The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/235533
Making It happen ated a new section in Fuel Oil News — Making it Happen. We see this section as an opportunity for our readers to give their key employees some much-needed recognition for the outstanding jobs they do day in and day out. No doubt you give them plenty of accolades on your own, but why not take this opportunity to share that appreciation? And, sharing that appreciation will bring you back rewards in return. Studies have consistently shown that a key component of employee happiness is not necessarily the salary the employee is paid, but the fact that the employer appreciates and acknowledges what that employee brings to the business. Also, this helps establish, by example, the standard that you expect from your other employees. 50 JANUARY 2014 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com How to Make It Happen The process for rewarding a hard-working employee with some much-appreciated extra attention starts off simply: Just shoot me a quick email at kreid@specialtyim.com and briefly describe in 300 words or so why the employee you are nominating is worth the recognition. We are looking for people that, in your opinion, are exceptional. Describe how they are not just a good employee but a great employee. Describe specific events that really stand out, or a pattern of tireless work and dedication. Obviously, we expect a strong response from our readers so it will likely be difficult to highlight every employee recommendation that comes our way (though we may explore ways to facilitate this more fully in the future). However, we will do our best to give them the attention they deserve in as timely a manner as possible. And, you can certainly let that employee know he or she has been nominated. Once a nominee is selected we will give you a call to talk a little bit about that employee and then we would like to talk the employee directly so that he or she can share the motivations that drive the excellence. So please, as we start off 2014, be sure to let me know who is really helping "make it happen" for your organization. Keith Reid Editor Fuel Oil News Image above ©istockphoto.com/gmnicholas A successful business can seldom thrive exclusively through one individual. The owner or senior manager might be the driving force behind that company's success. However, any leader has to rely on competent and dedicated associates within the organization to translate the dream and possibilities into success in the marketplace. It's the middle of a holiday weekend and a customer is without heat. Your most reliable technician gets up from the holiday table, gets into the cold service vehicle then drives away from his or her family to make one of your customers happy. The snow is coming down in sheets of white almost as dense as fog. Your driver has been navigating slippery roads with knuckles white on the wheel for what has been a very long day. Yet every delivery has been made and the truck has been brought home safe and sound — just as you knew it would be. Times are tight and your customers are having as hard a time of it is anybody else in the country. Yet you know your cash flow is stable because the person responsible for accounts receivable is not only excellent at bringing in the money, but equally adept at maintaining those longstanding customer relationships. These are just some examples of the role the team plays in the success, and specifically what key players on that team bring to the table. With that in mind, we have cre-