workplace culture « IBEX Payroll Blog

Posts Tagged: workplace culture

FYI — 29 Comments
24
Apr 12

Positively Awesome Giveaway!

By IBEX Staff

By now you know that IBEX culture is a little bit, hmm, how shall we say – different! We have weird titles (i.e. Alpine Crew, Grumpy Goats, Feedcounters etc.), we have daily Herddles and we go out of our way to make our customers and our fellow Herd members smile. Strategies we like to do because we want to work in a positive, happy environment that’s productive and attracts good people – customers and staff alike.

Of course, being positive is not always easy. The stress and challenges of everyday life can take their toll on even the most positive people. That’s why it’s good to get a little reminder, some inspiration and some new ideas once in a while. On that note, IBEX is pleased to offer a chance to win a ticket to The Power of Positive – an event that promises women an opportunity to recharge, reconnect and relax.

(For the gentlemen out there, think how great of a surprise this would be for your wife, partner, mother, daughter or other significant woman in your life.)

To win, simply comment on this post with one idea of how you stay positive and your name will be entered to win a complimentary ticket to this one day event held on Saturday, April 28 from 9:00am – 4:30pm at the Prairie Theatre Exchange. The draw will be made from all entries received by Thursday, April 26.

The Power of Positive will allow you to:

Enjoy 5 powerful, positive speakers
Be a part of a flash mob dance (exciting!)
Network and luncheon with over 200 amazing women
Leave feeling energized and ready to take on the world

If you want to bring a friend along, tickets are regularly $99. More information can be found on their website.

We can’t wait to hear all your positive ideas and give one lucky lady The Power of Positive.

—
Want to see other positive things that happen around the Pasture? Check out this past blog post on Meaningful Recognition.

The Power of Meaningful Recognition

By Raissa Sagun, Herd Geek

Imagine walking into your office on a Monday morning to find a surprise waiting at your desk.

No, it’s not a big stack of papers that have to be filed or a report to be completed within the next two hours. Instead you find a small centerpiece of vibrant flowers in a hand decorated vase with no note of who it’s from.

What would you think and how would you feel?

When this happened to the ladies of the Herd, our day became super charged with buzz about secret admirers, claims to how special we were and general excitement over this small but significant gesture.

This internal ibexseed was planted by Susan, one of the Grumpy Goats a.k.a. our management team. A member of her crew who wasn’t feeling well had declined an offer to head home early which made Susan wonder what else she could do to cheer up the employee. Flowers were one idea, but a bouquet of tulips would eventually wilt and an empty vase would be left behind. Plastic ones would last longer and be inexpensive enough to make one for everybody. It would surely brighten the day, and the office surroundings overall.

Let’s be honest, from an employee’s point of view promotions, raises and title upgrades are quite nice and are always welcome. But sometimes the most noteworthy and meaningful recognition we get from our coaches are those with a personal touch. It’s not just recognizing your hard work, but also your value and who you are as an individual. A plate of baked goods because they know you love cookies, an out of the blue lunch at 529 because you’ve never been or a simple comment sharing your excitement for a new addition to the family.

These types of acknowledgements may be infrequent but they leave a lasting impression. It’s a reminder that you work for a company that cares with leaders who respect you. It’s motivation to keep up the good work and encouragement to take on the challenges. It’s an affirmation that you are indeed making a difference.

Employee Engagement / Herd Philosophy — No Comments
20
Jan 12

How to deal with your problem employee

By Darryl Stewart, Head of the Herd

Gallop asked this question to eighty thousand managers: “You have a talented employee who consistently shows up late for work. What would you say to this employee?”

Common answers were:

I would lock them out
I don’t care as long as they stay and get their work done
I would fire them, we don’t tolerate lateness
I would give them a verbal, then a written and then fire them.

These are defensible answers, but the statistically great managers answered something along the lines of:

I would ask them why

Herein lies the secret to dealing with your problem employee.

Define the outcome you have agreed on with them (100% on time for the next 60 days).
Hold them accountable for their results (you were 10 minutes late Tuesday and 15 minutes late Friday).
Ask them why they have fallen short and listen, really listen, to the why. You may have to ask more questions and keep your tone and posture neutral to get them talking – use every ounce of self control you have not to be judgmental during this time.

To summarize… define the outcome together, constantly hold up a mirror (and make them look at it) and then ask the why.

If you can get to why you can usually figure out how you can help, either help them reach the outcome, agree to change the outcome or help them leave your organization.

Herd Philosophy — No Comments
31
Oct 11

The many signs of the IBEX Herd

by Lisa Tachan, Head of Spreading the Herd Word

The first time I walked through the doors leading into the IBEX Herdquarters, I was met head-on with a sign much like these . . .

. . . except of course, it was my name featured on this sign in big fancy bubble letters surrounded by bright flowers. Hey, that’s pretty neat, I thought.

Little did I know that with IBEX, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you follow our Inclusion or IBEX blog, you’ll notice that there is a heavy emphasis on workplace culture, giving back to the community, and customer service. I haven’t been here all that long (earned my “horns” about a week ago), but I can already give you an endless list of reasons why I really enjoy working at IBEX.

Reason #1 – Signmania

I had the pleasure of putting up the Halloween sign this morning in front of the IBEX building (we’re located at 421 Mulvey Ave East, Winnipeg, right off of Osborne, and just before the bridge). Apparently, this is not just a seasonal thing, as pointed out to me by Darryl Stewart, Head of the Herd. Checking out some of our past photos, I’ve come to realize IBEX really likes their signs.

Drum roll please. . .