Happy Happy Tuesday to everyone tuning in to today’s episode of The Hirewell Update. I’m your host, Ryan Brown, vice president of our corporate functions team. And this is my cohost. I’m Emily Goor, director on our go to market recruiting team. Before we kick off the show, you can find all of our content at talentinsights.hirewell.com. Or if you’d like to learn more about Hirewell, our service offerings, check out our website, www.hirewell.com. Hey there, Em, how are ya? I’m doing well. How are you? I’m doing well too. It is so hard to believe that we’re bumping into holiday season. Where is the time going? And wait, I saw your Instagram.
Graham’s story this morning. It’s like what, like practically blizzarding in Chicago. It is a blizzard in Chicago. So I know our viewers know that we started pre recording the show. We’re no longer live. So we’re recording, um, right now on the 2onest of November. And if you’re in Chicago, you know, what’s going on.
Cause it is wild out there. And it’s certainly, I can peek from my window. It looks like we’ve got at least a half inch or so out there. We’re like accumulating. Okay. Okay. Cool. Yes, we definitely are. It is sticking. So I shouldn’t flip my web camera around and show you. Yeah. I mean, unless you wanna make me feel really bad, I don’t think you should.
I, I don’t. No, I don’t. I wanna, okay, perfect. Thank you so much. I wanna stay friends with you. I wanna stay friends. I wanna stay friends with you too. Um, . Um, well, we are rolling into the holidays. I feel like this will probably be, I, um, let’s call it our second to last show. Like what we’re gonna try to film one more time before the holidays.
Mm-Hmm. . Um, I feel like la I feel like every year we always discuss. Our thanksgivings. Like I remember last year you sent me your favorite casserole. Yes, and our favorite dishes. I made it last weekend for like a friendsgiving. So good. It’s so good. Um, yes, I know. Are you doing anything fun for Thanksgiving?
It is a very small and intimate Thanksgiving this year, which is actually really nice. Um, after wedding planning and doing all of those things, weddings, basically like two weddings. Um, it’s nice to just have a really for the record with the same person. Yes. Um, yeah, I was the same person was at both. Um, so that’s good for me.
Um, but you know, we’re doing just a really small and intimate, um, family Thanksgiving this year, which will be nice. So I’m responsible for bringing the cornbread pudding, like you mentioned, um, um, the gravy and mashed potatoes. And I think a pie. What are you doing for Thanksgiving? We always go to my, like, it’s my mom’s first cousins.
We, they have like a really cool, like stone pizza oven in their backyard. So we do like homemade pizza appetizers, which I know is a little strange for Thanksgiving. You’re like basically, By the time the meal starts. And then I’ve been making the same pumpkin muffins since like preschool. So I can be, so I do those.
We do like a sweet potato dish that my in laws are also coming in from Chicago. So the, you know, she makes her version of the corn casserole, corn pudding. And then once. Thanksgiving’s over. It’s your birthday before we know it. So if you’re just tuning in, you’ve never watched the show before for years and years, uh, Ryan’s a Christmas baby.
I know you have that to look forward to. Yeah, we sure do. It’s going to be a great holiday season. I know that for a fact this year, even though it’s not up on us, there’s a lot to look forward to hopefully for many people. And speaking of the holiday season. It’s perfect timing for us to discuss things from a talent insight perspective in terms of what companies can do to increase employee engagement and make employees feel a bit more connected during the holidays.
I am so excited. We’re talking about this right now. I think, I honestly think that it’s been harder for companies to engage their employees and make people feel connected during the holidays. These days, when people are living in more of a remote setting working in more of a remote setting versus. Even think about us, like, Hirewell we used to be one00 percent on site, you know, so it’s just it’s just different these days.
I thought we could chat a little bit just today about some things companies can do to make employees feel connected to one another and their company this time of year. I know we’ve talked previously on the show, like it’s hard to build company loyalty. It’s easier to build like people loyalty. So we have a good opportunity to just make people feel connected to each other at your company so that they’re happier.
They feel more connected than to the company. And then In turn, retention is better. It’s just all about retention and positive culture and making people happy, happy to be there. Yeah, exactly. I mean, you’re right. You know, it’s not easy these days for people to feel that connection. And when most companies were working on site, getting together around the holidays was easy and frankly, like it was a pretty big part of the culture.
You’d have an end of year holiday party. Everyone has a chance to, you know. Make relationships new ones or, you know, keep the established ones that they had, um, Hirewell previously when we were in the office. And even, you know, after we went remote, we used to do in person holiday parties here in Chicago where headquarters offices, but we have been a remote first organization since 2020 and we have employees all over the country. So logistically, it’s really challenging to get everyone together during the holiday season. And so we’ve really adopted the virtual celebrations. And I think it’s a good reminder that just because you’re not able to get together in person doesn’t mean that you can’t be doing other things during the holiday season and creating those opportunities for connection.
So I think one of the other things that maybe. Companies struggle with too is like, well, do we have to do something virtual on an entire company basis? The answer is no. Like you don’t have to keep it macro. You can go micro and allow your teams to have virtual celebrations and have that connection too. I think we’ve done well with that because I, I, I mean, when you think about it, like at least when you’re, we’re not a huge company, right?
Like we’re what, like a hundred ish people? A little bit less. The all company, just like virtual happy hour, it just, it’s tough. It doesn’t flow well So I think I know what we’ve done pretty well, even, you know, as being leaders on our teams and having our individual team kind of mini holiday parties. I know our go to market recruiting team has our little mini holiday party.
We do actually a secret Santa gift exchange, which like, do you remember when we used to do that as a whole company and like, we have to guess in front of everyone too, it was so hard, it took hours, by the way, like this is actually, we’re not together, like all of us standing in the kitchen, like each person opening one by one and guess it was a little bit, what a throwback, what a great memory, good times, good times.
Um, no, but I know we did this last year. There’s like, it’s, It’s also super easy and very small budget. We like picked names out of like an online hat, it’s like a name generator and you know, gave everybody like, Hey, we’re getting gifts that are this much or less easy, kind of low cost. It’s just a great way to get the team together and make everyone feel connected.
And I also think to note too, is we try really hard to like make them, make the gifts personal, which I think is kind of sometimes hard to do on an all company level. So we always, what I do on my team and feel free to use this. That’s why we’re talking about this, everyone um, I sent out a cute little survey to the whole team and there are random questions like what are your like favorite hobbies to do outside of work and what’s your favorite local restaurant and you know, if you were ordering something on DoorDash, like, where would you, you know, or if you were driving through fast food, where would you go?
And then that kind of helps the team be like, Ooh, Emily loves yoga. Like, let me get her something or like, Ooh, Emily’s favorite snack is popcorn. You know, whatever, like, oh, Ryan loves Pilates, let me get her this. So love Pilates. I think it’s a good way to get, I know you. Um, I think it’s a good way to make the gifts a little bit more personal too, and little, little bonus.
I secretly use that information all year. Totally. So my team like, has done something amazing and I’m like, oh my gosh, I’m gonna send this person $20 to Taco Bell. Mm-Hmm. . It’s pretty simple. And again, just personal things. Again, that’s a bonus. We’ll keep it holiday focused this year, but. Those surveys I think are helpful.
Thank you. They totally are. And we’ve adapted something super similar on the corporate functions team too, where we also do a gift exchange and we try our best to make sure that individuals are getting something that’s meaningful to them, that they really enjoy. I think Yeah, like getting a gift card to Amazon is great if you absolutely love Amazon shopping.
But yeah, I mean, I think we can all benefit from that. Um, but you know what I mean? It’s nicer to receive something that has a little bit of meaning behind it. Um,. Something else that, that Hirewell has done over the years, and this is both like when we were in person in the office and We also do this now and have our employees all across the country participate is, um, and something called City Santa.
So, basically, this is an organization that we’ve partnered with for gosh, over 20 years. I think, and we collect letters to Santa from students and a local Chicago elementary school and each of our employees that chooses to participate purchases. One of the gifts or some of the gifts on the letter to Santa.
Um, and then we wrap them, we deliver them for the folks that are local, get to go to the school, deliver them to the students, which is really special and fun.
really foster a sense of community with our employees while giving back to a community as well.
That’s something that has been an incredible part of our organization for many, many years. And I think. I’m sure other organizations can find something local in their communities to to do something similar with as well. It’s the best. I’m kind of sad to not be in Chicago because I’ve gone and delivered the gifts before too.
I mean, I still love participating in it and getting the letters and buying the gifts, but there’s something so special about, you know, they have like an actual Santa that, sorry, if anyone’s watching this. Let me remove the air quotes. Santa comes and delivers the gifts. Um, it’s really special. And I think you’re right.
I think it really makes people feel connected and proud to work at our company because it just fosters such a strong sense of community. Um, I think this one sometimes a little bit heavier on the cost side. Like I know we’re trying to like brainstorm a bunch of different options, um, but I do think it really pays off.
I think like having some sort of all company gift or like company swag or something that everyone’s getting. I think it’s fun when everyone gets the same thing and then they can like get excited about, Oh, did you get, you know, whatever. And it doesn’t have to be huge. I know in the past we’ve done like.
Hirewell, yeti’s like little cups, which I didn’t get one and I would love one if anyone’s watching. Thank you so much. We’ll be sure to get you one. Thank you. Don’t worry. I know one time we did like, the little Patagonia is with, like, the higher well, you know, we’ve done like shirts before this one. I don’t think was like, a holiday gift, but hi, mouse pack.
But branded everywhere, um. But I, I think, you know, it’s kind of just fun to get like a little something around the holidays from your company. I just think it’s nice to open it and be like, wow, they’re like, that’s, it’s very thoughtful, you know? It totally is. Yeah. And it’s nice to, to do something, you know, if you can, in terms of budget um, restrictions.
If it is something that you can do on a company wide basis, like you said, I think it goes a pretty long way and like, again, is fostering that sense of connection and community internally, which is great. There’s a ton of other things too, that we haven’t covered today. So we can probably just share like a couple of different ideas back and forth of additional things that folks can consider around the holidays.
One is, um, flexible time off or extended breaks. We’ve done that at Hirewell for many years, taking the week between Christmas and New Year’s off. Um, and that’s just like a company respected week if things come up, you know, people are semi available, but really it’s an opportunity for everyone to disconnect, get some rest and relaxation, get ready for Q 1 to, to jumpstart again, and that I think has been really beneficial for us.
And I’m starting to notice too many other organizations, our clients, especially are adapting that as well. We were just talking about this, right? A few minutes ago is in a small team setting, like, just, I do think more. I wish we had more data on this, but like, just having been in the industry, you know, we’ve been in the industry for a bit.
I do feel like people are shutting down a little bit more between, I think so too, Christmas and New Year’s. Well, and the first day of Hanukkah is on Christmas this year. So fun. How special. Um, your birthday, Hanukkah, Christmas, like, wow, what a day. Um,. So yeah, I do, I honestly, if like, if your company is not officially closed, like maybe just consider, you know, a soft close or just giving your folks a break, like everyone works so hard.
Well, hopefully I know our teams work really hard and, and just take the time and, and Even though it’s not something tangible, like we’re saying a gift, a mouse pad, a sweatshirt, whatever, like that I think is very meaningful and goes a long, long way. It definitely does. It definitely does. In years past too, I’ve heard of organizations like the leadership team sending out either holiday cards or putting together a short thank you for the hard work.
And Like the past year, and then sending that out to the organization as well. I think that type of recognition, whether it’s in that form or it’s award ceremony or something of that nature, the type of recognition of a thank you goes a really long way. And I think, um, you know, again, it doesn’t have to be something that costs a ton of money, but just the thought that goes behind it can be super meaningful.
You just made me think of something that I think is brilliant. I saw, I saw you get out the notepad. So I’m excited to see what you’re brainstorming. Um, I can’t wait. Like Matt Mazzucchi is not going to like this one at all, but I’m so excited about what you just made me think of. So more to come on that.
But I do, I think that’s a great point. And it’s something that you said earlier, it doesn’t have to be a huge all company thing. Like even I’m thinking about, like, I know Hirwell, we have our leadership meeting, I think not next week, but the, you know, I know it’s getting pushed because of Thanksgiving. But if, if, if you’re even your leadership teams can align on like, Hey, this is what we’re doing on a mic, you know, micro level with my team of, like I said, like, if you have the information of, you know, this person on your team loves Taco Bell and there’s a restaurant in Philadelphia where this person lives, like, if you can do small things on your team level, like the lead, you know, the leadership can execute an all company thing is great.
Like you said, if it’s. Some sort of ceremony or letter or whatever, whatever I’m thinking. Just, stay tuned, but I think if you can align as a leadership team and do things on a smaller level of like, Hey, this year, you know, every person in leadership, like, please make sure to send each person on your team X.
Here’s your budget. and it can be the same. It can be uniform across the whole company. But it can be executed kind of a little bit more on the micro level. Absolutely. Absolutely. There’s a ton of different ideas that organizations can, can work on that I’m sure companies are doing already that we haven’t even thought about.
I’d be really interested if folks are doing something outside of what we’ve mentioned for them to leave them in the comments. Just so we can get some additional ideas too. There’s so much out there that companies have thought of. And I’m always very interested in how organizations are adding to their culture and ensuring that employees are happy.
So that’d be a fun thing to get some eyes on. Please. Yeah. We can’t do all the brainstorming here. If you’re doing cool things around, especially around the holidays. Well, actually, in general, if you’re doing cool things in a virtual setting, let us know. We want to know. Especially in the holidays, I really think people need to capitalize on this time.
I think it says a lot about a company culture to see what they’re doing for their employees, like during kind of this time of year. I totally do too. Yeah. For sure. I love it. That’s all I’ve got. I can’t believe, like I said, we’ll probably have one more show this year, but I don’t think I have more time for it today.
I don’t either, except I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with your family, um, and to everyone else watching, happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy. Yeah, enjoy a little bit of time off. Um,. We’re grateful that y’all join us. Every week. And I guess that’s it. That’s a wrap for this week’s episode.
that’s it.
Thank you all so much for joining us. As a reminder, you can find all of our content at talentinsights.hirewell.com. Or if you’d like to learn more about Hirewell in our service offerings, check out our website. It’s www.hirewell.com. We’ll be back. We’ve got one more show. I think we’ve got this of The Hirewell Update.
So expect to hear from us in two weeks around Wednesday. Um, on, I think should be on a Wednesday around noon central again, figuring out the schedule, but . We’ll see, we’ll see you one more time. One more time. For sure. Have a good one everyone.
Bye.
