Office Space News
BusinesSuites Recognizes Employee with “Can Do Spirit” Award
Published May 25th, 2009 by Jennifer LeClaire
Hurricanes. Power Outages. Economic Challenges. The past year has presented many opportunities for small businesses around the world to display a “can do” spirit.
At BusinessSuites, an Austin, Texas-based executive office space and virtual office provider, the company is focusing on employees who help its clients do what they can to prosper in a tough business climate.
From personally delivering mail to clients’ homes to providing clients with office and conference room solutions during Hurricane Ike, the company said 2008 was full of opportunities for team members to help their clients succeed.
Making LBJ Proud
BusinessSuites’ corporate culture values strategic problem solving, creative solutions and a “can do” attitude. One of the company’s founders, Luci Baines Johnson, learned those values from her parents, President Lyndon Baines Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson.
“Daddy respected people who got things done,” recalls Luci. “He appreciated people who solved problems, created solutions, and overcame obstacles with what he called a ‘can do’ attitude.”
When the Johnsons left the White House, this “can do” attitude was so symbolic of their lives and way of doing things, that Mrs. Johnson was given a small marble paper weight engraved with the words “CAN DO” that she placed at the front of her desk. More than 35 years later, it remains on her desk at the LBJ Library and Museum in Austin to memorialize the historic couple’s “can do” legacy.
Rewarding the “Can Do” Spirit
With the approval of Luci Baines Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, and the LBJ Library and Museum, BusinesSuites made replicas of this monument to honor team members recognized as embodying the “can do” spirit.
Since 2007, BusinesSuites has annually awarded the “CAN DO” Spirit Award to one center manager and one client service coordinator nominated for solving problems, creating solutions, and overcoming obstacles. Each recipient of this award receives a “CAN DO” monument.
This year, BusinesSuites presented the award to Client Service Coordinator Rebecca Stokes for her outstanding service and commitment to clients and coworkers at BusinesSuites’ Columbia, Maryland executive suites. And for leading with integrity, compassion and dedication while providing her clients with quality Sugar Land Office Space in Texas, BusinesSuites presented Yanett Bentley with the Center Manager “Can DO” Spirit Award.
BusinesSuites also presented Ronnie Bulanek, Vice President of Technology, with the Corporate “Can DO” Spirit Award for managing innovative technology supporting clients, guests, and staff in each of BusinesSuites 16 centers nationwide
A Win-Win Award
This is a great example of how to motivate employees to provide above-and-beyond customer service in a tough market. Technology and customer service are two vital competitive differentiators in the executive office suites market today.
The fact that these people receive a replica of an award to a past president’s wife makes it especially compelling. But executive office suites companies don’t need to rely on a connection to a famous person to make an award special. It’s not the origin of the award alone, but the actual recognition and appreciation that motivates employees.
aBetterOffice.com congratulates BusinessSuites for taking the time to recognize special employees with a special award. This should serve as a model to the entire serviced office industry. Not only did BusinessSuites offer internal rewards, they made it known to the world through a press release. Nice work!
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About the Author
Bill Brookshire May 25th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I agree. This is a great example of a company in the serviced office space reaching out to its employees — and to its clients through employees who feel appreciated. Especially in times like these, companies in commercial real estate need to appreciate loyal, hard-working, productive employees.
Rob Zeus May 26th, 2009 at 5:49 am
This is a breath of fresh air in these times. I do think it’s more important than ever to recognize star employees who model the way for others. Customer service is key to success in any industry and executive office suites are no different. On an aside, I don’t think this serviced office firm does itself any favorites with the way it spells its name. BusinesSuites is confusing.
Maggie Correta May 26th, 2009 at 6:12 am
I agree. I don’t like the way this company brands its name. I can see the confusion of trying to find its web address. Hopefully they had insight enough to buy businesssuites with two Ses. Though I can see how that’s confusing, too. I guess it works well for them anyway. They seem to be growing in the executive office suites industry.
Melanie Jones May 26th, 2009 at 6:23 am
I love a can do attitude. I thought that came from Abraham Lincoln. I saw that Smithsonian movie this weekend and Lincoln was offering up that phrase, LOL. You learn something new every day. It’s very interesting to me that LBJ’s daughter would land in the executive office suites industry. I guess she’s not into politics, well, maybe office politics. This Can Do Spirit award is a brilliant idea to recognize employees at its 16 serviced office centers that are making a difference with clients.
Marcus Hester May 26th, 2009 at 6:36 am
I think this is a very special award because it means something to the owner. Since this is an award her mother was given, Luci Baines Johnson isn’t awarding it lightly. I think it’s a great strategy. I wonder, though, if having the Johnson name in the mixed has helped this executive office suites chain make inroads into new markets. Do they use that leverage in their other marketing materials to compete with other serviced office spaces?
Yvonne Battle-Felton February 3rd, 2010 at 10:35 am
I noticed this right after we posted the release. I wanted to thank you for reposting our press release. It’s really nice to see the sharing of information.