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“Treat employees like they make a difference, and they will” –Jim Goodnight I begin this note, as I begin each morning, sharing a quote with employees as a reminder of a concept that is near and dear to my heart: emotional intelligence. In its simplest form, emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and process your own emotions while being able to understand and relate to the emotions of others. We recognize that developing a high level of emotional intelligence in today’s workplace culture is a vital factor for success, as it drives employee performance and engagement. With that said, our focus has been and continues to be cultivating emotional intelligence across our entire organization. As you know, we recently conducted a company-wide employee survey to get a better understanding of employee morale, satisfaction, and engagement. We are in the process of compiling and analyzing the data; once we receive our results, we will be sharing them with the entire organization. Additionally, HR and Management will meet to discuss and formulate action plans to address areas where improvement may be needed. Our goal is to provide an atmosphere that stands true to our core values, where our employees can thrive and be the best they can be. I truly appreciate you devoting your time to provide honest and thoughtful input. Another platform by which we encourage you to share your suggestions and ideas with us is the Idea Bank. Remember that any idea can help make a positive impact, so please be sure to share your great ideas. Finally, we hope you enjoyed Employee Appreciation Week, along with the various fun events that occurred throughout the company, which served to highlight and celebrate our most valuable asset: you!
Thank you for all you do – you are the key to our success!
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- Rick Yockelson, SVP of People and Administration (HR) Meet Meraine Mendoza:
Meraine began her career with Hudson Group as a Sales Associate in Miami International Airport a little over three years ago, providing excellent service while working in our Sunglass Hut shop. In fact, our entire Miami Sunglass Hut team sets the customer service bar high, racking up seven 100% scores out of eight mystery shop evaluations during 2015. Still, Meraine stands out with perfect scores each time she was shopped – a total of four 100% scores! Undoubtedly, she truly exemplifies what it means to be “The Traveler’s Best Friend.”
HAVE A BRIGHT IDEA? Share your ideas with our Idea Bank Community on Facebook! facebook.com/groups/hudsonideabank Your idea can help make a positive impact, so think outside of the box. Check out other employees’ ideas and enter for a chance to win a prize! Questions? Contact: ideabanksupport@hudsongroup.com
According to her evaluations, “Meraine includes all the characteristics expected of a 100% Pure Miami Service experience in her interactions. She is friendly and welcoming.” In addition, “she makes the customer the focal point of her attention and asks clarifying questions to help determine their needs.” All of the evaluators commended Meraine on her professionalism and product knowledge. Meraine states, “I am so happy knowing my knowledge and hard work payoff. I’m glad to hear that my customer service is satisfying customer needs.” Meraine’s commitment to excellence and hard work certainly did payoff: she was recently promoted to Supervisor. She was also recognized by Miami Airport’s “100% Pure Miami Service” team. Specialty Retail Manager, Beatriz Morales, notes, “I could not be more impressed with Meraine. She truly is an asset to the Miami team!” Great job, Meraine – keep shining!
MARKETPLACE DEVELOPMENT’S ‘QUEST FOR THE BEST’
Our LaGuardia team was recognized amongst the top service providers celebrated at the MarketPlace Development 10th Annual ‘Quest for the Best’ Awards Brunch. Our shops won the following categories: • • • •
Best Retail - Hudson Booksellers Best New Concept - Desigual Best Retail Runner-Up - Eddie Bauer Most Improved Retail - Hudson
WESTFIELD’S ANNUAL ELITE AWARDS
HAPPY EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY!
Our “Wall of Thanks” at the National Support Center featured thank-you notes from across the entire organization. National Employee Appreciation day fell on March 4, 2016, kick-starting Hudson Group’s Employee Appreciation Week of celebrating employees and showing appreciation with special discounts extended to all. The Las Vegas and Nashville teams truly went the extra mile to express their appreciation! Lisa Wall and management treated the entire Nashville team with a lineup of events: Cupcake Day, Dress Down Day, Thanks for Putting Your “Heart” Into Your Work Treats, Appreciation Desserts from Mangers, Free Short-Term Parking Garage Access, Goo Goo and Moon Pie Day, and Pizza Lunch Party.
The Las Vegas team also showed their appreciation across the entire location: the HR team, Cynthia Newton and Sheila Sanders, walked the airport handing out treats to employees as a small token of appreciation; Business Partners and Management held an appreciation dinner for managers; and Warehouse Management held a barbeque for the warehouse team. We hope everyone enjoyed Employee Appreciation Week!
A WORD FROM OUR CUSTOMERS Our Hudson Group and World Duty Free teams in Newark Airport were recognized at Westfield’s Annual Elite Awards Luncheon for excellence in customer service and store operations. Our shops won the following categories: Retail Store of the Year (Creative Kids Stuff) and Retail Store of the Year Runner-Up (Hudson News). Additionally, Caroline Malek and Maria Fonseca were recipients of First-In-Class Service Awards.
“I am writing to let you know of, what I believe is, the extraordinary behavior of your employee, Shunnika James, whom I happily encountered at Nashville airport. While in the shop, I asked her where I could find a mailbox. She explained they were outside security but mentioned she would be getting off of work soon and kindly offered to mail my letter for me. I was amazed that she would take such initiative to help a stranger since most people would not want to be bothered. I am so appreciative and wanted to let you know what a service you’ve done your company in hiring Shunnika.” Best Regards, - J. Lavelle
Congratulations to Muhammad Zaidi (General Manager, LGA) and Juan Alsina (General Manager, EWR) and their teams for another year of great service!
“I could not agree more! Shunnika’s actions exemplify our service mission. Thank you for taking this mission above and beyond the call of duty, Shunnika. You are the Traveler’s Best Friend!” - Gary McBrayer, VP of Customer Service
HUDSON GROUP STORES WIN USA TODAY’S 10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS! Congratulations to the winners of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Airport Newsstand/Travel Essential and Best Airport Shop for Local Merchandise! Best Airport Newsstand/Travel Essential Hudson - McCarran Airport (#4) Hudson - LAX (#7) Hudson - JFK Airport (#8) Hudson - Seattle-Tacoma (#9)
Earth Day was on April 22, 2016 – celebrate by “going green” with e-paystubs! It’s easy!
Join the thousands of employees who have helped the environment by going paperless: opt out of receiving paper copies of your pay statements. Instead, access your statements online!
Best Airport Shop for Local Merchandise Fred Segal - Los Angeles International Airport (#4) Billy Bob’s Texas - Dallas Love Field (#7) Made In Washington - Seattle-Tacoma (#10) We also reeled in some winnings at Airport Revenue News’ 2016 Best Airport & Concession Awards! Best News & Gift Operator: Hudson Group Best Airport Retail Store Design: Fred Segal - LAX Best Local/Regional Retail Store: Fred Segal - LAX
LET’S “GO GREEN” FOR EARTH DAY!
*Enroll to “go green” with e-paystubs on the ADP Self Service Portal: https://portal.adp.com Portal Registration Code: hudsongrup -1234 *U.S. employees only – must be enrolled in direct deposit For assistance with accessing the ADP Portal, email: hris@hudsongroup.com
OUR CUSTOMERS DONATED OVER $1 MILLION IN PHONE CARDS FOR TROOPS We reached a milestone with over $1 million in customer donations of phone cards to the military – this equates to nearly 80,000 cards! The pre-activated AT&T phone cards, included within care packages to military organizations, allow troops to call their friends and families, as well as provide them with free Internet access. Soldiers must carry minimal items and are not always allowed to carry a cell phone while on active service, but the phone cards help solve this problem since they work from landlines and payphones across the globe, including war zone locations. The promotion started in late 2014 and currently exists in twenty-seven Hudson airport store locations. Our top three customer donation locations are: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with $421,290 (28,086 cards); San Diego International Airport with $243,570 (16,238 cards); and Los Angeles International Airport with $223,140 (14,876 cards). “There’s definitely a need to do something for the troops,” notes Justin Butterfield, General Manager at San Diego International Airport. “We have one of the world’s largest airport USOs and it is great to be able to partner with them.” He mentions that some customers are so appreciative that they’ll buy multiple cards to donate at once – along with many of our recurring customers purchasing them every time they stop by one of our stores.
GET THE ADP MOBILE APP! ADP’s Mobile App helps you stay connected anytime, from anywhere – providing easy, 24/7 on-the-go access from your mobile device. Access your pay statements, W2s, retirement account info, and more! *Use the app to enroll in paperless e-paystubs! Download the app from either the App Store (iOS users) or Google Play (Android users) *Same login information as the ADP Self-Service Portal For assistance with accessing the ADP Mobile App, email payroll@hudsongroup.com
MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
GROW FROM WITHIN
20 YEARS:
We always look to promote internally. Congratulations to the employees below on their recent promotions!
Ballestero, Estella Los Angeles: Sales Associate - 3/20 Kaushal, Versha LaGuardia: Office Administration - 4/25 Lindsey, Sandra Nashville: Service Associate - 4/6 Perez, Samuel Grand Central: Warehouse Manager - 3/22 Sandeen, Wayne Chicago: Supervisor - 3/20 Satira, Priscilla Baltimore: Supervisor - 4/18 Thompson, Donna Birmingham: Supervisor - 4/25
25 YEARS: Mendoza Jr., Ruben Los Angeles: Key Carrier - 3/12 Merza, Esmayeel LaGuardia: Operations Manager - 4/19 Monzon, Hortencia Los Angeles: Key Carrier - 4/1 Patel, Padma Grand Central: Senior Sales Associate - 4/8
30 YEARS: Ripplinger, Sherry Minneapolis: Warehouse Manager - 3/13 Singh, Ulditeen Empire State Building: Sales Associate - 4/27
CREATE YOUR EMPLOYEE PROFILE IN SUCCESS FACTORS! Tell us about your work history, education, and career interests to help us identify qualified internal candidates for key positions across the company! Access your employee profile, create career goals, and develop your performance here: www.performancemanager4.successfactors.com/login
Ahmed, Ruhel - Logan: Supervisor Alvarez, Jesus - Phoenix: Warehouse Supervisor Aristy, Genesis - Logan: Supervisor Ballart Becerra, Patricia - Miami: Specialty Shift Supervisor Catindig, Emmanuel - Denver: General Manager Dahl, Margaret R - WDFG Office: Senior Buyer Davis, Ebony - Jackson: Supervisor Duffy, Hilary - WDFG Office: Buyer Enriquez, Lisette - Denver: Shift Manager Fulton, Jacob - Halifax: Merchandising Manager Gassama, Kaddy - Dallas: Shift Supervisor Goulbourne, Steve - NSC: Vice President/Creative Director Gurung, Asha - Dallas: Shift Supervisor Hernandez, Marbyn - NY Penn: Shift Supervisor Herrera, Melanie - Dallas: Specialty Supervisor Jackson, David - Dallas: Specialty Supervisor Kamlager, Robert Allen - Cincinnati: Shift Supervisor Khan, Mohammed - Edmonton: Supervisor Kojak, Adam - NSC: AP Analyst Lemos, Sandra - Port Authority: Shift Supervisor Loera, Nancy - Denver: Beauty Advisor Mahl, Ashley - Cleveland: General Manager Marasigan, Juanito - Chicago: Liquor Specialist Martinez, Elizabeth - San Diego: Supervisor McLean, Richard - Portland: Director of Operations Orta, Maria - Miami: Operations Manager Pannozzo, Aldo - Nuance Office: Director of Learning & Development Park, Brandon - NSC: Regional Vice President Plummer, Amanda - Manchester: Supervisor Ramos, Shanel - Phoenix: Supervisor Rodanilla, Mario - Vancouver: Assistant Warehouse Manager Rogers, Krista - Pittsburgh: General Manager Scott, Keyaira - Norfolk: Supervisor Hourly Stivers, Timothy - Detroit: General Manager Sturlese, Kimberly - Port Authority: Shift Supervisor Symanns, Christy - Sanford: Supervisor Thomas, Deshawn - Dallas: Assistant Manager Thomas, Kenneth Dewayne - Houston: Shift Supervisor Turay, Alusine - Grand Central: Supervisor Watson, Christopher - Toronto: Store Manager
WANT TO APPEAR ON THIS LIST? Take a look at and apply for our open positions: www.hudsongroup.com/hg/work-with-us/
REFER A FRIEND AND EARN A BONUS! Refer someone that might be a great fit for an open position and in six months you could receive $200-$500! It’s that easy. Ask your manager about our Employee Referral Program!
Company ID: hudsongroup Username: Employee File Number (at top of your paystub) Password: Employee File Number (for first time users) If you’ve forgotten your password, click “Forgot Password?” Need help? Email: HRIS@hudsongroup.com for assistance.
MAY IS GLOBAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND FITNESS MONTH! Visit www.healthandfitnessmonth.org for health and fitness tips.