As we continue to transition back to the office, let’s take a moment to contemplate the purpose of our work and remember why we do what we do. Our work is an essential part of our lives, and it’s time we embrace it with renewed vigor and ambition! Investing in our workplace is crucial to our overall success, and this is especially true when our team members have a sense of belonging and feel valued. Together, we can break down the old, rigid barriers that have long impeded our creativity and innovation. As a united front working hand in hand, we can create a productive work environment that sparks creativity and inspiration. By bringing shared services departments together, we can create a unique, exceptional employee experience that is the envy of other workplaces. Let’s collaborate, put our heads together, and create a purpose-built office that is tailored to the specific needs of each team member. Our legal departments need to approve contracts that allow vendors to provide exceptional services. Our accounting and AP departments need to make sure we are within budget and our vendors are getting paid. Our HR departments need to coordinate with facilities on space plans and fun onboarding ideas. Our IT departments are coordinating with everyone because technology touches everything.
As I reflect on my career, I will always remember my years managing workplace services for Lash Group, which was a subsidiary of AmerisourceBergen, a global giant in the healthcare industry. Between the years of 2014-2017, Lash Group experienced tremendous growth which meant lots of hiring and lots of coordination with the shared services departments. What I enjoyed most was sitting around the table with thought leaders in each department and game planning on how resources should be allocated. I have always been a fan of fun events, food, drink, and hospitality services. I might have been ahead of my time because most companies weren’t making a significant investment in those things. It took some nudging, but in the end, Lash Group made the right decision and invested heavily in the employee experience. As a result, the company exceeded its financial goals, company satisfaction scores increased, and employee turnover was lower than its ever been.
At the Positive Workplace Consulting Group, our goal is to create an office culture that is both organic and invigorating, where everyone feels at home and inspired to do their best work. The potential for innovation and growth is limitless when we set our minds towards meaningful change. Let’s take the first step towards greatness and invest in our workplace, so we can soar beyond the status quo!