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2008
Perfect Perks
Last week, The Modern Concierge exhibited at a tradeshow for Human Resources professionals in Los Angeles and Orange County– the HR Star Conference at the LA Convention Center.
In attendance were 750 HR executives, and one of the hot topics of the day was employee benefits: How can companies best recruit and retain employees? The more than 30 vendors onsite were more than happy to tell these executives what they needed – pre-paid legal services, pet insurance, fancy coffee machines, chocolate, and of course our suggestion – concierge services!
But what we learned while talking to the hundreds of people who came by our booth is that employee benefits are most beneficial only when they are tailored to a company’s culture. Employees at a manufacturing firm near LAX may want different perks than corporate lawyers downtown – and the goal of a good HR manager is to match its company’s benefits to its employees needs. Out of all the workplace perks available today, what could your company offer that would make a difference to you?
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2008
Easy & Affordable Perks at Work
I just heard about an amazing corporate perk that I had to share (other than The Modern Concierge that is!). A friend of mine works for a company that wasn’t able to give her the raise she (and they) knew she deserved. So, along with a slight monetary increase, they offered her one morning off per month. A half day off each month doesn’t seem like much at first, but just think about it, all of a sudden a weekday is available to you to sleep in, to make those hard to schedule doctor appointments or even to have crowd-free shopping opportunities at Target and Costco.
I remember the first time that I went to Target on a weekday morning during my maternity leave. I was in a different world. Plenty of parking! Clean, organized shelves! No lines! Suddenly I had the opportunity for quiet meandering around the aisles- pure joy.
Office perks come in different shapes and sizes, and creativity in today’s workplace are key. There are lots of easy and affordable ways to show employees that you value their service to your organization. What’s your company doing to show they care?
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2008
Executive vs. Personal Assistant
It’s been a true benefit for me to have an executive assistant, and I’ve been lucky to have several great ones over the years. They have done everything a man can dream of and more: listened carefully to me, cleaned my desk, scheduled my meetings and even gotten me a latte every once in awhile (after all, Starbucks is practically next door). Knowing my executive assistants could do everything I asked, you would think my life would have been so easy.
But it’s wasn’t - I could never ask my assistant to pick up my dry cleaning, find rare wines on the internet, clean out my garage, or complete the many other everyday chores I needed done. In my industry, these types of errands were (and rightfully so) beyond the scope of the professional obligations of an executive assistant. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not crying tears of distress because I’ve had to walk my own dog and wait on hold while calling the cable company for an appointment, it’s just that now I know there are ways to make my life easier and my free-time more fulfilling. While my assistants have always been a part of that puzzle, now that I am working at The Modern Concierge, my eyes are opened to what is possible with just that little extra help. Life is good!
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2008
Employee Recognition Events: On Whose Time?
Many of our clients call on us to plan their corporate events and parties. Now that it’s summer, we’re in the midst of putting together employee recognition events & retreats. Currently in the works are a family beach picnic, Friday ice cream socials, and a Spa Party - complete with chair massage, manicures and a yoga class.
Employers are always seeking new ways to recognize and reward their employees, and the season of sun and fun provides the opportunity for something novel. Our clients tell us that these events pay off in the long run through increased morale and greater productivity (which sometimes wane during these sweltering months). At The Modern Concierge, we firmly believe that those who take the time and money to reward their employees should be celebrated.
But this year, we’ve noticed a shift in the timing of these events. Gone are the mid-week, “go ahead- let’s all get out of the office” events - replacing them are evening, lunch hour and weekend soirees.
Do events outside of work hours truly qualify as perks? Do your employees feel as appreciative and excited if they are spending their own free time to attend? Or is it really any chance to spend time celebrating your successes together what matters most?