Page 36 - Peterson 85 Years and Going Strong

BRAND AMBASSADOR COURSES
Brand Ambassador (original course)
• IntroducesPetersonValuesandhowto
incorporate those into daily life.
• FourCommunicationPrinciples;Peterson’s
Success Equation; Jumpstart.
• ForallEmployees.
Leading the Peterson Way
• DeeperdiveintoBrandAmbassadorcurriculum. • ForallEmployees.
Leader as Coach
• Teachescoachingandmentoringskills. • ForallPetersonmanagers.
Leader as Teacher
• Teacheshowtoteachotherstolearnandstay
engaged.
• ForPetersonmanagersinterestedinfacilitating
Brand Ambassador workshops.
Leadership Academy
• Focusesonself-reflection,collaboration,and
resilience skill building.
• Forseniorleadershipteam.
The fifteen-minute meetings follow a simple five- part plan. First, there’s a warm-up consisting of some type of physical exercise to get the blood pumping and energy flowing. Next is a discussion of what happened yesterday followed by what’s on deck for today: what went well, what didn’t, and who needs help. Next comes the three A’s—Ap- preciations, Acknowledgements, and Apologies— for recognition and clearing the air. And last is an inspirational quote or story to get the group revved up for the day. Responsibility for running the meetings rotates among each work group’s members. “Once in a while we’ll throw in a game just to switch things up,” explains Sorgel, who at- tends several JumpStart meetings a week for her different work groups. “One time we played Heads Up for the first ten minutes—the game where they tape a word on your forehead and then you ask questions to figure out what it is. It got everyone loosened up and laughing. And then we got down to business and got a ton accomplished over the next several hours.”
Staying in communication and building teamwork are two of Peterson’s top priorities. They are also the backbone of JumpStart. “Knowing what’s go- ing on is what brings a department together as a team,” says Duane Sr. “Then people can ask for help or offer to help somebody else if they need it. That’s exactly what JumpStart is for.”
DAILY DOSE OF POSITIVITY
Today, with over 1,500 employees across Peter- son, it’s hard to keep track of all the things people are doing as a result of their Brand Ambassador training. One personal practice, however, spreads throughout the company on a daily basis. Early in 2014, Julie Cunha, Peterson’s controller, started sending out inspirational quotes and uplifting me- mes through company email to any employee who requested it. Today, 150 employees start their day off with Cunha’s daily dose of positivity.
34 | PETERSON: 85 YEARS AND GOING STRONG