Grandma’s Stories

Jul 16th “NATIONAL I LOVE HORSES DAY”

NATIONAL I LOVE HORSES DAY

On July 15th we recognize the love of one magnificent creature on National I Love Horses Day!

With over 200 breeds, these spirited animals give humans much to love. Their loyalty and devotion throughout history may only be a fraction of the reasons to love them. Not just a means of transportation, horses cleared fields, fought wars, and moved cattle. Beyond their utility, their companionship was indispensable on long lonely trails. Cattlemen, pioneers, and more recognize horses as cornerstones of survival in a burgeoning nation.

Horse Breeds

The tallest horse breed is the Shire. The stallions of this draft horse breed tower at 17 hands above the tiny Falabella, which grows to only eight hands and is the smallest breed of horse.

The phrase “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” is a reminder to be grateful for the gifts, opportunities or kind gestures that come our way. The phrase comes from inspecting a horse’s teeth to determine its health and value. If the horse was a gift, such an inspection would be considered an insult.

The quarter horse, named for its speed on a short track, is one the of three fastest breeds of horses. Thoroughbreds follow quarter horses for longer distance, but Arabians outlast both breeds for endurance on the longest races.

Horse Facts

A horse can see almost 360° at once. Because of this, it’s difficult to sneak up on a horse. Their only blind spots are directly behind them and in front. However, don’t approach a horse from behind; their powerful hind legs can do serious damage if they decide to defend themselves with a kick. Because horses have such an excellent range of vision, they can be easily distracted or startled. Trainers will place blinders or blinkers on their harness to block the horse’s view from the side. The small piece of leather helps the horse to focus their vision forward.

Just like human hair and fingernails, a horse’s hooves are made of the same protein – keratin. Farriers specialize in caring for horses’ hooves. They not only fit horses with shoes, but they trim their hooves and make recommendations for hoof care and foot health. Since horses spend an enormous amount of time on their feet, the care a farrier provides is instrumental to their overall health.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalILoveHorsesDay

Celebrate by visiting a local stable for a horseback ride. Seek a view of wild horses in a national park. Spend time riding your own horse if you have one. If you’re looking to spend more time with horses, consider these 14 Interesting Equine Careers. 

Post on social media using #NationalILoveHorsesDay.

NATIONAL I LOVE HORSES DAY HISTORY

We were unable to find the creator of National I Love Horses Day.

“Lee and one of his horses with foal having FUN!”

“Darlene with her favorite horse… everyone loves  and has a favorite horse.”

Jul 16th “GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS DAY”

GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS DAY

Get to Know Your Customers Day reminds businesses to reach out to patrons and get to know them better. The day is observed annually on the third Thursday of each quarter (January, April, July, October). 

When businesses get to know your customers, you also get to know more about what you need to grow. Remember when Main Street businesses were locally owned and operated? The owners knew you by name and knew your shopping habits. Additionally, they typically knew what you wanted to buy. Not surprisingly, if they didn’t have it, they were willing to get it in for you.

With the advent of the Internet and big-box stores, unfortunately, much of the personal attention has gone by the wayside. Get to Know Your Customers Day is a day to turn that around. Make it a point to get to know a little more about your customers. Most importantly, make each of them feel like they are your most important customer of the day.

Tips to Knowing Your Customer:

• Ask your customers questions. Find out what services and products they need.
• Use social media. Get the word out about your specials and new product. Social media is a great tool to find out what your customers like and don’t like about your store. It’s important to respond as quickly as possible. When you do, it will be noticed. remember, fixing a negative customer experience in a positive way can show you stand by your word. In turn, it could transfer into future multiple sales.
• Follow up on a purchase. Ask your customers how their purchase or service worked for them. Not only will you find out about your product, but you will learn more about your customer and the services they need.
• Network with other businesses. Learning and sharing best practices for getting to know customers from other successful businesses will also grow your business.

HOW TO OBSERVE #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay

Grow your business by taking the time to get to know your customers. In doing so, you’ll be planting a seed that will flourish! Use #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay to post on social media. Read about these 7 Ways to Know Your Customers to learn more.

GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS DAY HISTORY

We have been unable to find the creator of National Get to Know Your Customers Day.

Jul 16th “NATIONAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING WEEK”

The third full week in August queues up the processes that businesses and organizations need during National Management Training Week.

The week invests in the knowledge and talents of the people businesses entrust with the role of manager. Every organization, from small businesses to non-profits and civic groups, promote employees internally. Many managers often find themselves in leadership roles because they were performing well in their entry-level position (or line-level job).

According to Bloomleaders, 77% of corporations experienced leadership gaps in 2019. Employees typically seek jobs at companies that have leadership development, statistics show. But employers seek candidates that already have some form of leadership skills. This is because management doesn’t always have the time or money to train employees to develop their leadership skills. Because of this never-ending (not to mention vicious!) cycle, the stats just keep on getting worse and worse. Therefore the primary goal of the week is to help businesses place management skills before leadership. By giving managers the tools and skills to be managers and supervisors, they will lead their teams to success.

Another key goal behind the week is transforming the human back in human resources. Lisa I. Perez, the founder of HBL Resources, Inc., says she wants “every employee to walk out of their manager’s office with their dignity intact.” And that’s no matter how tough the conversation has to be.

National Management Training Week hopes to create productive conversations in our workforce that lead to improved management training practices and the development of excellent managers.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalManagementTrainingWeek

Businesses, organizations, and employees are invited to join the celebration. Review your current internal promotion process and consider how it can be improved. Other ways to take part in the week include:

• Launching an internal succession process.
• Getting your leadership team together to design your training plan.
• Creating a mentor or protégée program.
• Sharing a gentle reminder of internal training programs your business already has.
• Creating a training schedule if you don’t already have one.
• Putting your potential managers on special projects.
• Promoting job shadowing within your organization.

But don’t stop there. Employers and employees can boost their potential and resources by taking proactive actions to improve their business’ management outlook.

• Get the official Official 2020 National Management Training Week Tool Kit
• Enroll in Ongoing Management Training
• Listen to a Podcast focusing on management skills
• Take online courses on interviewing, hiring, performance management and more!

Share your experiences learning, training, and building in your business by using #NationalManagementTrainingWeek on social media, too.

NATIONAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING WEEK

In 2020, Lisa I. Perez, president of HBL Resources, Inc., founded National Management Training Week to bring national awareness to the need for better management training and preparedness in the workplace. She’s made it her mission to provide all the elements necessary for successful career advancement in every business landscape.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Management Training Week on July 16, 2020, to be observed the third full week in August, annually.

About Lisa I. Perez

Lisa I. Perez, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is the founder of National Management Training Week and HBL Resources, Inc., a human resources consulting firm. She brings over 30 years of HR experience and serves as a trusted advisor, trainer, or consultant to a broad range of organizations. Her mission is Transforming the Human in Human Resources® through “The Complete Manager Makeover®” management training system and its memberships. Her commitment to growth and development emerged early in her career, when she started in hospitality as a front desk clerk, progressed within the HR discipline, and accomplished the role of Corporate Director of Recruitment and Succession Planning within 10 years. The founder also believes in giving back; therefore, proceeds from The Complete Manager Makeover products and services are donated towards installing clean water filters in Kenya and Uganda, Africa.

HBL Resources, Inc was named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Entrepreneur of the Year category in The 18th Annual American Business Awards®. The firm focuses on HR Consultation, HR Administration, and its founder’s true passion, Training, and Development. HBL Resources is designated as an approved provider of recertification credit programs from both the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).

Relevant Observances

• Employee/Boss Exchange Day
• Boss’s Day
• Customer Service Week
• Hug Your Boss Day
• Employee Ownership Month
• National Employee Appreciation Day
• National Employee Benefits Day
• Global Employee Health And Fitness Month
• Take Back the Lunch Break Day

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!