Horizon Point Consulting

Author: Guest Blogger

  • Employee Mentoring Programs

    Employee Mentoring Programs

    Written by guest blogger: Steve Graham

    What role do employee-mentoring programs have?

    Mentoring programs have a tremendous impact on employee development, talent retention, and engagement.  Employees crave feedback and often seek someone who has walked their path.  Offering a formal mentoring program demonstrates the organizations commitment to talent development.  It also allows for assistance in developing a career path, and answering the often-asked question, “How do I get where you are?”.

    One common reason for turnover is lack of professional growth. Mentoring offers a chance for an employee to discuss many of the same concerns their mentor once had.  This is vital in offering hope and encouragement when it is needed the most.  It is invaluable to have someone who listens, cares, and offers sound advice.

    An important component to employee engagement is the relationship between the employee and their manager.  Time and time again, research has shown that most employees leave due to bad managers.  Mentoring fills the gap that is left by having a disconnected or bad manager. They can offer insight on navigating complex situations and give the employee that needed ear.

    What is the ROI of these programs?

    I believe the most important ROI is the fulfillment of serving someone else.  We all need someone to help us during our journey, both professionally and personally. My best mentors helped me grow in both areas. We don’t live compartmental lives, and what happens in our personal lives influences our professional lives.

    Another ROI is creating a culture that values talent development.  Having mentoring programs helps with recruiting talent and building a strong employer brand.

    One of the top questions I receive during interviewing or shortly after hiring new talent is, “What do you offer to help with career advancement or growth?”.  It is a great return on investment when you can tell them about your outstanding mentoring program.

    What is an example of when you’ve seen a mentoring program work?

    My first time having a true mentor was not in a formalized program. While our organization valued mentoring, it was not structured.  I would not be the person I am today without that first mentoring experience. It crafted my early view of management, demonstrated leadership, and showed me the value of caring for your people and their growth.

    Even though I have not worked with my mentor in almost twenty years, I still value his advice, and seek it out when facing an important decision.  In my opinion, mentoring is something that should be passed down. It is a great feeling when the mentee becomes a mentor. Leadership is about influence and mentoring is a leadership process.  I cannot help but think about the loss of potential talent due to lack of access to a mentor.  Mentoring is beneficial in identifying leadership potential and opportunities for career advancement.  There are several organizations that require any potential management candidates to complete a one-year mentoring program.

    A great resource for learning more about workplace mentoring is from Matt Collins DDI blog, the value of being a mentor.

     

    About the author: Steve Graham serves as Vice President for Marketing, HR Business Partner, and college instructor. He holds graduate degrees in management and higher education. As a life-long learner, he has additional graduate and professional education in executive & professional coaching, health care administration, and strategic human resource management.

    He is a certified HR professional with The Society for Human Resource Management, certified coach with the International Coach Federation, and a Global Career Development Facilitator. His professional memberships include: The Society for Human Resource Management, the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, Association for Talent Development, and International Coach Federation. LinkedIn.com/in/hstevegraham

  • The Best Financial Planning Tips For Recent College Grads

    The Best Financial Planning Tips For Recent College Grads

    Written by guest blogger: Jackie Waters. Jackie is passionate about sustainability and simplicity.  She runs hyper-tidy.com, providing advice on being…Hyper Tidy!

    Graduating college is a huge milestone in anyone’s life, but it can also be a little scary. Where do you go from here? How do you start building savings while you’re looking for your dream job? Those questions can be overwhelming if you let them, so the first step is to sit down and write out a plan. Think about your goals and how you can shape them; are you just ready to plan for the immediate future, or do you want to take steps to create a retirement fund? It’s never too early to start thinking about such things; in fact, depending on your current income, you’re going to need an estimated 70-90% of what you make now to maintain your standard of living after you retire. That means a lot of saving and planning, so sit down and work out a budget so that you can begin putting away money weekly or bi-weekly.

    Here are some of the best tips on how to get creative and start planning for the future:

    Ask for help

    You don’t have to do all the planning for your future alone; when family members ask about potential holiday or birthday gifts, tell them you’d love a contribution to add to your own savings account rather than a store-bought gift. Your loved ones will appreciate knowing that their gift will go to a worthy cause, and you’ll have a little extra to sock away for the future.

    Work out a budget

    This can be tricky if you’re just starting out with a new career, as you may not be completely familiar with what your income will be like just yet. That’s okay; estimate what your monthly income will be and add up all your expenses–car payment, insurance, rent or mortgage, utilities, etc.–to see what you have leftover. If it’s not enough to cover groceries and gas, it’s time to start thinking about ways to make a little extra cash. If you have experience in accounting, consider doing some freelance work during tax season (your tax situation will be a bit different as your client will have to use 1099 software to get you the proper form); if you’re skilled at something creative, like making jewelry or art, start an online shop to sell your wares. You can also use social media to garner interest in babysitting or tutoring jobs, as well. Having extra money means you can focus on making your way toward your dream job.

    Say no to credit

    While it’s a good idea to build up your credit for big purchases–such as a home or a car–it’s important to stay as debt-free as possible. This means saving up for that television instead of opening up a line of credit at the store, and only using your credit cards when you absolutely have to. Relying on them for everyday purchases is a good way to get deep into debt, which will only hinder your ability to save for the future.

    Pay off your debts

    Many of us are burdened with student loans that have astronomical interest rates, so, if possible, start paying them down as soon as possible. Add an extra twenty-five or fifty dollars to your payment when you can, and don’t put it off because you don’t think you can manage a payment one particularly tight month; instead, pinch those pennies in other areas. Start taking your lunch to work rather than relying on fast food, and carpool when you can to save on gas.

    Saving and planning for the future doesn’t have to be a stressful event. Start small and figure out what your goals are; the rest will fall into place with a little preparation.

     

  • The Candidate Experience Influences The Brand

    The Candidate Experience Influences The Brand

    Branding is an important marketing topic. Some organizations invest heavily in a brand strategy that reaches many audiences, including the job seeker. A great brand attracts job candidates to an organization. As a marketer and HR professional, I have a unique perspective on this topic.  The marketer side understands the importance of brand equity and the HR side values the role it plays in talent acquisition.  Some organizations fail to make this connection. Other organizations offer poor candidate experiences, which cast a negative image. As a result, it harms the brand while turning away potential talent.

    Over the years, I have heard candidates’ horror stories of bad encounters, which diminish the job seekers value of an organization.  A few of these experiences were so negative that it impacted the candidate’s use of the products and services. Most job seekers desire an organization that aligns with their values and where a connection can be made to the culture. The candidate experience is an extension of the brand strategy. It expands beyond the talent acquisition strategy.  Recruiters are often the first human contact a job seeker has with the brand. Having a marketing orientation is vital to recruiting, since they are brand representatives.

    A negative candidate experience has a lasting impact. Talent acquisition influences brand equity.  Designing a marketing-focused talent strategy can create positive candidate experiences. Collaboration between marketing and talent acquisition is beneficial in driving the strategy.  Every encounter is exposure to the brand, so make it exceptional.

     

     

    About the author: Steve Graham serves as Vice President for Marketing, HR Business Partner, and college instructor. He holds graduate degrees in management and higher education. As a life-long learner, he has additional graduate and professional education in executive & professional coaching, health care administration, and strategic human resource management.

    He is a certified HR professional with The Society for Human Resource Management, certified coach with the International Coach Federation, and a Global Career Development Facilitator. His professional memberships include: The Society for Human Resource Management, the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, Association for Talent Development, and International Coach Federation. LinkedIn.com/in/hstevegraham

  • Rounding- It’s Not Just for Doctors

    Rounding- It’s Not Just for Doctors

    By guest blogger: Steve Graham

    “Rounding” is a term most people associate with doctors. Doctors make rounds to check on patients and engage with those involved in patient care. This practice has existed for decades in healthcare. In most business environments rounding is not as common, but it should be!

    In his best selling book, Hardwiring Excellence, Quint Studer comments on how leaders tend to be task-oriented, however, most people desire a deeper level of connection. According to Studer, almost 40% of staff leaves due to a poor relationship with their supervisor or manager (Studer 2003). One great thing about rounding is that it’s not expensive, and can help with employee engagement and talent retention.

    Leaders who hide in their offices, and are rarely visible, are missing prime opportunities to strengthen their relationships with team members. “When leaders round, it is key for leaders to recognize the employees’ needs. Rounding is powerful in meeting the basic needs of your team.” (Studer, 2003) Rounding is not a micro-managing tactic, it is a people strategy. Exceptional leaders understand the value of connecting with their teams, seeing them in action, and being visible in good and bad times.

    When I was in high school, I witnessed rounding first hand, even before it was a popular people management topic. This leader, who was a hospital administrator, started most days with visiting every unit of his facility. Ok, I know what you are thinking “every morning!” Yes, it is time consuming, but the return on your investment is worth it. You do not have to do this every morning, but at least once per week. On one of these mornings, I was invited to round with him. It made a lasting impression on me. Seeing the staff faces light up as he visited each floor, I noticed a genuine sense of happiness as they saw him approaching. Rounding was as routine to this leader as brushing his teeth. When he was not able to round, the void was obvious. Team members would call his office to make sure he was o.k. They cared-because he cared.

    If you are not rounding, start! Be authentic in your approach. Do not approach rounding with a “to-do” list or formal agenda. Let the interactions come naturally. You are rounding to observe needs not activity. Part of leadership is establishing trust. Rounding is beneficial in breaking down barriers and becoming more connected to your team.

     

    About the author: Steve Graham serves as Vice President for Marketing, HR Business Partner, and college instructor. He holds graduate degrees in management and higher education. As a life-long learner, he has additional graduate and professional education in executive & professional coaching, health care administration, and strategic human resource management.

    He is a certified HR professional with The Society for Human Resource Management, certified coach with the International Coach Federation, and a Global Career Development Facilitator. His professional memberships include: The Society for Human Resource Management, the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, Association for Talent Development, and International Coach Federation. LinkedIn.com/in/hstevegraham

  • The Smartest Ways To Plan Your Life: Tips On Your Financial Future

    The Smartest Ways To Plan Your Life: Tips On Your Financial Future

    Written by guest blogger: Jackie Waters. Jackie is passionate about sustainability and simplicity.  She runs hyper-tidy.com, providing advice on being…Hyper Tidy! 

    Planning for the future sounds like a scary, overwhelming task, but once we reach a certain age it’s imperative to have a plan in place for finances, living situations, education, and emergencies, and not just for yourself–for your children too. Many people find it difficult to budget for next month, let alone ten years down the road, but there are several easy ways to help you can start planning for the future and give yourself peace of mind; you just have to know where to start.

    Read on to find out how you can create a strategy for the future that won’t overwhelm you…or break the bank.

    Education planning

    If you have children, their continued education is likely a concern. College isn’t cheap, and it’s hard to rely on financial aid when the awarded amount is income-based and the criteria for grants changes from year to year. A 529 college savings account can help eliminate some of that stress and allow you to deposit after-tax money for your child’s school tuition. You can even check with your company to see if they’ll take a portion of your paycheck to be deposited directly into this account.

    Another smart way to make sure tuition is covered? At birthday and holiday time, ask grandparents and other loved ones to write a check that will go directly to that 529 account instead of spending money on more toys.

    Pre-paid tuition

    One of the few sure things in this life is that there are no sure things. It’s terrifying to think about, but few of us have real job security these days, and there’s no way to know what financial shape you’ll be in twenty years from now. If you have the money now, consider pre-paying your child’s tuition. The only catch is, it’s best to pay it in one lump sum, rather than making payments over time.

    Spend smart

    It’s appealing to open a line of credit at a furniture or appliance store when you need to make a big purchase, in part because many of those stores offer discounts on your first purchase with approved credit. However, incurring more debt is never a good idea if you’re trying to save, so if possible, save up to buy that refrigerator and skip the credit card. Minimize your monthly bills as much as possible and get organized about your spending; with mobile apps, most banks make it easy to check your balance and purchases in real time, so there’s no reason you should be left in the dark when it comes to how much you’re bringing in versus how much you’re spending.

    Keep up with the savings account

    Open up a savings account, make a resolution to deposit money into it every payday, and stick to it. You don’t have to put the same amount in every time, but getting in the habit of putting aside don’t-touch money will reward you in the long run. Much better than trying to save cash at the end of the week, when you’ve gone through most of your check.

    Hire a professional

    It can be overwhelming to try and plan for the future by yourself, so hire a professional to help you go over living wills, plans for your estate, and preparations for your children in the event that something happens to you. No one wants to think about it, but it’s essential to plan, and with the help of a lawyer you’ll be able to get it done with little to no hassle.