“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.”
- Helen Keller
“The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.”
- Alice Morse Earle
“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Is a name and title enough? APIOH’s contention is that a name is not enough and that it is important to give history, understanding, a face and more to that name. However when posed with the same question, we come across so many scenarios where organizations conclude that a name ‘is’ enough. The displaying of a name of one being recognized has historically been the accepted, if not the preferred method of recognition. Those who have been remembered by name alone were not as remembered as those who left behind a narrative.
One need not look beyond the first few chapters of the bible to see this to be the case. Of all of Adam and Eve’s children, Cain and Abel are best remembered because of their story of sibling rivalry. However, the direct lineage from Adam and Eve to Noah and on to Abraham did not travel through Cain or Abel. It was through Seth, of whom little more than his name is known. [There is later mention of Seth in "The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament"].
A later attestation to value beyond just a name is from William Shakespeare who wrote in Romeo and Juliet, “”What’s in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet.” That is because the name does not define the rose. The characteristics and traits do.
This month, ABC aired the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy. There was a scene that demonstrated the difference between knowing someone exists and knowing something about them. [Scene background: April Kepner, a Doctor on the show, is face to face with Gary Clark, a shooter in the hospital. He is pointing a gun at her about to shoot.]
April: My- My name is April Kepner. I’m 28 years old. I- I was born on April 23rd in Ohi- Ohio. I’m from Columbus, Ohio. Uhm. My mom- my mom is a teacher and my- my dad is a farmer. Corn-corn. He grows corn. Their- their names are Karen and Joe. I have three sisters. Libby’s the oldest, I’m next and then there’s Kimmy and Alice. I- I haven’t done anything yet. I’ve barely lived. I’m not finished yet. No one’s loved me yet. Please- please, I’m someone’s child! I’m a person. I’m a person.
Gary Clark: Run.
Grey’s Anatomy 6.24 - “Death And All His Friends”
Let APIOH help your organization recognize the individuals behind the names; those who give substance to their names by the characteristics and principles they embody.
May is the month of many holidays. There are some very significant days that were set aside to pay tribute to those worthy of our honor. We have National Teachers Day (1st Tuesday in May), Mothers Day (2nd Sunday of May), Nurses Day (May12), Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday in May), National Maritime Day (May 22) and culminating with Memorial Day (Last Monday in May). We like to set aside days of commemoration and space for their names to be repeated, but we seldom give time and space to state our admiration, motivation or sentiments that resulted in their acknowledgment.
At APIOH, we look forward to providing organizations the means to properly showcase those they wish to recognize. Call us at (877) 289-4690 or email us at info@apioh.net so we can show you how we can help.
Steve Katz, CEO
APIOH - A Place In Our Hearts
Are we seeing a turnaround in the economy yet? This is a question for our economists to contemplate and deliberate over. For the rest of us, one of the biggest challenges we are facing is employment. The hurdles are not only in making jobs available, but in satisfying our workforces with sufficient wages and benefits. Times had been so good for so long prior to our economic tailspin, employees were getting spoiled. Now, even a few years into this fiasco, those same employees are still finding it difficult to cope with shrinking paychecks and benefit. Morale is hard to shore up as a result.
Everyone knows that both employers and employees are struggling. Employers carry a great burden trying to keep their businesses afloat while trying to hang on to and help as many employees as possible. This strain sometimes comes through as frustrations with work performance. Appreciation can ease that tension. A thank you goes a very long way.
Recognition systems are great ways to show such appreciation. The value of an APIOH Employee recognition Solution is much greater yet. Telling an employee they made the outstanding employee list is of value. Telling them and everyone else why is priceless.
Give them their dignity. Give them their respect. Give them you gratitude and they will give you their dedication.
Employee recognition is not just a nice gesture. It is a perk.
Dear Patrons,