b'Making BigThings HappenGOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TRADITIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITSSARAH FERRETTI// FOGHORNW hen searching for a new job, salary or hourly rate will likelythe amount remaining may be overlooked unless you point it out. The be one of a persons first concerns. Benefits such as a retire- surprise factor is lost and that can be a significant part of the experience. ment plan, health insurance, or paid family leave, may all be perks one considers. But not all companies are capable of offeringEmployees use accessories like belts or shoes to bring their own person-the most competitive wage or an expensive benefit package. Even ifality or style to the company uniform. With that in mind, Mike or one one can find the best of these,of the managers will arrive on theywontnecessarilymakeany old day, say a Wednesday, up for a poor work-life balanceat Bayside Market Place where or a toxic work environment.Its about staying down to earththeirboatsdock.Hellsee Instead, the smaller, every daywhosworking,perhapsits ways that a company can showand being humble and showing itthecleaningcrew,andhell employees that they are appre- interrupttheirshift,asking ciated and seen as a part of aback to the employees that are outthem to join him for a break. team,notjustworkers,canthere working hard and doing it. Hell walk them to the mall, makeaworldofdifference.down to the shoe store, and ThedeeperconnectioncanMIKE SIMPSON, PRESIDENT ISLAND QUEEN surprisethemastheyenter build loyalty among employ- CRUISES AND BISCAYNE LADY YACHT CHARTER by telling them to go pick out ees and create a positive dailyany pair of sneakers that they work experience, leading to awant. The break in the shift, more dedicated and motivatedwalking together to the store, staff. In the words of basketball coach John Wooden, Its the littleand then getting to shop, look, and try on the shoes they want is a great details that are vital. Little things make big things happen. experience for the crew and a humbling one for Mike. The looks on the faces of the crew show how excited they are. Once he pays for the shoes We spoke with a few PVA vessel members to learn about ways theyvethey head back to the ship, joking and talking about the shopping trip developed to connect with their staffs that go above and beyond wagesand the shoes they gota fun experience for everyone. Then, his day or traditional benefits.goes on and their day goes on.A NEW PAIR OF SHOESAs he notes, you hope that the staff is voicing their appreciation to PVA President Bob Bijur has often shared the story of the owner at hisother employees and managers, creating an environment where people operation surprising crew with new sneakers. Mike Simpson, ownerwant to strive for that gesture of a new pair of sneakers. Its a positive PHOTO COURTESY OF TENNESSEE RIVERBOATand operatorof Island Queen Cruises and Biscayne Lady Yacht Charterreinforcement and creates a good energy among the employees, espe-in Miami, Fla., told us more about this gesture and noted that its notcially the managers for whom life is easier when workers are motivated only the small things that show appreciation, but finding the right thingand ready to come to work. which can lead to the bigger return. As he explained, it can be easy to sit in an office and add a hundred dollars to an employees paycheck,Beyond the workday, when the person is out that evening or over the hoping they notice the bonus. However, after taxes and deductions,weekend someone may compliment them on their shoes and they get Left: The team at Tennessee Riverboat (front to back, left to right): Bailee Cheek, Evan Pratt, Trey Hudson, Trey Bridwell, TaraKate Richardson, Wesley Geren, Caryn Geren,Jeff Acres, Nedra Gray, Heather Chasteen, Shannon Troutt,Will Strohm, Fred Troutt.17 OCTOBER 2022'