Snack Time

Today was one of those days that reminds me how much our lives have changed in the past couple years. It was the last show of the play I have been working on and immediately following the show we had strike. A few years ago, the idea of hearding resistant kids to the car to go to the theatre to do something other than watch a movie wouldn't have entered my mind. Now its a common experience. Today's strike was an easy one. The theatre was less than a mile from home and I knew we'd be done in about an hour. Of course, this didn't deter the 13yo from his passive aggressive attempts to avoid participation. Something we've totally taken to bribery to combat and feel no pangs of regret at it. Teens are ..well ...teens, LOL. Anyway, in this case as Jon firmly coaxed the boy to get his shoes with a mix of gentle conversation and firm "You're going" statement. Jon then pulled me aside to ask me if i'd consider stopping off at circle K afterward to get the kids a drink as a thank you for their help. While we didn't advertise this fact in advance, I did reward them for helping me with ICEE's afterward. This simple act got me thinking about the issue of food, rewards and the whole millennial generation.

Snack time. The warm cookies mom had waiting for you after school. The feeling of belonging that the cookies and milk brought to you. The first thing my eight year old says when she gets into the car after school every day is "What's for snack?". She skips into the house, picks up her snack and settles in to complete her homework. Even the kids in the after school programs have snack before they do homework. Food and productivity are integrally tied together for us from the time we are very young.

The key difference between today's workforce and those in the past is that this process never stopped. Today's teachers incentivise classrooms with pizza parties and ice cream socials. Good citizenship, attendance and achieving personal goals are among the categories of behavior rewarded with free certificates provided by fast food and pizza companies in the community. These expectations have permeated into family life.

Food before productivity begins young and continues with you. What is increased employee satisfaction, higher employee output worth to you? Perhaps all it takes is a pantry stocked with microwave popcorn, bottled water and a soda fountain. Perhaps its a weekly company sponsored lunch or coupons to local restaurants employees can use on their own if they meet certain goals. Take a cue from childhood, feed your employees.