September is Ethnic Foods Month, and this is certainly something that can engage all employees. Why?  Because every worker has a heritage that can be celebrated with food! (My question: Is Pizza considered an ethnic food?)

For the thrifty-at-heart, one can capitalize on September being National Coupon Month by starting a Coupon Swap.  It’s easy to do: Just set out a bowl and open it up for people to bring in coupons to contribute. What’s one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, so if you’re not crazy about 50 cents off a package of oatmeal, someone else might be.

You can even take Coupon Month to a more personal level and create coupons of your own which you give to employees:

- an hour of yard work from a gardener
- one time house cleaning from a local maid service
- a car detailing
- car washes

You know the needs of your coworkers – a little creativity can go a long way.

Self Improvement!

Since September is also National Self-Improvement Month, you could bring in a personal coach (choose between a fitness coach and an executive coach – or do both!). You should have no problem finding someone to talk to your staff for a half-hour or so on the value of self-improvement. 

Also: Encourage people to choose at least one seminar or workshop to attend …. Or to exercise more …. Or eat better.  With the year now 2/3 over, it’s probably a good time for anyone who made personal goals at the beginning of the year to review them and re-commit to success.

Finally, the last week of September is National Dog Week. If your workplace can accommodate it, it’s a great time for another “bring your dog to work” day (the official “bring your dog to work” day is in June).

Not possible? How about doing what one workplace does, and have people bring in photos of their dogs. They have several categories (cutest dog, silliest pose, best costume, etc) and all employees vote. It’s a big to-do at this particular workplace, with ribbons and special awards. Everyone gets involved.

Additional doggie activities:

- Provide a “reminder checklist” for what a dog should get during its annual check up.
- Compile a list of pet sitters / dog walkers / kennels / other dog services in the area.
- Get a local vet to come in and answer questions during a lunch hour.

You can really make a difference by inviting the Humane Society (or similar) to bring some dogs ready for adoption to your workplace, and give people the opportunity to adopt a pet.

There’s a workplace productivity payoff in doing so: Dog-friendly offices have happier, more engaged employees.

Another big plus: Dog ownership creates a common thread that ties people together. People with dogs connect about more than just work, which makes the work environment all the more cooperative and productive!

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Filed in Work, Motivation, Teambuilding, Workplace, Corporate Culture, Retention