HOFFMANN EITLE’s Post

Recently was “bombarded” by the algorithm on social media about public goodness….. in particular about folks all dressed to the Ts representing companies, orgs or political parties touting involvement in public good at staged speeches or high-end hosted dining events, etc. Convincing? IMHO not! The promotion of altruism or good causes shouldn’t be a projection of seemingly counterproductive glamourous imageries against the orginal organizational intent. Do not forget that you are not “the star” but the cause is. The most shining example of #PublicGood or be involved in a #CompanyOfGood is still this:

One of my favourite events of the year at Rakuten.ca. In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, it's easy to get caught up in metrics, deadlines, and deliverables. But let's not forget the most crucial element of any successful organization: the people. Humanizing your team isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. Here's why: Boosts Morale and Engagement: When team members feel seen and valued as individuals, their motivation and engagement levels soar. They’re more likely to go the extra mile and contribute their best work. Fosters Innovation: A culture that celebrates diverse perspectives and encourages open communication leads to creative problem-solving and innovation. When people feel safe to express their ideas, magic happens. Builds Trust and Loyalty: Trust is the foundation of any strong team. By showing genuine care and empathy, leaders can build lasting relationships that withstand challenges and change. Enhances Collaboration: Humanized teams are more cohesive. When people understand and respect each other’s strengths and weaknesses, collaboration becomes seamless and more effective. Improves Well-being: A supportive and understanding work environment contributes to the overall well-being of team members. This not only reduces stress but also promotes a healthier work-life balance. Remember, at the heart of every successful project, every innovative idea, and every milestone achieved, are people. Let’s make sure we’re not just managing teams, but truly leading and humanizing them. #Leadership #TeamBuilding #HumanizeYourTeam #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #EmpathyInLeadership

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! 🍀 Today is not just about wearing green or hunting for four-leaf clovers. It's a day steeped in history, celebrating St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, known for bringing Christianity to the island and reportedly using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. But how can we channel the spirit of St. Patrick's Day into property and community management? Easy! Here are a few tips: 🌿 Go Green: Not just with your outfit! Implement eco-friendly practices in your community. Think recycling programs, energy-efficient lighting, and encouraging bike-to-work days. 🎉 Community Engagement: Organize events that bring people together, much like the communal celebrations of St. Patrick's Day. A community potluck or a green-themed party can do wonders for neighborly bonds. 🌍 Inclusivity Matters: St. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide, em we bracing people of all backgrounds. Ensure your community feels welcome and valued, regardless of their origin. 📚 Educate and Share: Use your community bulletin or social media to share fun facts about St. Patrick's Day, spreading knowledge and joy. Let's take inspiration from this day to not only wear green but also to think green and act in ways that foster a strong, inclusive, and joyful community. May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always! 🍀🏡🌟 #RESCONGreen #StPatricksDay #CommunityManagement #GoGreen #Inclusivity #Sustainability #PropertyManagement #CelebrateCommunity

"Inspiring Generations" is not just a theme, it's a mission that assisted living facilities embody every day. We would like to help you communicate that mission effectively to residents, families, and the community. Here are some ideas to highlight your facility. Legacy Brochures: create brochures that tell the stories of your residents and the legacy they have built. Generational Newsletters: Share stories from different generations in your newsletters. Include interviews with residents, staff, and even family members to highlight the bonds that make your facility special. Event Posters: Design posters for inter-generational events, like family days or storytelling sessions, that bring together residents and their loved ones. Our team at ACP is ready to bring these ideas to life, so your facility can continue to inspire for generations to come. CLICK here to listen to some "Oldies but goodies" your residents will love. https://lnkd.in/g33dAiSg

The past week of my Chamber of Commerce career has been one of my most challenging. What happened: An ice storm forced the cancelation of the 2024 Geneseo Christmas Walk on December 14. The task: Reschedule Geneseo's largest annual community event in one week for December 21. What's on the line: The economic bottom line of many small businesses and a community's need for it's annual holiday celebration. What we didn't do: Give up. That's not who I am as Director and that is not what the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce does. A meeting with City and Chamber leadership was held to sort the situation out after the ice storm. Always one to have a flair for the dramatic, I opened the meeting with "Let's save Christmas in Geneseo." No problems, only solutions. I love that mindset. Our biggest hurdle to rescheduling the event was a lack of manpower and volunteers, as it is difficult to expect volunteers and staff to commit to an unplanned second event weekend. We also knew not to expect our normal crowd of over 10,000 people at the event. Knowing this, we modified the Lighted Christmas Parade into the State Street Illumination Sensation, in which we parked the parade floats right down the middle of Downtown Geneseo, and lit the floats along with the City Christmas Tree. This set up relies less on volunteers. Stores and restaurants were open, there was live Christmas music everywhere, and plenty of children's activities. In the end, organizers estimate approx. 5,000 people showed up. Our stores and restaurants were busy and we somehow made Christmas Walk 2.0 happen in a week. While I am thrilled with how the rescheduled event went, I am exhausted from the roller-coaster ride the last week has been. I'm looking forward to some much needed time off this holiday season. I appreciate the Chamber staff, volunteers, sponsors, participants, and attendees of the Geneseo Christmas Walk 2.0. Thank you for your support and for believing in this event. I'm also so very grateful for my professional development amd training through Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) and Institute for Organization Management. Without this training and the resources they offer, Christmas Walk 2.0 would have never happened. Bring on 2025. We have a lot of big plans in Geneseo next year. Until then, have a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season.

I've been reflecting the past few days on the Race Table Talks session I attended on Saturday facilitated by Laurabel Mba Consulting. Most of us didn't know each other. We came together, as a group of white women, nervous yet eager to participate in a conversation that challenged our inner biases and opened our minds to the racism that persists within ourselves and our communities. Although uncomfortable at times, it was an incredible experience and I strongly recommend all white folx attend. I'm committed to continuing the work to make myself a better ally to the racialized people in my community. We are each born color blind, our stereotypes and biases are learned and deeply engrained. We cannot call ourselves DEI advocates, if we are not intentional about interrupting the cycle in ourselves, our workplaces and most importantly our children. Laurabel will tell you that her son is what inspired her to take on this work, she has inspired me to do better for my son. How do I react when a family member says something racist? I learned the questions to ask myself on if, when and how I should address this with them. What pre-conceived assumptions do I carry that are incorrect? I learned that being racist is not the worst thing. It is an opportunity for acknowledgment and learning, so that tomorrow I will do better. As a business leader, how do I ensure I am fostering a safe an inclusive workplace for our racialized team members? It requires intentional, consistent and continuous effort to make DEI an expected and demonstrable value of our organization. As the mother a Inuk child, I think often about the racism my child will face throughout his life. I will never fully understand his experience or be able to protect him from the injustices he will face. He is a different color than me, when people learn he is adopted, people most commonly say, "He is so lucky". They carry preconceived assumptions and biases about the life he might have had in his Inuit community. I carried them too before his adoption. I know now how wrong they are and am committed to advocating for the empowerment, fair treatment and reconciliation of Indigenous peoples. Follow Laurabel Mba Consulting for enlightenment, education and updates on future events.

"Nature is important to me because we are a part of it. We cannot survive without it. We are meant to be in nature, even if our busy lifestyles constantly pull us away and distract us. Being outdoors creates space to just be and enjoy the moment." - Anna, Kitimat Volunteer Club Leader Meet Anna in our newest blog post! https://lnkd.in/gJsYqvgi

Why gather? ➡️ Feeling connected to others is not just a basic human need, it’s crucial for our physical and mental health — and the health of our communities. It seems there are fewer and fewer actual public places that enable us to get to know one another and build the relationships, trust, and collaborations that society needs to thrive, let alone function. It’s hard — but necessary. ➡️ There is so much that keeps us apart as Americans, and it can feel countercultural and intimidating to get to know people outside of our bubbles. A dangerous feedback loop can spin out of control when we distance ourselves from others... and then lose the muscle to be in community with people unlike ourselves. But we are all yearning to feel part of something, to feel less fear, to feel like we belong. We can't let this feedback loop happen. Try this. ➡️ Become a gathering engineer. Pay attention to the kids of connection your community is yearning for and sketch out what public, purposeful gathering places could exist. It could be a swap meet, a BBQ at the county fair, a program at your library, a Memorial Day potluck, a community garden workshop… gatherings can (and should!) fit with the culture of your place. What do you notice? ⬇️ Leave a comment below about the existing (or missing) civic gatherings in your community. Learn more about civic gatherings: https://lnkd.in/e2Qs6cff ——— This is part of a project by @citizenuniversity to #SparkCitizenship. With a new theme each month of 2024, you'll hear stories of people who are catalyzing a commitment to powerful, responsible citizenship in others. You'll find tools and prompts and resources to help you skill up. And you'll connect with others who are doing the same thing.

Change fatigue and burnout at the workplace sound familiar? How have you managed both? Join us in a workshop to learn and share your strategies!

Looking for ways to get involved in your community? Check out this article about the Caney Community Betterment Group Foundation and our local Chambers of Commerce in Montgomery County!