This Week's Herman Trend Alert Cyberbullying---a Growing Problem

The Herman Trend Alert July 16, 2008 Supporting Family Centeredness In this era when human resource professionals are practically expected to be magicians, any low-cost means for helping employees reduce their stress and be more engaged and productive is very welcome. In our book, "Lean & Meaningful ", we defined "meaningfulness" at work with 12 elements; one was "Family Centeredness". Supporting family centeredness also helps to make an organization an Employer of Choice® (a registered certification mark of Employer of Choice, Inc.; for more about being recognized, visit www.employerofchoice.com). Helping HR professionals to support family centeredness is former "BusinessWeek" writer, Michelle Nichols. In 1998, Nichols unexpectedly lost her young son, Mark to brain cancer. Later, she put up two billboards along Houston's freeways in his memory, suggesting that parents hug their kids each day. The outpouring of response inspired Nichols to write her new book, "Hug your Kids Today!: 5 Lessons for Every Working Parent". This 156-page, easy-to-read paperback book not only chronicles Nichols' story, but offers advice to stressed parents as well: "Don't try to 'balance'", says the author, "rather prioritize". She urges parents to "put family first and work a close second". "Spend a few minutes hugging your kids every morning", Nichols advises, "and you will have more peace of mind, joy, and success". Her strong feelings about the value of hugs also prompted her to create "National Hug Your Kids Day". Next Monday, July 21, there are events scheduled in Georgia, Florida, California, and Nevada. In addition, eight of Major League Baseball's electronic billboards will highlight the special day. Several roadside billboards throughout the United States will promote the celebration. For more, visit http://www.hugyourkidstoday.com. (Incidentally, medical evidence proves that hugging is therapeutic for both parties, bolstering the immune system and creating endorphins that make people feel good.) Encouraging working parents to hug their kids every morning is not a major undertaking and it will result in less-stressed employees. Expect more of these low-tech, yet effective ideas to support employees in many ways. We also anticipate seeing an uptick in the number of "lunch and learn" presentations with books like this one, delivered on parenting and other high-stress inducing challenges employees face. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." DISCOVER WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON... in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. MOM ALWAYS TAUGHT IT WAS GOOD TO SHARE You have probably subscribed to The Herman Trend Alert for a while now and you know how valuable it is to you. Why not suggest that your friends sign up at http://www.hermantrendalert.com? Join the thousands who subscribe in 87 countries around the globe. Are there particular topics you'd like to see covered? Let us know and we will research "The Future of. . .". And let us know how else we may serve you? E-mail: joyce@hermangroup.com. YOUR EMPLOYEES NEED THEIR LEADERS MORE THAN EVER Help your leaders to excel. Thousands have used our weekly Lessons in Leadership to help their supervisors and managers remember how to hold onto top talent. The 52-week subscription is only $47, a bargain when you think about the savings to your organization in reduced turnover. Quantity discounts available by emailing Carol at carol@hermangroup.com. Order today at: http://www.hermangroup.com/store/subscription_all.html#3. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

[ Home · About · Products · Resources · Media ]

Web site design by WebEditor Design Services, Inc.