Friday, January 29, 2010

New Beginnings


Still being smack in the middle of winter I can’t help but think about when spring is coming, and to me, spring has always been a “new beginning.” It’s an exciting time, a new season, a new chapter.

But why wait? Take today as an opportunity to try something new, do something different, get inspired and inspire those around you.

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ask the Experts

Looking for more information on recognition? In the Janury edition of Incentive Magazine’s “Ask the Experts,” my colleagues Michelle Smith, Dee Hansford, Kevin Cronin and I answer the following questions:

  • What is a good New Years recognition resolution?
  • Last month, your column discussed the high percentage of employees intending to change jobs in 2010. What can I do to prevent my staff from leaving?
  • A recent 360-degree feedback survey of my staff, my peers, and my boss indicates that I need to do some work in the area of recognition. I’m not sure how to begin.
  • What are the key elements of a performance recognition program?
My contribution dealt with the last question. Find out how to get the very best out of your employees here!

Do you have any other recognition questions? Drop me a note in the blog’s comment section below!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Haiti ~ Faith, Hope & Charity

Montreal has a very large Haitian community because of our common language (French) and relatively close proximity to Haiti. Over the years our government has encouraged Haitians to immigrate here and they form an important part of our rich cultural mosaic.

There are almost thirty Haitians working at Rideau and each one has family members in Haiti that have been touched by the tragedy that occurred on January 12th and which continues to unfold every day.

One young girl who recently joined Rideau had seven siblings on the island when the earthquake occurred. Her brother was trapped for three days in a church that had collapsed. Another employee’s mother was missing. It is stories like these along with images coming out of Haiti that are almost too difficult to watch which make us realize there is little we can do to relieve the suffering other than donating money for food, water, clothing and medicine.

Rideau has tried to help out in practical ways. We had a meeting with our Haitian colleagues and told them our fund raising efforts would immediately focus on providing monetary assistance to a charity of their choice. They unanimously chose the Red Cross. We also told them that we could provide individual psychological counseling through our employee assistance program. We also provided them a room and phone lines to try and communicate with their family members. Finally, we told them they should feel free to approach us if they needed emergency financial assistance for their family members in Haiti.

I am so proud of my company. The other day, Rideau’s fund raising committee organized a lunch with proceeds going to the Red Cross. Forty-seven people donated various dishes and raised over $6,000 for the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund, which is actually resulting in a grand total of $12,000 – our Federal Government has promised to match contributions from citizens and businesses who have donated to eligible organizations in support of humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti.

And our efforts will continue.

It is times like these that make faith, hope and charity so important.

Please click below if you would like to donate:
US
CANADA.

Friday, January 22, 2010

My Friend Mark!


None but an ass pays a compliment and asks a favor at the same time. There are many asses.
- Notebook, 1902; also in More Maxims of Mark, 1927

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Artists and Their Times

A few years ago my wife Francine and daughter Veronica visited the Pompidou Museum of Fine Art in Paris.

On the side of the building there was a huge poster that was really neat.



I love the powerful message it conveys.

It is a message we should all remember.

Monday, January 18, 2010

The art of saying thanks for job well done

Contact Management is a Canadian based publication which deals with the “contact industry” such as call centers, IT departments, customer service areas and help desks. They have run my article on how you can turn a high turnover department like the call centre into a group of engaged, loyal and productive employees.

Click here to read my article.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Art from the Hart


Across the Street by Peter Hart

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Recognition Podcast

Incentive Insights hosts a monthly podcast full of great information on incentives. I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by writer Margery Weinstein where we discuss the difference between rewards and recognition, and the roles each play in an effective incentive program.

Click here to learn how simple, cost effective and rewarding recognition can really be.

Monday, January 11, 2010

13th annual RPI Conference

It may seem a little far now, however, Recognition Professional International’s 13th annual conference will be here before you know it!

It’ll be held on April 25th through 28th at the Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, NV. Also, CRP classes will be offered on April 24th, 25th and 28th.

The RPI conference is such an excellent place to exchange and learn recognition information between providers and buyers. Further, the CRP classes are one of the great ways to give your managers the tools they need to give effective recognition that accomplishes all your company’s goals.

Click here for more information
.

Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, NV

Friday, January 8, 2010

My Friend Mark!

If husbands could realize what large returns of profit may be gotten out of a wife by a small word of praise paid over the counter when the market is just right, they would bring matters around the way they wish them much oftener than they usually do. Arguments are unsafe with wives, because they examine them; but they do not examine compliments. One can pass upon a wife a compliment that is three-fourths base metal; she will not even bite it to see if it is good; all she notices is the size of it, not the quality.
- Mark Twain, "Hellfire Hotchkiss," Satires and Burlesques

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Happy New Years!

Hello folks!

I just wanted to wish all of you a wonderful New Year, along with much health and happiness. So here's to a great year starting on the right foot!

Warmly,

Peter

Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is: Training (and Recognizing) Our Own Team


Incentive Magazine just published another of my articles on the importance of employee training. Empowering your employees is one of the greatest steps you can take towards employee engagement. Read why here.