MaryBeth Matzek: Miron Construction invests in helping employees reach their dreams

This is an excerpt from a column posted at BizOpinion.

Carrie Garczynski knows she has a unique title – dream coach – but every day she works with employees at Miron Construction Co. to help them reach their dreams whether it’s starting a photography business, planning out a garden or saving up for a special trip.

“I work with them to plan and develop goals and then holds them accountable to what they are trying to do,” says Garczynski, who joined the Neenah-based construction company 18 months ago. “They can be personal projects or aspirations and they can be big or small.”

The idea to have a dream coach came to Miron President Dave Voss after reading the book, “The Dream Manager” by Matthew Kelly. The book discusses how businesses who help their workers achieve personal dreams can improve their productivity and retention. Voss saw it as a way to help the company, which also has offices in Wausau, Milwaukee, Madison and Iowa, to reward its hardworking employees and also distinguish itself in attracting new talent.

“It’s definitely a differentiator when recruiting employees,” Garczynski says. “It sets us apart.”

When Garczynski first presented the concept to Miron workers, she admits the response was a bit tepid, but after some employees took the leap and word began to spread about what they were doing, interest has increased.

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