BizVoice May/June 2016

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May/June 2016 – BizVoice/Indiana Chamber 69
RESOURCE: Performance Services at
them (employees) some guidance. We’ve
hired great people, so my job is to remove
obstacles and to let them flourish.
“It’s setting clear expectations. It’s
holding people accountable. And it’s being a
resource for them.”
Vim and vigor
Gavin scales a set of stairs leading to a
remodeled employee workout room, which
contains individual showers and private
changing areas. Pointing to a large screen and
an indoor trainer, she raves about access to
Zwift, which harnesses innovative technology
to simulate an outdoor cycling experience.
Integrating online gaming with three-
dimensional visuals, it enables cyclists across
the globe to interact, compete and behold a
variety of breathtaking landscapes.
“I can bring my bike here, set it up on
the trainer (and start cycling!) in the winter,”
Gavin relates. Spring and summer months
provide sightseeing opportunities of their
own as colleagues gather for lunchtime rides.
Additional wellness offerings include (to
name a few) twice-weekly visits from a nurse
and dietician, financial incentives and
subsidized health club memberships.
Heeding a calling
Anti-bullying and assisting the underprivileged
are among initiatives employees rally around.
Partnering in the Reject documentary,
which examines the profound impact of social
rejection, the firm is working to spread the
word to K-12 schools.
“A lot of what we do is to create optimal
learning environments in schools,” Gavin
comments, adding that part of that commitment
is to help promote “a healthy, psychological
environment.”
In addition, Performance Services has
transformed lives with mission trips to Haiti
where a delegation built critical
infrastructure. Examples include villages with
hurricane-resistant homes, a fishing village
with solar-powered refrigeration, sea-worthy
boats and a school.
Gavin is clearly touched recalling time
spent at a Fort Wayne event for Samaritan’s
Feet International, through which volunteers
wash impoverished children’s feet and equip
them with new shoes.
“To go out to a school and have a bucket
of water and soap and towels, and to go face
to face with a child that needs a new pair of
shoes is so amazing,” she conveys. “That’s
something that in a work environment, you
don’t typically have the experience to do and
even in a volunteer capacity, when it’s heart
to heart and soul to soul.”
Gavin shares a closing thought: “The people
who work here are really passionate about what
they do. It’s not just a job; it’s a big part of their
lives. To work in an environment where everybody
loves to come to work, are very professional,
and are great people who bring it every day
and do a wonderful job – you trust in that.”
BEST PLACES COLUMN
When I started my first company in 1981, I had a
fire in my belly and a dream. To realize that dream and
the others that followed, I needed help. A company, a
product, a service … it’s only as good as the people
behind it. In 35 years of hiring people and running
companies, this is what I have learned:
Find the right employees: Don’t just hire for skills;
hire for fit. Understand what your company stands for
and what sets it apart, then hire people who can do the
job while complementing your culture. Build a team. When
you find people with great talent and drive, encourage them
to refer candidates for job openings. (Birds of a feather …).
Reward your employees – whether it’s financially
or with a simple “thank you” – for supporting your recruiting
efforts. We consistently see employees referring others
to join our team at First Internet Bank. That speaks
volumes about our employees’ job satisfaction.
Listen to employees: There is much to be gained
when you listen: to your customers, your peers, your
competitors, your employees. Especially your
employees. Cast aside pre-conceived ideas and the
safety net of “we’ve always done it that way.”
Actively listening, even putting yourself in your
employees’ shoes, lets you see clearly what is working
within your organization. We have a group of creative,
bright employees who provide great insight and know
we are a part of something bigger when we work
together to improve.
Invest in employees: When you have great people,
provide them with the tools they need to thrive. Learning
should never stop. At First Internet Bank, we’re committed
to investing in our people. We give our employees
opportunities ranging from professional development to
personal enrichment. When an employee shows an
interest in growth, we celebrate that. We believe in a
simple truth: happy employees equals happy customers.
My Advice for Organizations Wanting to be a Best Place to Work is …
By David Becker, President and CEO, First Internet Bank
Visiting an orphanage to wash children’s feet and provide them with new shoes is a powerful gesture.