Holidays | Connect to HR | Strategic HR Advisors & Executive Coaching

Archive for Holidays

Reflecting on 2023 and Welcoming 2024

As we bid farewell to 2023, I wanted to reconnect and share some reflections.

This year brought both challenges and growth. Regrettably, we experienced the loss of Leslie Flowers, a valued collaborator and an important part of the Connect to HR family. Leslie’s intelligence and unwavering support were invaluable. I owe much of my growth to her over our 10+ years of working together. Thank you, Leslie, for your lasting impact.

Despite challenges, there were highlights, such as supporting my small businesses and non-profit clients navigating change and dealing with tough employee relations challenges, and mentoring women through HerAllies. These experiences were rewarding. I also continued supporting Phase2Careers as a panelist.

Gratitude extends to collaborators and clients, making each day exciting. As I approach my 14th year as a business owner and consultant in 2024, I’m eager to continue supporting businesses and non-profits with HR advisory services, attracting more career coaching clients, and building collaborations with trusted consulting partners. Let’s connect in the new year via Calendly for a virtual coffee meeting!

Wishing you a Merry Holiday season and a Prosperous 2024!

Best,

Michelle Mendoza
Founder of Connect to HR, LLC

Happy Holidays from Connect to HR

Season’s greetings! It’s hard to believe that 2022 is coming to an end. The year flew by and like so many of my clients this has been a year of high’s and low’s for Connect to HR. As I reflect on the past 12 months, this has been the year of the pivot and being flexible.

Also, it’s been fun coaching, mentoring and guiding my clients as they implement new HR programs or have dealt with a lot of change in their organizations. I have really enjoyed coaching senior executives and leaders as they manage their own transitions. It’s been an honor to be a safe, confidential place for my clients to talk about what’s really going on in their organizations and to help them strategize a solution. I look forward to continuing this important work in 2023.

I want to end my final post of the year by expressing gratitude. First, I want to express my deep appreciation to my colleagues who trust me with their referrals and who are my thought partners. I am also thankful to Janine Heydrick, Linda Brink, Leslie Flowers and Jen Fery who are a part of my team. They work with me behind the scenes to deliver the best services for my clients. Additionally, this year, I joined a collective of likeminded consultants led by the amazing Lisa Duerre. The RLD Group is a collective that is helping companies culturally transform without the burnout. I look forward to engaging more deeply with the RLD community to provide my clients the best resources possible. I saved the best for last. I want to express a very special “THANK YOU” to my clients! Thank you for trusting me to be your advisor and for supporting Connect to HR with your business.

To my loyal readers, for being part of the Connect to HR community. I hope that through my blog articles I’ve been able to keep you engaged and informed. I look forward to continuing the conversation in the New Year! All my best wishes for very Merry Holidays and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2023!

Giving Thanks and a Helping Hand in the Time of COVID

Although this has been a difficult year for everyone, it has been especially difficult for families in underserved communities, who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we enter this season of giving, I ask that you consider volunteering or donating to one of the local organizations who are addressing the critical needs of these communities. Group volunteer activities are not advisable at this time, but you can volunteer individually, following the organization’s health and safety guidelines. Some organizations even have virtual volunteer opportunities. And all organizations can use donations. Here are a few suggestions.

Second Harvest Food Bank needs help packing and sorting the food it collects and provides to people in need in the community. They also need donations. Find out more here: https://www.shfb.org/give-help/volunteer/

The Family Giving Tree has volunteer opportunities in their warehouse. You must register in advance and adhere to their protocols. Find out more here: https://familygivingtree.org/

Sacred Heart needs volunteers for their holiday program to drop off turkeys, hams and other items to unhoused community members, and to work in their food pantry. Find out more here: https://sacredheartcs.org/

HandsOn Bay Area offers virtual volunteer projects in the areas of wellness calls, career readiness, education and more. Find out more here: https://www.handsonbayarea.org/virtualvolunteering

In addition to giving back to the community, it’s also important at this time of year to say “thanks” to your employees, customers and vendors.

Thank employees – some suggestions

Say “thank you” individually. Encourage managers to make the time to thank each of their team members individually for contributing to the success of the organization, and for their extra efforts during these challenging times. A personal thank you a via phone call or note is much more meaningful than a group thank you during a Zoom call.

Give a gift or cash award. Send a gift, gift card or bonus in addition to the personal thank you. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be meaningful.

Give a half-day off for shopping. Help employees avoid the weekend crowds by giving them a half-day off during the season to do some shopping.

Thank customers and vendors

Send a written thank you note. Yes, it sounds “old school,” but emails can get missed and easily deleted. Write a personal note expressing your gratitude for their business and include something specific to make it personal. It will be remembered and appreciated far more than a form letter or template.

Send a gift. Send cookies, a logo item, or some other treat to show your gratitude for their business.

Acknowledge them. Say “thank you” to your top customers and in your company newsletter, on your website, or through your social media channels.

Make a referral. Word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising, and referring someone to one of your vendors is a great way to say “thank you.”

And don’t limit saying “thank you” to just this season. Make your employees, customers and vendors feel appreciated every day. It’s a small investment with a very big return.

Thank you! For following my blog and providing your comments and feedback!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Holidays from Connect to HR

Season’s Greetings from me and my team at Connect to HR. It’s hard to believe that another year and decade are coming to an end. 2019 has been an incredibly exciting year! I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing clients as an executive coach. I’ve been fortunate to help many of them grow professionally and stretch themselves in new and exciting ways. The results are more engaged and motivated leaders, which in turn benefits the organizations they serve and inspires the employees who work with them.

In addition, I continue to provide HR advising work to organizations. Several clients who have experienced tremendous growth and change over the past 3 to 5 years have called upon me to help strategize the next phase in their company’s development. In some cases, it’s to develop a succession plan to eventually hand off their organization to the next generation of leaders as they take on more strategic roles. The best compliment I was given this year is when a client said, “You are my business advisor, not just an HR consultant.”

2020 is the dawn of a new decade and also a celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the founding of Connect to HR. Ten years ago, I had the idea to start this business. I’m excited that Connect to HR has flourished and continues to evolve and change to better serve all of my incredible clients. I’m so grateful to all the clients who have partnered with me over the past 10 years. Many of them are now good friends and associates.

A village has supported me throughout the years. I’m thankful for my team, which consists of Project Management Specialist (Janine, Linda and Lillian), Leslie Flowers, Jen Fery, and Colleen Lopez who have partnered with Connect to HR over the years in accounting, marketing, and administrative support. Also, I have an amazing community of colleagues who serve as my unofficial board of directors. I appreciate your being my sounding board and encouraging me. Thank you for trusting Connect to HR with your referrals.

I want to specifically recognize several special colleagues: the BABS, Affogato HR Consulting, the 415-408 club, Kristi Mack, my former BNI group and my colleagues from PICA (Susan Nelson, Jane Hintz and Liz Steblay). Additionally, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors over the last decade who helped guide me and my business. Thank you to Silvia Johnson, Lisa Duerre, Bill Baren, Patrick Dominguez, Bill Silverman and Scott Bowman. You have inspired me to make this endeavor a successful business. Most importantly, my family has been my support system through the good times and the low times. I am thankful for the love and encouragement that my husband, son, parents and sister give me every day.

I’m excited for what the future holds. I see many exciting opportunities for Connect to HR and my clients. Cheers to a new decade! Wishing you continued success in 2020.

Michelle Mendoza and the Connect to HR team

P.S. Also, I’d love to hear from you and catch up in the New Year. Let’s grab a lunch or coffee (even if it’s by phone) and connect.

Happy Holidays from Connect to HR

Season’s greetings! It’s hard to believe that another year is coming to an end. This has been a very busy and exciting year for Connect to HR. It’s been fun coaching, mentoring and guiding my clients as they implement new HR programs or deal with a lot of change in their organizations. Also, I have really enjoyed coaching senior executives and leaders. It’s been an honor to be a safe, confidential place for my clients to talk about what’s really going on in their organizations and to help them strategize a solution. I look forward to continuing this important work in the New Year.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to you, my loyal readers, for being part of the Connect to HR community. I hope that through my blog articles I’ve been able to keep you engaged and informed. I look forward to continuing the conversation in 2019!

All my best wishes for very Merry Holidays and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Happy Holidays from Connect to HR

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are here already, and that 2018 is just around the corner! I hope that you will have a warm and wonderful holiday season with family and friends, and that the New Year will bring you happiness and success.

In this season of giving, I also hope that you will remember those who are less fortunate by making a donation or volunteering your time for one of the many organizations who serve those in need. This year has been a particularly difficult one for many. Here are some ideas.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to you, my loyal readers, for being part of the Connect to HR community. I hope that through my blog articles I’ve been able to keep you engaged and informed. I appreciate your comments, and I look forward to continuing the conversation in 2018!

All my best wishes for very Merry Holidays and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Remember to Thank Your Employees

The last month of the year can often get so busy with wrapping things up for one year and preparing for the next that we forget a very important activity – saying “Thank You” to employees.

Before you take off for the holidays, be sure you show your appreciation for the work that your employees have done in 2016. Recap the successes, share lessons learned, and tell them your hopes and plans for the New Year. Let them know how important they were in the organization’s accomplishments this year, and how you are relying on them for continued success next year.

Many companies have gone through changes this year – big and small, planned or unexpected. As you thank employees – both in group settings and individually – keep your message positive. Here are some ideas for showing your appreciation.

Say “thank you” in person. Encourage managers to make the time to walk around and thank each person on their team for contributing to the success of the organization. A personal thank you is much more meaningful than an email or a thank you during an “all hands” meeting.

Give a gift or cash award. Include a gift, cash or gift card with the personal thank you. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be meaningful.

Take your team to lunch. Have each manager take their team out to lunch to celebrate the holidays and say “thank you.”

And now I would like to thank you for following my blog, and for providing your comments and feedback!

My best wishes for very Happy Holidays and a Successful 2017!

Supporting Our Communities

As you gather with friends, family and colleagues this holiday season, please remember those in your community who are less fortunate. This can be an especially difficult time of year for them.

Giving back is not only a socially responsible thing to do, it also has many intrinsic benefits for you, your company and your employees.

You feel better about yourself!
Your company will benefit by demonstrating that it cares about the community, which helps attract customers and employees. And,
Your employees will have the opportunity to bond (and feel better about themselves) when you encourage them to volunteer their time or their money to a team selected cause.

There are many local charitable organizations that rely on donations and the help of volunteers to continue to serve their respective constituents. Here are a few:

Second Harvest Food Bank needs help packing and sorting the food it collects and provides to people in need in the community. This makes a great team event. Your employees may also want to help with food distribution.

The Family Giving Tree offers several opportunities for group volunteering: Off-season product sorting; wish card sorting/collateral prep; and volunteering in the warehouse.

Cityteam needs frozen turkeys and canned nonperishable food items to help to make a difference in the lives of men, women, and children struggling with homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Donations can be dropped off 9am-4pm Tuesdays-Saturdays at Cityteam’s Community Services Program, 1297 North 13th St., San Jose.

You can find more opportunities for giving in this San Jose Mercury News article.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 29 is Giving Tuesday. Please consider giving to your favorite charity.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill