The Woohoo! Report

by Rebecca Gannon (WICHITA, Kan.)

A K-State professor says happy employees help businesses succeed, even in these not-so-happy times.  So how do employers keep their staff happy?

At Valassis in northeast Wichita, the printing presses run day and night.  The big warehouse churns out coupons and newspaper inserts – billions a year.  But the company is also known for something aside from coupons – it was named one of Fortune Magazine’s “Best Places to Work” 8 years in a row.  It has a cafeteria, exercise room, stock options, and flexible schedules for it’s employees.  Once a month, there’s usually a lunch – on the company – to show appreciation for it’s workers.

Combined, Ronnie Smith and Mark Sardo have worked 47 years here.  They don’t plan on leaving.

“You know, it’s the little things that people tend to appreciate,” said Sardo. “It’s nice to get a pat on the back when you do a good job every once in awhile.”

But a good work environment doesn’t mean Valassis is immune to economic troubles.  The company is in a wage and hiring freeze.  It’s Wichita Vice President, Mike Wood, said those meals he feeds his employees may now be cooked by him in the cafeteria.

Wood said despite the sad state of things, having happy employees comes down to communication, and honesty.

“They know, from the news and everything going on, that there are much worse things that happen,” he said.

Happiness has a different tune at Intake Studios in downtown Wichita.  Employees play video games on the clock — with their boss’s blessing.  Vincent McNeill spent a few minutes Wednesday playing the game Guitar Hero on the conference room television.

“So I think when you get over here and you’re having some fun,” said McNeill, “that really helps get your juices flowing for the rest of the day.”

Troy Lott thinks striking chords strikes up creativity in his company – and will help Intake’s bottom line.  “If they’re happy, and they feel relaxed and comfortable,” he said, “I think that inspires creativity, and that’s what we’re all about.”

It’s two different philosophies – with the same result: happy employees.

That K-State professor says just like happy employees can bolster a company, unhappy employees can also bring it down.  Professor Tom Wright says unhappy employees can cost a company 6% in lost productivity.  So if you’re unhappy, and you make $50,000 a year, you’re costing your boss $3,000 for being unhappy.

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