Corporate lessons from motorcycle riding employees
The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
June 19th 2008
Executives at
Express Jet have discovered something the motorcycle
community have long known, thanks to some of its employees
who happen to be bikers.
Doing the
right thing for a good cause builds teamwork, making
everyone who participates feel good about themselves and
colleagues.
As
businesses strive to be good corporate citizens, many also
support their employees' charitable activities. By balancing
the needs of the employer and employees, volunteer work can
build teamwork and improve morale and job performance.
"Employees
work as a team to get the job done and often that
camaraderie extends beyond the office. They appreciate the
opportunity to get involved with causes at a hands-on
level," says Lo Lyons, Program Sales Manager with
ExpressJet Airlines.
Mark Silver, a retired Navy pilot and motorcycle enthusiast
who flies for ExpressJet Airlines, joined the first annual
Texas Honor Ride to raise money for wounded soldiers and
their families. The group of motorcycle clubs rode across
the state to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. With
one email, Silver kick-started a movement that spread
through the company.
"To be able to ride together, as a team, as co-workers, and
to be able to give something back to those who gave us so
much, truly made us proud of ExpressJet," Silver said.
After she,
her mother, and her aunt, were simultaneously diagnosed with
breast cancer, Lyons sprang into action for the cause of
early detection for all.
"This cause was close to me, and many of my closest friends
are my co-workers," said Lyons. "We formed a walking team
and raised money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation's Race
for the Cure. My company and my co-workers have been some of
my greatest supporters."
Employee
morale at work also gets a boost from employee charitable
efforts after hours.
"Today's employees are concerned about whether the values of
the company for which they work are compatible with their
own personal viewpoints," said business consultant Roger E.
Herman.
Lyons and Silver advise employees to be thoughtful and
strategic when reaching out to recruit fellow employees for
charitable causes. Lyons gives these tips:
- Before
sending out correspondence, contact the company's HR
department for guidance or consent.
-
Research and familiarize yourself with your cause and
organization to make your appeal as universal as
possible.
- Email
is the best method to reach out to colleagues, but
exercise caution not to bombard your co-workers.
- Refrain
from language or references that are political or
religious.
- Think
of creative ways to get co-workers involved. Lyons bakes
"Cupcakes for the Cure" to encourage early cancer
detection.
- Offer
alternatives for those who cannot participate in the
event or donate funds. A colleague of Lyons' hosted a
post-walk brunch and those who could not walk or donate
financially came to the brunch to show their support.
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