With the challenges the pandemic has brought, there has been a great deal of changes to the way people live and work. The new normal for many has included setting up an impromptu home office instead of making the commute to the shop. For some businesses, the challenge is hard to navigate and can be difficult and stressful. For others, the new way of life is just another opportunity to learn and grow. Craig Menne, President of La Porte’s General Insurance Services (GIS), spoke about his company’s take on the situation.
“We’re trying to embrace it. You know, we have folks doing work from home in some cases for remote work. We’re just trying to figure out ways to support and accommodate the team and recognize that the mode of work is more nuanced. Going forward, we will certainly try to make the most of that. And so for the right candidates, it's been, you know, it's certainly been a blessing, something that folks are looking for,” Menne said.
Now, people are looking for a more flexible work environment. The new flexibility that’s been brought on from having to quarantine during the pandemic actually fits people's lifestyles better in some cases. The labor shortage is hit hard for those businesses that do not offer as much flexibility or perks and incentives. Things like finding daycare for children during a time when daycares are closed or limiting how many children they can take due to social distancing become difficult tasks that are somewhat made easier when a parent is allowed to work from home.
“I think a lot of folks want more than just a paycheck, right? They want to work in the right environment, work with people doing good things. We definitely stress that and La Porte is great. As a community, there's really a lot of exciting things going on. A lot of growth aligns well with what we're trying to do. I think the climate for businesses is good. I mean, even in the face of all these challenges, I really love being in La Porte and serving the board,” said Menne.
For GIS, finding new talent means looking for leaders in the community. Creating a culture that is value-based is important for GIS.
“We've actually gone so far as to define what we want our culture to look like, which is a value-based, high-performance culture. My MBA is from Notre Dame, and there's a real focus there on value-based leadership. We've really tried to live that and to adopt that. You live well by doing good, so part of this is really about at the end of the day, using our talent not just to serve clients, but serve the broader community. So, as owners, for example, our goal is to just contribute to making LaPorte and the other communities we serve places where our kids might one day want to raise their kids. We really feel like giving the right type of advice to clients and supporting them and helping them achieve their goals is how you contribute to having a vibrant community,” Menne said.
La Porte is growing, and the economy is doing well within this community. As a member of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, GIS works with other businesses as a collaborative effort to better the city. Just as they invest in their community, GIS also strives to invest in their team, recruiting individuals of all ages and experiences who are self-driven and want to thrive.
“We're proud of that diversity. We think it's a real strength. We focus a lot on internal training as well. We're invested heavily in that and getting better training and development and having true career tracks for people,” Menne said.
With a vision for an even more prosperous and flourishing community, GIS and the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership know that the good people of La Porte take pride in their city.
“We're proud to be doing this here in La Porte. It's ironic; three years ago, if you picked up a business magazine, it would say you've got to be in an urban center to find sharp new young talent. Our hypothesis for years is that actually operating in La Porte gives a competitive advantage. There are value-based high performers who live in La Porte that want to raise their families in La Porte. Our aim is just to be the best possible choice for them and their families,” Menne said.To learn more about GIS, visit their website here. To find out more information about La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, click here.