Investing in the whole person

Over the last few years, ServiceMaster by Stratos and eight other local companies have discussed ways to assist team members who have professional and personal challenges that keep them from performing at their best. At long last, the Mid-South Employer Resource Network launched a pilot program in partnership with local nonprofit HopeWorks.

Mid-South ERN member companies like Stratos now have the opportunity to pool their resources and hire what is known as a success coach. These talented coaches work to help individuals navigate valuable resources in the community in order to overcome barriers they face. Whether it is finding affordable housing and childcare, providing financial counseling or assisting with transportation solutions, these success coaches tackle a wide range of issues. Stratos is grateful for the impact this program is having on its service partners’ lives.

Scratching your head wondering why we would be a guinea pig for this pilot? Here’s the scoop. Stratos’ second corporate objective is to help people develop. As an organization, we are committed to providing employees with skills training and opportunities to accomplish meaningful and significant achievements both personally and professionally. If we can’t meet our service partners’ needs, they will not be able to meet the needs of customers. We are in a people business, so investing in our people is at the forefront of all we do.

Sure, we are taking a risk with this program; these are things that have never been done before. The risk is worth the reward for us, though. Impacting our service partners emotionally and sociologically has proved to be working. Our people now trust enough to let their guard down and allow a success coach to influence their lives in a positive way. Stay tuned for our next blog post that introduces Stratos’ success coach, Keva.