By: Norma Villicana and Elias Pettengill

So many companies talk about creating a work-life balance, but in this economy the reality is that many of them still have employees who are working long
days and/or on weekends so the ratio is not always so balanced.  What can be or is being done to help create balance for those employees?  Well, it varies
with each organization.  At EMG, we are doing a couple of different things.  Besides closing down the offices every other Friday for all employees due to an
approved alternative work arrangement that was adopted in 2007, EMG sponsors various FUN events such as a Cinco de Mayo celebration, Halloween
costume contest, ice cream social and other holiday inspired events.  The events are generally held during the workday for a couple of hours and are a great
way to get each of the departments away from their desks and communicating with others that they may not normally talk to on a regular basis.  In addition to
the FUN events, members of the EMG leadership team are also doing one-on-one lunches with employees. 

Just recently, as a member of the executive leadership group, I sponsored a lunch with one of our web developers, Elias Pettengill.   Having a meeting with your
HR Director can be intimidating or can become the topic of new gossip within many companies.  Thank goodness that is not the case here at EMG.  We went
out to sample tasty Cuban cuisine at Felix Continental Café in Old Town Orange (http://www.felixcontinentalcafe.com/).  Since we tend to do FUN events that
are sometimes centered on food and culture, I coaxed him into sampling Cuban food as a potential option for a future FUN event.  Elias was chosen for no other
reason than the fact that he was one of the employees I have not had the chance to spend time with at lunch.  It also didn’t hurt that he happens to be the
owner of one of the heftiest appetites in the office.  When asked about lunch, here is what Elias said, “I had a terrific time with Norma and was very eager to try
Cuban food which was new to me.  I had never gone to lunch with Norma before, but she was certainly a terrific lunch partner. She knew her way around the
menu and was a terrific conversationalist. We talked about food, traveling and work while enjoying Medallion of Salmon. One thing I love about working at EMG
is the people I get to work with. At EMG, we are not just co-workers.  Many of us are friends outside the company.  I have tremendous respect for the people I
get to work alongside every day. “

“As for my review of Felix Continental Café, I would highly recommend it. The food has an authentic taste and the prices are just terrific. The food arrived
promptly, but my only knock against the place is that it is a rather small room and you’re a little cramped being so close to the other tables.”

Of course I thought the food was great.  They have wonderful appetizers that were absolutely delicious!!  I would recommend the place to anyone but you should
definitely get there early to get favorable seating outside. 

This is a small thing we do at EMG, but many times it’s a complitation of all the small things that can make the difference.  If you have an idea for a future FUN
event or hot spot to eat, or simply want to share what’s being done at your company, send us a note.  We would love to hear from you.

Times are tough and many employers are asking their employees to do more.  For some, the job responsibilities seem to be piling higher than ever along with the feeling of working harder than ever.  While working hard can eventually take its toll, working smarter can greatly reduce the load to make it all more bearable and, more importantly, help you maintain your sanity.  Here are some quick tips to help you work smarter:  Read the rest of this entry »

Being in HR, I hear from so many employees about how much they value communication from their managers and/or from the senior executive level. For many, it is the difference between respect and lack of respect. Everyone wants to know what’s going on, good or bad.

However, interestingly enough, many of the same people who say they value good communication are some of the same people who don’t necessarily exercise it properly.I think maintaining proper communication in the workplace is one of the biggest challenges but it is something that can be overcome. It is important because it helps to gain commitment and ultimately to achieve business goals. Here are some quick tips to help you communicate more effectively.

• Adapt because not everyone may need the same level or type of communication.
• Listen. Know when to stop talking and when to start listening.
• Facilitate. You not only have to listen to what is being said, you also need to learn how to address the topic and then move it on to the next topic of concern or agenda item.
• Ask. You have to be able to ask good questions to get good information.
• Be discrete. Some information may not need to be shared.
• Be clear. If you’re a manager and you have to tell someone to do something, make sure they know exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.

How many of you watched Susan Boyle sing on Britain’s Got Talent? At first glance, most music executives or talent scouts would have probably said no and not given her a second thought. However, thanks to the TV show and to others like it, individuals like Susan Boyle are given the chance to show their talent before they can be judged by their looks or appearance. Thank goodness for these types of shows because the woman can sing!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

There are so many people who judge by appearance and so many people don’t really get the opportunity to show what they can do. In today’s employment world, it can be very much the same. As an HR professional, I have seen so many managers choose final candidates based on who was most physically appealing, who appeared to be more professionally dressed, or who fit in more with the group. While these things may be important to some extent, I must say that these should not be the basis for choosing a candidate. At the end of the day, a candidate not only has to be able to perform the job, but also has to be able to adapt and grow with the company as it changes and grows just as an artist has to be able to perform and sell records for his or her record label.

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Recruiting in a down economy when so many people have been laid off has really made me appreciate that my company is doing well and is keeping me gainfully employed. Yet, I have spoken to other candidates who are gainfully employed and seeking opportunities elsewhere, for some reason or another, and are making requests for items such as outrageous salaries that are well above market -it just doesn’t seem appropriate in this economy.

I recently had lunch with a friend and during one of our conversations, I asked how things were going at work. You see, this person was working at a company for a short while that really valued her potential and abilities, but also had the normal issues you might see at any other company. That is, no one is perfect and not everyone is going to like everyone else all the time. Initially, things were great there but then she eventually became unhappy when she wasn’t progressing as quickly as she had planned, professionally. The company overall treated her great and she liked many of the people she worked with, but she inevitably did what many employees do when things aren’t going their way: she began to complain and discuss her gripes with colleagues at work and eventually became negative. She quit her job to work for another company which she thought would provide her with more direction and the ability to grow faster than she would have had if she stayed with her first employer. Now, in hindsight, she realized that she would have been better off staying with the first employer and not leaving them after all. Things just looked greener at that time but she realized she was simply seeing a shade of green that looked better with her rose-colored glasses.

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