Aim to have fun: Bosses find that a little lightheartedness can go a long way toward motivating their employees

Business First of Louisville - June 8, 2007

by Marilyn Clark

Business First Correspondent

Creating a family atmosphere

Last summer, when the 80 employees of Blendex Co. LLC staged their own version of "American Idol" during an annual picnic at the manufacturer's 12-acre Jeffersontown complex, the talent show and other fun antics were captured on a souvenir DVD.

"The tricycle race was the best," recalled CEO Ronald W. Pottinger. Blendex custom-blends batters, breadings, seasonings and marinades for restaurants and food marketers. Besides having fun, each member of the winning tricycle team received an extra week of paid vacation. Each of the team members who placed second won $100.

Employees are eligible to win electronic prizes during a company-wide meeting hosted by Pottinger every 90 days, he said.

And they are invited to submit suggestions for the company's annual off-site holiday event that is extended to family members.

Pottinger said the $1,100 per person, annual investment for morale-boosting and developmental programs reinforces Blendex's underlying philosophy of treating employees well, a tenet he said began when his father founded the company 30 years ago. "We're just like one big family here."