Marketplace Chaplains Reaches New Milestone with 500th Client Company

Marketplace Chaplains, a fast-growing innovative strategic initiative now in 4 foreign countries, reached another significant milestone in its 28-year history with the recent addition of its 500^th client company.

Ticomix, a provider of GoldMine CRM and HEAT software and services, headquartered outside of Rockford, Illinois, recently became the 500^th company to employ Marketplace Chaplains as part of its employee benefit package.

The unique Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is currently serving in 44 states, 895 cities and in 2,602 client service locations in North America, Puerto Rico and the U.K.

“While numbers themselves are unimportant, the number of people helped by our professional and dedicated Chaplains is truly significant,” said Marketplace Chaplains’ Founder and Chairman Gil A. Stricklin.

Marketplace Chaplains currently employs more than 2,600 Chaplains who care for approximately half a million employees and their family members.

The growth of this unique service provider, which began in 1984 with three companies and a single Chaplain, has greatly accelerated over the last five years.

“We are filling a unique niche in the business world and in ministry by constantly caring for others with compassion, helping the hurting men and women of America’s growing workforce,” said President & COO Richard S. De Witt.

North Dallas Bank & Trust Company (NDB) is the longest-standing, active client company with Marketplace. While NDB Chairman Mike Shipman deals with numbers and figures every day, he said the milestone was an important one.

“It’s quite an achievement,” said Shipman. “We’re proud to be the second company ever to sign with Marketplace Chaplains.  We have been loyal and consistent participants, but it must have been a good business model or it wouldn’t have survived over time.”

There are 23 different industry types being served by Marketplace Chaplains, from Fortune 500 companies to small, family-owned businesses.

Banks and other financial institutions are the largest category of businesses that utilize the services of Marketplace Chaplains, followed by auto dealerships.

A recent McKinsey&Company national study found that employees working for companies who tend to their employees’ needs are less fearful, less likely to compromise their values and more able to throw themselves into their work.

One Marketplace Chaplains’ client company, Austaco Ltd., the sixth-largest Pizza Hut and Taco Bell franchisee in the U.S., cut its annual turnover rate from 300% to 125% after hiring this Corporate Chaplaincy Service.  In addition, it was named one of five elite franchises, by Taco Bell’s Corporate Office in Irvine, California.

 

 

Out-of-the-Box Thinking HR Professionals Find a Unique Service

Improving economic times after a bruising couple of years has caused several HR managers to take a new look at concepts they once dismissed, including the growing trend of chaplains in the workplace.

That’s exactly what Janis K. Sanders Human Resources Manager at privately held, multi-state, Hilcorp Energy Company, found when she heard about Marketplace Chaplains, a national and international company which now serves in 44 states, and 4 foreign countries and 1 commonwealth.

While initially skeptical, Sanders has found the program to work excellently in her company as a strategic initiative to help with the vast array of employees’ problems which can slow down any business.

“When the owner handed me the information packet on Marketplace Chaplains, my ‘HR’ red flags began waving and I was very cautious. I thought it’s probably a good idea, but we can’t do it here. As I reviewed the information, which answered my many questions, I found out it wasn’t what I thought it was.  We implemented the program and have seen amazing results ever since,” said Sanders.

Mary McCallum, Director of Human Resources for Dallas-based Venture Mechanical, Inc., said originally having Marketplace Chaplains at her company was considered out-of-the-box thinking, but it has proven to be the absolute right decision for her employees and their family members.

“As an HR manager you are always skeptical, always looking out for potential risk, but since we began this program we have had nothing but positive feedback and praise from our employees, thanking us for having something like this,” said McCallum.  A Roper Poll recently showed that 87% of employees would work harder if their company was willing to help them with their personal problems.

“I think this is one of the out-of-the-box trends you will begin to see more and more of in our industry.  Like many HR managers, a lot of people come to my office with problems and it’s enjoyable to be able to tell them we have a resource for you,” added McCallum.  After serving companies for 28 years, Marketplace has observed that only 20% of the staff would ever go to the HR department or company leadership with their problems.

Dr. John Sullivan, an HR hiring expert and regular contributor to the prestigious ERE.net employee retention website, recently predicted two of the growing trends for HR professionals in 2012 would be intense hiring competition in selected areas, and that retention areas would increase dramatically.

Adding a Marketplace Chaplain Care Team can and has been the differentiating factor in attracting top talent as evidenced in a David Weekley Homes’ Employee Satisfaction Survey.  (David Weekley Homes [DWH], a long-time client of Marketplace Chaplains).

A DWH employee said, “Just the existence of a chaplain at DWH helps to set the tone for the level of integrity and morals expected from its employees.  It was one of those items that really attracted me to Weekley because it showed me that Weekley has a vested interest in my overall well-being, not just in what I can do for them!”

“Almost every survey shows that despite high engagement scores, more than a majority of employees are willing to quit their current job as soon as a better opportunity comes along,”  Sullivan also noted in his column.

The Department of Labor reports that 45% of all employees would voluntarily leave their current job if they felt more valued elsewhere.  In addition, the report also shows that out-of-the-box thinking by HR managers and companies is key to retaining good employees.

“Rather than the traditional, ‘one size fits all,’ retention strategy, a targeted personalized approach will be required if you expect to have a reasonable chance to retain your top talent,” Sullivan wrote in the January 2012 ERE.net issue.

Sanders, who recently helped expand the Marketplace Chaplains service to new Hilcorp properties in Alaska, said the proof of the employee assistance program success was in the long tenure. “Here we are 10 years later, and I think it’s exciting to offer a benefit like this to our employees.”

Quick service company Austaco, Ltd. (a franchise of Taco Bell Corporation), was facing an employee turnover rate of nearly 300% before employing Marketplace Chaplains to serve their food locations in South and Central Texas. Since then, the turnover rate has dramatically been cut by 50% and Austaco, Ltd. has received awards as one of five elite franchises by Taco Bell Corporation.

Marketplace Chaplains, voluntary, confidential, service currently employs 2,629 male and female chaplains, serving in nearly 500 companies and 2,600 client company locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

“As an HR professional, I’m glad to say we have someone here for you. I’ve been in classes and seminars and heard people say it would never work, but it’s worked out great here,” said Venture’s McCallum.

 

U.S. Lumber Companies Use Marketplace Chaplains in Stressful, Uncertain Times

While the U.S. lumber industry is still recovering from a bruising couple of economic years, four innovative American hardwood companies are using the unique strategic service of Marketplace Chaplains to help their employees and family members in this high stress profession.

Recently, logging news stories have reported slow and steady growth for lumber company profits in 2012, with a close eye on an uncertain economic future. But veteran industry leaders realize employee problems are ongoing and unaffected by the economy, and using Marketplace Chaplains has proven an excellent management resource and beneficial tool to the company’s bottom line.

“I learned of Marketplace Chaplains through a good friend, Galen Weaber of Weaber Inc. Pennsylvania. I can truly say it has been one of the most rewarding ‘finds’ in my corporate career,” said Jonathan Martin, Chairman & CEO of RoyOMartin, based in Alexandria, Louisiana.

“In 2002 – 2003 RoyOMartin lumber company embarked on a vision to be the employer of choice in Central Louisiana, and Marketplace Chaplains was a huge part of that. People are blown away when they see we have a staffed chaplain’s office.”

“In every facility, the chaplains interact with every one of our 1,200 employees on a weekly basis.  Our chaplains, under the leadership of Chaplains Ron and Debbie Perry, have held numerous prayer sessions, weddings and funerals.”

Other national lumber companies which use the services of Dallas-based Marketplace Chaplains are Frank Miller Lumber in Union City, Indiana, and Ballie Lumber based in Hamburg, New York.

“If we don’t have Marketplace Chaplains, then we can’t say we did everything we could to help people,” said Dan Hackett, President & CEO of Frank Miller Lumber. “That’s what we want to do.”

“They (Marketplace Chaplains) did such a good job of explaining the program and when we had a crisis, they were there to help. Now it’s something that they all want to use,” Frank Miller Lumber Chairman Martha Mathias added.

Together, the 4 companies have more than 2,000 employees in the stressful and sometimes dangerous business. Having an on-site chaplain service has been a key for the company executives looking for greater growth and employee security, the leaders said.

“Having a third party as our spiritual executive VP has been a godsend in keeping us as a family enterprise that is well respected in every community we operate in,” Martin said.

“It’s very evident that these companies are committed to the total well-being of their employees,” Ridgeway said.

 

Marketplace Chaplains Expands Employee Care to Alaska

Innovative corporate strategic provider Marketplace Chaplains has expanded into Alaska with its unique corporate care and concern service to several companies.

Alaska, known by many local residents as the “Last Frontier,” is the 44^th state which Marketplace Chaplains has brought their service to, including companies like Hilcorp Energy Company, which has multiple locations there, along with the U.S. mainland.

Hilcorp employees love the Chaplains. They look forward to seeing them and know if they need someone to talk to about anything they can always contact a Chaplain.  When we told the Alaskan employees about the Chaplain program they were very excited. They started asking right away when we would have them in place.  I think it’s very exciting to be able to offer such an amazing benefit to our employees,” said Janis K. Sanders Human Resources Manager at Hilcorp Energy.

Recently, Marketplace Chaplains recruited a half dozen male and female, ethnically diverse chaplains and conducted start-up meeting a various HilCorp facilities.

“We have found individuals need to have care and concern everywhere and we are thrilled to be able to provide them now to Alaskan companies,” Marketplace Chaplains’ executive Brian Horner, who recently returned from a week long client start-up and chaplain training visit, said.

“Having this service ensures me the company is genuinely concerned for my personal well-being.   The Marketplace Chaplains are a welcome yet unexpected reminder that there are still folks in the world that care and are willing to listen.  Just a couple minutes out of someone’s busy day can often make all the difference,” added Lori Nelson Director of External Affairs, Hilcorp Energy Alaska.

 

Overall Customer Satisfaction in Auto Dealerships Linked to Employee Loyalty

With a Corporate Business Council (CBC) study showing that customer satisfaction is often driven by employee loyalty to the company, automotive dealers around the country have found that Marketplace Chaplains are a unique and innovative strategy that helps them achieve this elusive goal.

Michael Matetich, who runs a large, family-owned auto dealership in the Dallas area, Jupiter Chevrolet, says having  Marketplace Chaplains in his dealership has been an excellent management resource in his executive’s tool box to help his employees.

“In the beginning, our dealership and employees were always worrying about their jobs, not making enough money and didn’t really like the job environment,” he said. “That’s certainly something that could carry over to our customers and in turn hurt our income and overall customer experience.”

In the last eight years, Marketplace Chaplains have worked with Jupiter’s hundreds of employees and their family members, with the change in employee satisfaction and customer loyalty being measurable.

“Now, they are more about asking for advice on personal matters on things which matter to them,” he added. “They like working here more because of the family atmosphere and they know we care. That carries over as well to the customers,” said Matetich.

Roger Burdick’s, Driver’s Village massive dealership covers dozens of acres of land outside of Syracuse, New York, which means his 300-plus employees carry with them acres personal problems as well.

“Thank God for Marketplace Chaplains,” Burdick said. “I could not possibly do what they do in helping all of our employees. They make a significant impact in the emotional life of my employees, drawing us together as a family.”

CBC study organizers said there is a clear link between employee and customer satisfaction. “Employee satisfaction leads to added value and service which produces customer satisfaction.

“When internal customers (employees) are happy, they treat external customers well. Customers will keep coming back for more. This grows the relationship and leads to customer loyalty,” said Richard Federico, Vice President and National Work-Life Practice Leader at The Segal Company in “Survey Links Work-Life Programs to Employee Performance.”

Price Waterhouse Coopers reported in April of 2002 that 47 percent of surveyed executives from multi-national companies cite employee satisfaction and decreased turnover as major contributors to long-term shareholder return.

Ray Huffines, a multi-generational, multi-location North Texas car dealership owner-operator has seen Marketplace Chaplains make a huge difference in his employees’ lives and in the hyper-competitive local auto dealership business.

“I believe that by having the Chaplain service it has helped us attract the quality team members that are a good fit for our
organization.  It sets us apart from our competition.

“Turnover in team members is costly in a lot of ways; the Chaplain service helps to keep team members satisfied by the care they receive,” said Huffines.

Marketplace Chaplain Charlotte Turner says the recurring business theme she sees in the dealership is by helping employees, it leads to increased satisfaction, productivity and loyalty.

The powerful positive impact on employees because of our chaplains’ care is frequently evident to everyone around them – including the owners/leaders of the businesses who truly appreciate our unique chaplaincy service providing support and encouragement for their employees in ways that they simply could not otherwise offer,” said Turner.

 

 

Canadian Business Leaders Hail Innovative Idea to Improve Employee Retention

FORT ST. JOHN – Canadian business leaders from one end of the country to the other are hailing the innovative workplace strategic initiative of Marketplace Chaplains, which is now working in two dozen companies in Canada.

While Marketplace Chaplains began its service in Canada in 2009, it has rapidly expanded over the last two years and recently held an Executive Business Leader’s Summit in Fort St. John, British Columbia, overseen by Vice President of Canadian Operations, C.G. Maclin.

David Phibbs, CEO, Alpha Safety Ltd., Fort St. John, was also a part of the recent Canadian Executive Business Leader’s
Summit said, “We have workers from all over the country and they are separated from their families and support systems.  When they have a need, our company chaplains meet it by providing a caring hand and support for these workers who have nowhere else to turn.”

While a dozen companies are just implementing the workplace chaplaincy program in 2012, Gary McCormick, VP & General Manager of Jet-Lube Canada Ltd., based in Edmonton, has used this unique productivity tool for more than a year.

“I know our employees really enjoy seeing the chaplains in the workplace, and just knowing they can talk with someone here about a problem is very important,” said McCormick. “I hope this program continues to grow because Canadian CEOs see the benefit of having chaplains.”

Results from two recent Monster Canada Workplace Management Polls show a strong majority of Canadian workers are interested in corporate wellness programs, with only a minority of employers, actually offering them.

According to the published survey, Monster asked, “Given the labour shortage, what is your employer doing to try and keep you?” Out of 3,594 responses, 82% reported “nothing at all,” while only 9% chose “allowing for flexible scheduling and other work-life balance initiatives” and 8% chose “offering a pay raise.”

In a second poll Monster asked, “Does your company offer corporate wellness programs such as fitness/nutritional coaching, gym memberships, training seminars etc.?” 68% of 2,857 respondents replied “no, but I wish they did,” while 20% chose “yes, and I really appreciate them.” A mere 10% weren’t interested in such a program.

That’s exactly the type of employee care benefit George Bergen, owner of the Fort St. John Water Company with his wife, Marita, are looking to provide for their employees.

“One of our employees was terribly frightened because of the cancer he was facing.  But when our chaplain came alongside him and walked with him through this deep valley, his fear was relieved because he knew he was not alone.”  said George Bergen.

An Alberta Venture magazine article “Mutual Benefits,” mentioned in today’s tight labour market, even the smallest employers are offering benefit packages in a bid to stay competitive and to attract and retain “Top Talent.”

“I think what dozens of Canadian company CEOs are realizing is that it simply makes good business sense to take good care of your employees and their family members,” said Maclin.

 

 

Marketplace Chaplains Help Employees Handle Grief in the Workplace

In the best, and more importantly in the worst of times, Marketplace Chaplains have proven to be expertly trained, and a valuable resource in helping employees handle grief in the workplace. This strategic initiative employed by many top  companies in America not only helps people, but ultimately improves the overall financial health of a company.

According to a recent U.S. district court ruling, an employee sued an employer for being insensitive to their grief. Taking care of the employees as Marketplace Chaplains does for hundreds of companies nationally and abroad is an applicable and legally sound workplace management practice.

“The Marketplace chaplain team has always been there for our employees – in good times and in bad,” said Britton Lui, Director of Human Resources for Hoselton Auto Mall in East Rochester, New York.

“The chaplain team has been present at funerals for our employees and their families, whether here in town or across
the country. Their care and support have been such a blessing in that time of great need. We are grateful for this level of support for our employees and their families.”

According to a landmark 2003 study by the Grief Recovery Institute in Sherman Oaks, California, employee heartbreak costs U.S. employers $75 billion a year in lost productivity, absenteeism, and increased errors and accidents. The most costly grief incident for businesses is a death of a loved one, accounting for $37.5 billion per year in losses. About 1 in 4 employees is grieving at any given time.

“Our chaplain team was with us along the way during his treatment –calling and comforting and praying,” said Carlsbad, New Mexico, Intrepid Potash Human Resources Director Jackie Webb, whose husband passed away after a long battle with cancer earlier this year. “I will say, even though I had good support from my own family, friends and church, I know our chaplains grieved right along with me.”

Marketplace Chaplains’ more than 2,500 chaplains are specially trained in helping employees deal with grief, which in turn allows the employees to productively return to work quicker.

“As chaplains, we have the privilege of coming alongside people who are drowning in grief to give them hope as we help them better understand and work through the many dimensions of their sorrow toward acceptance of the new reality they face,” said Dallas-based Marketplace Chaplain Charlotte Turner.

Chaplain Wes Sullivan of Long Beach, California, holds grief training seminars, working with other Marketplace Chaplains to expand their grief preparedness for every situation.

“The most important thing to remember is that this death is uniquely and individually tragic,” Sullivan said.  “There are no cookie cutter remarks or services that can be appropriate.”

Jamie Whyte, Director of Risk Management and Human Resources for multi-state Intrepid Potash, said having Marketplace Chaplains specially trained in grief management has been a huge help to his company.

“Marketplace Chaplains continues to be the most profound service we offer our employees,” said Whyte. “They meet a need that just cannot be met by any other service provider.”

Chaplains help alleviate the growing responsibility companies and Human Resources professionals have in helping
employees deal with grief; this difficult burden can last for years with any one person.

 

Marketplace names California caregiver Vernon 2011 Chaplain of the Year

Chaplain David Vernon of Valencia, California, was named the 2011 Marketplace Chaplain of the Year, which is the highest award given by Marketplace Chaplains USA, a Dallas-based Employee Assistance Program Provider.

Vernon, 58, who was accompanied by his wife Peggy Jo, received the honor during a company and clients gathering in Asheville, North Carolina. “I am so honored that they have given me a place to serve,” Vernon said about the surprise announcement. “I’m overwhelmed.”

Potential Chaplain of the Year candidates are nominated by their respective client companies and then chosen by the Marketplace Chaplains’ Executive Nominations Committee.

Vernon was presented the Divine Servant sculpture by noted artist Max Greiner, and a check for $500 from Marketplace Chaplains’ President and COO Dick De Witt.

“We are so delighted to honor those who serve,” De Witt said in presenting the award to Vernon.” “David joins a special list of Chaplain of the Year Awardees along with every Marketplace Chaplain serving selflessly around the clock, proactively caring for employees.”

Vernon, has a business degree from Cal-State Fullerton, and still owns the business he started more than 30 years ago, DataMicroImaging.  He also received a theological degree from Fullerton Seminary in Pasadena, California, and began serving as a Marketplace Chaplain 3 ½ years ago. Vernon works at several Marketplace client companies in the Southern California area and is also active in his local church.

Among the many nominations describing Vernon, there were those that read: “He walks with every person in the plant,” “He restores hope,” “He has walked us through tough times.”

 

 

Innovative North American Chaplain Service Experiences International Growth

While the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has spurred growth in trade and development in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the innovative strategic initiative of Marketplace Chaplains USA has also successfully fueled international
growth in helping hurting and stressed workers in today’s workplace.

Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1984, the largest and most experienced workplace chaplain provider has recently seen explosive growth in its Canadian Division, as CEOs from New Brunswick to Vancouver are embracing Marketplace Chaplains Canada.

“We are in a very unique situation here; with the low unemployment rate, we do not always have enough workforce for all of our needs,” said Steve Troyer, CEO of Troyer Ventures, Ltd., a collection of companies in British Columbia and Alberta.

“To be able to provide high quality benefits for our workers helps us provide an extra edge for employees going through tough times.”

While Troyer’s companies were among the first to use Marketplace Chaplains Canada, they were far from the last as other international companies such as Jet-Lube of Canada Ltd. and GE Oil & Gas ESP, based in Alberta, also employ this unique chaplain service for their workers.

“I know our employees really enjoy seeing the chaplains in the workplace and knowing they can talk with someone here about a problem is very important,” said Gary McCormick, VP & General Manager, of Jet-Lube of Canada Ltd.  “I hope this program continues to grow because Canadian CEOs see the benefit of having chaplains.”

By the first quarter of 2012, there will be 2 dozen chaplains serving 15 different Canadian Marketplace client company locations and over 1,000 employees.

“The growth has really come at breakneck speed, and it proves that this service of care for employees will work wherever we are,” said Assistant National Canada Director Dan Truitt.

In Mexico, the growth has been constant as well as Pace Industries and Royal Prestige are among the companies using Marketplace Chaplains south of the U.S. border. Between the two companies there are a total of 1,100 employees served by 15 chaplains.

 

DFW Marketplace Chaplains Company Trio Honored for Best Places To Work

Several North Texas companies which use the strategic initiative of Marketplace Chaplains USA were recently honored in the prestigious annual “Top 100 Best Places to Work List” by the Dallas Morning News.

The local companies were honored for their creative strategies, including Marketplace Chaplains, to make the workplace better for their employees, vendors and customers.

Dallas’ McLane Foodservice and its visionary President Tom Zatina were honored for the third consecutive year in the Mid-Size company category. Huffiness Auto Dealerships based in Plano, TX, was honored for the first time in the Large Company category while McKinney’s Independent Bank Group was also selected for the first time in the Mid-Size segment.

“Talking to employees at these winning companies makes the connection clear between happy campers and successful companies,” said Dallas Morning News Business Editor Dennis Fulton, who oversees the awards competition.

“And, as part of our culture, we try to ensure a meaningful and sincere level of caring,” Zatina added “We know that many value the additional care and concern that our chaplains provide. The Chaplain service is a great extension of our benefits program that is centered around taking care of the teammate.”

While pleased with his first-time company recognition for his employees, Huffines CEO Ray Huffines was not surprised about the help his chaplains have given his multi-location, 600-employee dealership.

“The Marketplace Chaplain service provides personal assistance and care for our team members in their time of need through the loving and compassionate chaplains that know the team members personally. We consider the chaplains to be a vital part of our team,” Huffines added.

More than 100 North Texas Companies currently use the unique, cutting edge program of Marketplace Chaplains USA, which is headquartered in Dallas, but has since grown to 43 states, 4 additional countries and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

“We are honored to have been chosen as a Top 100 Place to Work. One of the many positive comments made by our employees was our emphasis on Christian values. The Marketplace Chaplains service reinforces that value,” said Independent Bank Vice Chairman Dan Brooks.

Marketplace Chaplains’ Dallas Division Director Jim Tereschuk added the chaplains have helped thousands of North Texas employees and their family members for more than two decades.

“We are thrilled that these forward thinking companies, which utilize Marketplace Chaplains to serve the needs of their employees and families, were recognized as some of the best places to work in North Texas.

“What we have seen both locally and nationwide is that the presence of a caring and compassionate Marketplace Chaplains team can aid employees with the hopes and hurts of life. Work and life challenges are great for employees today. Companies that assist their employees in facing those challenges create a top-notch workplace and culture,” said Tereschuk.

 

 

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