Administration and Finance Focus

Administration Finance & Focus

ADMINISTRATION

Retreat focuses on workplace culture and the A&F spirit

By Mallory Doeckel

The Office of Administration held a two-day staff retreat framed around customer service, leadership and building a positive work environment, as shown in this highlight video.

Associate Vice Chancellor/Associate Vice President for Administration Dr. Emily Messa said, “The retreat was an incredible opportunity to strengthen relationships between departments and learn about how we as a whole can continue to improve our customer service.”

The featured speaker, Tracy Knofla of High Impact Training, led the room through reflective discussions about how people of different generations have contrasting expectations regarding customer service. The activity encouraged discussions about key cultural moments of each generation that shape a person’s worldview and in turn impact how they would like to be treated in customer service situations.

Staff discussed how they can improve their customer service within their roles by working to understand the expectations of the people they serve. This lesson is an important part of the Administration and Finance divisional goal of service excellence.

Attendees then learned about the FISH! Philosophy, a workplace philosophy made famous by a fish market in Seattle that found success in implementing the core values of being emotionally present, bringing a playful spirit to work, serving people in a meaningful way and choosing a positive attitude.

Day two of the event was for leadership within the Office of Administration. Through team building activities and group discussions, participants discussed leadership skills, strategic goals and customer service. This time allowed department leaders the chance to find ways to apply the lessons learned from day one into practice within their areas.