Sept 2, 2010 by Mark Allen

We can measure predictive drivers for productivity and engagement…. and it’s not connected to salary.  This presentation by Don Rheem proves that it’s all about the culture and environment you create, and internal communication is key.

1.  Numbers drive the business
2.  People drive the numbers
3.  Behavior drive the people
4.  Emotion drives the behavior

Watch full presentation here:  http://bit.ly/bcffPU

Aug 2, 2010 Wallingford, CT (PRWEB)

The Marlin Company of Wallingford, CT, has been granted its first patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,743,112) for the Electronic Communication Station, a digital signage solution for workplace communication. The product enables companies to easily communicate important topics such as safety, quality and productivity in a visual manner.

The digital signage market is dominated by platforms used for marketing and advertising in retail settings, such as stores, banks, gas stations and entertainment venues. Marlin is the pioneer in offering a turnkey solution, developed specifically for the unique needs of the workplace. Animated content displayed in multiple panels and refreshed daily, helps managers “advertise” key messages to their employees in a way that sticks. Marlin provides industry content and software that allows users to easily create in-house communication using their own photos, videos, metrics, charts, PowerPoints and websites.

“Every manager has important issues that they need to reinforce with their workers,” said Frank Kenna III, President of the Marlin Company. “Given the level of worker distraction these days, visual communication is key to grabbing attention. Yet, any digital signage deployment is only as good as the content it plays. We save managers time and effort by supplying fresh content with automatic updates, and simple tools for customization.”

About The Marlin Company
For 97 years, The Marlin Company has been the Workplace Communication Experts™, helping companies improve employee morale, productivity and performance through the innovative use of workplace posters and digital signage. Its corporate posters and electronic display systems, which contain content customized by industry, are helping companies of all sizes address workplace issues, such as safety, stress management, health and wellness, communication with employees and dozens of other topics. www.themarlincompany.com

Here is your Workplace Rewards Idea Bulletin for month of August.  Use your own staff photos and words, or suggested text below.
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August is Road Safety Awareness Month

Fact:  More trucks are involved in fatal multiple vehicle crashes than passenger cars.    2009 stats show in 30% of crashes, the truck was either turning or negotiating a curve.   Most fatalities occurred during daytime (67%), in rural areas (64%) and on weekdays (80%).

More info:  here

Suggested text:  Backing up?   When in doubt, get out and check!

August is National Immunization Month

Goal:  To increase awareness about immunizations as the medical community prepares for flu season.   More info:  here

Suggested text:  Announcing National Immunization Month.  Safety is not a part time job.  Use ALL safety procedures ALL the time.

America Health Center Week August 8^th-14^th, 2010

Focus on America’s Health Care Heroes

More info:  here

Suggested text:  Join us August 8th – 14th celebrating America’s Health Centers and their work providing affordable healthcare to the vulnerable and underserved population in our country.

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August 10th – Health Care in Public Housing Day.  More info:  here

August 11th – Health Care for the Homeless Day .  More info:  here

August 17 – Employee engagement workshop. Hosted by California Employer Advisory Council, Sacramento, CA.  More Info:  here

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Check out Custom Poster favorites from past 30 days….

To order your custom posters login here:  http://pcs.themarlincompany.com
For user ID: Enter email address
P/W: Lost password?  Select “forgot my password” and a new one will be emailed.

For questions on ordering custom posters for your Company, contact Mark Allen at The Marlin Company 925 676-8700.

June 30, 2010 By Shannon Pedder

Do you want to become one of the best companies to work for?  Do you want to create a better work experience for your employees?  Do you value the importance of employee retention?  Branded and incentive gifts can help improve employee motivation and enthusiasm and minimize the cost of turnover!  Making new employees feel like they’ve made the right choice on their first day is step number one.  Provide them with a Welcome Kit and Branded Apparel to create a sense of excitement and community.  Training is important from the get go, create a Company University and then follow up with branded education and trainings with fun and useful give-aways like Sweatshirts, Briefcase Bags, Pens, and Notebooks.

Do you have a Years of Service Program to celebrate longevity and loyalty in your company?  Many progressive companies are giving their first service award at one year and their second at three years.  Those awards, gifts and celebrations help to cultivate their commitment to the company.  Celebrating special occasions like birthdays, babies, marriages, promotions, a year of perfect attendance, a special accomplishment or involvement in the community create fun and camaraderie within the company.  Sometimes is can be as simple as a card, one of the most well received items is a Sound Card- it’s the gift that keeps on giving and gets all kinds of attention!  Safety Programs are also an important component of HR.  You can also expand your program to increase productivity and quality control by creating a points based system that can ultimately be redeemed for gifts.  Add to this point system by rewarding team accomplishments.  A Wellness Program is a way to incentivize fitness with your employees.  You can reward them for staying motivated with Pedometers, Water Bottles, Gym Bags and Towels that help increase their attachment to the company brand.  It is summer so don’t forget the company picnic or other specialized event complete with goodies for some time away from the office.

BRAND: CREATIVE a promotional products company based in Oakland, CA. can help you recognize your employees with just the right gift or reward.  Reach them at 510.547.9400 or shannon@brandcreative.biz.

Here is your Workplace Rewards Idea Bulletin for Month of July.  Theme this month, “Workplace Education.”
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June 27 – July 5    EYE SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK
Did you know 90% of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with use of proper safety eyewear? More information about occupational eye health here.

July 8th – 11th  NATIONAL NURSES IN STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
Promoting the practice of staff development to enhance high-quality health care outcomes in our facilities.  More here.

July 13, 2010 HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT – Hilton SF, 7:30 am – 10:15am
Stellar lineup of Healthcare CEOs share expertise on changes sweeping the health care industry.  Breakfast forum covering H/C Reform and Hospitals of the future.  More here.

JULY – DISASTER EDUCATION AND AWARENESS MONTH
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is educating consumers, nonprofit organizations and companies about preparing the workplace for disaster.  More here.

JULY – PRESCRIPTION INTERACTION AWARENESS MONTH
Employees on and off the job benefit from fuller awareness of dietary supplements, herbs and nutrition when combined with prescription drugs. More here.

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EMPLOYEE TRAINING RESOURCE:  In today’s lean organizations employers must often wear many hats, making effective training critical.  TrainUp.com was conceived to address growing challenges of career training.  Online or classroom options available. More here.
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Check out Custom Poster favorites from past 30 days….

To order your custom posters login here:  http://pcs.themarlincompany.com
For user ID: Enter email address
P/W: Lost password?  Select “forgot my password” and a new one will be emailed.

For questions on ordering custom posters for your Company, contact Mark Allen at The Marlin Company 925 676-8700.

June 18, 2010 by Mark Allen

During this bumpy economic ride, it is more important than ever to get employees all pulling in the same direction. And, yet, there has become so much distraction, added work and home pressures, increased accountability at every intersection.  In  a recent conversation, one Executive told me, “In thirty years of this business  I’ve never seen anything like it.  We attend 4 times as many meetings than before.”

Even though the economy is picking up, a recent survey done by The Marlin Company shows, “People everywhere are still very distracted by economic anxiety”.  According to Frank Kenna III of the Marlin Company,  “Many are concerned about job loss, or reduced hours, or the loss of a job by a spouse. This takes a huge emotional, mental and physical toll.”

So what is going to get our economy back on track? Could it be as simple as just keeping everyone… including employees focused in the right direction?  Any thoughts on this?

June 15, 2010 By Shannon Pedder

Did you know that only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their jobs?

A worker’s sense of achievement and success is generally perceived to be directly linked to productivity as well as to personal wellbeing. Job satisfaction implies doing a job one enjoys, doing it well, and feeling happy with one’s work. Studies show job satisfaction is the keying ingredient that leads to recognition, income, promotion, and the achievement of other goals that lead to a general feeling of fulfillment.

Click here to watch a short video on how to use recognition as a business solution to increase employee satisfaction.

BRAND: CREATIVE a promotional products company based in Oakland, CA. can help you recognize your employees with just the right gift or reward.  Reach them at 510.547.9400 or shannon@brandcreative.biz.

June 6, 2010 by Mark Allen

This recent US Department of Labor news release announces OSHA plans to continue raising the bar on workplace safety.  In publishing the changes, OSHA states:

“These changes will serve to generally increase the overall dollar amount of all penalties. Furthermore, the average penalty for a serious violation will increase from approximately $1,000 to an average of$3,000 to $4,000.”

- In order to qualify for a 10% discount for a clean OSHA history, the employer must have had no OSHA citations in the last 5 years (was 3 years).

- In addition, for the first time, if an employer has a high gravity Serious citation or greater (for any violation) in its 5 year history, then a 10% penalty increase will be added.

- OSHA expanded the period for which prior citations will be used as a Repeat from 3 years to 5 years. This means that if an employer has 2 similar violations any time in 5 years they can be subject to a $70,000.00 Repeat penalty.

- A new 20% penalty reduction is available if employers agree to hire a third-party safety consultant. Although not spelled out in the memo, when a consultant is part of an OSHA settlement OSHA usually attempts to negotiate that reports from the consultant be submitted to OSHA.

- Gravity based penalties are revised so that the minimum increases from $1000 to $3000.

- Good faith discounts for having entered into partnerships with OSHA have been eliminated.

- Reductions for small employers have been reduced from 60% for the smallest employers — to a maximum of 40% for the smallest employers. Any employer with more than 250 employees in the entire company (not just the location), is not entitled to any size reduction.

The Marlin Company specializes in workplace safety communications.  For a free assessment of your corporate communications contact Mark Allen.

Here are ten nationwide events for Month of June.  Our theme this month is “Safety and Communication”

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Effective Communications Month
Silence is good sometimes but for business it can be lethal. Communication is vital and must be done effectively. Learn how by visiting here

Professional Wellness Month
This year’s theme will help youcope with stress, promote health and wellness.  Helpful tips here.

National Safety Month
Your local National Safety Council wants to challenge you.  Do you have a safety story you’d like to share? Inspire others by sending story and pictures here.

Fireworks Safety Month
In 2009, an estimated 94,000 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for eye injuries as a result of handling fireworks improperly.  Be SAFE ~ learn how here.

June 27 – July 5    Eye Safety Awareness Week
Did you know that 90% of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper safety eyewear? Learn how by clicking here.

June 6 – 12    National Headache Awareness Week
Get to know the type, symptoms, precipitating factors, treatment and prevention of the top 24 headaches by clicking here.

June 11 – 18   National Nursing Assistants Week
Observed annually in June to recognize nursing assistants who provide care to ill, elderly, and long term care patients. Get ideas to help celebrate here.

June 7 – 13    National Business Etiquette Week
Review everything from how to network to the proper handshake in order to compete in the growing global marketplace. Learn the 5 step process to improve etiquette here.

June 14 – 18   National Healthcare Risk Management Week
This week, managers can promote their “return on investment” as agents of proactive risk management and safety practices. Learn more here.

June 27    National HIV Testing Day
June 27th each year is National HIV Testing Day. Many agencies and clinics are offering free, confidential HIV testing at many locations. Find yours here.

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Check out some favorite Custom Poster submissions from last month….

To order your custom posters login here:  http://pcs.themarlincompany.com
For user ID: Enter email address
P/W: Lost password?  Select “forgot my password” and a new one will be emailed.

For questions on ordering custom posters contact Mark Allen at The Marlin Company 925 676-8700.

May 11, 2010 by Mark Allen

You know the gap, that communication barrier between management and employees?  At The Marlin Company, we bridge that gap, using digital and paper wall displays to broadcast important messages through out the workplace.

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It starts with opinion surveys and industry research, combined with award winning editorial and graphic design.  Then the exciting part…  it’s all customizable, which immediately brings the Company vision to life.

Because their employees stay focused on specific industry issues like safety, quality and productivity, our customers average more than twenty thousand dollars annual savings, improving in areas like workers comp,  fewer customer complaints and better performance scores.

If you hear someone say, “Man, our workers comp is killing us”.   Or, “We’re seeing a lot of stress because of poor communication.”  …This is a perfect client for me.

Mark Allen has been Regional Manager in Northern California for The Marlin Company for 10 years.