Receptionist Joyce Paulin takes messages, greets visitors and organizes office affairs at Empower MediaMarketing Group's Cincinnati headquarters. She also has a placard perched on her desk denoting a special company function: director of first impressions.
"Someone told me this morning that I have the best title in the world," Paulin says. However, the adulation does not distract her from her duties. "As far as my job responsibilities, I feel it's important not to let it show and always remain the director of first impressions."
Paulin gained the official job title in 1997, and her position at this global marketing and media-planning firm is seen as an essential thread in the corporate fabric. Paulin's job, among other duties, is to make sure employees know that they are valued and that grief, accomplishments and special milestones are recognized. In the case of a sick employee or when a worker has lost a loved one, Paulin coordinates gifts to be sent ranging from candy, flowers and honey-baked hams. To mark the birth of an employee's child, the company sends the family savings bonds.
Empower MediaMarketing Group was founded by Mary Beth Price in 1985 as Media That Works. The name changed after an alliance with California-based companies Century Direct and The Newspaper Network. However, the company's dedication to its employees has stuck.
"It's a philosophy we have here – caring about people and being personal," says Nancy Luehrmann, a human resources manager who's been with the company since 1989. "And it goes a long way for retention of employees. You may find another company that pays you a higher salary, but if you don't feel like you're going to be treated with appreciation then you probably won't want to work there."
The "first impressions" program costs the company between $500 to a few thousand dollars per year depending on how many employees get married, have a child or get sick, says Luehrmann. Despite the extra expenses, Luehrmann says this and other programs make a difference for Empower workers. Nearly 10 percent of the firm's 96 employees are "rehires," people who have left the company and returned. Luehrmann says this rate of rehires is fairly substantial and a testament to the firm's commitment to its employees.
Luehrmann's own job satisfaction recently received a bump as well. Earlier this year, her father fell and broke his ankle. The company sent him a fruit basket and wished him a speedy recovery.
"He was thrilled the company was thinking about him," Luehrmann says. She adds that Empower has received a large volume of thank-you notes from gratified employees and their family members.
Empower's Community Service Hours also demonstrates the company's drive to diversify the employee experience. The company manages a community service team through which employees can become involved in local charities. The company provides one paid day per calendar year – the equivalent of eight work hours – to allow employees to volunteer.
"There really is no added cost for this program," Luehrmann says. "Most of our employees are salaried and get the work done, whatever it takes."
Some employees volunteer at McKinley School in Cincinnati as tutors. Within the next few months, Luehrmann says some staff will work on 1,000 Hands, a local program that will help build a playground for neighborhood kids. The company is also gearing up for a Goodwill clothing drive in the spring.
"A lot of people are interested in community service naturally," she says. "And a lot of new employees that we have hired out of college did community service and they're still interested in it. They feel like they're making a difference – not just in advertising but in the community, too."
Joyce Paulin believes she is also making a difference, both outside and inside the company. With as many as six gifts and well wishes sent per month, she says the added thrill of guiding the firm's first impressions keeps her work fresh and exciting.
"The job makes me more aware of my attitude when we have visitors," she says. "I feel very satisfied when visitors leave and tell me I make a good 'first impression.' That means I have done my job and have made them feel comfortable."
Company: Empower MediaMarketing, Inc.
Web site: www.empowermm.com
Industry: Communications
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Number of employees: 96
Sales: N/A
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