1 / 20

Engaging Our Employees

Engaging Our Employees. Cary Hatcher, Manager of Member Relations Wiregrass Electric Co-op, Hartford, Alabama. Today’s employees are a different breed from other generations. They require that big “WOW” to get their attention.

corbin
Download Presentation

Engaging Our Employees

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Engaging Our Employees Cary Hatcher, Manager of Member Relations Wiregrass Electric Co-op, Hartford, Alabama

  2. Today’s employees are a different breed from other generations. They require that big “WOW” to get their attention. You may feel like you’re from another planet when you explain your ideas to your boss . . and he gives you a blank stare. Some employees may make you feel like you’re from outer space when you try new things . . . But keep on trying. You won’t know what works until you try it. If it doesn’t work, try something else!

  3. The challenge . . . In Co-op world we have many types of employees . . . Just like we have many types of members . . .

  4. You can’t connect with every type with any one style. You have . . . The execs The rest of us normal folks YOU CAN GET EVERYONE ON BOARD! The old school

  5. Communicate in a variety of ways . . . • Mix in some fun with the serious • Newsletters – take them to another level • Contests – get everyone involved • Interaction – it won’t hurt them • Feedback – finding out what works

  6. Newsletters . . . Once a Month 4 pages Printed on color copier Mailed to employees Birthdays and Anniversaries Safety message Health & wellness Co-op policies & news Financial Retirement Industry news Education (Energy 101)

  7. Monday Notes . . . • Weekly email • Easy to use email program for template/design • Sent to all employees, spouses & board members • More concise – include links to longer articles Then take it to another level . . .

  8. Employee Excellence Campaign Developed employee excellence campaign . . . W.E. (for Wiregrass Electric) “Together WE achieve.” CEO meeting during anniversary month.

  9. Employee Recognition Further developed the “Together WE achieve” Into employee recognition. Five cards given to employees to nominate employees who demonstrate exemplary service. One employee will be selected for annual award.

  10. Offered $25 to employees for each business signed up Resulted in 75 local businesses Plus, all employees received cards Co-op Connections Card . . .

  11. The Fred Factor . . . • All execs & staff attended workshop • Received & read “Fred Factor” book • Facilitator challenged employees • Concluded with plan to integrate the Fred Factor into daily work & communications • “The only question at the end of the day is ‘What kind of difference did you make?“’ There are many other good programs for employee encouragement . . .

  12. Annual Health Fair • Gives employees sense that Co-op cares about them • Door prizes • Other vendors • Available to spouse • Flu shots

  13. Employees vote on members from outside employees, inside & staff Serve 2 years on staggered terms Plan and present employee ACRE meetings & celebration dinner Meet with legislators Attend the AREA Legislative Luncheon at state capitol One member assists as chaperone on Youth Tour Employee ACRE Committee

  14. Representatives from outside employees, inside & staff Serve 2 years Plan several functions including Employee Day and Christmas party Select employee Christmas gifts Employee Committee . . . Employee Day . . . Held twice a year on Veterans Day and Good Friday Brings employees from all offices together Lunch provided Reports & updates Silent auction of older items to junk

  15. Kick in with a little fun . . . WITH EMPLOYEE FASHION SHOW “Feeling a little grungy? Are you ready to get your style on? Worry no more! In just a few moments you’ll get to see our WEC employees displaying some of the latest fashions in the Wiregrass Electric Roadie Fashion Show for the stylish employee -- from some of the finest fashion sweat houses around the third-world.”

  16. STUDLY POLOS There may be times when the khaki shirt and green pants just don’t fit the occasion – when your sweetie threatens to leave you at home if you go out in those sweaty work clothes one more time! You’ll look great at the golf course or on a hot date in these fashion polo’s. And how jealous will the guys be at the next co-op meeting or conference when you show up in one of these designer polos? You’ll be the envy of the co-op circuit! First we have Zane, who is ready to turn someone’s eye in this Adidas ClimaCool twin stripe polo in flint and black. It features a rib-knit collar, open hem sleeve, two-button placket and contrast Adidas brandmark at the back neck yoke. Retail price is $59, but it can be yours for the special WEC employee price of $29.50. From Adidas . . . Indonesia! Every stylish guy needs a little black shirt in his closet like Mark. This Chestnut Hill Performance Knit polo features a mesh collar, banded sleeves, and three-button placket. Retails for $25 . . . can be yours for the special employee price of $12.50. From Chestnut Hill Performance . . . China. NOT YOUR MAMMA’S POLO Girls, this is not your mama’s K-mart polo! Sonya is modeling this Chestnut Hill Performance Knit black polo with white contrast stripe on the collar and banded cuffs with four-button placket. This one will go from the office to happy hour in Georgia! The retail price is $28 . . . but it can be yours for the special WEC employee price of $14. From Chestnut Hill . . . China. T-IT-UP ON THE RUN For those times when you’d like to be a little more laid-back, you can show your love for WEC and your favorite college team like Larry and Tammie with these AUBURN burnt-orange or ALABAMA crimson 100% heavy pre-shrunk cotton t-shirts from Gildan . . . Haiti. retails for $10 . . . yours for only $5. For the girly-girls, Lisa and Carole are showing off our stylish red and pink 100% cotton t-shirts. Retail price is $12 . . . yours for just $6. From Gildan, Hondouras, and LAT, India. We don’t want to be accused of discrimination just because they’re cute colors! If you boys really want a pink one, we’ll see what we can do! You can Zumba in comfort in these t-shirts! ROAD GRILLIN’ AND KILLIN’ You’ll be a hit at your next barbecue when you’re sporting one of WEC’s “forest green” apron’s! Jerry shows off this generously cut apron with front pockets to store your seasonings and man-grill supplies. WEC’s special price . . . just $7.50. Buy one for everyone on your Christmas list! From Big Accessories Inc. . . China. When you top it off with one of our stylish straw hats -- you’ll be too sexy for your hat! We searched the world over for this designer classic style with embroidered black band! Better get one fast, because despite the fact that no one would admit to wanting one, they sell out as soon a new order arrives. You can’t beat the special WEC employee price at $6. From Chestnut Hill . . . Arruba. And don’t go to your next barbecue or field party without some protection . . . for your favorite beverage! This coozie in WEC “new green” will keep your cold one cool til the cows come home! At only $1 each, you could buy a set for your next dinner party!

  17. Co-op Feud (Thanksgiving) Tacky Christmas Sweater Christmas party Word of the Day Easter Trivia Contests add to the “fun” . . .

  18. Our latest endeavor . . . Employee Intranet – a work in progress

  19. Connecting with employees requires PATIENCE and WISDOM!

  20. WISDOM to know when to have the PATIENCE to stand back and not mess with it!

More Related