In The News: November 19, 2009

Industry Auction Site Launched

111909 Poolspa WebA new industry tool has been launched this past week at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo that will enable retailers, distributors, manufacturers and anyone else in the trade to auction excess inventory. Poolspaauction.com is the largest business-to-business wholesale auction site dedicated to the pool, spa and leisure trade.

PSA provides an avenue for the most capable buyers and sellers to come together throughout the United States and Canada, opening up an opportunity to move products, maximizing their use when and where they are needed. PSA provides businesses a way to turn stagnant products into liquid revenue.

The site also provides a chance for industry professionals to experiment in different product categories without the typical commitment required to add product lines, unlocking a line of service that may never have been available before.

Poolspaauction.com users have the ability to remain anonymous, enabling users to maintain a private identity and protect the inside happenings of their business. It is only available to members of the trade, and accessibility is achieved through a secure authorization code that is provided after verification.

Visit poolspaauction.com or call (800) 899-7479 for more information.

IPSPE 2010 Date Change

The 2010 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo announced a change in dates for the 2010 exhibition at this year's show. Be sure to mark you calendars!

Conference: Oct. 31, 2010 - Nov. 5, 2010

Exhibits: Nov. 3, 2010 - Nov. 5, 2010

The upcoming 2010 AQUA Buyers' Guide does not reflect this change.

The Grateful Workplace

Six Ways to Create a Culture of Gratitude in Your Organization

Whether you're a leader or an employee, you can benefit from a grateful workplace. (For one thing, it's good for business. For another, it just feels better!) Author Liz Jazwiec explains how anyone at any level can infuse gratitude into their organizational culture.

Here's a question just in time for Thanksgiving: Does your organization encourage a culture of gratitude? Chances are the answer is no. According to a recent Gallup poll, 65 percent of people say they don't feel appreciated at work, and that feeling quickly leads to pervasive negativity, low morale, and (worst of all) decreased productivity.

Liz Jazwiec, author of Eat That Cookie!, says it doesn't have to be this way. Companies can deliberately infuse their cultures, from top to bottom, with the proverbial "attitude of gratitude." In fact, those who don't put gratitude on a pedestal, especially in today's high-stress work environments, are shooting themselves in the foot.

"Too many people leave work every day thinking, My boss doesn't appreciate me," says Jazwiec. "When you feel that your boss doesn't fully value your work, you start to care a little less. You don't provide the kind of service you would if you felt appreciated. You don't make an effort to help your coworkers.

"And when the majority of the people in a workplace feel this way, the overall environment is hugely impacted. Productivity decreases, turnover increases, and it can become very difficult to stay afloat, especially in a tough economy."

Jazwiec stresses that workplace gratitude isn't something that is passed only from the boss to the employee. To have a real impact on workplace positivity, employees should show it to one another and to their bosses. And leaders and employees should show it to their customers.

"It's obvious when you are in a workplace where people value gratitude and graciousness," says Jazwiec. "There is a really great vibe in those places. And when gratitude and graciousness are missing, it is equally evident. People in those environments seem to have a sense of entitlement. Coworkers who come into contact with them might say, 'There is just no pleasing those people!' Customers might say, 'They just don't care about me!' Neither reaction is good for business."

The great thing about infusing gratitude into the workplace is that it can come from anyone, regardless of position.

"If you are a leader, you can infuse gratitude from the top down, perhaps by making it a required standard of behavior for employees," says Jazwiec. "And if you are an employee, you can start your own grassroots gratitude movement by expressing gratitude yourself and encouraging your coworkers to do so, as well. Everyone-and I mean everyone-can show gratitude in a workplace and influence others to do so."

If you want to make this the season of gratitude at your organization, read on for a few of Jazwiec's tips on how to hardwire workplace gratitude from the ground up.

Say thanks. When someone does something kind for you, whether it's your boss, your coworker or a stranger, recognize it. A simple "thanks" will do. "You can't expect people to appreciate you if you don't receive their kindnesses and compliments with thankfulness," says Jazwiec. "Sure, you might be skeptical if your boss goes to a leadership conference, and upon his return starts handing out compliments left and right. But just stop and think. Are those compliments making people happy? When you are recognized, does it give you even just the tiniest little twinge of happiness?

"If so, then you'd better meet the gratitude your boss is showing with a little gratitude in return. Otherwise he will start thinking that his recognition doesn't really mean anything to anyone, and his exercise in gratitude will be short-lived. And leaders, give your employees a chance to jump on the gratitude bandwagon. It may take a couple of compliments from you before they realize what this new positivity movement is all about. You may get a few skeptical looks after the first few, but eventually they will warm up to the idea and be thankful (there's that word again) that you are making the effort."

Adopt an "it's the thought that counts" attitude. Consider this scenario: A new sales manager at a spa store wants to do something special for his hardworking staff. He orders pizza for the entire staff, rolling out over several days to ensure that every person on every shift can take a pizza break. The manager then walks around, expecting to be welcomed with open arms by an appreciative staff. Instead, he finds that people taking care of shoppers are upset because they can't leave and go back to where the pizzas are located.

"In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I was that person [though in a different profession]," says Jazwiec. "And I was devastated. I had tried so hard to get it right. My point is that sometimes you have to take into account the intentions of your boss or your coworkers. If it is clear that they meant for something to be a way of thanking you or helping you, don't complain about how they missed the mark. Thank them for thinking of you and move on!"

Communicate openly and honestly. If it's gratitude you need, tell someone. Often your leaders or coworkers can be so tied up in their own tasks that they forget about those working around them. The natural reaction when this happens is to either hold in your negative feelings or complain to another coworker. But a more proactive stance might be to opt for open and honest communication.

Be prepared for some kind words. If you are unaccustomed to getting compliments, it may take some time for you to feel comfortable receiving them. Just practice and be prepared. "When I first started speaking, I had no idea what to say to people when they told me they liked my presentation," says Jazwiec. "I had to rehearse being gracious and grateful. Can you imagine if someone came up to me and said, 'I just loved your speech!' and I responded with, 'Whatever'? Yikes and double yikes! It seems so funny we should have to practice saying 'thank you,' but many of us just don't know how to process gratitude.

"Leaders, this is an important practice for you. It isn't easy for many employees to approach their bosses - even when it is with a compliment - so make sure you give them the attention they deserve. Truly listen to them. Take a second, no matter what you are doing, to engage with them. And afterwards shoot them a quick email or send them a note thanking them for their kind words."

Thank those you serve. Once you have mastered the gratitude thing with your bosses and your coworkers, you need to move on to the people you serve.

"You can do it with a simple, 'Thank you for giving us your business.' Or you can thank them by providing other special incentives or coupons. It doesn't really matter how you do it, just make sure they know you are grateful that they are choosing to do business with you over your competition."

Know that gratitude encourages repeat performances. Leaders, remember the behavior you recognize will be repeated. If you think an employee handled a disgruntled customer well or showed great proficiency in managing a group project, let him know about it and he'll work hard to do the same, or even better, next time. And employees, if you acknowledge your boss's efforts to show gratitude, he will keep doing it. Thank him for going to bat for you and your coworkers some new training you need or a pay raise dispute, and he'll be more likely to do it again in the future.

"I think it's important to recognize the fact that no one has any obligation to show gratitude to anyone else," says Jazwiec. "You don't have to thank your boss, your boss doesn't have to thank you and neither of you have to thank your customers. But what I think you will all quickly find is that if you do take the time to say 'thanks' your whole organization will improve. You'll like each other more. You'll want to go the extra mile for one another. And your customers will be happier."

Liz Jazwiec is a nationally renowned speaker, strategist and consultant who has shared her passion for leadership, engagement and service with audiences across the country. Eat That Cookie!: Make Workplace Positivity Pay Off...For Individuals, Teams and Organizations is available at bookstores nationwide and all major online booksellers. For more information, please visit www.studergroup.com/eatthatcookie.

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