Several Muskogee businesses have developed character initiatives and have seen results, according to a media release by the Character Council of Muskogee.
Chris Condley, chief executive officer of First National Bank of Muskogee, reports employee retention has improved by nearly 50 percent since implementation of a Character First program.
The Muskogee Public Library and Muskogee Schools also recognize employees for exhibiting positive character traits and have seen increased morale.
Chuck Coker of Integrity Focus trains companies in developing a character initiative in the workplace.
“Companies hire someone because of the skills they possess,” he said. “But they always fire someone because of their lack of character.”
Barbara Pickett with Advanced Computers reports that her company has changed its hiring practicing since understanding this concept.
“We used to hire for skill, but now we hire people of good character and then train them in the skills they need for the job,” she said. “This has made a dramatic difference for our business.”
The Character Council of Muskogee, with Georgia-Pacific, will offer a Leadership and Management Training Seminar to help interested local businesses learn how to implement a character initiative among their employees. Coker will present this seminar, taking managers and human resource directors through a step-by-step process in developing a character program.
The seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 3 at the Professional Development Center, 208 W. Broadway. The cost of the seminar is $95 per person and includes all materials and a catered lunch.
Space at the seminar is limited to the first 40 respondents. To register, call Clancy Stone of Georgia-Pacific at 577-8779 or e-mail Ed Choate at edchoate@suddenlink.net.
Registration can also be mailed to the Character Council of Muskogee, 101 S. Country Club Road D7, Muskogee, OK 74403.
If you go
• WHAT: Leadership and Management Training Seminar.
• WHERE: Professional Development Center, 208 W. Broadway.
• WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 3.
• COST: $95 per person.
• INFO: Clancy Stone, 577-8779 or e-mail Ed Choate at edchoate@suddenlink.net
