Abandon the Chotchkies and Focus on Employees

by Mitchell Derman

Fans of the film Office Space probably remember the restaurant Chotchkies. Jennifer Aniston played a server. The relentless restaurant manager ridiculed her constantly for not wanting to wear more "pieces of flair." Having worked at Bennigan's -- a Chotchkies wannabe -- during my college years, I can remember wearing all those silly pins on my suspenders. Thinking about the movie scene, it was evident that those "pieces of flair" had nothing to do with motivating the Chotchkies employee to perform her job better.

A recent Harvard Business Review article examines "What Motivates Workers." According to a survey of people managers, what motivates workers most is recognition, e.g., e-mail acknowledgment with the team copied, public recognition in an all-hands or staff meeting for a job well done, etc. However, according to a study of employees, what really motivates employees is progress, e.g., that they feel a sense of accomplishment.

What is the Implication for Organizations?

Since the economic downturn began in 2008, so many organizations have had to eliminate and/or significantly reduce many employee-friendly benefits, including tuition reimbursement, 401k match and training. There also have been salary freezes and layoffs. In this environment, many organizations focused much of their attention on non-financial incentives in order to retain their top talent. Based on the study mentioned in HBR, it seems that this type of recognition may have been the wrong approach. Whether it's completing or making headway on a project, developing a new solution to a problem or finalizing a strategic plan, employees want to feel that they are accomplishing something special that contributes to their own sense of well-being and for the benefit of their colleagues.

My Own Experience

According to the article, organizations should "avoid impeding progress by changing goals autocratically, being indecisive, or holding up resources. Negative events generally have a greater effect on people's emotions, perceptions, and motivation than positive ones, and nothing is more demotivating than a setback."

Having worked at AOL from 2003 to 2006, I can certainly relate to "negative events impeding progress." Those years were an interesting time for the company. Broadband had become a reality and AOL's dial-up customer base was migrating to cable and DSL in droves. While the company started to get its mojo back on the advertising side, it struggled to innovate and develop new disruptive technologies and user-friendly tools as it had done long ago with Instant Messenger.

I sense that this lack of innovation stemmed from the fact there were always rumors of layoffs around the corner. There were always re-organizations, new management and new strategies. One of the quotes I would always hear was: "The only thing constant at AOL is change." The constant change certainly impeded the ability for employees to accomplish their goals, which adversely affected employee morale.

Overcome the "It's not our day job" Mindset

The main challenge with employee communications is that employees have their day jobs, and are not necessarily compensated to pay attention to the Intranet, newsletter articles, company blogs and all the other internal channels. I always tell my media relations/external PR peers that reporters may not cover you the way you want them to, but at least they will listen to you because it's their job to cover your organization's marketplace.

So it's important to focus on delivering communications that can help employees be better at their jobs. Don't get me wrong, giveaways and branding campaigns can be part of an overall employee communications program, but they need to be coupled with real value-added information that helps employees accomplish their work and further develop their careers. The last thing you want is for a program to be perceived as a gimmick. Next thing you know and all those coffee cups, t-shirts and pens appear on eBay.

Thanks to Elizabeth Lupfer for helping me shape this post and bring out the right tone. Read her blog, The Social Workplace. If you have an idea for an article about employee communications or would like to be a guest blogger, feel free to e-mail me at mbderman@aol.com. Also feel free to send me any photos of chotchkies received at work. And remember, Friday is "Hawaiian Shirt Day."

World-Class Win Should Lead to World-Class Celebration

As a University of Maryland alum, I was beyond excited when the Terps beat Duke late Wednesday night. And I enjoyed exchanging all the Facebook posts with friends and fans across the country. For Terrapin Nation, there's nothing like beating Duke.

That said, I am always disheartened the next day when I hear the news reports about riots and arrests. There's absolutely no reason for it. Don't get me wrong, of course we should be celebrating. However, if the allegations about starting fires and attempting to turn over a bus are true, those actions send the wrong message to students, fans, alumni and the surrounding community. Quite frankly, it's an embarrassment, especially for a university that has made great strides during the last several years to become the world-class institution that it is today.

In the days and weeks ahead, as due process takes its course, if any of the alleged behaviors are proven true, anyone responsible should be held accountable for their actions.

As March Madness approaches and the Terps hopefully go deep in the tournament, let's not make ourselves mad with bad choices. Let our celebrations be world-class.

Not Your Typical Farewell Message

For those of you who may not have heard, I have left Hill & Knowlton to pursue new opportunities and aspirations. My last day in the office was Feb. 18. Not one to draw attention to myself, I did decide to have a little fun with my farewell e-mail to colleagues. Since the e-mail received rave reviews, I wanted to share with others. I would like to think that this is how "The Onion" would have covered it. Names of colleagues have been redacted to protect the innocent. lol. Enjoy!

From Wire Reports: Feb. 18, 2010

Mitch Derman Mystery Brings Back Memories of “Primary Colors”

Inside the Beltway types always clamor for a mystery. Not since the days of “Who wrote Primary Colors” has official Washington been so enraptured. But the “Where is Mitch Derman” mystery almost has a Willy Wonka-esque feel to it. People want that golden ticket. The soft-spoken communications professional that he is, Derman has remained mum about his professional life after Hill & Knowlton. Although a handful of lucky professionals apparently have been displaying Derman’s cool new business card that lists his title as Communications Consultant.

His popular blog, Beltway Banter, has not been updated with a new post in months. As the paparazzi clamor outside the Willard Hotel, where rumor has it a send-off is planned, we’ve summarized some of the rumors that have dominated the blogosphere in recent weeks:

American Idol Bound? When Simon Cowell announced he would not return next season, Derman’s name has apparently, to the dismay of many, appeared on many short lists. A disgruntled Cowell has said, “Not possible. He would attract too many Grateful Dead wannabes. We can’t have that.”

Capitals Defenseman. With a three game skid due to defensive lapses just before the Olympics, Capitals GM George McPhee is said to be considering Derman as a new defenseman. A shock to NHL followers considering Derman has never picked up a hockey stick. Two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin, in Vancouver for the Olympics, was quoted as saying, “Mitch has eaten one too many cookies to play on this squad. Let Crosby and the Pens have him.”

Input from Zachary. Anderson Cooper, during a recent 360 program on CNN, managed to talk to Derman’s son at his preschool playground. Like his father, Zach also was mum. “I play with dinosaur,” he told Cooper.

Orioles GM. MLB insiders have even heard the possibility of Derman becoming the next Orioles GM. According to comments from owner Peter Angelos in the Baltimore Sun, “No way, will never happen. He would bring back the winning tradition that we have not seen since 1997. We cannot have that here!”

White House Consultant. Even inside the White House briefing room, there was talk of adding Derman as a communications consultant. While senior staff have neither confirmed nor denied the rumor, they did say that Derman could have helped the Administration in getting Americans to understand healthcare better.

PR Firm Softball League Commissioner. According to league sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to comment on a free agent, the chances of Derman taking on this role are between slim and none. In fact, according to H&K Coach NAME, who is rumored to be challenging DC Mayor Adrian Fenty on a snow platform, “Derman was more of a primadonna than a player…always demanding things. He only played once and he was 0 for 3. However, I do have to admit that his locker room antics always helped instill a strong culture. He got me with that rayon tie joke every time.”

While Derman does remain mum, we do have his official statement:

“Today is my last day at H&K. For the last three plus years, I have enjoyed working with many of you – some of the brightest and most talented communications professionals in the business. While I’m still trying to figure out the next phase of my professional journey, I want to extend my gratitude for helping me achieve some of my career goals during my tenure. I will stay in touch. Whatever I do, I will keep living the dream.

I can be reached at mbderman@aol.com (I may get a gmail account. According to NAME, aol mail is so old school. But old school is how I roll:) or on my cell at 571-216-8712. I may even try to revitalize the Beltway Banter blog. You can also follow me on twitter: @mitchderman. I’m sure our paths will cross again."

All the best,

Mitch

P.S. – Let’s go Caps!

For #happodc -- Seeking New Opportunity to Add Value to an Organization

I am a corporate communications professional with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations link stakeholder engagement (both internal and external) to business objectives. This includes the ability to:

• Influence both internal and external audiences, including employees, business partners, media and industry analysts.
• Tie social media concepts and channels with traditional communications campaigns.
• Convey leadership’s voice in all communications.
• Write and edit executive correspondence and columns, op/eds, bylined articles, blog postings and press releases.
• Effectively develop and implement communications strategies, as well as messages that resonate with audiences.
• Build effective media relationships that generate results.
• Develop and implement programs that enable managers to effectively deliver communications to their teams.
• Roll out Rewards & Recognition programs to employees.
• Apply a client service mindset whether supporting teams within an organization or as an outside consultant.

For more information, contact mbderman@aol.com or @mitchderman. Also open to assisting other job seekers.

The Washington "New York Times" Post?

(Disclaimer: I'm a lifelong Orioles fan so I may sound biased; please know that is not meant to be an anti-Yankees blog -- they deserved their 27th World Series win; And I'm glad Jeter got his 5th ring)

When I picked up my Washington Post today (or was it the New York Times this morning?), I was dismayed to see the large photo of the Yankees winning the series on the front page above the fold. What a way to rub it in to all the Orioles and Nats fans in the region. I could understand if it was a brief metion on the bottom of the front page as a teaser to the Sports section (by the way, if you have not read it; great column by Boswell this morning). But why such a large photo of the team celebration on the front page? Wasn't there more important local news to cover? Let's see: Yesterday, there were issues with the traffic lights in Montgomery County (which was on the bottom of the front page) and Metro had technical issues as well. Seems like a combined commuter-oriented story would have been more appropriate.

Mr. Leonsis: Care to Buy the Orioles?

I read with great interest Mike Wise's column in the Washington Post this morning. He described the risky and smart decision Capitals Majority Owner Ted Leonsis made several years ago to trade away high-priced veterans and begin to rebuild. Wise described how Leonsis told season ticket holders how it would be bad before it got good. One particular statement from Leonsis at the time really caught my attention: "'If your deliverable is to win a championship, do you think you have the system, culture and talent to deliver that?'" Essentially if the answer is no, then you need to make changes.

As a life long Orioles fan, I wish Peter Angelos would take notice. The reality is Angelos has no incentive to ensure that the Orioles have a "system, culture and talent" to win a World Series let alone try to put any kind of contender on the field. Regardless of how the team performs, Angelos is guaranteed a sale price when he does decide to eventually sell the team. That was part of Major League Baseball's efforts to placate him in order to move the Expos to DC. He also gets revenue from the Nats' broadcasting deal. How insane is that?

Don't get me wrong, the Orioles have some young talent -- Adam Jones, Nick Markakis to name a few. However, the team has not had a contender since 1997 when the Orioles were AL East wire-to-wire champs. And what did Angelos do after that season? He fired Davey Johnson, one of the best managers; and let John Miller, the best play-by-play baseball announcer today, leave town.

As the Orioles are on the verge of a 100-game loss season, Mr. Angelos, can you do us all a favor and consider selling the ballclub soon?

Time to Drop the Puck: It's Caps Hockey Time

Hard to believe but hockey season begins tonight. For the Caps, with a horrible Game 7 loss to the Pens in the Eastern Conference semis last May behind them (but not forgotten) and some off season enhancements, expectations are high. Some interesting questions to ponder:

• Goaltending: Will Jose Theodore return to the more high caliber player he was earlier in his career? Or will we get to see exciting sensation Semyon Varlamov become the day-to-day starter?
• Mike Green: Can he return to his 2008-09 regular season form that scored 31 goals, had 42 assists and achieved a +/- of +24?
• Crowding the Crease: Will the addition of Mike Knuble add one of the final links to the puzzle that will bring the Cup to DC?

Only time will tell and it's a long season. Every Caps fan -- and every DC sports fan for that matter -- should be excited. Time to Rock the Red! Let's go Caps! Prediction for tonight: Caps - 2; B's - 1