Staff Matters by Bonnie Low-Kramen

“I have just re-read the book. Staff Matters is the basis for evaluating potential employers and their company cultures for my next opportunity.” Elaine Holmquist, Chicago

??Staff Matters, People-Focused Solutions for the Ultimate New Workplace, took 7 years to write. It brings to together the stories and wisdom from leaders, assistants, HR professionals, recruiters, and business school professors. These stories are in their words, allowing us to walk in their shoes, at least for a few minutes.

The premise of the book is that there are aspects of our workplace that are broken. No single group can fix what’s broken alone. We need each other more than ever. The stories and case studies show the way towards an ultimate workplace – or as close as we can get.

Staff Matters is intended to be a tool, a catalyst for meaningful conversations between staff to address real-life challenges. I am happy to report that is happening.

?? The book has 21 chapters. Here is what you can expect in the first 4, plus the Foreword.

??FOREWORD by Melba J. Duncan , President of the Duncan Group, New York City

“Staff Matters is a book that exposes the “elephants in the room” in management breakdowns and inspires us not only to examine but to change the thinking, language, and social structure rooted in

the deeply embedded inequities that characterize today’s workplace. Bonnie offers a clear prescription for addressing these inequities, reminding us along the way not to let a temporary solution become a permanent mistake, and that inaction is complicity.”

??Chapter One EMPATHY

“Being in a wheelchair for five weeks taught me a lot of empathy for those with mobility challenges as part of their everyday life. I got to experience ableism up close and personal and, frankly, it felt terrible. I broke my leg in 2014, and my recovery coincided with a trip from New Jersey to Los Angeles to teach Be the Ultimate Assistant. Navigating airports, cars, hilly streets, hotel showers, and restaurants taught me unforgettable lessons about how the world views people in wheelchairs. I was invisible to most and a bother to others.”

??Chapter Two SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSION

"An ultimate workplace is one that is prepared for turnover, from the CEO on down. An employee’s most important legacy can be the materials they leave behind in an orderly and clear fashion. This prevents the knowledge they hold from walking out the door when the staffer does. "

??Chapter Three PANDEMIC IMPACT

“The hospitality industry was hit especially hard and company leaders began stepping up in a big way. Chris Nassetta, CEO of Hilton Hotels, reduced his salary to zero. He read about how the frontline workers did not want to risk infecting their families by going home. He decided to be part of the solution by partnering with the CEO of American Express, Stephen Squeri, to share the cost of providing one million hotel rooms to frontline workers for free.”

??Chapter Four ASK FIRST

“The problem is that staff are not being asked before new procedures are implemented and become the new reality. This is not only shortsighted but can be seen as disrespectful, causing deep frustration and resentment that preoccupies staff and eats precious time, energy, productivity, and money. I see the defeated looks on staffers’ faces when they say, “Nobody asked me.” When disregarded, they often wonder why they are even there in the first place.”

Staff Matters is great holiday gift. To buy your softcover, e-book or audio copies, click on this link. https://amzn.to/3Z1k5IN

Thank you in advance for writing a review!? I would love to speak at your book club event, in person or virtually, contact [email protected]