Can you bribe people to act like owners?
“Eat your vegetables and you can have dessert.” The purpose of this well-known incentive is pretty clear. The incentive, or bribe, inspires short-term compliance but it does not engender any internal motivation or understanding about the big picture. Is this how short-term financial incentives, bonus programs, and recognition are supposed to work in an ESOP-owned company? Is it about compliance or should it be something different? Click Here to read the entire article.
Understanding Roles & Responsibilities Matters in an ESOP
"The reactions we were seeing made no sense at all,” declared the V.P of Operations at an ESOP-owned service firm. “Employees were receiving contributions of more [...]
Avoid the Deadly Sins of ESOP Committees
Somewhere deep in the jungle of ESOP knowledge, beyond the lines of IRS code sections and outside the confines of the mysterious “private letter rulings”, lie the secrets of building a successful ESOP Committee. If you have already started an ESOP Committee you can rescue it. If you are thinking about starting one, these points will help you to harness your enthusiasm and plan the committee’s development to avoid the pitfalls that bedevil many ESOP Committees. Click Here to read the entire article.
Got Game for ESOP Month?
Is it time to start thinking about how to bring some new energy to your company for ESOP month? Are you looking for a new way to convey your critically important ownership message? In October ESOP-owned businesses across the United States celebrate Employee Ownership Month. Click here to read the full article.
Smart ESOP participants need to understand their role
"The reactions we were seeing made no sense at all,” declared the V.P of Operations at an ESOP-owned service firm. “Employees were receiving contributions of more than 30% of their pay, stock value was going up, and yet we heard employees complaining bitterly about ESOP ownership.” Ownership confusion and unfounded suspicions were distracting and damaging performance. Click here to read the full article.
Don’t jump into ESOP Committee waters with both feet
You attended an ESOP conference, heard an enthusiastic company speaker talk about the benefits of its ESOP Committee and right there, you decided you want to start one. Before violating the African proverb "a wise man does not jump into the water with two feet," here are some things to consider. Click here to read the full article.
Unlock the hidden treasure of your mature ESOP
“Employee ownership is so much a part of our culture, it is routine. But when things are routine we don’t always appreciate them,” says Bill Chambers an internal trustee for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) at Anvil Corporation in Bellingham, WA. The ESOP can be a hidden treasure in mature ESOPs like Anvil. The company's ESOP has enjoyed a strong history of growth in account balances since its establishment in 1996. However, this track record of success won’t eliminate the never-ending challenge of effectively communicating the plan. Click here to read the full article.
An ESOP stock value Brown out
Making the connection between employees’ daily activities, company success and ESOP stock value with America’s favorite football team, the Cleveland Browns (ok, maybe not America’s [...]
March Madness: Ownership Lessons from Van Buren’s 6th Grade Girls Basketball Team
With the basketball bedlam known as March Madness about consume America, let me share a few leadership lessons gleaned from the younger generation that will [...]
Succeed by Playing the ESOP Game
Tired of lecture-style presentations about your ESOP? Looking for a hands-on, interactive tool to educate your company’s employees? Workplace Development’s team-based, engaging, fun ESOP game is your answer. The ESOP Game is an interactive, ESOP company business simulation where participants experience the challenges of managing a simulated ESOP company. Click Here to read the entire article.
Refresh Your Annual ESOP Routine with a Splash of Energy
Is it time to hit the “refresh button” when it comes to distributing your annual ESOP statements? Are you looking for a new way to convey your critically important ownership message? Re-energize the required routine and add a splash of ownership energy to your communications. Click Here to read the entire article.
Five Tips to Escape the Feedback Black Hole
What’s the number one employee complaint about their companies (after poor communication): lack of feedback. People perform their jobs day in and day out and [...]
