Month: April 2012

Assorted Greeting Cards Can Do Wonders For Your Employees

All of us at one time or another in our lives have had the real joy of celebrating a special day, whether it is a birthday, anniversary, or a graduation.  During this celebration I’m sure we’ve all received lots of great gifts, and cards from our closest family members and friends.  But how many of us can say we’ve received this same sentiment from our employer?  Probably not many.

This is why sending your employees assorted greeting cards is so essential.  It lets them know how much you care.  It lets them know that they’re an individual who is important to your company, not just another random face punching a clock.  It makes them feel their work and loyalty is appreciated by their bosses and supervisors.  These greeting cards, given out without any fanfare but with a firm handshake and done unexpectedly, would be a tremendous morale booster, especially now when the economy is flagging and people’s minds may be distracted by negative economic news.

Lord knows how many people are worried about whether they may or may not keep their jobs or if they can pay their bills on time.  But receiving a small note of acknowledgement and appreciation from an authority figure can do wonders for an employee’s state of mind and productivity.

A Shadow Box Filled With Personalized Birthday Cards

When I moved away from my family in Massachusetts to New Jersey in 1978, my mother and I got into the habit of sending each other greeting cards for not only every holiday, but for any reason whatsoever. We would come across funny personalized birthday cards, thank you cards, and other all occasion cards in our travels and mail them to each other as another way to keep in touch other than by telephone. Inside these greeting cards, I would include pictures of my growing children and she would sometimes include cash, coupons, and anything else she deemed worthwhile. We looked forward to these thinking of you cards because it brought us closer together, despite the distance we were from each other.

My mother is now in a nursing home as she has Alzheimer’s disease. She does not really comprehend too much of anything anymore but I still decided to send her a card for her birthday shortly after she went into the home. I knew she wouldn’t be able to read it or even open it, but I could not forget it was her birthday. I hoped that a nurse would read it to her and perhaps place it on her nightstand. On my first visit to the nursing home, I discovered that each patient had a shadow box hanging in the hallway outside of their room in which photos were placed of their family or anything else the family chose to display. There was my mother’s birthday card in her shadow box, the only item she had! I was so happy that one of her nurses had taken that card and placed it in her empty shadow box.

Now I look forward to sending my mother a special card for every holiday – and occasionally one for no particular reason at all. I look for greeting cards with bright colors and pretty designs. I try to include a current photo of myself even though I absolutely hate to have my picture taken. Although it is only a card, it is still my small way of keeping in touch with my mother, who has lost touch with the world we once knew together. I don’t want her shadow box to ever be empty again.

Assorted Greeting Cards and A Big Surprise

Looking back, I remember a time when I had been the host to a fantastic surprise birthday party. It was a 16th birthday party that took place at my home on a Saturday night in March. There was a lot of thought; preparation and planning that went into organizing the event. I sent out invitations about a month and a half in advance so that everyone could have enough time to plan ahead for the big night. I figured sending out invitations in the form of assorted greeting cards would be the best way for everyone to remember the date and mark it on their calendars.

As the day of the party drew closer, I double checked my list to count how many people were coming so I knew how much food to make and how many beverages were needed. There were 50 people coming. For those 50 people I had ordered 50 boxed greeting cards. On each card I wrote, “Thanks for sharing in my Sweet Sixteenth birthday” and included a picture of my daughter on it.

On the Saturday afternoon of my daughter’s birthday I began to decorate my home. I placed the pink and silver Happy Sweet Sixteenth Birthday banner up in the foyer and scattered the matching pink and silver balloons throughout the foyer, the kitchen and the dining room. I had ordered plenty of coordinating pink and sliver plastic plates, napkins, utensils and cups. Throughout the day I cooked and prepared appetizers, the main course and baked and created a two-tiered chocolate cake! As I finished icing the cake, I placed it on a silver platter on the kitchen table and surrounded the cake with pink and silver photo confetti. On the confetti were pictures of my daughter – just the perfect touch of detail to mark her special day.

At 8pm the guests started arriving and by 8:30pm everyone had arrived and the lights were out. We were ready for my daughter’s arrival. My daughter would be arriving at 8:45 from her dance class and we were all quiet and still ready for her entrance. I was the closest person to the front door and I heard the jingling of her keys as she was preparing to unlock the door. As she opened the door and reached to turn on the light, we shouted out “Surprise!”

Surprise Employee Birthday Cards

It was Monday (not the best day of the week) and it had been particularly difficult to get out of bed that morning.  I should have been in a good mood but I wasn’t.   I didn’t want to be turning another year older.  I was the new person at work and lived thousands of miles from my family and didn’t really know that many people in the area.  I managed to get myself ready and out the door on time (a triumph on any given day of the week) and didn’t hit any traffic on the way to work.  Hey, I guess things were starting to look up!  I made it through the lobby of the building, into our company office and to my desk without any major incidents (I am a klutz!)  I was about to log in to my computer when I noticed a number of envelopes in my in-box.  I didn’t think much of it even though mail at 8:00 am on a Monday morning wasn’t usually typical.   On closer inspection, I saw they were all greeting cards including two employee birthday cards personally signed by the executives and managers I reported to.  There were also a number of cards from my fellow staff members.   I couldn’t believe it!  I know human resources knows my birth date as it is all over my paperwork but I didn’t expect such an outpouring of well wishes from people I had only worked with a short time.

The day continued to improve.  My manager had brought in donuts and my cubicle mate had made a yellow cake with chocolate frosting, my favorite.  I guess her digging to find out what I had ordered for dessert a few weeks back at a new restaurant was really a dig for information for my likes and dislikes not info on the restaurant itself.  Later that evening when I spoke to family and friends back home, I couldn’t stop talking about how nice everyone was and what it meant to have someone acknowledge my birthday and all the beautiful cards I received.  It certainly made me want to pay it forward and I was hoping I hadn’t unknowingly missed one of my colleague’s birthdays.

I quickly when online to find a company that sold corporate birthday cards in bulk.  I work with a number of people and cards can be very costly.  I found several companies that sold business birthday cards but none were nearly as striking as those offered by one company in particular.  I set about ordering 50 cards to have on hand.  I couldn’t believe the specials they were having and I could even personalize them with my name.   A short week and a half later, I had the cards in hand and quickly went about gathering everyone’s birth dates and trying to find out their favorite treat as well!

A Little Comfort from Boxed Sympathy Cards

It is always unexpected to lose a loved one; to receive that dreaded telephone call that someone special in your life has passed on. No one is ever quite prepared for it, especially when the person who has lost someone is either a colleague or superior at work. It is often difficult to formulate what to say to them. But with boxed sympathy cards you can tastefully let the grieving know that everyone from the company is still there for him or her. Sometimes, that little comfort makes all the difference.

Business should always keep sympathy cards on hand. Instead of spending time running to the store as soon as you hear the news, an awaiting stack of cards can save time and be deployed quickly to the grieving employee. Sympathy cards give the employee something to hold on to…to read over and over for comfort. The Gallery Collection’s line of business sympathy cards are simple and elegant; the image on the front of each design is soft enough to match your words on the inside.

Corporate Birthday Cards Are Rarely Expected

When was the last time a business ever did something special for you?  I’m sure most of us would have to sit and think about it before something comes to mind, if you don’t, it’s nice to know you are appreciated.  I have given my information to different businesses throughout the years, not necessarily expecting anything back other than a postcard or flyer reminding me to do business. Corporate birthday cards are rarely expected, that’s why it’s such a nice surprise to get one.

Birthday cards are normally something I expect to get only from friends and family.  I remember, especially as a kid, how although I wanted my card, I was anticipating the prize of money inside or the gift. But as I’ve become older, more and more each year, I value the actual cards people select for me.  The time they spend on finding a card that suits me, the personalized message placed inside has become, to me, a very special gift within itself.

Because of these reasons, I am particularly impressed, when a business takes the time to send something other than a promotional flyer.  If a company is willing to take some time with me, chances are, I’d be willing to take more time with them, just for taking the time to acknowledge my business. Business birthday cards are a great idea and I’ll welcome and remember any that come to my mailbox.

Corporate Greeting Cards Give Your Business A Personal Touch

Have you ever worked for a business that gave its employees corporate greeting cards? I have. I enjoyed receiving a special card on my birthday, filled with signatures of people I worked for. I loved opening up my Thanksgiving and holiday cards. It made me feel valued. Appreciated. I knew I was not just a number; I was someone they took pride in being able to call an employee. Because of that, I knew how important little things, such as greeting cards, meant for a successful business.

A few years ago, I decided to venture into the world of real estate. As many independent contractors and business owners know, it’s crucial to build a positive rapport with clients for referral business. While working with buyers and sellers, I made it a priority to get to know my clients. I kept a log of all their birthdays. I wrote down their “Home” Anniversary.  My list grew longer and longer, as did my need to send out greeting cards on a weekly basis! Thank You cards, holiday cards, employee anniversary cards; you name it— I send them out very often.

Referral business is important, but clients like to know they are working with genuine individuals. Because I take time out of my busy day to remember the people that helped me succeed, I’ve been able to continue doing what I love. However, it’s not just about the business itself; it’s about the relationships which simple gestures, such as business greeting cards, create. For all of this, I have to thank the company I once worked for. I’ve never forgotten how valued I felt from tearing an envelope to find a special greeting card waiting for me.

Employee Anniversary Cards For My Happy 2nd Year At Work

When I arrived in the office on April 3rd I noticed some envelopes on my desk with my name on them. Inside were employee anniversary cards that read, “Happy Anniversary!” Before opening the cards I taxed my brain in an attempt to recall what anniversary I should be celebrating. After giving this much thought, to no avail, I decided to solve my dilemma by finally opening the card that read, “Happy 2nd Anniversary! Thank you. We appreciate your being a part of our success.” The card was signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President of the company, and my managers.

A very fast two years had passed since I accepted my position, and this acknowledgement from my company in the form of corporate greeting cards was a unique and pleasant surprise. Having told a few of my friends about this gesture, some of whom have their own companies, several decided to do the same for their employees. It’s nice to know that many others will experience the same pleasant surprise and show of appreciation that I did on my 2nd anniversary with my company.

Personalized Birthday Cards And A Coupon

I used to think of myself as pretty stoic when it came to my birthday; I didn’t care if I received cards or not.  I am not anti-birthday cards, I send out birthday cards to all of my friends and family on their special day.  Actually one of my claims to fame is that I can remember a person’s birthday once I hear it. It’s a strange talent but people enjoy it.  This year I received personalized birthday cards from my yoga studio and inside the card there was not the usual “Happy Birthday to You” sentiment but the greeting was a coupon for a free session. The yoga studio actually sends these to clients on their birthday; this was a very clever idea and I really did enjoy receiving that card.

I mentioned this to a friend who owns a business and she told me that she already orders birthday cards by the box to send to her clients. She has the inside printed with a message that she will make a donation in their name to a charity; a thoughtful and generous idea.  Now that I discovered the many uses for birthday cards, I look forward to receiving them.