Many workers agree: Meetings are a waste
Staff meetings are an essential part of business. But depending on the person, meetings can be hazardous to your health.
That’s according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology that examined how meetings affect a worker’s well-being.
The study reported that for “goal-focused” workers, meetings are interruptions that are “barriers to getting real work done.” For these employees, numerous short meetings are worse than a few longer meetings that require the same amount of time.
Other workers, defined as “low accomplishment striving,” view meetings as “welcome events.”
The meetings add structure to their days and provide networking and socializing opportunities. For these workers, the more time in meetings produced a greater sense of well-being.
“When speaking publicly, people generally claim they hate meetings,” Steven Rogelberg, the lead researcher from the University of North Carolina, wrote in the study. “But in the survey, you see a different story – some people’s private sentiments are much more positive.”
The study based its findings on responses from 980 employees working in a broad range of industries.
Business generosity aids Buddhist center
If John Hamelin had any doubts about the generosity of Denver’s business community, they’re gone now. Hamelin is organizing a silent auction for Avalokiteshvara Buddhist Center’s annual open day, or open house, April 22.
In the nine weeks he’s been hitting up businesses for donations, he said, he’s been overwhelmed by the eagerness of his donors. They’ve ponied up 125 donations valued at more than $13,700. Donations have ranged from restaurant gift certificates, spa services, handicrafts, dog treats, chocolates and tickets to the theater and cultural events.
“It’s the most amazing thing,” Hamelin gushed. “I don’t know if it’s Denver or what, but look at those numbers.”
If Hamelin sounds excited, he has reason to be. When the group sought donations for the event two years ago, they raised just $2,000 from local businesses.
“It’s incredible for a small nonprofit,” he said. “Businesses are telling us they really support what we’re doing.”
Arby’s, local musician join the coffee wars
The fast-food coffee wars continue, but this time they have a distinctly local flavor.
The Bailey Co., which owns 65 Arby’s restaurants in Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Florida, will begin serving Jake’s Joe, a coffee blend launched by local musician Jake Schroeder, this week.
The founder and lead singer of Opie Gone Bad, Schroeder will be serving his namesake coffee from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at the Arby’s on the 16th Street Mall in Denver.
Arby’s is the latest fast-food company to jump on the so-called premium coffee bandwagon. Both McDonald’s and Burger King have recently begun serving and promoting premium brews.
Developer pays extra for affordable housing
The developer of Denver’s first residential tower to break ground is making the largest, single contribution to the affordable-housing pool.
As part of its deal to build the 32-story One Lincoln Park, Osborn Development Corp. is paying $1.4 million to satisfy its affordable-housing requirement. That’s about $100,000 above what’s required under the ordinance, said Erik Osborn, a principal in the company.
The company also contributed $10,000 to Denver Public Schools in an effort to engage the neighborhood in the project, Osborn said.
TV families rough it high in the Rockies
Animal Planet is premiering its new show “Get Out There!” with a trip to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park.
The new series takes 10 families out of the comforts of their homes and sends them to top national parks to experience “the wondrous beauty and grace of nature’s wildlife.”
The first hour-long show will feature the Zorbo family from Long Island, N.Y., who encounter moose, search for mountain lions and check deer for diseases while visiting the 400-square- mile park outside Estes Park.
The show is scheduled to air on Animal Planet at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Other destinations include Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska and Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica.
