Search
Close this search box.

Category: Business Education

Unlocking Reciprocity: How Gratitude Transforms Workplace Culture

Posted on by Melissa Brown

Where does gratitude fit in the workplace? If you ask Benjamin Laker, a leadership professor at the Henley Business School, he will tell you that organizations that lead with gratitude foster a very special brand of thankfulness—reciprocity.

In an article written for Forbes, Laker describes reciprocity as an innate aspect of human nature. Rather than a ‘sense of obligation or indebtedness,’ reciprocity is a ‘mutual recognition that promotes a continuous cycle of goodwill. Laker argues that leaders who understand the reciprocity principle tap into the rewards of human behavior and cultivate a work environment that fosters team cohesion, collaboration, and a deep sense of trust. Read on to learn more about the benefits of reciprocity and how to use this principle to better your organization.

The Reciprocity Upside
Creating an awesome workplace culture and meeting core objectives are big reasons to practice reciprocity. But that’s not why it works. Practicing reciprocity actually improves well-being. Studies show that generosity and reciprocity lead to people reporting happier, healthier and more creative and resilient lives. And these holistic benefits carry over into the work environment, where workers demonstrate higher levels of engagement, motivation, and satisfaction. Plus, leaders who practice reciprocity are considered more likable by their teams, which deepens trust and respect. Bottom line: considering employees needs and taking action to show you care creates a positive boomerang effect that benefits everyone.

Warning: It Only Works When It’s Real
Laker reminds organizations that in order for reciprocity to be effective, it has to be authentic, balanced, and thoughtful. Leaders should be mindful when using gratitude to motivate teams. Below is a summary of Laker’s top reminders.

Genuine Reciprocity: Successful business interactions go beyond mere mechanical transactions. They are built on sincere acts of generosity and support. When your actions are perceived as disingenuous it can do more harm than good, making your goodwill gestures seem manipulative instead of heartfelt.

Strategic Balance: Maintaining reciprocal equilibrium is crucial. Constantly offering without any expectations can leave leaders feeling overused and depleted. Striking the right balance requires emotional intelligence and understanding one’s own motivations and the team’s needs.

Proactive Support: Anticipating the needs of others is one of the most effective ways to foster reciprocity. This foresight shows team members that their leader is in sync with them and genuinely invested in their success and well-being.

3 Practical Ways to Foster Reciprocity at Work
Reciprocity takes many forms in the workplace. Here are three simple ways to integrate gratitude into the workday.

Celebrate Servant Leaders: Recognizing leaders with a ‘serve first’ mindset can elevate reciprocity as a value in your organization. Special call outs at team meetings or public shares on social media go a long way in celebrating and attracting the kind of people you want representing your business or organization.

Build a culture of gratitude: Show appreciation for your employee’s hard work and dedication. People naturally feel happier when they’re acknowledged and happiness boosts motivation. Appreciation begins with the big stuff such as employee benefits and flexible work hours but also includes thoughtful tokens of support such as gifts for special life events, like birthdays, marriages, children, or loss.

Skill Development Opportunities: By providing employees with opportunities for professional growth – such as workshops, training courses, or seminars – managers can stimulate a reciprocal response. Employees, appreciative of these development opportunities, may be motivated to apply these newly-acquired skills to benefit the organization.

The Takeaway
Nurturing a culture of gratitude in the workplace ultimately creates a powerful ecosystem of mutual appreciation and continuous goodwill. Grounded in our human nature, this approach empowers leaders to cultivate team cohesion, collaboration, and trust. But it doesn’t stop there. Reciprocity at work unlocks a cascade of holistic benefits, including elevated well-being, creativity, resilience, and genuine employee satisfaction. And remember: authentic reciprocity is key – when you make sure your efforts are heartfelt, balanced, and thoughtful, your employees will thank you.

The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

Why Social Time with Co-Workers is the Ultimate Office Perk

Posted on by Melissa Brown

The concept of a “workplace” has evolved significantly over the past three years. Remote offices and hybrid work models have disrupted the organic social interactions that once unfolded effortlessly around the water cooler. Employers have also recognized that offering remote working options not only attracts top talent but also grapples with the challenge of enticing employees back to the physical office full-time.

Regardless of whether your workplace is completely remote, fully in-office, or somewhere in between, there is an undeniable magic that occurs when employees come together in person. After all, workers are human beings, and as humans, we possess an innate need for social connection. Continue reading to explore how you can effectively harness your employees’ social needs and foster meaningful connections.

The Importance of Social Connections
Many individuals who work from home miss the social connections that come with working in an office environment. However, simply returning to the office to spend the entire day responding to emails and joining Zoom calls can dampen their enthusiasm. If managers can find opportunities for team collaboration and foster connections, employees are more likely to feel energized and eager to return to the office.

In a Harvard Business Review article, employees listed the following as top reasons to return to the workplace:

85% of employees would be motivated to go into the office to rebuild team bonds.
84% of employees would be motivated to go into the office if they could socialize with coworkers.
74% of employees would go to the office more frequently if they knew their “work friends” were there.
73% of employees would go to the office more frequently if they knew their direct team members would be there.
Humans are inherently social beings, and it is no surprise that the top motivator for in-person work includes other people. Workplace satisfaction experts agree that the days of simply punching the clock are over for modern employees. Work should provide a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging to something greater than oneself, and tapping into team-building and relationships is a great way to do just that.

Workplace Social Time Goes a Long Way
Employees who have grown accustomed to zero commute time and flexible schedules may require more persuasion when it comes to returning to the office. To encourage employees’ desire to be in the office, Sammi Caramela, a contributor to the US Chamber of Commerce, proposes five compelling incentives. These include setting clear expectations, maintaining consistent communication, accommodating family and illness situations, and fostering a workplace culture that values genuine human connections.

Caramela promotes a workplace culture that values social connections and prioritizes employee well-being. This includes integrating activities like team lunches, office birthday celebrations, and casual Friday treats such as bagels and fruit. In addition, Caramela recognizes the importance of granting employees autonomy in determining when they need a break. Whether it’s enjoying lunch at a favorite restaurant or finding solace in a book in the office lounge, these breaks contribute to overall well-being.

Encouraging walks, exercise classes, and empowering employees with more control over their work day will combat afternoon fatigue, improve productivity, even strengthen the immune system. Employers can leverage this opportunity to create a supportive work environment, offsetting the drawbacks of remote working such as distractions and imbalanced work days. Prioritizing rest and movement at work can help workplaces excel amidst the unique demands of work from home.

The Hybrid Work Model Is Likely Here to Stay
Not everyone finds motivation through socializing, and some employees get enough social interaction outside of work. Employers can attract and retain exceptional workers by embracing this trend. By fostering an inviting in-person work environment and allowing remote work flexibility, everyone can feel connected and purposeful in their roles. The key is to enrich the in-office workday while remaining adaptable to the changing landscape of work and the needs of the modern workforce.

The CBICC is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

Regain Control Over Your Calendar with the ‘4 Buckets’ Trick

Posted on by Melissa Brown

In the dynamic world of running a business, where each day brings a cascade of seemingly urgent tasks, it’s easy to pack your calendar to the brim. How do you ensure that your days are productive and contribute to your overall goals? One of the best ways is to look at highly successful leaders who have mastered prioritization and time management.

Bill Gates’ Approach to Reducing Procrastination

Bill Gates, who founded the world’s biggest software company, Microsoft, in 1975, is someone who you would expect to be busy and have many demands on his time. You might be surprised to learn, however, that Gates divides his schedule into 5-minute slots. This methodology is not the only tool Gates uses to accomplish his most important tasks. After all, it is possible to complete tasks throughout the work day and never get to the most important ones, a procrastination phenomenon known as “priority dilution.”

So, Gates uses a trick to make sure his work contributes to his overall goals. He divides his task list into four “buckets,” each taking up 25% of his time. When it comes to your work day, choose categories, or buckets, that apply to you and your organization. For example, you could divide your work up into people tasks, such as hiring, recruiting and time management, company management, marketing and customers. If one of these buckets starts to get too full, it might be time to reorganize. For example, if your “people” bucket is getting overloaded, you might need to look at hiring more HR staff you can delegate to. If your “customers” bucket is taking up too much time, perhaps consider bringing in a customer services manager.

Try Color Coding Your Buckets

Some CEOs use a similar system to Bill Gates’, but with their own refinements. Tobias Lütke, the founder of online retail giant Shopify, has four categories he uses, similarly to Gates, but blocks them out on his schedule by color. Using this approach, he is able to see at a quick glance if the week’s schedule is in line with his overall priorities. Lütke is also a proponent of working smarter, not simply working more hours. As he’s shared in interviews, Lütke believes that everyone gets only 5 creative hours a day. The important thing is to make the most of those hours.

Beyond the buckets, color can also help you visualize your week at a glance. Using color to ‘block time’ on your calendar can illustrate more than tasks or projects meant for work time. Color coding can also be used to indicate breaks, family time, and workouts—all important elements to a maintaining a work/life balance.

The Takeaway
The key to this four buckets system is to align it with the primary goals of your organization or the department you manage. Over time, these priorities may change, as in any kind of business planning, so be prepared to adapt as you go.

The Chamber of Business and Commerce of Centre County is a non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

Achieve Big Things When You Think Small

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

Achieve Big Things When You Think Small

• Entrepreneurs are encouraged to have ambitious goals, but it is also important to take time to focus on the present.
• One way for small business owners to gain an advantage is to build a rapport with their initial customers: personalize support, actively solicit feedback, and create customer success teams.
• Focusing on small numbers associated with the business can lead to a better understanding of profit margins and ROI; investing in a strong POS system can help with this.
• Lastly, taking daily actions that support long-term plans and recognizing employees’ contributions will help businesses grow and scale.

~ 672 words/ 3 min. read 

Entrepreneurs, particularly those running small businesses, are often encouraged to aim high. What’s the pace of your business growth? How soon can you onboard a team? What’s the timeline for expanding to multiple locations? Although it’s common practice to idealize an accelerated pathway to success, it is valuable to slow down and concentrate on the present. For those managing lean start-ups or small ventures, adopting a “think small” mentality has significant advantages. Here are three ways focusing on the little things makes a big difference.

#1 Learn from Your Initial Customers

Building a rapport with first-time customers is one of the most crucial actions a business owner can take. After all, they’re choosing your products and services for the first time. Understanding what drew them to your business is valuable feedback that will help your business grow. Was it the charm of your sales pitch, your interpersonal skills, or factors such as your product package or location?

Connecting with your customers is more than a growth strategy—it’s a differentiator. In their article, “Rapport-Building Questions: 68 Memorable Questions for Establishing Rapport with Customers,” Hubspot suggests focusing on these strategies to build rapport with your business patrons:

Personalize Customer Support

Take time to learn your customers’ first names and use them to personalize communication. Survey and email automation tools have made adding personal touches easier than ever.

Actively Solicit Feedback

Customer reviews make a real difference in how many first-time buyers choose your business. Encourage customers to leave google reviews or testimonials through positive messaging or even incentives. The time customers take to leave a review and your gratitude fosters customer loyalty.

Create a Customer Success Team

Customer success and customer service have an important difference: the first is proactive and the second is reactive. By ensuring customers achieve their goals when they do business with you, you’re showing that you care about their experience and building long-term connections.

#2 Focus on Small Numbers

In addition to cultivating relationships with individual customers, Hannah Shr, senior program manager at ICA Fund, recommends concentrating on the smaller numbers associated with your business. These might include a single transaction, one SKU, a solitary purchase order, or a single credit card swipe. As inconsequential as these figures may seem, understanding them is key to unlocking broader concepts around your profit margins, sales, and ROI.

Investing in a strong POS (point of sale) system to help calculate this kind of data is one of the most important things a small business can do. The Small Business Association defines POS as including “the hardware and software related to transactions, such as the cash drawer, credit card swipe bar, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and more.” The SBA also notes that a quality POS system can help you do more than improve functionality and track real-time data, it can also help evaluate employee sales records, manage inventory, and prepare for taxes.

#3 Take Action Daily

Like most things in life, your vision becomes reality when you execute consistently. When it comes to your business, consider the small actions you can take daily that support your long-term goals. The US Chamber of Commerce has 10 action steps small business can take to grow and scale that range from social media exposure to optimizing your website. And one of the most practical and important steps you can take today is recognizing your employees.

Hiring and retention has become even more challenging for employers in the last few years, but it’s also re-energized the conversation around workplace happiness and satisfaction. Jessica Elliot, US Chamber contributor, offers these helpful strategies for making employee recognition straightforward and effective:
• Gather employee details with a profile template you can use over and over
• Take high-quality images and create short videos of team member contributions
• Spotlight employees of the week/month on multiple channels, including your website

The Bottom Line

As you look to the future of your business, remember: thinking small pays big dividends. Focusing on the customer experience, employee satisfaction, and real-time data create a solid foundation for business growth. Each action you take will become the stepping stones for the business you’ve always wanted.

Why Understanding Workplace Personality Boosts Company Culture

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

 • Workplace personalities can be broken down into 4 distinct types: Go-Getters, Loyalists, Career Builders, and Lifers.
• Go-Getters are motivated by challenge and opportunity; Employers should provide them with chances to take on challenges and learn new skills.
• Loyalists place value on stability and predictability; Employers should focus on providing clear paths for advancement.
• Career Builders are always looking for new opportunities; Employers need to offer challenging work assignments as well as career growth within the company.
• For Lifers, employers need to provide stable, long-term positions that make them feel connected to the company mission and build meaningful relationships.
• No two people are wired the same way, so understanding what motivates employees benefits both workers and employers alike.

~ 625 words/ 3 min. read 

What’s motivating your employees? It turns out that workers want a lot more than a paycheck and job flexibility. In fact, some of what they want is rooted in personality and workplace psychology. 

Workplace personalities can be broken down into four distinct types of workers. Understanding the different types of workers and what motivates them can lead to greater job satisfaction and a better fit between employer and employee.

4 Types of Workplace Personalities

Go-Getters

Go-getters make up the smallest group of workers, but they are also the most likely to be satisfied with their jobs. This group is motivated by challenge and opportunity; they want to continuously improve their skills and grow within their companies. For employers, this means providing go-getters with opportunities to take on challenges and learn new skills. 

Many go-getters are also what Psychology Today contributor Melody Wilding, a professor of Human Behavior, refers to as a “sensitive striver.” While this type gives 100% to their job, they also process information and emotions on a deep level. This combination is part of what makes them top talent, but it can also lead to burnout. Managers attuned to the stress of high achievers can help them translate their effort into success rather than self-sabotage. 

Loyalists

Loyalists are devoted to their employers and place a high value on stability. They are motivated by predictability and routine and prefer to stick with what they know. In the present economy, employers would be unwise to rely too much on loyalists to stick around if the work environment is poor or pay is not competitive. Still, understanding what motivates loyalists can help companies serve this personality type better. 

Employers can improve worker satisfaction for this group when they focus on stability and predictability in their jobs. Additionally, loyalists are often looking for opportunities to move up within their companies, so employers should provide clear paths for advancement.

Career Builders

Career builders are similar to go-getters in that they are motivated by challenge and opportunity. However, unlike go-getters who are looking to grow within their current companies, career builders are always on the lookout for new opportunities—even if that means changing jobs.

For employers, this means offering career builders challenging work assignments as well as opportunities for growth within the company. According to Forbes’ contributor and workplace consultant Heidi Lynn Kurter, the Great Resignation could have been avoided by tending to the needs of career builders. 

What motivates them? Here’s what Kurter says tops the list: compensation and pay transparency, job flexibility, a positive work culture, and inclusive policies ranging from dealing with loss to infertility.

Lifers

Lifers make up the largest group of workers and are defined by their loyalty to their companies. Like loyalists, lifers place a high value on stability and predictability. However, unlike loyalists who are interested in moving up within their companies, lifers are content with remaining in their current positions for the long haul.

For employers, this means offering lifers stable, long-term positions. Staying with a company for your whole career isn’t as common as it once was, and employers shouldn’t take this type for granted. It’s important that employers recognize that lifers also have external opportunities and are choosing to stay with the company at many different points along the course of their career. Make sure lifers feel connected to the company mission and provide them with opportunities to build meaningful relationships with coworkers and superiors. 

No Such Thing as an Average Employee

Above all else, it’s important to remember that not every person is wired the same. Understanding what motivates employees benefits everyone. It helps workers find meaning in what they do, and it helps employers invest wisely in hiring and retaining employees who can contribute to a strong company culture.