THE “NO-VACATION NATION” IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL PART II

Back in May of 2014, I had written a blog post on how Americans, as well as many others, don’t do very well with Paid Time Off (PTO) or vacation. We rarely take all the time we have legally, and morally, available to us, and when we do take a vacation; we spend time during the time off doing work: answering text message, e-mails, or phone calls from the boss. Are we doing better? Have the influx of millennials into the workspace helped to reorient older workers to “chill out?” The answer is, not really!!

The data I cited back in 2014 recounted that the United States was the only “rich” country to not guarantee their work force time off, and only 51% of Americans take all the time off coming to them, and 61% admit doing some work while on vacation.

The impetus for updating that data comes from the release earlier this month of a report from Project: Time Off – The State of American Vacation: How Vacation Became a Casualty of Our Work Culture. Their findings suggest we are doing a little better. Previous results showed that US workers had a steadily declining vacation usage to 16.0 days per year (an average WEEK less per year than the average between 1978-2000). But the latest data shows a slight uptick to 16.2 days!!

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We are doing worse in that now 55% of us do not take all of our vacation (versus 51% in 2014) which lead to 658 million unused days, 222 million of which were lost (couldn’t be carried over). That works out to an average of almost two full days per worker. Which means, in essence volunteering to give employers free work days and forfeited benefits! Project: Time Off then extrapolated the lost economic potential/spending impact on the U.S. economy . . . $223,000,000,000!!

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So What’s Stopping Us from Taking Our Paid Time Off?

There are many factors stated in this study and in others why we don’t take the time off we are legally and morally entitled to, including: 1) returning to a pile of work, 2) feeling no one else can do our job, 3) I can’t afford a vacation, and 4) fearing it will show I can be replaced. And management has some ownership in these results and feelings. Many state that it is harder to take time off the higher up you are in a company (28%), and that employees want to show complete dedication to their company and job (22%). And at the same time it was reported that 80% of employees said if they felt fully supported by their boss, they would be more likely to take more time off.

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So What Can We Do?

Here are five simple ways to encourage, and improve your ability/willingness to take paid time off:

PLAN to take time off. 51% of people who plan their time off take all of their vacation vs. 39% for non-planners.
REALIZE your job will be there when you return and others can take part of your responsibilities while you are out (they might even figure out a way to do something better which you can use when you come back).

And if you are a manager:

DISCUSS taking time off with your employees more than at the annual review time.
SET moratoriums, or at least set rules on e-mail, phone calls, and office work while off (maybe ½ hour per day for all calls and e-mail).
LEAD by example. If you don’t take time off your employees may be reluctant to do so also.

As we head into the last month of the traditional vacation season try and make time for yourself, your family, and help the economy by taking some time off.

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PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2024 IN CORPORATE OFFICE INTERIOR DESIGN

By Jeff Klump • 20 Dec, 2023

In the dynamic world of corporate office interiors, staying ahead of design trends is crucial to creating spaces that not only inspire productivity but also reflect the latest aesthetic sensibilities. As a firm specializing in corporate office design, K4 embraces Pantone's Color of the Year for 2024 - Peach Fuzz. This warm and inviting hue offers a fresh perspective on creating contemporary workspaces that balance sophistication and comfort and an opportunity to infuse sophistication, and a touch of modernity into the corporate design landscape. Peach Fuzz, a delicate and nuanced shade blending peach and blush, brings a sense of tranquility and optimism to any space. When incorporated into corporate office interiors, this color has the power to redefine the atmosphere, promoting a positive and collaborative environment. K4 is committed to enhancing the workplace experience, and we recognize the significance of color in influencing mood and productivity.

FACILITY DESIGN FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

By Jeff Klump • 07 Nov, 2023

In the dynamic landscape of community banking, where the strength of relationships is paramount, the role of design extends beyond aesthetics—it becomes a strategic catalyst for talent acquisition and retention. In an era where attracting and retaining top talent is pivotal for organizational success, the significance of an intentionally designed workspace cannot be overstated. In this article, we delve into how strategic design decisions can not only enhance the physical environment but also foster a culture of engagement, innovation, and long-term commitment among employees, contributing to relationship building and the overall prosperity of community banks. Join K4 on this journey through the intersection of design and community banking, where the blueprint for success lies in the spaces we create for those who make our banks the heart of the community.

THE JOURNEY TO BRAND CONSISTENCY: PART II UNIFYING PHYSICAL & DIGITAL MARKETING ASSETS IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY

By Nicole DeRogatis • 07 Nov, 2023

In the previously published Journey to Brand Consistency: Part I, K4 addressed Facilities, Marketing & People as the three pieces that comprise the Financial Success Puzzle for community banks. This article examines one level deeper in unifying physical and digital marketing assets within the Financial Success Puzzle, and the importance of creating a harmonious and powerful brand identity across all platforms. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving community banking industry, maintaining a strong and recognizable brand presence is vital for success. As a full-service design and branding firm working closely with community banks, we have witnessed the transformative power of consistent marketing assets in bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms. By solidifying the customer experience across all touchpoints, banking institutions can establish a stronger emotional connection with their customers and create a lasting impact on their success. Investing in brand consistency is not only a strategic move but also a reflection of a bank's commitment to their own stability and future growth.

THE JOURNEY TO BRAND CONSISTENCY: HOW FACILITIES, MARKETING & PEOPLE CREATE THE FINANCIAL SUCCESS PUZZLE

By Jeff Klump • 07 Nov, 2023

Now more than ever, brand consistency is of utmost importance to financial institutions. Creating brand consistency goes a long way in building brand trust, increasing customer/employee/community loyalty, and impacting your bottom line. Why is there so much brand inconsistency in the community banking landscape? Because being brand consistent requires change and commitment, and it can be tedious and expensive. Taking the first step is often overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you update first? These are excellent questions, but there are other important questions to consider. What is the cost of NOT getting brand consistent or what is the cost or potential loss of creating brand confusion? Inconsistencies are costing your bank time and money. Not practicing brand consistency will cost you significant consequences to customer experience, brand reputation, and overall loss of trust – all of which can impact your bottom line. Conflicting brand usage accounts for a damage to brand credibility, making it harder to compete in the market. As K4 gets ready to hit the road in 2023, presenting at various community banking conferences on this topic, we thought it was important to preamble this timely subject of the Financial Success Puzzle. At K4, we define the Financial Success Puzzle as a 3-piece formula to creating and maintaining brand consistency for community banks. This formula is simply the act of connecting people to place and connecting brand identity to place. Many retailers have capitalized on this concept for years. Your branch facilities, marketing & people MUST work together to create stability and not only that…they must be triplets, not just siblings. They can’t just resemble one another; they need to be nearly identical in their delivery.

MAKING ROOM FOR THE COMMUNITY

By Jeff Klump • 08 Dec, 2022

For decades, small town business districts across America have featured a strong physical presence from a local bank perspective. Near the courthouse or city hall, these buildings are often identified by their traditional columns and prominent facades of brick or stone. Not only do these structures help establish the fabric of the streetscape; they often contribute to defining the social framework of the residing individuals and neighborhoods, supporting the hopes and dreams of generations. Community banks need to continue to reinforce their presence and values to those individuals and businesses in the geographic areas they serve. Making your bank’s physical appearance memorable, builds brand awareness and offers an opportunity to reinforce the benefits of banking locally which includes working with trusted friends and neighbors. Many community banks are exploring ways to create community space by revitalizing main offices and branch experiences while positioning themselves as a valuable and integral local resource.

SAME RETAIL BRANCH, DIFFERENT CUP OF JOE? THINK AGAIN!

By Jeff Klump • 07 Nov, 2022

Let’s first explore how the definition of the coffee shop has evolved…from simply being a beverage offered at a restaurant to an actual stand-alone destination, service and experience that provides and encourages co-working space, meeting opportunities, and community gathering.