Archive for the 'Newsletters' category

March 2009

Mar 31 2009 Published by under Newsletters

March 2009

by Mary Gersema
Aye, so ye heard it’s St. Patty’s Day a comin’ and yer extectin’ a wee bit of the blarney, are ye?  I reckon I can spare ye a little if ye promise to wear a bit o’ the green on the 17th.
A man stumbles up to the only other patron in a bar and asks if he could buy him a drink.

“Why of course,” comes the reply.

The first man then asks: “Where are you from?” 

“I’m from Ireland,” replies the second man. 

The first man responds: “You don’t say, I’m from Ireland too! Let’s have another round to Ireland.” 
“Of course,” replies the second man. 

Curious, the first man then asks: “Where in Ireland are you from?” 
“Dublin,” comes the reply. 
“I can’t believe it,” says the first man. 
“I’m from Dublin too! Let’s have another drink to Dublin.”
“Of course,” replies the second man. 

Curiosity again strikes and the first man asks: 
“What school did you go to?” 
“Saint Mary’s,” replies the second man. 
“I graduated in ’62.” 

“This is unbelievable!” the first man says. 
“I went to Saint Mary’s and I graduated in ’62, too!”

About that time in comes one of the regulars and sits down at the bar. 
“What’s been going on?” he asks the bartender. 
“Nothing much,” replies the bartender. “The O’Malley twins are drunk again.”
I love March!  I’m Irish and this is my month.  Today is March 2nd and I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but it has come in like a lion here in Boise.  The wind has been blowing and it is that kind of cold that makes you pray even harder for spring.  The good news is I saw my first Red Winged Blackbird this morning, which means spring really is almost here.  And you all know by now that the first day of Daylight Savings Time is my favorite day of the year, so in just 5 days… I’ll be dancing in the backyard and you may even be able to hear me shout for joy clear in Atlanta.
 
I have been busy in the benefits department for the last several weeks.  I have to tell you those folks know how to dance!  We have done the Macarena, twist, some others I can’t remember and Patrick taped me dancing to post on YouTube.  We have made lots of progress and are getting a pretty tight ship.  Our goal is to have all processes reviewed/improved (if necessary) and documented in case someone is hit by the lottery we will have a good basis for training new employees.
 
George and I get to travel to Savannah in April to go to a PACE conference and I am so excited to get to go to Paula Deen’s restaurant.  My kids and I play cooking show in the kitchen so I do a pretty good imitation of Paula and plan to entertain the guests at her restaurant with my version of “Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Puddin'”  And if you haven’t tried it, that means you are not on the “recipes” group.  If you like to cook and want to get lots of tasty recipes e-mail Tony in IT and ask to have your name added and when people try a great recipe they post it for our enjoyment.  The catch is… you have to share your recipes!
 
Til next month when we’ll be celebrating Easter, work hard, give thanks, make some relationships stronger and by all means, have fun.

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February 2009

Feb 05 2009 Published by under Newsletters

February 2009

Do you have a dream?  Something that you know you were just born to do/accomplish?  Dreams can be hard to recognize if you were not encouraged in your life to dream.  Sadly, lots of people have simply forgotten how to dream.  They don’t remember what their dream was.  I met someone recently in a training I was assisting with who didn’t think it was possible to achieve his dream.  He had actually given the dream up for lost.  Life had crept in and consumed most of his time and resources.  When I offered a couple of possible ways that he may at least begin to prepare to begin his dream his face lit up and I swear he glowed.  His smile was infectious.  I knew he was “in his dream” and he had really just begun to even consider the possibility.  That’s how it is when you are in sync with your dream.  Inspired.  Worthy.  Energized and yet peaceful.  Sounds good, huh?  When I close my eyes and see me “in my dream” I am standing tall, legs slightly spread, head up and arms stretched out wide as if in surrender to the moment.  Want to see what it looks like when a person is right there in his dream?  Watch this clip when you have some spare time:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLF9iEXnBRo&feature=related.  Not inspired yet?  Check out this one while you’re at it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNN0wQWDUnU&feature=related.

I have a gift for you.  I have found what I think is a connection to dreams that I want to offer to you.  When I began to look at and think about the “Strengths Finder” book and corresponding assessment I thought of it as a way to match people’s strengths with the tasks we have to do at the company.  Since that time I have come to believe that your “strengths” and your dreams are tied together.  Your “strengths” are those things that you have talent for.  Your natural tendencies, if you will.   Doesn’t it make sense that we would dream of doing things that fit with those tendencies?  I have asked a few people in the company to take the Strengths Finder assessment.  They all believe the results are accurate and more easily understood than our color profile.  I am now making that option available to anyone who would like to take the assessment and know more about themselves.  I strongly encourage you to do so.  Sue Shrader can send you the book which includes the code at the back of the book to allow you to do the assessment online.  The condition is that you share the results with your manager and a copy to Kathy.  I am sure that when you see your strengths and consider them you’ll begin to see how they can support you in your dreams.

I can’t wait to hear about your dreams and I look forward to being able to help you by discussing your strengths with you at your request.

ps  Happy V’Day!

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December 2008

Dec 30 2008 Published by under Newsletters

December 2008

by Mary Gersema

Do you hear what I hear?  Aww yes, the sounds of Christmas.  I love this time of year, and yet every year it gets busier and harder to focus on the real and lay aside the tinsel and the phony.  My family is down to buying gifts only for immediate family and charity giving.  It sure has made it simpler.  My kids love shopping for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation or Angel Tree gifts.  They are always surprised again at the simplicity of the requests on those tags.  Things like “warm socks” are pretty different from the iPod on their list.  It puts life in perspective.

I’d like to suggest that we need to do the same with work.  Maybe take a little time to ponder.  What is really necessary and what would we be able to accomplish for our clients if we laid aside the tedious for the important.  I’d invite you all to be thinking about that this month.  As you perform your everyday tasks ask yourself, “Is this making a difference in the life of anyone or is it merely busy work?”  Then let’s take time in the New Year to review those things.  One of my goals for 2009 is that we would all be able to measure our work in terms of “how does what I do make a real difference in the life of someone.”  Sound exciting?  It will be!

In the meantime…please know that I wish each of you and your families a blessed Christmas season.  Joy to the world, the Lord is come.

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November 2008

Nov 27 2008 Published by under Newsletters

November 2008

It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.  Pumpkin pies are back at Costco, I lost my beloved daylight savings time.  My choice… dwell on the good or the bad.  Every day I get up and get to decide to live life joyously or to dwell on negative things.  I typically choose the pumpkin pie thoughts and I am hoping that you do also.  At this time of uncertainty with the economy it gets harder to focus on the good things, and yet it is even more important that we do so.  It is best not only for us but our families, co-workers and clients as well.  So I have an idea for you that I have been using and it works for me, so here you are…

I have a blessings journal that I keep beside my bed.  I have been writing things in it every night that I am thankful for.  It reminds me just how many things there are to count as blessings.  My children are a joy and healthy, I’m healthy, I have a house, car, food, a job, family, friends, dishTV, facebook, Dorothy Lammers, and all of you too , great weather (mostly), great books, etc.  You get the point.  The first few days you can do a big list and some days I don’t have quite so many but am always able to add to the list.  I love to review my list when I don’t feel so great.  It’s an awesome reminder.  I know some people who have a blessing journal they keep where they have their morning coffee.  Try it, pick the best place for you where you have some quiet time to reflect and list away!  And don’t forget these…It’s the month of Thanksgiving.  Pumpkin pies are back at Costco.

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October 2008

Oct 05 2008 Published by under Newsletters

Oct 2008

There seems to be lots of uncertainly in life these days.  The elections are coming up, the economy is scary for lots of people and the stock market is a thrilling ride down.  In these times of nervousness we have an opportunity to be a stable part of our client’s life.  We need to strive to be as consistent as possible and more positive than ever.  I recently read a tip on client service that I want to share with you today to help accomplish our company goal of “making our clients’ lives easier”.

Use these four questions when dealing with a client to ensure you have all of the information you need to make a decision or to help them.

  1. What did I hear?
  2. What questions and/or clarification do I need?
  3. What reactions/thoughts/feelings do I have?
  4. What action do I need to take and when?

Asking yourself these four questions will help ensure you are listening to the client.  Sometimes we all get distracted while dealing with someone.  It’s normal.  But for a client conversation we just don’t have that luxury.  If we get into the habit of asking these questions and documenting the conversation and our answer to these questions we’ll be well on our way to great client service.

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August 2008

Aug 30 2008 Published by under Newsletters

August 2008

by Mary Gersema
My world since the last newsletter has primarily been planning for the transition for my daughter, Mary Rachel. This school year is a transition for both of us as she moves from the private school system to schooling at home, with me as her primary teacher. If you’re in the corporate office you’ll probably see her. For us schooling is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

This brings me to the message for the month; great customer service means NOT adhering to a one-size-fits-all solution.  Understanding the needs of each client to better meet their expectations or help them grow their bottom line is CRITICAL.

Without clients we have no business! Great client service is one of the primary reasons this company has flourished.

At Employers Resource we are dedicated to improving the lives of Owners (clients) and Employees (clients and our employees) of America’s small businesses. One of the ways we do this is delivering great customer service.

We want all staff members to learn and live these principles of Great Client Service.

  • Do build long-term relationships by finding meaningful ways to serve our clients. Some ways are to remember birthdays or the names of your client’s children and ask about them. Or, take candy or ice cream when you deliver payroll checks.   Remember Johnny the Bagger?
  • Do your best to find a way to say “YES” to our clients. If you have to say “NO” or “WE CAN’T” then provide clients with an explanation.
  • Do have fun with our clients and fellow staff members. Anyone for a Harvest Party?
  • Do the right thing, no matter how hard.
  • Do go the extra mile: great customer service begins with a “can-do” attitude.

The only one-size-fits-all-solution we want to see at Employers Resource is never float a Payroll! Otherwise, ask, listen and respond to our clients quickly, accurately and with great care.

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July 2008

Jul 30 2008 Published by under Newsletters

July 2008

Heart of the Matter

OMG, (that’s “Oh My Gosh! for all of you who don’t have a teenager around you this summer).  It is the middle of July which means the summer is ½ gone.  Where does the time go?  TRM (that reminds me) of my new favorite quote.  “It is familiarity with life that makes time speed quickly. When every day is a step into the unknown, as it is for children, the days are long with the gathering of experience”- George Gissing (1857-1903) The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft

I hope you have been having lots of family and re-charge time going on.  I see that the flex schedules are widely accepted.  Sorry California, someone needs to talk to the Ahnold about your rules. 

I am already gearing up for Fall training.  We will have the sales team here for a week in September and will have our next “The Process” training here the following week.  There will be more training and we’ll let you know as soon as we flush it out.  Just for planning purposes…  and not to give you TMI (too much information) we are thinking of bringing Branch Payroll Managers here for a few days (or week) and maybe get Client Svc. folks together as well.

PeopleCenter took a slight detour and we were not able to have our three day training this week.  Hopefully that will be in August.  If they are not ready for us in August it will have to wait until October as September is booked with our internal training.

Have you been reading??  Say yes!  BTW (by the way) the Branch Payroll Managers will be assigned some reading to do in August to prepare for the Fall training.  How exciting is that?  I have been doing lots of business reading and one Stephanie Plum novel which left me LOL (laughing out loud).

Well, I have GTG (got to go) because TAFN (that’s all for now).  Won’t you be glad to have my kids back in school so I can start speaking English again?  In the meantime… remember to DTRT, be committed to LTR, Have an AofG and by all means, HF!

May your days be long with the gathering of experience.

Mary D. Gersema, CPP

Chief Operations Officer

Employers Resource

208-376-3000

800-574-4668

“To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” – Donald A. Adams

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