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Discover True North Accepting Nominations for “$100K Extreme Corporate Makeover”

Posted by D.Bronson-McGrath on May 7, 2009 in Branding, Consulting, Creative, DTN News, Marketing, Newsletter, Training

Nominations Open to Honor Most Admirable Multifamily Company in America with Internal & External Makeover

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -  May 8, 2009 -The team at Discover True North (a full-service agency), and a host of their Alliance Partners have created an opportunity to recognize and reward companies that continue to demonstrate strong values in these tough economic times, through keeping customer service at the forefront of business, developing work cultures that align performance with corporate values and  professionals, who, while cutting back on expenses, have not sacrificed excellence.

Deb Bronson-McGrath, CEO of Discover True North (DTN) shares, “Our carefully selected Alliance Partners and the team at DTN are consistently seeking ways to create relational bridges founded on our core values. We believe passionately that good citizenship is good business and we are committed not only to giving back to society, but to helping businesses achieve increased NOI and improved performance”.

“To tangibly demonstrate good citizenship”, says Veronica Dickerson, COO of DTN, “we created a $100K Extreme Corporate Makeover, in which the most deserving multifamily firm will receive a corporate makeover - refreshing both their internal and external brand”.

The winner will receive a host of branding/marketing tools (logo, website, pr plan, social media consultation, a design makeover, etc.), strategic planning services (eco-audit, customer satisfaction benchmarking, recruitment services, a leadership retreat, etc.) and performance services (online training courses, mentoring, shop services, etc.).  A complete list of prizes is available at 100KRefresh.com.

Nomination forms are being accepted for the $100K Extreme Corporate Makeover now through midnight on July 13, 2009. To enter simply fill out the online form and submit the reasons why your firm deserves to win. Videos uploaded on YouTube.com can supplement entries. Semifinalists and the winner will be announced in August by an Advisory Board made up of industry experts and executives.  Categories that will be evaluated are: Cutting Back on Expenses without Cutting Back on Excellence, Sustaining an Outstanding Motivational Culture for Employees, and Social Responsibility.

DTN’s Alliance Partners include Brook Furniture Rental, Inc.Carter Design Group, Ellis Partners in Mystery ShoppingFastsigns, Grace Hill, Green Up Today,  Multifamily Insiders,  SatisFacts Research, LLC, and Vendout.com.

“An especially dynamic contribution is being offered by  Multifamilypro,” says Giovanni Cruz, Senior VP of Creative Services at DTN.  “They have developed a best-of-breed mentoring program that taps the expertise of seasoned mentors and pairs them with mentees industry-wide.  You can learn more about this generous “give-back” program at either 100KRefresh.com or at .howitzdunnmanagement.com.

Additional information on the program can be found on[url=http:// blog.discovertruenorth.com] DTN’s blog [/url],  through Multifamily Insiders,  www.howitzdunnmanagement.com, other DTN’s Alliance Partners and members of the advisory board, as well as on the DTN Facebook page and Twitter.

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Encouraging Others: Employee Incentives

Posted by D.Bronson-McGrath on May 5, 2009 in Consulting, Training

I came across a few golden chestnuts from material stored about a decade ago on employee motivation.  The suggestions are still noteworthy today:

Welcome Kit: Prepare a “Welcome” Kit for the new hire that includes a “welcome card”, a “Payday” candy bar, their career description, a checklist of “self-study” new hire training projects (market study, shopper’s reports, etc).

“You Deserve a Break Today”-Once a month, fill a cooler with ice and fill with cold sodas and inexpensive snacks.  Invite the staff to stop into the kitchen or break area for snacks throughout the day.  Crockpot  or potluck lunch can also be a nice alternative every couple of months.

“Joy Gangs”: Nominate a small group of team members (Ben & Jerry’s originated the idea) and have them create special theme days for the staff, (”Elvis Day: Serve 50’s type fast food) or have them catch someone in the act of doing something above and beyond.  Honor them by presenting a certificate or “Joy” candy bar on the spot.

Grounds staff Award: Provide your team with mini-certificates of appreciation to hand out to a member of the grounds team, whenever they are found doing something especially great.  Whomever collects the most in a given amount of time, receives a plaque or certificate, or trophy known as “The Golden Broom”

Never Gamble Tickets:  Buy a lottery ticket and enclose it in an envelope that says, “I never gamble when I count on you.”

Speaker Phone Fridays: Connect teams across the country or region once a month by speaker phone or internet for brainstorming a specific challenge or to recognize achievements area-wide for the month.

Car Wash Blues: When your team meets a goal, offer to personally wash their cars for them

Annual Maintenance Olympics: Lock change-out Challenge, Obstacle course, etc, competing for the Golden Hammer Award.

Movie Magic:  When a goal is achieved and if there is no money to treat them to the movies, close the office for the afternoon and have the whole team watch a rented movie on a vcr, supply popcorn, pop and goober peanuts.  Do a thumbs up or down, as well as deciding whether anything relevant can be applied to work.

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