Once Brian Price learned that one of his twins would be born with leukemia, he changed career directions and headed home.
But work didn’t stop there.
Chip Kohrman, CEO of Telesaur, tells Brian’s story.
By Shelly O’Quinn
Workforce Development Manager, Greater Spokane Inc.
What do CNC Machinists, Aerospace Engineers, Radiology Technologists, and Architects all have in common? They were all careers represented at Greater Spokane Incorporated’s Career Exploration Day on March 10, 2010.
After months of preparation and countless phone calls and emails to schools and businesses the big day arrived. No pressure…only 1400+ students from as far away as Newport, Rosalia and Clark Fork, Idaho, were signed up to arrive at the National Guard Readiness Center throughout the day. These 7th – 12th graders were coming to learn about the careers and education programs in the Spokane Region.
Fifty businesses (and their brave employees) representing Health Care, Manufacturing, Business & Professional Services, Aerospace and Tourism and Hospitality, were ready to provide hands-on, interactive displays to encourage students to think outside the box when it comes to choosing a career.
“I enjoyed connecting with students to get them excited about web design and game development,” commented Tyler Lafferty, Owner, Seven2. “Some students had very poignant questions about how to move forward in our field and I love to think I could give them just a little direction for their future.”
Our students are our future leaders, business owners and employees. Introducing them to careers and training programs in our region ensures that we will have a workforce prepared to meet the needs of current and future employers. A skilled workforce is essential for attracting and retaining businesses in our community and for overall economic growth in our region.
If you are interested in sharing jobs in your industry with students in our region, please contact me at soquinn@greaterspokane.org.
At Desautel Hege, workforce flexibility has always been an important value. Our founder, Jim Desautel, knew the importance of work-life balance, particularly ensuring one had time for an appropriate amount of golf. All kidding aside, we work in a demanding business and have high expectations of all our team members. Our work often includes evening and weekend commitments and periods of converging deadlines. We have always felt strongly about providing our team with flexibility, both because it’s the right thing to do for our people AND because it makes good business sense.
Our team members have full lives, with families, interests, volunteer commitments, hobbies and passions outside the workplace. We believe that supporting them in their ability to balance these things with their jobs is good for our company—it creates satisfied employees, happy clients and a more productive workplace. Over the years we have developed programs ranging from flex-time to modified work weeks, we have created training and continuing education programs, supported team member’s pursuit of degrees and professional credentials and have worked to create a family-friendly and life-friendly work place.
We also try to have fun together….whether that means playing a little foosball at the end of the day, or celebrating everyone’s birthday….our people are our greatest asset and we believe investing in them and supporting them is job one.
Michelle Hege, M.S., APR
Partner
Desautel Hege Communications
Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS) understands that employees are one of its greatest assets. INHS works with employees to find the work hours that best suit their needs throughout the organization. The company allows employees to be flexible by allowing them to work from home using telecommuting and permitting unconventional work schedules when available. In recognizing the dynamics of the individual, INHS also works to create an environment where employees can balance a personal life and family while maintaining business objectives at work. With these business practices, employee morale and work productivity has increased.
Jennifer Polello, a health education manager for INHS, commented on her experience with workplace flexibility. Jen uses a combination of telecommuting and flextime in her position. “I’m a morning person,” Pollelo said. “I like to come in early, when I can get a lot done, and I can leave here before traffic gets bad.” Jennifer explained that INHS’ flexibility was one of the reasons she accepted her job.
The complete effort and participation of employees allowed INHS to apply for the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. A recipient of the award, INHS is distinguished as a leading practitioner of workplace flexibility in Spokane and across the nation. Highlighted by several publications for workplace flexibility and effectiveness, INHS has become a great example for all businesses pursuing worker flexibility practices. Staci Franz, human resources generalist for INHS, recognizes how INHS employees are grateful for this distinction, “We have heard employees express appreciation for participating and receiving the Sloan Award. They are excited to be included in this recognition and greatly value their role at INHS.”
Nicole Stewart
Director of Communications & Marketing
Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS)
