November 2011
In This Issue:
Well City Aims for Greater Success
Maintaining Company Momentum While Enjoying the Holidays
Many of you heard about my involvement in the Well City Milwaukee project when it launched in 2007. A collaboration of the City of Milwaukee, the MMAC, the GMC, the YMCA and the Wellness Council of Wisconsin, Well City Milwaukee is an initiative to empower employers in the delivery of comprehensive worksite wellness programs by assisting them in the completion of the WELCOA Well Workplace Award Application over a36 month period. The goal of the project is to enhance the health and wellbeing of Milwaukee’s workforce in order to create a healthy and vibrant city.
The first phase of the Well City was a resounding success. The initiative engaged nearly 40 employers who collectively employed nearly 80,000 employees or 30% of Milwaukee’s workforce in award-winning, data-driven worksite wellness programs. Milwaukee became the largest city in the nation to win a Well City USA award at the silver level and our efforts helped spawn projects in Racine, Oshkosh and Fox Cities.
Well City Milwaukee is gearing up to launch Phase Two which will run from 2012-2014 and target 50% of Milwaukee’s workforce. As you know, investing in worksite wellness is good business and over time can produce positive return on investment. A coalition of employers who make “wellness the way of work” can help produce a positive return for the whole city.
I would like to encourage all Milwaukee employers to consider signing on to the Well City Milwaukee project and to spread the word. This model provides the support and encouragement an employer needs in order to build a solid foundation for a data-driven, results-oriented worksite wellness program that can help make the most of the investment in total employee health and welfare benefit packages.
Employers who sign onto Well City Milwaukee by Dec. 31, 2011, will be included as Charter Members of Phase Two for press release purposes. Please contact me for more information or call Gail Bennett, Well City Milwaukee assistant director, at 414-274-0770 or visit www.wellcitymilwaukee.org.
I also encourage you to check out two valuable pieces of information regarding preventive care and, thus, supporting wellness initiatives:
By David Hildreth
It’s that “holiday season” time of the year again (Thanksgiving-New Year’s): shopping (even online at work!), cards to write, parties, vacations, family commitments, and more than the usual amount of stress, both personal and business.
It is no wonder that a recent survey by Accountemps found that 44% of executives and business owners feel employees are less productive during this period. Additionally, there is concern the customer could become less important when businesses are looking to not only hold onto but increase their numbers.
While this may be true there are ways in which leaders can counteract much of the distractions and stress, helping people be as productive now as the rest of the year, maintaining a sharp business edge. Here are a few suggestions:
Set clear/high expectations and goals making sure everyone knows what needs to be done. Focus on results and not time. In fact, additional time off for getting things done can be a huge motivator. Provide the required support and most importantly, lead by example. Goals could focus on: planning the first 60 days of the new year, year-end closing and tax planning, annual goal setting, budgeting and finance, bank renewal, interviewing, vendor/supplier agreements and relationship building, to name a few. Coordinate schedules where you can to the benefit of everyone.
Share the spirit and don’t be a Scrooge! Encourage everyone to communicate with your customers, letting them know how much you appreciate the relationship. Cards, small gifts, personal phone calls and/or visits, email Holiday cards, can all be effective. If you have a Holiday party, invite your customers where applicable. Clearly communicate to your customer what your days and hours of operation will be during this period and do this a minimum of three times. Change your company phone message as well.
Engage your organization in a charitable activity such as a food drive, toy campaign, community outreach, and coordinate it with some of your local customers if you can. This type of activity improves teamwork, communication, relationships, collaboration, and a sense of community, which transfers back to the workplace.
Use the down time for personal growth and development by reading or learning those things you have been putting off all year. Relax, step back and spend time with family and friends. Take time out to recharge your batteries and de-stress. Encourage others to do the same, so everyone returns ready to meet the “New Year” head on!
David Hildreth is president of Boost Associates in Pleasant Prairie. He can be reached at dhildy530@hotmail.com.
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