Top Small Workplaces
5 Comments Published by Dr. Beyster October 8th, 2007 in Employee Ownership, The Book.This week was full of surprises. Mysterious bleeding appeared from unknown causes and I found myself in Scripps Green Hospital on Friday where I spent the weekend being tested and prodded by a very competent staff. They found nothing obvious other than an infection which they’re treating with antibiotics. All seems to be well, and I should be going home on Tuesday.
I recently read a good article in the Wall Street Journal announcing the 2007 Top Small Workplaces. The article discusses things that these companies do in common to motivate employees. Some of the things — such as direct stock gifts and options based on performance, increased employee participation in decision making, and profit sharing — are programs that we implemented at SAIC with good results. These programs more than paid for themselves over the 35 years that I ran the company and led to our ability to recruit and retain our key employees.
Sorry to hear the small setback, but am happy to hear you are up and at them…STRATCOM undergoing more changes with their new Commander. It is still an exciting place.
Bob – Glad your health continues to be good. Regarding motivation and success, there is another aspect which seems to go unmentioned (probably because it often disturbes the PC crowd). Too many don’t seem to understand the bonds formed in “battle” and how important they are to unit integrity, loyalty and performance.
One factor that remains key to success is respect for individual contribution. That’s my sense of sharing ownership – offering stock to individuals. You become one with the work you are doing. Identify the prize, bring the team together, imbue them with ownership and then get out of the way. That can be tough as I know sometimes I can do a better job alone. The end result can be astounding as the team transcends my effort and I am free to identify and empower those to take on the next project. It leaves you with the most challenging task – to find the people who are willing to take on risk and the work their way to a solution. Thanks for putting the SAIC logo on top of the building filled with people who share this quality – it gives me faith that there are people out there that can get the job done.
Dear Dr. Beyster,
You have been in my thoughts of late as I learned of your book. I hope that you are felling better.
We at The Salvation Army would like to extend to you and your family an invitation to meet a fellow author who I guarantee will inspire you and lift your spirits!
On Saturday, October 27 at 10:30 a.m., we have a very special event at The Salvation Army’s Door of Hope that I thought you and your family might like to join me in attending.
Acclaimed photojournalist Linda Solomon and mothers and children from our Transitional Living Center will be unveiling photos from the Pictures of Hope project(see UT article that follows). These photographs, taken by the children at the Transitional Living Center, represent their hopes and dreams for their futures.
Linda is a nationally recognized and award winning photojournalist who has divided her career between capturing the most famous personalities of our time and teaching others to express themselves through photography. This is what she has done with the children at the Transitional Living Center, which provides long-term transitional housing for women and children who have been homeless.
You might know Linda and her book, People We Know, Horses They Love, a New York Times best seller featuring photo essays on Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Richard Gere, and numerous others.
She has just published The Key: Celebrated People Unlock Their Secrets to Life.Throughout her career, Linda has photographed and interviewed many famous individuals. For this book, a collection of these individuals was selected — including Tiger Woods, Katie Couric, Kelsey Grammar, and more — each synonymous with special qualities.
Linda is truly delightful and inspirational, and I know that you will enjoy meeting her as much as I did when she was here in August.
Please RSVP to me directly if you would like to join us. I hope that you can attend and look forward to seeing you there.
Kind regards,
Michele Prosser
The Salvation Army/Sierra Del Mar Division
(619) 446-0276 Direct
Michele.Prosser@usw.SalvationArmy.org
San Diego Union-Tribune
Homeless children’s views of the world
By Jenna Colley
August 30, 2007
SAN DIEGO – Ratonda Tyler wasn’t sure her 7-year old daughter would understand the assignment. So before agreeing to let her participate in a workshop that encourages homeless children to express themselves through photography, Tyler explained the situation.
LAURA EMBRY / Union-Tribune
Photojournalist Linda Solomon gave some photography pointers to Devon Thompson, 3, during a workshop she held yesterday at the Salvation Army’s Door of Hope.
A professional photojournalist was coming to the Salvation Army center where they lived. Tyler’s daughter, Savannah, would get a disposable camera and three days to photograph something that she really wanted. One of the photos would be chosen to go on a holiday greeting card. The cards would then be sold to make money for the San Diego center.
Savannah listened. And then shocked her mother with her response.
The girl wanted to take a photo of herself sitting in a swing after spinning around in circles to the point where she was wrapped in its chains. Then she would let go, the chains loosening their grip. She wanted to photograph that feeling of calmness after chaos and the excitement that comes with spinning in the first place.
Savannah was one of eight children who live at the Salvation Army’s Door of Hope Transitional Living Center who participated in the nationwide effort that stopped here yesterday.
“It will be interesting to see what she does,†Tyler said. “I’m going to just set the stage and see what happens.â€
Situated on 6 acres near Children’s Hospital, the Door of Hope includes 14 apartments where homeless women can live with their children rent-free for up to two years while they try to find work. Residents are required to save 80 percent of their income.
LAURA EMBRY / Union-Tribune
Makayla Chapman, 8, (center) laughed with her mother, Jamie (left), as Makayla made a list of what she hopes for – including a cat – during the photography workshop.
Sponsored by General Motors, the photography program was founded last year by Linda Solomon, a former newspaper columnist and author of a New York Times best-selling book of celebrities and their horses. This year, Solomon will conduct workshops in nine cities, including San Diego. All proceeds from the sale of the greeting cards benefit the individual Salvation Army centers. Last year, the cards raised an estimated $50,000 for each site.
Solomon starts each workshop by showing the children basic photography tips and encouraging them to read a list of their hopes aloud.
“It’s really a way to tell your story,†Solomon told the children yesterday.
The children’s wishes range from a dog or cat to a college education. Most wish for a home. Often their answers reveal the harsh realities of what it’s like to be a homeless child in America. One 12-year old girl hoped to witness a miracle.
In October, Solomon will return to San Diego and host an exhibition of the children’s work, She also will present them with an enlarged version of their photograph and a box of greeting cards.
She is always overwhelmed by the amazing images the children produce.
“These are not photos of Nintendos or iPods,†Solomon said. “They are photos that share their life lessons.â€
Al: My condition changes from week to week. Just when I think I have one of my ailments conquered and I’m able to maneuver, something else comes up. So I stick pretty close to home, where I have gained some mastery over my environment. As I write this, I am watching on TV the fires in the east and north county of San Diego and I am very concerned. I wish all the best to those affected and hope that the fire is contained soon. — Bob
Kay: My hopes are raised from day to day, but I don’t venture very far away because I’ve had some health setbacks due to overexertion. So I now am trying to come up with a regimen that allows me to do the things I want to and must do without undue exertion. Although not long ago I could get around pretty good, I am back to having others drive me around. I agree with your observation that the bonds formed on the battlefield can have an important impact on employee motivation and performance and, ultimately, company performance. — Bob
Mike: I of course agree with your comments about the power of employee ownership and I’m pleased that you’re still working at SAIC and still benefiting from the employee ownership nature of the company. About the logo on top of the building: I fought it for many years because I wanted the company to keep a low profile, but I eventually had to give in. The logo used to have the words “An employee-owned company,†as well it should have. — Bob
Michele: As well I might expect, you are doing God’s work with the Salvation Army and I wish you well in that area. Schedule permitting, I will attend your event on the 27th. — Bob