these events are occurring around the country as people see the value of grass roots camaraderie. All it takes is someone to create the setting, reach out to merchants and invite the people. Small town America at it's best which can even be duplicated in large cities.
Today, our country is reeling from the stock market dropping by over 500 points yesterday and the uncertainty of the job markets, our economy, the crisis in Europe, etc. What shows up is fear and uncertainty. We are in the midst of massive change in how we do business, how much the government is involved and how the country is being led. Change can sometimes be very difficult but also needed and this is showing up this year in many forms. Lots of lessons and time for reflection. We can't give up or give in but do what we can to keep ourselves sane and resilient.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Present Moment Awareness
So I have decided to really focus on being in the present moment all of the time. Questioning the lessons behind situations, events, people who show up in my life and what it all means. Today is the first day that I am going to blog about my daily experiences. I am going to try and not bore you with all the details. As I have gotten older, I look back and see how quickly time flies and I really want to benefit from what shows up at any minute during each day and be grateful for noticing.
Today I started out walking out onto our patio and noticing that even though we are in the midst of our hot, humid summer days there was a breeze and it really wasn't that uncomfortable being outside. When I got to the gym, I notice people spinning, playing basketball, working out with trainers, doing some cardio which I did as well but my main reason for going there this a.m. was for a yoga class. We have a great instructor, John who recently relocated to South Florida from Atlanta. He is fabulous, gets us centered into our breathing and also stretches us with some pretty strenuous poses (I love it and can feel it in my legs and arms). You leave class feeling grounded and at peace and stronger. Today he didn't show up and instead another young guy stepped in to lead. Not as great of an instructor as John but it was a good class.
My gym is located in Deerfield Beach on Hillsboro Blvd. The building is not well maintained and it shows a lack of caring as far as I am concerned. The city has been doing some landscaping upgrades which was really needed. It's taken about two years to get done (FPL problem) but Hillosboro Blvd. looks great, big palm trees, shrubs, bushes and new pavers. They are even repaving the road. I appreciate all of this. I bought gas for my car on the way home and the reason I mention this is there is a storm (Emily) out in the Caribbean which may impact us by the weekend. I am very mindful to keep gas in my car, money in my pocket and water in the house. When the power goes out after a storm, can be tough trying to find a gas station with power (although most have generators now), ATMs that work and we have to have clean water.
Heading to Ellenville this evening, a quaint gardening center in Boca Raton that holds local celebrations every Thursday afternoon. Local produce, food trucks, activities for kids, people selling their wares or raising money for charity are all there and there is music. Little hot while the sun is out but great gathering place for the locals.
Grateful for my sound mind, healthy body, people in my life.
Today I started out walking out onto our patio and noticing that even though we are in the midst of our hot, humid summer days there was a breeze and it really wasn't that uncomfortable being outside. When I got to the gym, I notice people spinning, playing basketball, working out with trainers, doing some cardio which I did as well but my main reason for going there this a.m. was for a yoga class. We have a great instructor, John who recently relocated to South Florida from Atlanta. He is fabulous, gets us centered into our breathing and also stretches us with some pretty strenuous poses (I love it and can feel it in my legs and arms). You leave class feeling grounded and at peace and stronger. Today he didn't show up and instead another young guy stepped in to lead. Not as great of an instructor as John but it was a good class.
My gym is located in Deerfield Beach on Hillsboro Blvd. The building is not well maintained and it shows a lack of caring as far as I am concerned. The city has been doing some landscaping upgrades which was really needed. It's taken about two years to get done (FPL problem) but Hillosboro Blvd. looks great, big palm trees, shrubs, bushes and new pavers. They are even repaving the road. I appreciate all of this. I bought gas for my car on the way home and the reason I mention this is there is a storm (Emily) out in the Caribbean which may impact us by the weekend. I am very mindful to keep gas in my car, money in my pocket and water in the house. When the power goes out after a storm, can be tough trying to find a gas station with power (although most have generators now), ATMs that work and we have to have clean water.
Heading to Ellenville this evening, a quaint gardening center in Boca Raton that holds local celebrations every Thursday afternoon. Local produce, food trucks, activities for kids, people selling their wares or raising money for charity are all there and there is music. Little hot while the sun is out but great gathering place for the locals.
Grateful for my sound mind, healthy body, people in my life.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
212 - The Extra Degree Movie
212 - The Extra Degree Movie: "At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive. The one extra degree makes the difference. This simple analogy reflects the ultimate definition of excellence."
Monday, August 1, 2011
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