Predix Blog - Off Topic

Predix Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

by Kim Gillcoat | on Oct 19, 2011

Predix announces that our Sales Consultant, Sarah Blik, will be participating in this year’s 60 mile 3 Day for the Cure to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation! Sarah wanted to share the following:

“This will be my 6^th year walking to help find a cure for breast cancer. When we all look at our circle of family and friends, unfortunately we have all have been touched by this horrific disease in one form or fashion. Cancer has no boundaries. Each year I carry with me the names of those that I am walking for, whether in memory, in honor or support we walk for them. This 3 day event is a very inspirational, emotional, and physical challenge. I truly feel humbled knowing that some ladies who I am walking next to have just undergone some of the most aggressive treatments out there and they have physically and emotionally been tapped. Thank you for your support, whether in thoughts and prayers and/or financially, it is much appreciated!!”

Startling facts about breast cancer:

• Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide.
• Nearly 1.4 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year.
• More than 458,000 people worldwide die from breast cancer each year.
• Somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer every 69 seconds.

This year Sarah is part of a 5 person team and they are getting their feet ready to go!! If you would like to support Sarah in this event please consider donating via Sarah’s personal page here.

Layoff Blues – Pay attention to those who stay!

by Lori Coruccini | on Aug 21, 2011

Employee morale, productivity and effectiveness in a “downsizing world” For over twenty five (25) years of I had the opportunity to learn and observe how companies and organizations deal with the good times and bad. Sure when profit margins are in the 60% range and revenue is double digit growth year over year, its easy to do team building and performance management to make sure your people are motivated, creative, happy and productive. But how they handle adversity, so called “tough times and rough road” really shows a companies true colors.

Unfortunately, what becomes a very common symptom to a companies right sizing efforts is forgetting how to deal with their number #1 asset- the employee’s who stay. Now more than ever effective workplace conflict resolution becomes important and an integral part of a companies retention strategy as does the ability to understand and work through the challenges those employee’s who are staying will face day in and day out. They will become distracted, de-motivated, less productive and create conflict. This will lead to disaster.The good news is you can avoid this by one simple rule- Over Communicate as much as possible.

That’s right when was the last time you worked somewhere that “over communicated” the companies goals, priorities, profit & loss status, new customer pipeline and bonded through the process? A new trend is for employee’s to require that as part of their “stay on” package. They want to be first to know and in the know, not on the sidelines. Early results from several companies who made the promise to be open and forthright with communications on job status to their employee’s are reaping the rewards. It can work and does very effectively if you do it right. It does not have to be over the top as an example one company simply implemented “Pizza Friday’s” where all the employees could get an update from the executive team on where things could and ask questions. Granted, it was not easy at first but its coming along and people can deal with the truth. As the legendary basketball coach John Wooden once said “Never confuse activity with achievement” and when it comes to communication that means keep it simple and honest.

Leveraging behavior into your organization

by Lori Coruccini | on Jul 26, 2011

As I sat through two days of excellent content, presentation, technology and expertise at the PDP summit in Colorado Springs, Co it became very clear to me how important, once again, it is to leverage behavior in the right job and environment. One of the things I want to share with other owners in the fire and flood restoration industry is that now more than every its important to recognize the talents of the individuals you hire in, mentor, manage, develop and work with every day.

One good example is how leaders handle delegation. Those that are drivers are going to leave the details to someone else while they focus on the big picture. Trust will play a factor too. Those that are high extroversion/high patience like to collaborate and bring everyone into the decision making. My good friends that are restoration industry owners and leaders – pay attention to this when working with your teams. At the same time, it’s important for everyone to understand the importance of behavior in any type of relationship. Friend, mate, co-worker, friend of a friend always respect other individuals opinions and ideas which will go a very long way. Like a friend once told me “the best talker is a good listener”.