Hot Topic Friday: Sept. 18

Happy Friday! Here are our Sept. 18 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

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Note From Garrett: As a few readers might know, Lorne underwent a successful eye surgery this week. While his improved eyesight might now ruin our glasses-dependent branding, his doctor recommended ocular rest means that I took the Millennial reins on content for these Hot Topics. Hope you enjoy.

Hot Topic 1: Celebrate Adding an Ex-Employee Roster to Your Organization

Source: Juliano’s Italian Pizza and Restaurant, Barstool Pizza Reviews.

What It’s About: Of all things, a Barstool Pizza Review whet my appetite for this one. Juliano’s Italian Pizza and Restaurant, located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, has served quality pies to the community since 1978. But the establishment’s most unique topping might be something completely unrelated to food. Every box of pizza features a printed roster of their ex-employees, and celebrates what they’re doing now.

Who’s helped frame the past of your organization? Who’s walked between your walls? What are they up to now? Do you even know?

So What?: Keep in mind, these are not conventionally famous ex-employees. The Juliano’s alum have moved on to professions including, but not limited to, BS Registered Nurses, Pharmacists, a Physics teacher, Executive Chef, Cybersecurity, Chicago Food Bank, Mother and Entrepreneur Donut Shop Owner, County Sheriff, PHD Yale School of Medicine Assistant Professor, and a Pittsburgh Penguins TV host/Spokesperson. Guys, this is a nod to the fabric of their entire community, a pride for everyone who donned an apron alongside their ovens. All belong on this list.

Now What?: We’ve recently discussed focusing on the proper way to celebrate people exiting your organization. As you’re aware, we will all leave the organization we’re at now, some day, some way. We want to encourage finding methods where employees can still feel like they belong as part of the organization after they’re gone, (so long as they don’t leave due to an egregious act, obviously). It also presents a challenge. How can we do this? Well, Juliano’s proves it’s that EASY, and that hard. In this case, it’s just a printed roster. A piece of paper. However, have you heard of any other establishment that really does this? I haven’t.

It’s so simple, where are YOUR ex-employees now? What can a list mean for your recruiting? Why not celebrate their next steps? They only got there because you somehow helped shape their path. I’d love to see more ex-employee rosters in organizations out there. Know your ghosts.

Boomer View: Holy cow! This cool story let’s me know that Garrett is taking my view to another level. I love this. Juliano’s strategy is so simple and yet powerful. How proud would you be to be on the pizza box roster? How great do you feel that as a customer, you not only get a super pie, you invest in the people serving you? Congrats to Juliano’s for showing us a way to celebrate leaving.

Hot Topic 2: You Might Be Sick of Zoom But Their Employees Aren’t

Source: Culture-Spark.

What It’s About: For obvious reasons, Zoom has pretty much evolved into a verb, and is likely part of our daily lives, both professionally and personally. However, it’s not exactly the superb technology, accessibility or necessity that we’re discussing here today. Zoom’s culture is virtually one of the best, no pun intended (ok fine, it was intended).

So What?: There is intention at Zoom for employees to be happy, and to make personal connections. Their People First and Customer Obsessed culture has earned some impressive accolades. It’s one thing to have “Happiness Crews” plan events like “Bring Your Parent to Work Day,” and “Zoom Olympics,” however if they don’t garner results then what’s the point? Well, Zoom’s approach to culture earned CEO Eric Yuan, the No. 1 CEO spot on Glassdoor in 2018, with a 99 percent approval rating. Hardly anyone else is even in that ballpark. Along with that, both Forbes and Glassdoor awarded Zoom the No. 2 Best Places to Work position in 2019.

Now What?: The point is, while Zoom’s stock has reportedly tripled in value over 2020 (thanks to you know what), if their company wasn’t chock-full of delighted employees, surrounded by a culture based on their happiness, and leadership that supported full-throttle, people-first environments… Who knows? Maybe Zoom wouldn’t have survived, and we’d be using Skype or Google Meets instead.

Boomer View: There are many examples of great cultures out there. However, Zoom is part of a new class of companies that are raising the culture bar BIG time. So if you think you can just do a culture facelift, you may find the very best talent is going to go to an organization that creates conditions where they are living the life they want now. A facelift won't be enough. Your organization will need a heart transplant instead.

My Weekly Wine Recommendation.

1000 Stories Zinfandel 2016

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And finally! Here’s Cecil’s Bleat of the Week!

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“Key pillars are establishing a shared long-term vision, fostering a people-centric culture, developing leaders from within, and sending people home fulfilled.” - Bob Chapman.

Bye for now!

— Lorne and Garrett Rubis

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Happy Friday! Here are our Sept. 18 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: Celebrate Adding an Ex-Employee Roster to Your Organization

Source: Juliano’s Italian Pizza and Restaurant, Barstool Pizza Reviews.

Hot Topic 2: You Might Be Sick of Zoom But Their Employees Aren’t

Source: Culture-Spark.

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