Plummer & Associates

12/17/2021

December brings more “shoulds” than usual in our minds… all those high expectations for making the holidays meaningful and fun for ourselves and others. Then there are those nagging expectations to make and carry through on resolutions for 2022.

06/24/2021

My trans son, Mick, and I have led some webinars during Pride Month to share our family’s journey, to provide ways that businesses can be supportive of employees and customers, and to share resources. The experience of sharing our story has been affirming for both Mick and me and we hope informative and hopeful to others.

Allow employees to self-identify as LGBTQ and select their pronouns on internal systems, including during the hiring process.

03/22/2021

The effort we put into practicing these tips will pay off even after the pandemic when we can show our full face again.

Masks, while a necessary tool in fighting the pandemic, hide a part of our face that is an important form of expression. Following are some ideas for communicating effectively while still helping to keep the workplace safe by wearing a mask.

03/03/2021

As we look forward to a return to our new normal, it’s a good time to assess what we want to keep and what we want to leave behind going forward. What trends do you see in the future?

Our pandemic year has reshaped many businesses. This includes how to handle COVID for both employees and customers, shifting to more remote work, and determining how best to support employee’s physical and mental well-being. As we look ahead, here are some additional forces that will shape busines...

01/20/2021

Now that the COVID vaccine is being put in arms, many workers will be returning to the workplace. Remote work has resulted, for many, in a relaxing of standards. This is a good time for a refresher on professionalism in the workplace.

Remote work has resulted, for many, in a relaxing of standards. This is a good time for a refresher on professionalism in the workplace.

12/06/2020

For the first time, many people may be experiencing mental or physical health conditions due to the continued stress of the pandemic. They may be scared and/or embarrassed to ask for help. Here are some ideas employers can take to promote mental and physical health.

For the first time, many people may be experiencing mental or physical health conditions due to the continued stress of the pandemic. They may be scared and/or embarrassed to ask for help.

11/16/2020

On a recent visit to my local branch bank, I saw a sign that said "Please stand here to maintain social distancing". Yes, we see this everywhere. But how does it feel to the person entering your business in a wheelchair or using a walker?

How much more welcoming would it be to see:
“Please wait here to maintain physical distancing.”

Being thankful is top of mind right now. We are thankful for our customers who support us through shopping for our products and services. Let’s consider how the pandemic may have impacted our customers with a disability.

10/16/2020

As the end of 2020 approaches, this is a good time to focus on how we prioritize our actions and organize them. Energy is always a key component in outcomes. If we are unclear on what is important and what needs our attention first, then we may put energy into activities that don’t need it right now.

As the end of 2020 approaches, this is a good time to focus on how we prioritize our actions and organize them. Energy is always a key component in outcomes. If we are unclear on what is important and what needs our attention first, then we may put energy into activities that don’t need it right n...

09/24/2020

Reboarding is the idea of supporting your employees returning to the work site after months of work from home. There are lots of steps to ensuring a successful reboarding process.

08/16/2020

With the sudden transition to remote work, managers play an important role in modelling stellar communication and creating a collaborative and healthy culture. Read my latest blog post to learn some proven practices for managers of virtual teams.

With the sudden transition to remote work, managers play an important role in modelling stellar communication and creating a collaborative and healthy culture. Some proven practices for managers are:

07/11/2020

I’ve been focused on not letting 2020 become a year to endure – instead making the best of what we have. Following are thoughts and actions we can practice to bring some positive to this time we live in.

I’ve been focused on letting 2020 become a year to endure – instead making the best of what we have. Following are thoughts and actions we can practice to bring some positive to this time we live in.

06/08/2020

The tragedy of the recent death of George Floyd should prompt business owners to really look at their culture and make the changes needed to ensure a safe and healthy work place for all employees.

To help provide a framework for opening and guiding productive conversations, here are some tips:
**Start with yourself. Acknowledge your personal biases as well as what's happening in our country, and demonstrate empathy.
**Recognize different perspectives. Some are strong supporters of the protesters. Others generally support protest but are uncomfortable with rioting and violence. Some agree his death was wrong but believe there are a few bad apples in any group.
**Teach empathetic listening skills to your workforce. This involves paraphrasing comments, summarizing feelings and content that is shared, and checking for accuracy.
**Arrange for listening sessions. It can be helpful to provide employees with a safe forum to express their feelings and concerns with co-workers.
**Provide counselling support such as EAP.
**Strengthen inclusion efforts. Take a hard look at your culture to ensure you are strategically working to create fair and inclusive workplaces.