Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

"Our people are our most important asset" is spoken as often as Sweet Caroline is sung during karaoke. And, those words are as unimpressive as the Neil Diamond wanna be's. Why doesn't proclaiming people as the greatest asset mean anything any more?

The answer: because the sentiment is easier said than done. Companies often say they care about their people, even including lovable words in Mission, Vision, and Values Statements.

How do companies show they care?

By the benefits they provide--health care, tuition reimbursement, vacation days, etc. Providing updated equipment, high safety standards, and a decent working environment also show companies care. The ways listed are important to employees, but they are viewed as the cost of doing business rather than as evidence of care.

How people are treated on a daily basis is a true indicator of a company's care.

For example, Linda, an account coordinator for a medium-size company, was put on bed-rest for pre-term labor for the last three weeks of her pregnancy. The company's HR manager sent flowers upon the delivery, and that was the only communication the company had with her for several weeks.

Sure, her close company friends called, but her boss did not and neither did anyone else in Management. The company missed an opportunity to bond with Linda and cement her loyalty. The HR VP was surprised Linda returned for only a short time after her child was delivered. Frankly, no one who pay attention to employee loyalty and to leadership would have been surprised.

A better example is the KCIM Cares program at Kansas City Internal Medicine. Twice a month employees can pay $5 to wear jeans to work. The money goes into a fund which is used to help coworkers in need. Funds were used for an employee whose electricity was nearly shut off, for the funeral of an employee's child, and for donations to a favorite charity. The company says it cares about employees, and it shows.

It's not usually the policies, procedures, or benefits people take to heart.

It's how they are treated by immediate supervisors, no matter what level, on a daily basis. Make sure organization leaders, and managers, don't miss opportunities to do simple things to show genuine care. Simple actions will make the difference in the employees' day (and, thus, productivity) and in their loyalty to the company.

Sincerity will show your coworkers they are the most important assets and will impress them just like the gal who belts out a superb rendition of Me & Bobby McGee at karaoke.