The next time you find yourself in a sticky situation at work - laugh it out! Laughter has been shown to reduce stress, diminish anger, and boost morale.

7 Easy Tips to Increase Producitivity

The Baltimore Sun recognizes the 75 best places to work in the area, judged by those who know best: the employees. BHS is honored to work with some of these amazing companies!

When it comes to type 2 diabetes (the most common type of diabetes) prevention is a big deal.  It is especially important to make diabetes prevention a priority if you're at increased risk of diabetes - For example, if you're overweight or have a family history of the disease.

Join our Free Webinar: Wednesday, November 2nd @ 10am, Organizational development strategist, Gina Barton, reveals how to increase your organization's effectiveness, health and viability.

Register Today: Click Here!

Join BHS’ Helen Young-Mclaughlin and Gina Barton, as they discuss how BHS applies a collaborative, solutions focused approach to increase an organization's effectiveness and viability.

Register Today: Click Here!

Many people avoid using happy faces in emails to professional acquaintances because they fear they will be labeled as unprofessional. Yet, as we are all learning, a lot can be lost in email communications because email lacks tone and facial expressions that cue us into what a person really means by the words they utter.

One month after the tsunami and earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011, officials have begun to compare the nuclear disaster that it created will reach levels comparable to the 1986 Chernobyl explosion (see the New York Times article here). The potential widespread environmental and health effects that come attached to that announcement makes recognizing Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, even more important. 

Have you observed any of your employees manifesting one or more of the behaviors listed below?

• A negative attitude
• Not getting assigned work in on time
• Angry outbursts or yelling at co-workers
• Engaging in passive-aggressive behaviors
• Going from cubicle to cubicle gossiping
• Tuning out / not participating during team meetings
• Consistently coming to work late or leaving early
• Taking excessively long lunch breaks
• Making lengthy personal phone calls during the work day
• Ignoring or violating company policies

These counter-productive behaviors can wreak havoc with your organization’s morale, culture, productivity and bottom line. However, simply getting rid of the counter-productive employee is not usually the best strategy. Employees represent a huge investment for companies. The time, energy and money spent in recruiting, screening, training and retaining employees in today’s ‘knowledge-based economy” is substantial.

We finally got our hands on Dawn's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award Finalist video. Check it out!

We found an article on the Business Knowledge Resource site and thought it made some excellent points about the relationship between employee morale and increased sales results. Executives and senior managers must be aware of the psychological well-being of their employees and how their thoughts, feelings and concerns may impact their commitment, enthusiasm and productivity. Even relatively small gestures can go a long way by showing employees that you appreciate, and value, their efforts on behalf of the company. Enjoy it here.

As 2010 comes to a close, we find ourselves once again in the midst of the season of giving. Every year managers and executives try to find a rational balance between budgetary constraint and demonstrating the proper gift-giving spirit for employees. I am sure that, like me, you have tried everything from company parties, to gift cards, to cash bonuses, gourmet gift baskets and dozens of other solutions for the company gift-giving dilemma. 

However, as a leader you are in a unique position to give your employees some less tangible, but very meaningful gifts.

There is a reason why IBM has more than 60 certified executive coaches on their payroll. IBM, long recognized for their business excellence, knows how highly effective executive coaching is for developing talented executives and senior managers. But IBM is not alone. Scores of major American companies now make executive coaching a core element of their overall executive training and development efforts.  A recent study by Fast Company Magazine found that 43% of CEOs and 71% of senior executive surveyed were working, or had worked with, an executive coach.

Business Health Services’ (BHS) Director of Organizational Development (OD), Helen Young-McLaughlin has a rare background for someone working in the OD field. Prior to becoming certified in Organizational Development, she recieved her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling. However, it is this background that helps her succeed with clients again and again.