Employees need respect ® From previans pane were contacted for, with no end in sight and for little or no real compensation or appreciation, other than the privilege of keeping their job. If a person finds himself’ or herself in that situation there are usually one of three major reasons. First, they are not capable of doing the job and therefore should look for something more suited before they make themselves ili. The second possibility is that there is just too much work and if this is the case then the emplover has a moral and ethical obligation to rectify the situation by adding more statf (I can just hear the weeping and gnash- ing of teeth about cutting into the bottom line!). The third scenario is, unfortunately, all too com- mon today and is a case of the employer knowing they have a particular employee “by the bails.” These toe rags will drive poor souls as hard as possible, all the while echoing the underlying sug- gestion tht if they don't do it, then there are tons of people “ ‘out there” willing to take their place. The end result of this cruel use of human effort usually trans- lates into poor physical health, an unhappy life out- side of the workplace and invariably, a broken spirit. I spent almost 20 years in the Canadian broadcast busi- ness and enjoyed a chalileng- ing and lucrative career in an arena that was considered by many to be high pressure and soinewhat volatile. I was also fortunate to have : worked for an organization for most of that time that really understood the mean- | ing and value of caring about its people. .Bob } Alexander was the (NOOR TH Sport Awards president of Alexander, Pearson, Dawson, and | joined his company when I returned to Canada after a two-year stint working tora Canadian broadcaster in my hometown of London, England. APD established its head office in Toronto and was the most successful of its type at the time. In fact it enjoyed such a high profile that employees in competi- tive organizations were con- standy calling to try and jump ship. (Makes you won- der how 1 managed to get the job!) Now this was nota “soft” oudiit to work for and indeed there were times when many of us were challenged close to our professional limits. Very few however, wavered from the tasks set for them because everyone involved in the process realized they were part of a group and really did “give a shee.” Staff was very well paid (above industry standards), enjoyed a very generous benefit pack- age as well as a great deal of flexibility when it came down to taking care of important personal matters. They also felt secure and well regarded so that they were well able to concentrate on the jobs they had been hired to perform. The end result of course was higher individual output, very low staff turnover, and from the owners’ point of view, a feeling that they were contributing to the emotion- al and physical welfare of employees and their families. All this while making signifi- cant profits! On one occasion, when asked by other businessmen to show them the most valu- able asset his company had, Bob Alexander stated that al} they had to do was stand by the elevators every morning and evening and see his “secret advantage.” There they would see each and SH ORE _ Saturday, April 29, 7:30pm CANLAN ICE SPORTS NORTH SHORE every one of his statf arrive cach morning and leave each night. As he says “People are the only reason we are suc- cesstal — the rest is just win- dow dressing!” Bob Alexander demon- strated (and stilt does) a phi- losophy that some of the so- called dot com executives might want to take into their brains and hearts and execute on the people they hire to make themselves successful. In domg so they may help a little in making the short period we all spend on this planet a kinder and gentler place to be. They may also want to be reminded of the theory that the reason there is no life on other planets is because their scientists and computers were more advanced than ours. And in case some of you people out their still need convincing while you're putting some staff through “the ringer” just because vou can get away with it, you may want to remember an anonymous comment that suggests “It is a hard but good law of fate that just as every evil, so every excessive power eventually wears itself out.” Translation: “What goes around comes around.” Shane Collins is a physical trainer, athletic coach and marathon swimmer. He is also a professional speaker on the subirct of sport and henith. Ringette B.C, Ladies Ringstts Millenalum tnvitational Tournament Ice Sports North Shore NEWS photo Cinay Goodman Bronze ring HILARY Smith of the North/West Vancouver Crease Lightning slides ihe ring down ice at Ice Sports North Shore. The host squad was third in the B.C. invitational ringette tournament. Gold: Abbotstord Swizzie Chicks Silver: Quesnel/Prince George Northern Babes on Blades Bronze: North West Vancouver Crease Lightning SUNDAY —- FINAL Abbotstard 8 THIRD PLACE NorthWest Vancouver 10 SEMI-FINALS Quesnel/Prince George 7 Abbotsford 10 ROSTER — North/West Van Crease Lightning Margie Amold. Janice Brooking, Carol Campbell, Debbie Couiter, Linda Evans. Jaya Gamache, Diane Grancison, Annie Harkins, Nancy Herring, Brenda Janzen, Deborah Litnosky, Katy Mayrs. Denny McArthur, Hilary Smith, Peggy Smith, Kathleen Widdows. Head coach: Bryan Brooking. assistant coach: Bruce Coulter, managers: Katy Mayrs, Deb Coulter. North West Vancocver Ringette 1999-2000 awards Players representing British Columbia and their awards {these players are also members of each Lower Mainiand Alt Star Team) TEAM B.C. TWEEN Laura Oobell and Jackie Legzdins: silver at Western Canadian Championships TEAM B.C. JUNIOR Melanie Thomas and Emma Dowds: Sth at Canadian National Championships TEAM B.C. BELLE Jen Tait and Jessica Tuwnshend: bronze at Canadian National Championships TEAM B.C. DEB Keri Jesson: 4th place at Championships TEAM B.C. INTERMEDIATE Allison Binnie, Sara-Jane Scott and Sara Cunningham: bronze at Canadian Nationa! Championships Sara Cunningham was selected to the 1st team of all- stars at the national tournament ASSOCIATION AWARDS Andrea Fedcerson Memorial Award - Jenife: Smith (in memory of Andrea, a player who was killed in an acci- dent. Selection criteria: ieadership, tenacity of play, and overall contribution to sport cf ringette. Quesnel/Prince George 2 Vernon 7 North/West Vancouver 4 Vernon 4 Canadian Nationa! } Buy Four Goodyear a a wrast . aa ici 2 etny rangier AT/S tires for the price of three!* Aggressive cil-terrain traction for your pickup, sport utility vehicie or 4x4! GOODFYEAR WRANGLER AT/S 14 OWL-EACH P235/75R75 .. Other sizes avaliable. BUY A SET OF 42 ‘3962 tay $Goneyeat ranger ATS tests me ceo Dee Are} acest 0200 Ode sites avadatle. see retaier ra ts tes nha eeopecin hy Ober ae Ean AGH MILES* sereard enites tr Gondyear tres and Serwce zi Fourain Tae. @™ Trademarks of AIR MESS Ueerrabonal Hoidang 9 V. Used ued: icense 8y The Lovet Grou. Purchase tickets at: North Shore News, North & West Vancouver Recreation Centres or Canlan Ice Sports North Shore ~ Tickets: $25 Adults, $10 Youth (18 & under) _ The North Shore Sport Awards is a ‘celebration of sport achievement at all levels; community, high school, provincial, and international and includes categories for coaching and efficiating. ft is designed to recognize - the outstanding achievements of North Shore athletes. DIAL 219-TIRE...t0 be counss’se toll trea to the Fountaia Tire nearest you! . wvw.founiaintire.cam For more information please call Berni: Duffy at the Grant Connell Tennis Centre, 983-6480; or e-mail to duffyb@northvanrec.com NORTH VANCOUVER 880 West 15th Street 985-9131 Abbotstord 14540 Riverside Road (ties cr) 859-3513 33286 South Fraser Way - 859-2202 Burnaby 5850 Kingsway at Imperial . 437-4771 Konan 2764 Barnet Hwy. . 941-3150 ta 8209 - 120th St... + 591-1151 Maple Ridge 20610 Lougheed Hwy. BQ No. 3 Ad. (open Sunday. . 273-3751 15302 Fraser Hwy......... §83-1948 13689 - 104th Ave. - §86-3077 1750 Clark Drive ; 2725 Kingsway (Open Sunday: . - 2546 King George Hwy. .... 335 3973 Surrey Vancouver White Rock “Sport Awards : 7489 Hume Avenue . . - 940-6383 "Website: www.nssportawards.com - 465-1933