Faces of Escoe Bliss

Who are we and what makes us tick? We'll take a brief look into a member of our team. Get to know who they are, how they got here, and why they are such a vital part of our team.

We are pleased to introduce Regina Gormanly.

Escoe Bliss Role/Title: Administrative Associate
Tenure with Escoe Bliss: Joined Escoe Bliss in January 2009
Experience: Several years in administrative and executive support roles.
Education: Bachelors degree with a major in psychology from Siena College, Loudonville, NY
Responsibilities: Coordinate and compose content for social media strategies, maintain contact database, provide support for the company president and vice president, and assist with organization of company events and campaigns.

Enjoy Regina's Q & A below:

Q: What is your favorite travel destination? Why?
A: Montauk, NY. Throughout my childhood we would travel there every summer. I haven’t been back in quite a few years, but to me Montauk will always define summer and a carefree attitude.

Q: What movie have you gone to the theaters to see most recently? Was it worth the trip?
A: The Way. Yes! It was an inspiring, fun movie about individuals learning about life and themselves along a pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Before the movie was over I was trying to figure out when there would be a good opportunity in my life to make this same pilgrimage. I love movies that do more than just entertain. I was inspired when I left the theater and in my book that is time well spent.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
A: Coffee Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz – Ben & Jerry’s

Q: What is your motto?
A: “I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to the future generations.” – George Bernard Shaw

Q: How many pets do you have? Tell us about them.
A: Two. Guinness and Bass are sisters and they are my six-year-old black and tan lab/shepherd mixes. At about ten-weeks-old they were abandoned during a cold November in Indianapolis, Indiana (where I once lived). Upon seeing their furry little bodies next to the street I pulled my car over, picked them up, and brought them home. I may have saved them that day, but they have saved me countless times since with their unconditional love and loyalty. They are my furry babies and hold a very special place in my heart.

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I eat, pray, love, and run. The loves of my life are enjoying good food, building my spirituality, keeping in touch with friends and family, and getting a nice dose of natural endorphins from an outdoor run on a beautiful day. I like to keep it simple.

Q: Hypothetically, you are a famous Hollywood actress who can be the spokesperson for any charity. Which charity would you choose and why?
A: Such a hard question! As an alumna of Team in Training, I would have to stay true to my roots with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Their organization has done so much to help individuals and families that battle cancer. They provide support, educational resources, and substantial funds towards research for treatments in hopes of bringing us closer to a cure. It’s an inspiring group to be a member of and it truly brings out the best in people.

Q: You've suddenly been given access to a time machine. Where and when would you travel to?
A: Assuming I could take multiple trips, I’d love to travel back in time and hang out with my parents and grandparents when they were young adults in their early twenties. It would be interesting to discover first hand who they were before they had families and children.

Connect with Regina on Linkedin and Facebook.

The HOW Question - Your most potent motivator

Employee motivation. It’s the number one problem on the minds of most managers. When I worked as an underwater salvage master, the job of motivating the team typically fell on my shoulders. I’ve tried everything from a bullwhip and cattle prod to throwing fists-full of hundred dollar bills at people. Asking the HOW question has proven to be the most potent motivator I’ve found. As a problem solver and trainer, I’ve taught this tool to hundreds of managers who have used it with outstanding success.
Before we get into what works, let’s talk about what doesn’t. Money is the least powerful motivator. When you give an employee a raise, will he or she magically become motivated to work harder? NO! Human nature dictates that money motivates employee behavior only in advance of the raise or bonus. The employee works hard to earn the extra money, but once it’s been absorbed into their budget, the raise has little or no ongoing motivating effect.
In survey after survey the most potent motivator has been interesting work. One of the best ways to make work interesting for the typical employee is for them to have input into HOW the work is done. Do you often get an eye-roll or some other form of push-back when you tell an employee how to do a job? What do you think their response would be if you asked them HOW they can do it the fastest or safest, with the best result?

When you ask someone the HOW question, several attitudinal changes happen:
1. The employee is given a morale boost - they’re honored that you asked their opinion. You may not always agree with them, and you may not use their idea, but they’ll always feel valued that you asked.
2. The next change is that employee gets to think about the best way to do a job. He takes into consideration parts of the job you may not have thought of. And who better to think through all the intricacies of performing a job than the one who is hands-on and has a working knowledge of the problems involved? Typically they’ll find the fastest and easiest way to do the job, which is often the least expensive.
3. Once you approve their method, the person owns not only the method - they own the results. It’s called buy-in. You haven’t dictated to them about how to do the job. They came up with it themselves. They now own the method and the outcome.
4. When an employee is asked HOW to perform a job and you approve of their method, do you think they’ll work harder to make it work than if you just dictated the method you thought up? I guarantee it! The reason is because the employee now has a stake in the outcome and they’ll bust their fanny to succeed.
Asking the HOW question is a proven long-term motivational tool. If you’ll learn it and use it every time you have a chance, you’ll build a motivated team of powerful, creative employees who will take your organization to the next level. I promise!

Guest blogger, Bob Walker provides organizations with immediate practical solutions to management and team problems that involve Communication, Conflict, and Ineffective Performance.

© 2009 Bob Walker
Sink or Swim Problem Solving

Welcome the newest member of the Escoe Bliss family

Escoe Bliss is known for its Talented People. Exceptional Service. on the inside and out. Today we would like to introduce you to one of our talented people on the inside, Julie Gritzmacher. Julie is a stellar addition to our team and is a perfect example of our branding in every way. Julie's responsibilities include, processing A/P and A/R, support on all administrative functions, and ensuring that office operations run efficiently and smoothly. We are proud to call her family and hope you will have an opportunity to speak with her or meet her soon. Enjoy her Q&A below.


Escoe Bliss Role/Title: Accounting Clerk/Office Assistant
Experience: 3 years experience as an Accountant and Office Manager
Education: Currently working towards my Business Degree in Accounting

Q: What book are you currently reading and why?
A: “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman because it is one of my favorite books and one of my favorite authors

Q: What is your motto?
A: It’s cliché but: Treat others as you would like to be treated

Q: If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
A: Douglas Adams because he was such a strange and creative person and I think he would make for very interesting dinner conversation

Q: Fill in the blank.
A: If life were like high school, I would be voted most likely to be found hiding with a good book somewhere.

Q: How many pets do you have? Tell us about them.
A: I have a dog named Jack, a 2 year old Terrier mix I rescued from the San Clemente shelter last year. He is very sweet and energetic and has a big personality!

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: I have been teaching myself to read music and play the piano for about a year now; I don’t know if it’s my greatest accomplishment, but it is the one I’m most proud of right now

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I love to read, watch movies, play with my dog and spend time with my friends

Q: What super-power would you most like to have, and why?
A: I would want Wonder Woman’s powers… because she is awesome!
Q: When are you the happiest?
A: When I’m spending time with my friends and family

Q: What are your favorite foods
A: Pasta, thai food, and french fries (my biggest weakness)

Feel free to welcome Julie with an email at jgritzmacher@escoebliss.com.