90 / 106
90
BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – May/June 2017
“Be careful what you wish for,” warns an ominous
adage. But the outcome can be much more positive
when you are conveying your desires about
workplace culture.
Those requests may just come true … and benefit
not only you, but your colleagues and employer.
Susan Weber, senior vice president of human resources and talent
management at Elements Financial Federal Credit Union, has her
“dream job.” Among its most rewarding aspects is working with staff
to make the work environment even better.
Starting in 2010, Elements made the Best Places to Work list six
straight years. An absence in 2016 inspired leadership and others “to
devour” employee survey results and launch their own feedback
sessions last fall.
“We took 30 employees in small groups of three each. It came
down to three questions,” Weber recalls. “When I asked the question
about, ‘What can we do to ensure you remain an active, engaged and
productive employee?’ a couple of people in different sessions would
lean up at the table and say, ‘Do more of this. Ask me what I think.
Let me give you some feedback.’
“The first time I heard somebody say this, I was like, ‘Oh my
gosh!’ Really? I thought that was always an option.’ ”
In short, team members want their voices to be heard.
“We talk about that all the time,” Weber comments, “but the
difference was that we created the forum for it to happen. We gave
them a safe place, if you will, to have a conversation with us.”
Today, key words arising from that dialogue are displayed
throughout Elements as a constant reminder.
“We’re continuing that in 2017,” Weber offers, her voice heavy
with pride. “We’re doing these quarterly. It gives us a check point to
know that we’re on the right track.”
Nurturing a culture that values all voices is a common theme
among four companies – Elements, American Structurepoint, Jackson
Systems and Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of the Wabash
Valley (VNA) – returning to the list in 2017 after an absence.
Look who’s talking!
Kim Streeter, human resource and technology director, started at
VNA 26 years ago. Located in Terre Haute, the non-profit has 100
employees; most work remotely as caregivers.
“The passion they (staff) feel in their work caring for others drives
me to be passionate about what I do for them because they’re my
customers,” she remarks.
VNA combs Best Places reports (provided to all applicants) to
identify areas of opportunity.
“Communication always seems to score low. That’s probably (the
case) in a lot of businesses, but with us being mostly mobile, that’s
something we’re always working on: having brainstorming sessions
with staff on better ways to communicate. Not only do we have to
By Symone C. Skrzycki
Companies Process Feedback, Return to List
LISTEN AND LEARN
Best Places to Work in Indiana
American Structurepoint takes
part in the Million Meal Marathon
food drive at Lucas Oil Stadium.