CHALLENGE & SOLUTION
The Importance of
EMPLOYEE MORALE Tips to keep your people engaged and less-stressed during the pandemic
Ed Wenck Content Director, CEDIA
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CEDIA COMMUNICATES
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ergio Gaitan (GME Electronics, Mexico) has a monthly barbecue with his staff. “We’re still going to do it — but remotely for the time being. Video conference everyone, and encourage their families to be on the call,” he says. It’s a new reality as the globe copes with a pandemic the likes of which the world hasn’t seen since 1918. Integration firms everywhere have come to understand that in addition to the financial and safety challenges they’re suddenly facing, maintaining morale is critical, too — and video conferencing is a huge help. Pete Trauth of the LA firm Nirvana Home Entertainment is a believer: “The conference call encourages unity and camaraderie among team members, and the video aspect is key. When
During a Crisis
everyone is separated, you lose that personal connection. You may have a few people who are resistant at first — not everyone likes to see themselves on camera — but the ultimate benefits of video conferencing are tremendous on a personal level. “Body language, gestures, facial expressions: Each of these things make up our unique characters in a conversation. Voice does this too, but voice is only one small element in a bigger picture,” says Trauth. “And Sergio’s notion of bringing families in is great. It really shows he cares about his employee’s loved ones.” It’s part of a formula that includes transparency from management and clear communications as to where the business is headed. Mike Ranpura (Smart Life AV, London) had already committed to a daily meetup before the virus hit. “Now with everyone’s daily lives upended, it’s important that I continue these
