Order C.O.R.E. training DVD set in either English or Spanish and receive a professionally facilitated employee survey for up to 10 employees for FREE, a $180 Value !   Expires 4/30/09.

 
I have always said that one of the worst things about being an owner is that you no longer receive performance appraisals.  When we were employed our managers informed us of our strengths and weaknesses.  Our desire to attain larger salary increases based on our performance appraisals drove us to improve on any weaknesses we may possess.  Although the bottom line is your ultimate appraisal as a self employed business owner, there are so many things that can be learned and fixed before we get to the bottom line if we can just figure out some way to receive appraisals. 

 
Customer response cards and quality calls aid in attaining performance appraisals on the quality of day to day cleanings but who is appraising the type of job you are doing managing the people who clean those houses?  You ask the client to appraise your company's cleaning skills.  Are you asking your employees to appraise your management skills?

The first time I did an employee survey in my company I was shocked, depressed and humbled.  I traded cleaning services with a consultant who came into my company and did a formal employee survey.  She prepared the survey, facilitated its implementation and tabulated the results.  The results were not what I expected.  I was spending so much time on my business that I felt I was showering my employees with time and attention.  They did not agree.  The survey results indicated that the employees felt I was spending a lot of time on my business but not a lot of time with them.  Another shock was their feedback regarding my incentive and bonus programs.  I was giving away lamps, televisions sets, money and a variety of other things to motivate my cleaning staff.  I was sure I was targeting their 'hot buttons' because they all seemed so happy when they won something.  The survey results indicated that I had totally missed the mark on what truly motivated them.  What they really wanted was time off with pay.  Go figure.  Time for family, running errands and catching up on unfinished business is just as important to a cleaning person as it is to managers and owners.  It took my cleaning staff to tell me this and they did it through an employee survey. 

This month Rags to Riches is offering to survey up to 10 employees for free for any company that purchases an English or Spanish C.O.R.E. training DVD set.  If you purchase both the English and Spanish sets we will survey up to 20 employees for free. 

This free service includes preparation of the survey, the actual taking of the survey by your employees (facilitated on a computer at our webex site) and the tabulation of the results.  There are two distinct advantages to having Rags to Riches conduct this survey for you.  First, of course, is that you do not have to do anything your self .  Second, and most important, your employees will be more honest if they feel you are not aware of their individual answers.  If you have ever considered purchasing our C.O.R.E. training DVD set there is simply no better time to do it than the month of April.  This is a one month offer that will expire at midnight on April 30, 2009.  Order your C.O.R.E. training DVD set by clicking on www.successmaideasy.com/training  and then order your employee survey using coupon code EASTEREESURVEY.  We will contact you within 24 hours to schedule your employee survey. 
 
Sharon TInberg

   Easter Bunny History

The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season.

 

The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have it's origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. These were made of pastry and sugar.

 

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs. The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country.