Q. INSIGHTs & INTUITION

What are some culture initiatives implemented at your organization that didn’t cost much but were appreciated by employees?

We have a 12-week wellness challenge that addresses the eight dimensions of wellness: physical, financial, social, environmental, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and occupational. Employees form teams, encourage one another to participate and log activities throughout the challenge. Weekly activities include Motivation Mondays, Walking Wednesdays over the lunch hour and Lunch Seminars with a local health expert or enthusiast.

We have found that some friendly competition has a way of bringing people together around a common goal, all while having fun and getting to know one another outside of our normal business functions.

When it comes to higher education, there is a lot of pride around institutions. Northern State University is no exception. At NSU, we have created an unofficial mission – the Northern Way. The premise is to treat our students, families, guests, fans and prospective students to the best possible experience in higher education.

This initiative involved framing and giving out Northern Way postcards to faculty and staff, and also providing everyone on campus a cut-out of our mascot to display proudly. These are inexpensive ways to encourage and equip the campus community to show pride in our institution – as well as constant reminders of how we strive to go above and beyond for our students.

Our S.M.A.R.T. (Small Miracles Are Reached Together) fund was established by employees to benefit a fellow employee or an employee’s immediate family member with a special need. The fund is maintained by fund-raising activities and employee payroll deductions; requests are approved by a committee comprised of employees throughout the company.

Employees who have received money through this program to help cover medical expenses, pay for emergency travel or recover from a fire are immensely grateful. The intrinsic value of employees helping fellow employees in truly special.

We’re always amazed by how generous employees are in chipping in a few dollars knowing it will help other employees.

At Dacotah Paper, we incorporate family business values into our everyday culture. Fred Mohr, second generation owner, was quite fond of popcorn, so during his birth month of February we keep our popcorn machine full in his honor. The cost is minimal, so we encourage employees and visitors to eat as much as they would like.

The philosophy of “never throw good product away” also plays a role in our culture. Unsellable product, including paper products and chemicals, are offered free to employees.

Both may seem like small things, but when employees take portion cups (one of our products) home to use as paint cups, it can be a real morale booster.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is strategically investing in and prioritizing cultural initiatives. Employee communication is a one of the most inexpensive and yet effective tools, accomplished through consistent allemployee and management meetings, surveys, monthly messages from the CEO and daily updates through the internal corporate website.

BCBSND also has a rich development program through an internal training program and external tuition reimbursement program. In addition, great emphasis is placed on having an engaged employees’ committee, career achievement recognition and community volunteering program.

Overall, BCBSND is ever-increasing as a great place to work.

At Microsoft, our culture is who we are and how we treat one another; it’s what allows us to make a difference in the world.

We focus on growth mindset, customer obsession, diversity & inclusion and One Microsoft.

A new way we have embraced culture locally is our new speaker series, titled Beyond the Limits. This gives our team members the chance to hear both from those on our campus and externally, to unleash their potential and think “beyond the limits.”

In addition, we have new hire events that cultivate conversations and connections. These events give our campus groups and local nonprofits/ community organizations a platform to connect with our new hires and experience our company culture.

Percent (age 25+) with a bachelor’s degree or higher

Creighton Mid-America Business Conditions Index

“The Business Conditions Index, which ranges between 0 and 100, soared to 62.3 from May’s solid 55.5. This is the seventh straight month the index has remained above growth neutral pointing to strong growth for the region over the next 3 to 6 months. … An index greater than 50 indicates an expansionary economy over the course of the next three to six months.”

-- Creighton University, July 1

Building permits by state

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Student loan debt by state, 2015

Source: LendEdu.com

2017 Professional Services Business Conditions Survey Results

Source: National Association of Home Builders

Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar exchange rate

Source: CanadianForex.ca

What is your outlook on the following state economic indicators during the next four quarters?

* A number above 50 indicates expansion; a number below 50 indicates contraction.

“Professional services firms in the Ninth District grew over the past year and anticipate continued expansion at their firms, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

“Over 370 firms in accounting, engineering, graphic design, marketing, consulting and other professional services across the Ninth District responded to the survey, conducted in May and June. The survey asked respondents about their experience over the previous 12 months, as opposed to the calendar year, and their outlook for the coming four quarters.”

Source: Fedgazette, regional business and economic news publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

DATA ASSEMBLED BY TOM DENNIS, PRAIRIE BUSINESS EDITOR