The Modern Concierge Blog

Employee Recognition Events: On Whose Time?

2008-07-02T16:12:00-08:00

{summary}Many of our clients call on us to plan their corporate events and parties. Now that it’s summer, we’re in the midst of putting together employee recognition events & retreats. Currently in the works are a family beach picnic, Friday ice cream socials, and a Spa Party - complete with chair massage, manicures and a yoga class. Employers are always seeking new ways to recognize and reward their employees, and the season of sun and fun provides the opportunity for something novel. Our clients tell us that these events pay off in the long run through increased morale and greater productivity (which sometimes wane during these sweltering months). At The Modern Concierge, we firmly believe that those who take the time and money to reward their employees should be celebrated. But this year, we’ve noticed a shift in the timing of these events. Gone are the mid-week, “go ahead- let’s all get out of the office” events - replacing them are evening, lunch hour and weekend soirees. Do events outside of work hours truly qualify as perks? Do your employees feel as appreciative and excited if they are spending their own free time to attend? Or is it really any chance to spend time celebrating your successes together what matters most?

Do You Have be Self-Employed to Find Balance?

2008-06-10T19:30:00-08:00

{summary}In my eternal quest for all things balanced (both professionally and personally), I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend an event last week entitled Round Table Discussion: Finding Balance as a Mother. The event was sponsored by the Step Up Women’s Network, a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives for all women through youth mentorship programs, networking events and professional development opportunities. About 60 women from around Los Angeles, gathered to discuss their thoughts, challenges and solutions to finding balance. As a working mom myself, the comment that stood out to me the most was from a woman who said the only way mothers can work and have balance is to start their own business. If this is true, what a challenge to the traditional work-place! The skills a parent uses daily- creativity, ability to multi-task, problem solving- are invaluable assets to most businesses. Is your business doing everything it can to keep your employees (who are also parents) happy, satisfied and balanced so that you won’t lose them to another venture?

The Brilliance of Balance

2008-04-29T23:42:00-08:00

{summary}Until very recently, I have not been hugely successful at “balancing” the different aspects of my life - my nature is to go full-force in most things that I take on. A new relationship: I disappear for weekends at a time; a new business idea: it’s all I can think about; planning a charity fundraiser: you would think it was my fulltime job. So it’s actually quite surprising that my job is to help busy professionals achieve balance. I feel that the reason I am good at what I do - and why I understand the challenges involved - is because I discovered how to do it for myself. I realized that if I devote a disparate amount of time to a new relationship, my business or charity work, the other areas of my life suffer. So I learned how to make my time equally available to each endeavor to achieve a state of equilibrium that works for me. I’m not saying it’s easy, or that it happens overnight - it’s a process that requires assessing priorities, making changes, and asking for help when needed. And I’m not saying that I’m always on track. But I do know that when I have sense of balance, I feel brilliant. And what a great way to feel! What makes you feel brilliant in your life?

More to Life Than Money?

2008-04-24T20:12:00-08:00

{summary}Deloitte recently released a report about Competing for Talent in the telecommunications and technology fields. Their findings show that “big salaries and bonuses might help solve the talent problem for awhile, but they don’t address the fundamental shift that is occurring in the workforce. Workers today aren’t as interested as they used to be in hefty compensation packages and fancy retirement plans. What they really want – more than anything else – is direct and personal control over when, where, and how they work.” What is interesting to me about Deloitte’s report is how they respond to the stigma attached to the phrase “work-life balance.” Deloitte’s research shows that work-life balance doesn’t have to be a corporate euphemism for working less; it can be about working differently. The reports concludes that “to attract their fair share of talent, companies should consider adopting programs that meet the needs of the company – and each employee – instead of offering people big financial incentives, but then forcing them to adapt to the requirements of the job.” This can also be a blessing in disguise. With all this recession talk, your company might no longer be in the position to give big bonuses or raises as often as you’d like. The good news from the Deloitte report is that you have other options. There is hope, and there are ways to retain your workforce and keep them motivated and happy through these tight economic times.

Concierge Overload??

2008-04-17T20:39:00-08:00

{summary}Is anyone else feeling like the word Concierge is being overused? I just saw a commercial for a car insurance company that is now offering a “personal concierge” to their customers in times of an accident or insurance need. Interesting concept, but I’m willing to bet that the person that used to be called a “customer representative” is the exact same person now being called a “personal concierge.” The question remains- is your personal auto insurance concierge really looking out for your best interests, or the interests of their employer? Concierges should have no obligation to anyone other than their clients. At The Modern Concierge, our interest is to benefit our customers, and we will find the best way, the best people and the best partners to meet your needs and serve your interests – we firmly believe that a concierge should be more than just a fancy name for the person who answers the phone.

Executive vs. Personal Assistant

2008-04-09T18:37:00-08:00

{summary}It’s been a true benefit for me to have an executive assistant, and I’ve been lucky to have several great ones over the years. They have done everything a man can dream of and more: listened carefully to me, cleaned my desk, scheduled my meetings and even gotten me a latte every once in awhile (after all, Starbucks is practically next door). Knowing my executive assistants could do everything I asked, you would think my life would have been so easy. But it’s wasn’t - I could never ask my assistant to pick up my dry cleaning, find rare wines on the internet, clean out my garage, or complete the many other everyday chores I needed done. In my industry, these types of errands were (and rightfully so) beyond the scope of the professional obligations of an executive assistant. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not crying tears of distress because I’ve had to walk my own dog and wait on hold while calling the cable company for an appointment, it’s just that now I know there are ways to make my life easier and my free-time more fulfilling. While my assistants have always been a part of that puzzle, now that I am working at The Modern Concierge, my eyes are opened to what is possible with just that little extra help. Life is good!

Easy & Affordable Perks at Work

2008-04-08T01:24:00-08:00

{summary}I just heard about an amazing corporate perk that I had to share (other than The Modern Concierge that is!). A friend of mine works for a company that wasn’t able to give her the raise she (and they) knew she deserved. So, along with a slight monetary increase, they offered her one morning off per month. A half day off each month doesn’t seem like much at first, but just think about it, all of a sudden a weekday is available to you to sleep in, to make those hard to schedule doctor appointments or even to have crowd-free shopping opportunities at Target and Costco. I remember the first time that I went to Target on a weekday morning during my maternity leave. I was in a different world. Plenty of parking! Clean, organized shelves! No lines! Suddenly I had the opportunity for quiet meandering around the aisles- pure joy. Office perks come in different shapes and sizes, and creativity in today’s workplace are key. There are lots of easy and affordable ways to show employees that you value their service to your organization. What’s your company doing to show they care?

Perfect Perks

2008-04-02T22:20:00-08:00

{summary}Last week, The Modern Concierge exhibited at a tradeshow for Human Resources professionals in Los Angeles and Orange County– the HR Star Conference at the LA Convention Center. In attendance were 750 HR executives, and one of the hot topics of the day was employee benefits: How can companies best recruit and retain employees? The more than 30 vendors onsite were more than happy to tell these executives what they needed – pre-paid legal services, pet insurance, fancy coffee machines, chocolate, and of course our suggestion – concierge services! But what we learned while talking to the hundreds of people who came by our booth is that employee benefits are most beneficial only when they are tailored to a company’s culture. Employees at a manufacturing firm near LAX may want different perks than corporate lawyers downtown – and the goal of a good HR manager is to match its company’s benefits to its employees needs. Out of all the workplace perks available today, what could your company offer that would make a difference to you?

Making Time for the Things that are Important to You

2008-03-25T19:34:01-08:00

{summary}While I do not dare to compare the launch of this website with the birth of my (now almost 2-year old) son, there were definitely similar moments of fear, excitement and even some pushing to get it out into the world. I’m now experiencing the same feelings of joy, relief and excitement as it begins to grow and take on a life of its own. We all have lives outside of the office, things that compete for our time and energy. That’s why, as a business owner and mom, I am so committed to the services that The Modern Concierge provides. It’s about letting someone else conquer the items on your to-do list that always get pushed to the bottom, so that you have more time outside of work to enjoy the things that are most important and enjoyable to you. What’s important to me is my family, my work, spending time with friends and even trying to fit in some “me” time. What’s important to you?

Welcome to The Modern Concierge Blog!

2008-03-24T21:50:00-08:00

{summary}Welcome to the new and improved website for The Modern Concierge! As a team of concierges, event planners and HR professionals, our staff works hard to provide services and information that bring a better sense of balance to work and life. Our motto is Redefining Work-Life Balance and we strive everyday to help our clients achieve this. We know that finding the balance between work and our personal/family life is not always easy - but it is possible, especially with guidance and support. This blog will provide a forum for The Modern Concierge staff, clients and friends (and even first time visitors), to share how we pursue this lofty goal. Through a combination of our own real-life experiences, first-hand knowledge gained by working with our clients, and cutting-edge information based on research studies, we hope we can keep you inspired in your search for balance. Please check back regularly (we promise to post often) - to read about our adventures, tips and challenges. We hope you will share your comments as well! Melanie & Amy Principles, The Modern Concierge