Develop a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy.

• Offer employee resource groups (ERGs) such as Spectrum for LGBTQ, BLACC or BIPOC (for African Americans), COLORES (for Hispanic / Latin Americans), SALUTE (for veterans), and more.  
• Create a “Voices” panel where employees can come forward and share their experiences.   

Develop a storytelling strategy to highlight the human factor behind the talent.

A strong team is built upon people working together, getting to know each other, and respecting each other, while completing necessary work and tasks.  

• Share stories of teamwork, collaboration, community giving, and other collaborative initiatives.
• Share personal stories that include hobbies, family/friend photos, and personal successes/accomplishments.
• Encourage employees to support each other and get to know each other personally. 
• Create “role and soul” intros for new hires. Invite new hires to answer a few personal questions such as favorite meal, best concert they ever attended and dream vacation and share their answers along with a personal photo (family, pets included if they feel inclined) in a slide or print format when the employee is introduced to the organization. Slides can then best posted outside cubicles or as part of an ongoing slide show on a shared monitor in a common space in the organization. 

Create opportunities to connect.

• Offer structured coffee hours/internal network opportunities.
• Create a compassion committee to provide support or care packages to employees in times of need. 

Offer personal development opportunities.

• Provide mentoring programs.
• Provide a new hire buddy. Assign a “work buddy” to new hires to help them get started on building relationships beyond immediate co-workers.   

Train leaders on positive business practices that enable individual connection and relationship building.  

• Center for Positive Organizations | University of Michigan

Recognize milestones.

• Celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries. 
• Invites spouses and loved ones to attend significant recognition events. 

Offer training and classes.

• Offer Toastmasters for skill development and confidence in public speaking.
• Offer mentorship programs for employees aspiring to advance in their career

Offer support groups for employees undergoing challenges.

New parents, caregivers, and those with chronic conditions might benefit from having a network of people that have gone through or are going through similar experiences. 

Promote condition specific programs available in the community, such as YMCA’s diabetes prevention program.  Many health plan carriers also offer community-based classes either in person or online.  

• YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program

Check with the MMA account team to learn more about carrier resources.