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2014 was monumental for Paycom and I want to take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed since our initial public offering on the NYSE. In those 52 weeks, we’ve developed and released nine new major products or enhancements, added many new clients and witnessed the value of our stock more than double. The reason for our success is due to our unique value proposition: Paycom’s innovative technology, motivated people and astounding growth.

For many years, employers’ main focus was largely customer satisfaction; however, the day has arrived where employee satisfaction is now equally important. By increasing visibility and transparency, social media has turned company cultures inside-out. Corporate decisions, once kept in the dark, are being disclosed and heretofore—unknown issues, like disengagement, have found the light.

Last year, one major home-improvement chain made national news when it announced it would introduce a new sales associate, OSHbot, a customer-service robot that assists shoppers in finding the products they’re looking for in stores. The announcement prompted HBO’s Last Week Tonight show, hosted by John Oliver, to produce a segment on the importance of real, human sales assistants in home-improvement stores. Oliver’s argument was that sales assistants are not there to help people buy things; they’re there to “stop couples from tearing each other apart.”

Some employers believe they know everything about the company, but we believe your employees would disagree. And it’s not entirely your fault. As businesses scale from small start-ups to large enterprises, the lines of communication between management and the rest of the workforce begin to blur, making it all the more challenging to remain in tune with all parts of your organization.

‘Twas the night before the Holidays when all through HR, not a creature was stirring, except for Randi Tokar. The papers were stacked on his desk with care, overwhelmed, he looked at them with a blank stare.

The old adage of “It’s better to give than to receive” reigns true after all. Whether donating money or time, giving back is important – and not just for the recipients. Research shows that 52 percent of volunteers do it because they like helping others and doing something useful, while 38 percent said the work makes them feel good. Giving brings joys to both sides of the equation, but charitable initiatives could have a greater impact on your organization, as giving promotes cooperation and connection.

Even though it’s our busiest time of the year, we’re never too busy to pass on some exciting news and thank our employees, yet again, for helping shine the spotlight on Paycom. Paycom’s employees shared their experiences and opinions helping Paycom earn two very prestigious workplace honors. This year Paycom took the number two spot on The Oklahoman’s Top Workplaces and landed on Glassdoor’s Top 50 Best Places to Work in 2014.

An attitude of servitude is hard to come by these days. Not because there are meaner people in the world today than there were yesterday; no, it’s because you and I let it happen. Can you believe this interaction? The story goes: I called in an order at a local restaurant. I wanted to know how much would feed 20 people (a reasonable question). The waiter's response “Ma’am I don’t know, once you figure it out call us back.” So I hung up and called back with my order, (true story). Unfortunately, many of us have gotten so used to poor customer service that now we just expect it.

This November, ’tis the season to be thankful. Family and friends immediately come to mind, but have you ever stopped to consider what you’re thankful for at work? In our lifetimes, we will have spent roughly 99,117 hours at work. Surely if we’re going to be investing this amount of time, there’s got to be something we’re thankful for, right? This Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to consider how good we have it.

Forget The Walking Dead. You should be worried about the Walking Disengaged.

Should a zombie apocalypse take over, would your documents be safe? According to research by the University of Texas, “Only six percent of companies suffering from a catastrophic loss survive, while 43 percent never reopen and 51 percent close within two years.” Don’t fall prey to these ghoulish stats; have a survival plan ready to go in case any “creepy crawlies” come lurking around your business.

How will you survive the zombie apocalypse that is open enrollment? We all know that the undead don’t need braces, but could breaks in how you administer your benefits leave zombies on your company’s paid benefits? Research shows that the complexity of open enrollment is the top concern for employers and employees. Such intricacy can cause errors, additional costs, long processing time and an overall drain on your HR department. Don’t fall victim to this terrifying task; prepare yourself and your employees for survival.