It seems like every day I work I see a new face, so I wanted to take the time to explain how it pays to be a lifesaver.
You learn in training about blood types and how many lives you can save by scheduling just a single blood donation. We feel that what you do each and every day to saves lives deserves to be rewarded.
We have a program called the Lifesaver Program, in which you earn points for every donation you schedule. Your points determine which level you are and what reward you will receive. You get rewarded at levels, 3, 5, 7, 9 , 12, 15 and 20.
Prizes include pens, coffee mugs, t-shirts, dress shirts, binders, carry-on bags and even a mini vacation! Once you reach a new level, you also get a sticker indicating which level you are, so everyone can see just how dedicated you are to saving lives.
Be proud of what you do, and always challenge yourself to get to that next level.
Image Credit: Byron Katie
My adrenaline was still rushing from the Steelers’ Super Bowl XL victory when I showed up to our blood drive on that Monday afternoon.
Ever since high school, I had volunteered to help serve snacks, but I’d never actually donated blood before. However, as a relatively new college student and a thrilled football fan, I decided that it was time for me to make my first donation. Little did I know that by donating that January day, I would get to meet Big Ben, the Steelers’ championship quarterback…
The donation process got off to a great start. My phlebotomist was a Seahawks fan, so we exchanged a few friendly. Everything was going smoothly, but just as I finished filling the donation bag, my feet started to get cold and my vision became just a little fuzzy. I could slowly feel myself passing out.
Sure enough, about seven seconds later, I was out cold in the donation bed.
According to a friend, I was only out for a few seconds, but during that time, I had a full-length dream that Big Ben and I were at a coffee shop talking about the season, the big game, and other random topics that best friends normally talk about. It felt like our conversation lasted for hours, and, needless to say, when I woke up, I was a little heartbroken that it wasn’t real.
Maybe I didn’t technically meet Ben, but it sure felt like it at the time. The good news is that although my first blood donation experience wasn’t perfect, it didn’t deter me from coming back and trying again. Nowadays I make sure to eat a good, iron-rich meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to my appointments. During the donation process, I recline my chair and keep a drink nearby.
Today, several years later, I still have a great first-donation story to share. I’m happy to report that I’ve made several more successful donations since that day, and I’ve yet to rendezvous with Big Ben again!
Share It NET!
We’re finally Sharing It! A few weeks ago, the “Share it. Know it. Own it. Repeat.” subcommittee rolled out Incept’s very first internal electronic message board, appropriately named “Share It NET.” If you haven’t already begun incorporating Share It NET into your daily routine, now is the time to start! The intranet displays all sorts of new and relevant information, from program-related changes and “tips of the day” to internal news and updates about Incept-specific events.
Now, if you miss a day or two of work, you no longer have to worry about relying on paper memos to catch up on what you missed. You no longer have to worry about accidentally throwing a memo away. Share It NET stores all important company information, and it is accessible with just a click of your mouse! A link to the Share It NET can be found at the top of your livestats page, and there are separate pages for Incept Saves, Incept Results and Incept Internal updates.
If there is anything specific that you would like to see posted on the intranet, please let us know! If you have any special tips, tricks or FYIs related to a particular program, Share It with a supervisor or coach so that they can submit it to be posted. And, of course, if you have any questions or suggestions for improvement, Share It with anyone on the “Share It. Know It. Own It. Repeat.” subcommittee.
We listened when you told us that communication needed improved, and we’re still listening for ways to get even better!
Image Credit: http://5goldenrings.wordpress.com
Recruiting blood donors can be a very challenging job, but the rewards save hundreds of lives every day.
I often think of what I could be doing with my education, experience and skills as a manager, if I was not working at Incept. I imagine that I could be working for a company that produces some sort of consumable product or provides a specific service. The main driver behind these types of companies would most likely be based on making money. I imagine that I would feel successful through creating more revenue for that company. Essentially, making more widgets than yesterday would impact the company’s worth.
However, my work at Incept has been completely different. Success is defined by reaching blood unit goals with community blood centers across the nation. Without the work we do at Incept, community blood centers that we work with would fall short in their efforts to supply blood to their area hospitals. Yes, it is true that many blood donors go in to donate on their own, but we encourage many more to schedule appointments and commit to saving the lives of patients in their local area.
When I leave work every day, I know I made a difference.
Everyone at Incept needs to think about that when leaving work for the day and when you come in for your next shift. Having an ultimate purpose is one of the most rewarding qualities you can gain in life.
Photo Credit: TopNews
I consider myself a loudmouth.
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been told I’m too loud or to quiet down or that I have a voice that resonates, I might not be typing this blog. But it is in my genetic code to be a people person. I genuinely enjoy interacting with new people, and do not mind striking up a conversation with strangers. If you remember, it is all about finding common grounds to break the ice when it comes to embrace being conversational. On the other side of the wide social spectrum, there are people who – while they might know how to be conversational – prefer to live out a “speak softly, but carry a big stick” kind of mantra and can remain quite reserved in their social interactions.
Recently at Incept, one of the committees that I am involved in helps promote core company values, put on a company-wide ice cream social to raise money for Akron Children’s Hospital. A rather sweet idea came into play in an effort to support one of our core values – compassion – while having fun and boosting company morale on a hot, summer day.
We turned the break room into a makeshift ice cream parlor. The Reese’s peanut butter, Hershey’s and Magic Shell syrup all flowed like a flash flood while Butterfinger, Oreo bits and sprinkles hailed down to find their final resting place upon miniature hilltops and hummocks of ice cream. It was an enjoyable and very sweet experience, to say the least. However, it was a moment somewhere between restocking the whipped cream and vanilla that I remember the most out of that day.
A fellow Incept CME (Conversational Marketing Expert) approached me with his wallet out. After no hesitation and little plunder, he presented a crisp, neat five-dollar bill to me and said, “I don’t want any ice cream, but keep this.” Needless to say, I was a little taken aback. We were only charging one dollar a scoop (free toppings, as well), so he could have gotten a huge sundae! Obviously, though, this wasn’t about ice cream. This was a simple, random act of kindness that really did influence me.
The CME (Conversational Marketing Expert) who gave me the money is the type of guy that comes to work every day. He does his job and always looks for any way he can improve. And when it comes down to it, he is a quiet and generally very meek and reserved kind of guy.
I just wanted to type about this today, because I felt touched. It wasn’t a huge, earth-shattering good deed, but the thing about a good deed is that it doesn’t have to be grand to be good! This was an action that clearly was from this guy’s better graces. Not only that, but he clearly was living Incept’s value of compassion. That’s something I won’t forget for a long, long time.
What is a good deed you have witnessed someone else do?
Photo Credit: http://hankandwillie.files.wordpress.com
Hello, my name is Michelle Thomas.
I am a Program Specific Results Coach here at Incept, and I absolutely love it! I am currently a part of Amber Nelson’s team for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and couldn’t feel more honored. Overall, I have been part of the Incept team for almost a year now.
Before coming to Incept, I worked at a public library for five years and had no phone experience. I was told about Incept by Allison McConnell, who I had attended high school with, and am proud to be yet another one of the many employee referrals who work here.
I hadn’t been on the phones terribly long when I saw a posting for a coaching class, and all I could think about was being a part of it. I love working with people, and, at that point, I already had a great appreciation for the company. After being selected to attend the coach training class, I came to truly love Incept. It is a company that puts so much emphasis on telling people how just how awesome and important they are. That’s when I knew that Incept was the place for me.
After a couple of months of coaching, I was chosen to help Amber coach and excite the Conversational Marketing Experts (CMEs) to call and do well for Gulf Coast. It was during this time that I got to learn a lot from Jessica Hodgson as well. It has all been a great learning experience, and I feel like I learn more every day that I work here. I’m fortunate to be able to develop great relationships with all of the Conversations Marketing Experts (CMEs) on the floor. I’ve also made a lot of great friends here at Incept and can say that this is a rare company that actually cares about its employees.
And it’s a great feeling to be a part of that.
The most important part of the human body is, without a doubt, the brain.
The brain is able to regulate our breathing and blood pressure, without us ever having to think about it, all while we plan a grocery list and check the Incept Facebook page. It shapes how we perceive the world around us, keeps track of all of the complicated rhythms and workings of our bodies and manages even more difficult tasks such as chemistry homework and navigating rush-hour traffic. How exactly does it handle all of these amazing feats, especially all at once?
The brain is a master analyzer. All day every day, it’s bombarded with sensory input, not just from our eyes and ears, but from every organ and every inch of skin all over our bodies. The brain is the head (no pun intended) of the nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and all of the 10 trillion nerve cells. The brain itself contains about 100 billion cells and weighs about 3 lbs. in an adult human.
From the time we are three weeks old (in utero) until the end of our lives, our brain sends out and receives electrochemical signals from every neuron in the body. After analyzing these signals, it’s able to control and adjust anything in the body. To accomplish this, different parts of the brain are in charge of different jobs.
The brain stem manages everything from heart rate, body temperature and even our breathing, while the occipital lobe (in the rear of the brain) interprets the images captured by our eyes. As the eyes take in an image, the picture is flipped upside down by the lens in the eye before the information travels along the occipital nerve and into the occipital lobe where it is deciphered. Furthermore, the cerebellum gathers all of the information from the rest of the body and helps coordinate our movements.
For those of us interested in the analytical powers of the brain, however, the frontal lobe is our primary concern. The frontal lobe is where our emotions and personality are housed and allows us to solve problems and decide what to do with all of the information the rest of our brain has gathered. It is the largest section of the human brain and with good reason! How else could it manage such complicated work?
All in all, the human brain is an amazing organ. Even though it’s often compared to a super computer, some of the people I know can multitask twice as well and not freeze up! So the next time you’re racking your brain trying to remember the word on the tip of your tongue, take a second to appreciate just how amazing that analyzer really is. Computer companies have nothing on nature!
Photo Credits:
Sometimes in life we just need a simple point in the right direction to finally get a major undertaking off of the ground.
I’m the type of guy that refuses to paint a picture by numbers. I don’t like to follow the directions when it comes to building Legos, and I eat my dessert first when it comes to dining. Those things being said, do not mistake me for being the type to dislodge someone’s suggestion or helpful hint! On the contrary, a gentle push or suggestion on how to do things should always been heeded and considered.
How does your company utilize social networking?
At Incept, you may have read how we have built our company culture up, and it all comes down to one very well-known word: Facebook. I can literally see the difference, both in a dramatic increase in internal company communication and a huge increase in generally positive morale among employees.
But why do I recommend using Facebook as a starting point for your company culture? What are the benefits? How long is it before you see a change in the cultural makeup of your corporation? I’m here to lend some insight, in the form of a few very easy and powerful steps, into using the biggest social network (currently known to man) for the betterment of your business:
- Your company’s image is reflected on your page. Do people know what your business is about or what type of service you offer? One crucial thing to remember – something that we live by at Incept – is that our Facebook page must reflect who we are as a company. There is nothing wrong with fun (and professionally appropriate) content and employee engagement. However, at the end of the day, our professional demeanor needs to transcend from the office to our page, and ultimately people need to know what services we can offer and what we can do for them. Remember this: your company Facebook page is an open invitation to your employees, clients and even future clients to engage.
- Everyone likes a good pat on the back. Do you remember being in little league and making an awesome play? You’d hear your coach scream, “Good job! Good hustle! Keep it up!” When it comes down to it, everyone likes to be appreciated for what they do. Chances are that your employees are no different. At Incept, Program Results Coaches and supervisors can be found posting about how good any given Incept employee did that day, thanking someone for putting in extra hours, and more. It is a very simple and thoughtful way to increase positive relationships among coworkers.
- Are you posting engaging and thoughtful content? Anyone can set up a Facebook page, but can you actively keep it up-to-date with interesting content? Do you make videos about what is going on in the company? Do you post articles that are related within your industrial field? Even something as small as asking your employees a simple question such as, “Did anyone see an interesting movie this weekend?” or “What are you excited for this spring?” are recent examples of simple questions that we have posted on the Incept Facebook page that really drove people to respond and engage. It is all about staying connected with your audience and being personal. When all feels right with a conversation, even a simple starter question, all will go with the flow.
- How long will it take to see results? At Incept we’ve had our Facebook page up for a little over a year. In that short time we have more people who like our page than we employ! We currently have 830+ people that currently like our page (formerly known as “fans”), and the number is still growing. It should be understood that in dealing with social media and social networking, things can be compared to taking care of a plant: you have to water it and take care of it before it blossoms. Posting quality content and actively engaging (daily) on your page is what is going to help it amplify and grow, but the conversations you have online behind that engagement are what matter most.
There are many more benefits, and I could probably go on and on, but the above are a few significantly real examples. The social media bus has not left town yet, and it is still very early in the game. You are still able to reap the benefits of something as simple as setting up a company Facebook page.
How does your company engage with social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.? How has your company culture changed because of social media?
Photo Credit: http://img.timeinc.net
I promise, it's not the cookies and other sweets that make for happy employees, it's the people who are handing them out that matters!
No one wants to work somewhere that makes them miserable, and everyone knows that miserable employees can make succeeding very difficult.
Have you ever wondered why some companies just seem to have happier employees than anyone else? It all comes down to company culture. After all, a positive work environment leads to positive results!
If you ask around, a lot of people who work here will tell you that one of the best things about Incept is its company culture. What exactly do we do differently than other companies that makes Incept such a great place to work? It can be summed up into five key differentiators:
1.) Relationships matter. Something I noticed when I first joined the Incept crew was the people. I can’t count the number of people who welcomed me to the floor on my first day and made me feel at home. It didn’t matter if it was someone from the training class before mine or a supervisor who had been here for years, everyone I talked to was friendly and seemed to genuinely care about each other. The longer I’ve been here, the more I’ve seen that warmth firsthand. Having a staff that works well together goes a long way toward making a great company culture.
2.) Communication is key. This might seem like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how many businesses don’t communicate well in-house. Your employees need to know what’s going on in order to give it their all. Whether you’re ahead of goal or you need them to pull together to meet a last-minute deadline, by keeping the lines of communication open both you and your staff can step it up to solve problems and reach goals. Plus, communication helps build stronger relationships.
3.) Give me a break! No matter how much you might enjoy your job, you’ll end up getting bored if that’s all you think about all day. Offer your employees a chance to unwind a little. By providing breaks throughout the day and comfortable break rooms, you’re giving them a chance to unwind and recharge their batteries. I promise, with just a couple short breaks during a hard day’s work, your employees will be refreshed and ready to do even better.
4.) All work and no play makes for a dull work day. Work is important, but so is play. By organizing company activities either at work or off the clock, you can give your staff a chance to mingle with one another and help alleviate some stress. Maybe you hand out word puzzles on the weekends or set up a great company party once a year! Either way, big or small, these activities will go a long way toward giving your crew something to look forward to and helping them make it through the work day more successfully.
5.) Recognize excellence. In the business world, it’s all too easy to slip into the pattern of only noticing the mistakes. Everyone needs to know that their contribution is valued and appreciated. Accordingly, by commending the achievements of your employees, you let them know that they’re valued highly. An even better idea is giving your staff a way to recognize each other. By making achievements and successes known, you can encourage even more excellence on the floor.
By installing the ideas above, you can start building a company culture that your employees will be proud of. They’ll feel happier about the work they do and the people they work with, and that will help them perform better than ever before!
What other ways can you think of to improve company culture?
Photo Credit:
Jeremiah Cerny's mugshot for the "Locked Up For Muscular Dystrophy" fundraiser at Carrabba's.
Everyone holds their own values and beliefs.
At Incept, one of the most important values we believe in is compassion. Compassion isn’t just a company value, but one our employees show on a regular basis. On March 31st, our very own Jeremiah Cerny stepped up to show everyone just how it’s done.
It started out as a challenge. One of Jeremiah’s friends was attending a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), a group dedicated to finding a cure for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other similar diseases, at Carrabba’s Italian Grill here in Canton, Ohio. Not only did he dare Jeremiah to attend, but he also made the mistake of challenging Jeremiah to see who could raise the most money. Considering he was one of our conversational marketing experts (CME) and now a conversational quality representative, Jeremiah couldn’t let that challenge go unanswered. And so the telethon began.
Carrabba's Italian Grill in Canton, OH.
Attendees were “locked up” at the Carrabba’s and told that if they wanted their freedom, they’d have to “make bail.” It was a battle of wills to see who had the biggest heart and the best phone skills to raise money for the MDA, but Jeremiah – and the MDA, for that matter – emerged victorious. He single-handedly raised more than $300 over the course of the evening and bested his friend. His experience as a blood donor recruiter, as well as his caring and compassionate nature, gave him the edge he needed to reach out to the community and gain their support. All of the money raised was donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
When I asked him about the event, Jeremiah said he enjoyed the chance to put skills he learned here at Incept to the test for a good cause. He also shared that he is already forward to next year’s “lock up,” at which he plans to do even better. Jeremiah also wanted to thank Carrabba’s for hosting the event and supplying delicious food to the event’s participants. Their support really made a difference.
I really want to tip my hat to Jeremiah. He took the time out of his evening off to help others in need. Who would have thought that skills learned at work could have such a positive impact outside of the office? The next time you see Jeremiah, give him a shout-out for his compassion.
What fundraisers for charity have you participated in? Do you have any stories you’d like to share?
Photo Credits:
At Incept, I’m part of the Live the Brand subcommittee, Learning Never Stops.
The group is made up of conversational marketing experts (CMEs), coaches, supervisors and Sam Falletta, President of Incept. We meet once a week to discuss how to help our fellow employees meet their personal and professional goals through education.
When I first joined the group, I assumed that Mr. Falletta would be leading our meetings. Instead, every week we take turns moderating. Almost everyone has had a turn so far, so I’ve been able to observe a half-dozen different leadership techniques.
The Incept Conference Room
Here are the top-5 ways to lead a meeting:
- Sit in the middle of the group. I mean that literally. In the Incept conference room, there is an oval table with black office chairs around it. A leader’s natural seat is at either end of the table – not physically above the group like a throne but slightly separate. I’ve noticed that the leaders in my committee purposefully sit in the middle chairs. This action communicates “I’m with you” rather than “I’m above you.”
- Begin and end the meeting on positive notes. The Live the Brand committee meetings start by sharing “Wows.” We go around the circle and everyone talks about a “wow” moment they had that week. Usually, we’re “wowed” by another employee who went above and beyond their job description. The meetings end with each member stating what they thought was the most productive part of the conversation and the most meaningful result. Then members pass out an Incept poker chip. The chips are given to fellow employees who did something that represented an Incept value. It’s a way to publicly reward exceptional work.
Keep everyone on task. It’s always difficult to stay on topic, especially when the people in the meeting are friends you want to catch up with. The fact that they are friends can also make it harder to rein them in when they get off topic. It’s OK to let people inch from the main subject for a few minutes, but like any good shepherd leading sheep, a leader has to steer the conversation onto the most productive path.- Summarize. Every few minutes, especially if you’re about to go to the next topic, make a decision or if everyone in the group has different opinions, be sure to summarize the discussion. Make a one-sentence statement that mentions what you’ve accomplished so far, what you still disagree on and what steps to take next.
- Ask questions. The moderator of a meeting has to always be prepared to ask questions. It could be a question to an individual group member to clarify what he or she is saying, or it could be a general question to keep the group thinking.
What additional advice do you have for moderating a meeting?
