Estes Park Roundtable Focuses on Employee Trust
“Do you hire stupid people or people you don’t like?”
Imagine the astonished reactions when that question was posed to a group of Estes Valley business leaders who gathered for a roundtable discussion, “How to Enlist Employees as Brand Champions.”
But after the initial shock effect, Brooke Claassen, manager of the Riverspointe Spa in Estes Park, recognized the context for such a seemingly ridiculous question. After all, suggested the discussion facilitator, if we hire smart, capable people who fit our culture, why would we waste time and energy by micro-managing them?
“Some of the best ideas for growing the business come from employees,” said Claassen. “We just have to ask and then listen.”
Claassen and business “classmates” ranging from healthcare to plumbing to nonprofits exchanged ideas for 90 minutes in a free-flowing discussion of best practices. Their brainstorming session underscored the value of Workforce Center workshops that bring leaders together from various sectors.
“I’ve spent many hours doing research about how to improve our business,” said Claassen, “but there is much greater value from collaborating with other businesses that face the same kinds of challenges we do.”
Spa Director Melissa Martin sees the value, too, and said she plans to continue investing in her team’s professional development.
For more information about strengthening your workforce, please visit our Workshops page or contact Mike Kohler, Business Training Coordinator, at 970-498-6658 or mkohler@larimer.org.