Jody H. Wagner, Executive Director
Prospectus Berco’s Board
of Directors enthusiastically adopted a multi-year strategic plan at its
March meeting. Described by some as ambitious, this comprehensive plan
addresses key strategic issues in the areas of personnel, services,
technology, and public awareness. For this edition I want to focus on our
plan to meet the current and future employment challenges in the non-profit
world of services for people with intellectual disabilities or other special
needs.
The success of this
Corporation is dependent upon employing qualified and dedicated
professionals now and in the future. Looking forward, the number of
applicants for career oriented direct support professionals and managers
will become increasingly limited. Therefore, a top priority when drafting
this plan was the establishment of creative and effective strategies to
improve the recruitment, retention, and qualifications of employees.
Successful corporations are those in which team members recognize they are
valued and are aligned with a common goal. Strategies geared at enhancing a
corporate culture which encourages and rewards employee ideas,
contributions, and exceptional job performance are critical components of
our multi-year strategic plan. Tactics include empowering employees to
strategize quality improvement initiatives or to offer solutions to barriers
perceived as hindering growth. Training managers to foster an environment of
open-door communication through effective problem resolution and mediation
is another essential tactic.
To attract and maintain
quality personnel, we recognize that issues of recruiting methods,
compensation, and opportunities for personal and professional growth need to
be addressed. Utilizing traditional and nontraditional methods of
recruitment, our goal will be to broaden our employment pool and to make
Prospectus Berco attractive to prospective employees. In coordination with
our Personnel Committee, we will explore options for providing monetary
rewards through a performance-based pay enhancement system and for
promotional opportunities. By treating Prospectus Berco employees as our
most valuable resource by respecting their contributions, maintaining a safe
and healthy work environment, and ensuring they possess the skills and tools
to successfully perform their jobs, I believe this corporation will continue
to distinguish itself as a leader in the service delivery field for people
with intellectual disabilities or other special needs. Look for more
information on other aspects of our multi-year plan in future issues of
Developments. |
