Hit a Home Run by Striking Out: Annual ESOP Appreciation Day

Sending important information through engaging, fun communications is a challenge for every employee-owned company. At RJ Martin Electrical Contracting, the ESOP Committee hit a communications home run by having employee-owners strikeout. The strikeouts were part of the company’s annual ESOP Appreciation Day, which was organized around the dual themes of teamwork and communication.

"To stress the importance of teamwork in relation to our company’s success, we decided that the meeting should have a sport theme," explained ESOP Committee member Chris Aquilar. "We had a popcorn machine, served burgers and dogs, and wore team jerseys, but we also wanted to do something fun. Most of our guys like softball, so we thought, how about a batting contest?"

With two t-ball stands, a couple of plastic bats and some whiffle balls; the ESOP Committee transformed an empty blacktop parking lot into a playing field. To emphasize how critical teamwork and communication are to business success, the committee blindfolded hitters before spinning them around several times. Then one person served as "coach communicator", directing the blindfolded slugger to the correct hitting position. The fact that many swings were "whiffs" reinforced how much people depend on each other for success.

Success starts with understanding. And, as everyone knows, any good hitter needs to take batting practice to build his skills. The same goes for understanding ESOP ownership. As part of the day, RJ Martin held an ESOP 101 orientation for new employees and new ESOP participants. The session conducted by Workplace Development’s Jim Bado introduced people to the benefits of ESOP ownership, explaining "What’s in it for me?" and "When do I get my money?" from RJ Martin’s ESOP.

After lunch, the teamwork and communication themes were woven into the annual meeting presentation shared with employees under a white tent. Company President, Bob Martin described the playing field the company operates within by laying out the firm’s new vision for growth and success. John Riling, Chief Estimator educated attendees on the estimating process plus current and upcoming projects. Ron Levine then shared the status of the company’s prefab operations.

The clean-up hitter was CFO, Paul Cunningham, who discussed last year’s financial results with employees, educating everyone on key measures of the company’s success. "With our guys spread out across Ohio, and increasingly the United States," Cunningham noted, "the annual meeting provides us with an excellent opportunity to educate and inform them about where the company is headed while also celebrating what ESOP ownership means at RJ Martin."

Rounding out the line-up were presentations on the company’s 401(k) Plan by Russ Bowen and a hands-on session on building communication and teamwork skills facilitated by Bado. Employee-owners then received attendance awards and their annual ESOP statements. A drawing was held and the best hitters were awarded prizes for their efforts. In the end, employee-owners learned and had fun. Striking out made everyone a winner.

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