Make the Difference HR Spotlight

Let Make The Difference reward you!

Since its inception in 2004, Make The Difference has received an impressive 820 suggestions! These suggestions have provided UK with valuable input from its employees. “Through Make The Difference, employees are given the opportunity to become engaged in all UK operations,” Program Coordinator Alison Preston said. “UK offers a unique environment to its employees, in that it actively encourages and rewards employee engagement.” Rewards include financial incentives ranging from $25 to $2,500! Make The Difference offers the following tips to develop a general concept into a well thought out suggestion:

Do your homework. When developing ideas keep an open mind. There could be good reasons for a current method or operation. Learn about the problem and its causes beforehand.
Be specific. Proposals should include a clear plan of action. Describe how the suggestion can be accomplished. What steps must be taken? Which departments should be involved? How much will the recommended solution cost? Is the solution practical and affordable?
Avoid technical jargon. State and explain the solution so that it is easily understood, even by those who are not experts in that field.
Start with your own area. This is where your primary expertise and experience lie. Use that expertise to its full advantage! Suggestions related to employees own areas have the highest implementation rate.
Steer clear of topics already considered or being considered. UK prides itself on innovation and staying on the cutting edge. Many topics have already been or are being considered by an existing committee or task force. Be aware of these initiatives.

Make The Difference, congratulates its most award recipients including Richard Florek (Family Practice), Vincent Bond (Medical Center PPD), Jacquie Hager (Registrar’s Office), Don Hill (Campus PPD), Kevin Anderson (Diagnostic Radiology), Bruce Byrom (UKHC IT Services), Kristy Seeley (Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine), Kathy Fuqua (Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine), Brenda Huffer (Parking and Transportation), Lisa Anstine (Diagnostic Radiology), Alisa Barbera (Diagnostic Radiology, Sarah Helmar (Diagnostic Radiology), Jennifer Locke (Diagnostic Radiology), Charlene Monaghan (Otolaryngology), and Carolyn Burnette (Otolaryngology).

To learn more about the winning ideas above or to submit your suggestion now, visit http://www.uky.edu/HR/makethedifference/welcome.html, or request a paper submission form by contacting the Make The Difference office at (859) 257-9487.