60 Seconds on Business
What represents a healthy workplace?

By Dr. Drake Beil
President, Solutions Inc.

The American Psychological Association is developing a set of business "Best Practices" to help identify excellence and improve five key components that make up the essence of a psychologically healthy workplace, including:

• Health, Safety and Security
• Career Development
• Employee Involvement
• Family Support
• Community Support and Corporate Citizenship

Research shows that the real keys to greater productivity and profitability lie in creating a work environment that allows people to develop to their full potential. While some may believe you cannot motivate people any more than you can make them taller, I am convinced that building a solid foundation of positive workplace practices is essential to long-term prosperity.

How do you do that? Are you already doing it? Many companies have great programs for their people in Hawai'i, and now we have a way to recognize these best practices and share them with business communities everywhere.

The "Health Workplace Awards" are a series of statewide efforts to find and promote workplace excellence. The Hawai'i Psychological Association — along with sponsors Altres, Kaiser Permanente, HMSA and Straub — will be recognizing these local best practices in October.

You can find out more by logging onto the HPA Web site for information on the five key elements and their criteria. You can also download application forms to nominate your firm, or another. The deadline for nominations is July 15.

Dr. Drake Beil can be reached at drake@60secondsonbusiness.