60 Seconds on Business
Having fun at work can really pay off

By Dr. Drake Beil
President, Solutions Inc.

How you work is how you play, so do you have fun at work? How would you like a massage therapist to come once a week, and have the company pay for á of the cost? Would you like a workout area and exercise equipment on-site for employees? How does your organization stack up against the best of the best?

Recent research is clear that great morale is one key to greater profitability. Given the value of powerfully motivated people, employee involvement in the workplace is more important than ever. It's even more vital in small businesses, where the impact of one or two people can be critical. In October, the Hawaii Psychological Association recognized Hawaii Business Equipment in its Small Business category. (For the complete list of recognized companies, go to hawaiipsych.org.)

The company has 47 employees and the entire company practices "kaizen," the philosophy of continuous improvement. Every member of the company is in a kaizen group and they address issues ranging from increasing productivity, to improving safety, to stress in the workplace. A recent program recommendation resulted in a massage therapist coming on-site for 3 hours a week.

They take employee development seriously and all managers and supervisors attend an 8-month training program. They have additional tuition reimbursement policies in place so all employees can further their education in job-related areas. There are ongoing education sessions on new products, on sales training and in technical support areas.

Reach Drake Beil at drake@60secondsonbusiness.com or 587-5832.