Jan 28th – National Fun at Work Day: 5 Ways to Celebrate It!

Showing your coworkers and employees that you appreciate them is a wonderful way to boost morale and keep everybody happy and comfortable with their work environment. And what better time to show them you appreciate them than January 28th, National Fun at Work Day? Here are just some of the many ways you can celebrate, make your coworkers/employees feel appreciated, and have fun at the same time!

  • Ice cream and pizza social

The notion of the ice cream and pizza social is somewhat of a cliché in the office world, but that’s because it works. Nothing is more relaxing than coming from a long morning of hectic work to find ice cream and pizza waiting for you on your lunch break. It not only fills workers’ stomachs; it warms their hearts, because they are able to see just how valued they truly are. Being able to celebrate with everyone over good food is also a great stress reliever, so they will return to work feeling refreshed and ready to face the rest of the day.

  • Throw a meeting that is unrelated to work

Although meetings are necessary for many different positions in many different jobs, they can incite feelings of apprehension in employees who stress about saying the wrong thing, making a bad impression, or otherwise messing up in some way during the meeting. So throwing a meeting unrelated to work is both a great way to distress during National Fun at Work Day, and a good way to ease some of the trepidation generally associated with meetings. All you have to do is gather everyone in a meeting room, similar to how you would during any other meeting, and keep the conversation lighthearted. Ask everyone to talk about themselves. Talk about your plans for the weekend. Discuss possible vacations people are thinking about taking. Any conversation that doesn’t relate to the job or work-related responsibilities works great; the goal is to help employees relax and have fun for a few minutes, and also make them feel valued, because you are having a meeting centered around them. It also has the extra benefit of easing some of the nervousness they will feel towards future meetings, because they will remember how valued they are, and worry less about doing the wrong thing!

  • Introduce some fun activities to keep work interesting

It may be National Fun at Work Day, but the work doesn’t just stop. All employees still have to fulfill their duties; the goal is to make their typical duties fun and exciting. A good way to do that is by introducing fun activities they can participate in even while working. Anything that doesn’t interfere with their job responsibilities works great. Some suggestions include dressing up in costume (and maybe giving away rewards for the best costumes), playing music (at a low volume so those working on the phone can hear!), and drawing raffles to win some fun prizes. Anything creative that keeps work exciting works great!

  • Have a scavenger hunt

Hide little surprises and prizes around the office for people to find. This keeps things exciting because people never know what they are going to find, or where! If you want to make sure it is fair, you could hide things in random spots on people’s desks, so that you ensure everyone walks away feeling like a winner. This still keeps things exciting because people don’t know where on their desk they are going to find their prize, or what they are going to find. Then once it’s over, the fun will continue as people compare prizes and discuss how hard/easy it was to find their prize.

  • Get everyone involved in the celebration process!

Nothing makes people feel more valued than knowing they are being heard. So why not have coworkers get involved in planning for National Fun at Work Day? This way, you can learn what they find fun, and cater the activities to suit their own interests. Implementing some sort of incentive is a good way to excite coworkers as well, and make them eager to contribute their ideas. It doesn’t have to be anything excessive; awards, certificates, and even small, simple prizes go a long way towards building excitement and getting people eager to participate! After all – it is a day for them!

What are Museum Art Masterpieces?

It’s always in good form to make a genuine effort to acknowledge clients and colleagues during the holidays, on special occasions, or just to congratulate them on a job remarkably well done.  Quite often, a finely crafted greeting card encompasses all the elements necessary to convey your message in an attractive and thoughtful manner.  However, there are certain instances when you may wish to push the envelope so to say and venture in a slightly different direction.  It may be the case that you wish to mark a particularly special occasion, or that your recipients possess refined, discriminating taste and have an undeniable passion for the arts.  If so, then feel free to take a long, appreciative look at Museum Art Masterpieces.

Museum Art Masterpieces are just what their name implies.  Nestled behind an elegantly embossed front cover printed with an occasion-appropriate greeting and your organization’s name proudly stamped in vibrant gold foil is a 9” by 12” reproduction of a timeless, influential, and evocative piece of art created by a true, recognized master.  Works from some of history’s greatest artists are available in the Museum Art Masterpiece collection, and these reproductions are double matted and mounted so your clients and colleagues can gladly frame and display their unique and generous gift for all to see.  For those who have everything, give them something that they can never have.  Maybe owning one of these actual works of art is an impossibility, but the opportunity to view a beautiful reproduction every day can elicit a serenity, an appreciation, a sense of awe that is just as real as the feeling evoked by the genuine article.

What is the Purpose of a Greeting Card Assortment Box?

OMG I can’t tell you how many times having a greeting card assortment box has saved my life.  OK, that’s an exaggeration, but having it is amazing.

You know how tired you are at the end of the day and you just want to go home and flop down in a chair and chill?  Well, imagine that and then remembering that you have a birthday at work the next day and there is no way you can drag yourself out to the store.  Having a greeting card assortment box means all you have to do is probably open a drawer or closet in your own home and choose a card, without ever having to leave the house.  And an assortment box of cards doesn’t only come in handy at home; I have a box in my desk at work too.  That way, my office crew is prepared for any situation.

Not to mention, it’s an assortment box, so you have some of everything.  I know I’ve often times used the “Thinking of You” card when I’ve heard some news about a friend or former neighbor and you really just want to brighten their day.  It’s just a little something, but just enough to cheer someone up.

What a perfect solution to having everything you need at your fingertips – any time of the day or night.  A greeting card assortment box answers all your needs and can most likely get you through more than a year of events – planned and unplanned.

Sympathy Card Etiquette

No one likes to send a sympathy card, but at some time in all of our lives, we will have to do it.  So when that time comes, you want to make sure that you say the right thing.  Writing something inside the card is never an easy task but you really don’t have to write a lot because the most important thing to remember in sympathy card writing etiquette is to simply let the family know that you are thinking about them.

But if it’s possible, try to add something personal about the deceased –something in particular that reminds you of them…a certain time you spent together, their laugh or smile, a song, etc.  Be sure to let the recipient know how you know the deceased (co-worker, friend, attended the same school, etc).

Remember, just like it is true in our everyday lives, sometimes we never know the impact we make on another person’s life and learning something new about someone who has passed away can mean so much to a family member who is grieving.

Let’s Cut To The Chase. Which Phone Has The Best Camera?

There seem to be a lot of obstacles to go around before you can cross that finish line.  Let’s look at the entire course before any winner is chosen.

The concept of taking pictures with your phone and not carrying around another gadget is ingenious.  In many, if not most cases, the phone has become the primary way we take photos, which gives us all the opportunity to enhance our creativity with photography.  In addition, another benefit is the ability to instantly share our favorite snapshots with one or all of our friends.  It is even possible to take photos of our most memorable events such as your son or daughter’s wedding, which is why we want the best camera that will take the highest quality pictures, videos and let’s not forget those popular selfies.

The iPhone 6 has a good aspect ratio and wide angle lens which lets you get a lot more into the photo compared to some others.  The iPhone 6 seems to do better on outdoor photographing.  However, for inside pics the LG G4 and Samsung Galaxy S6 are running neck to neck.  Selfies are right up there in the race with Google Nexus 6 and HTC One M9 moving up quickly on the home stretch.

So the race will continue until all of these deciding factors are captured in one phone.  However, for me my pick remains with my iPhone 5, until I can move up the track to iPhone 6.

Office Etiquette Rules That Should Be Followed In Every Workplace

Most office settings today have cubicles instead of the open concept or individual offices of years ago. The cubicle culture adds a unique dimension to the concept of etiquette in office culture today. Although, the walls do not reach the ceiling and there are no doors there is no reason to assume that you can invade a person’s individual work area. Many people become very sensitive when you enter their space without asking their permission. By the same token, if you are in a cubicle you cannot have an expectation of complete privacy. Whether in a private office, a cubicle or an open concept office, these office etiquette rules should be followed in every workplace.

Be punctual-coming to work late or returning from lunch late will have an impact on your co-workers.      They may be picking up the slack for your tardiness.

Dress appropriate-wearing revealing, dirty, ripped or smelly clothing gives the impression that you have neither pride in yourself, nor pride in your job. Your co-workers will certainly see you in a less than appealing light and therefore believe that your work is subpar also.

Perfume-should be light and inoffensive. The person in the next cubicle could be allergic to strong scents or have asthma which will affect their breathing. That is not to say you shouldn’t wear perfume, but that you should be aware that if the scent is strong you should wear less.

Noise-Talking over the walls of a cubicle should be done quietly. Other people in nearby cubicles may not be taking part in your conversation, but they surely hear you. You should keep in mind that making loud noises or talking loudly can be very distracting when you are working.

Impromptu Meetings- should be held in meeting rooms and not gathered around a cubicle. Not only is that distracting to other workers, but you may be overheard talking about matters that do not include other employees.

Computer Reading-just because you can see over the cubicle walls doesn’t mean that you should be reading what is on your neighbor’s computer. They may be working on something sensitive so make it a point to look away from their computer screen.

Borrowing – should not be done without the permission of the owner. When a person has a stapler on their desk it is not public property. It is always proper to ask permission before borrowing anything from another employee.

Private Space– your cubicle may be your space at work but you should remember that you are in an office. It is offensive to others if your space is messy and crowded with personal belongings. There are occasions when coworkers have to visit your cubicle or have occasion to pass it. Remember this is not a room in your home but part of a larger office. As such it should be kept neat and professional.

There are no hard and fast rules to etiquette, but a general rule is if it is annoying or offensive to you then you can rest assured someone else will feel the same way. Being part of an office your cubicle or work space should be a comfortable space that is conducive to doing your job well. If you just follow a few simple rules of etiquette your coworkers will appreciate your effort.

10 Success Quotes from Famous Leaders

 

Success is many different things to many different people. It is not always about money and career. Success is about happiness, good health, satisfying relationships, living life to its fullest, peace of mind, and achieving an overall sense of well- being.  What does success mean to you?

  1. “The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.” -Mark Twain
  1. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” -Lao Tzu
  1. “Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.” -David Frost
  1. “Success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” -Michelle Obama
  1. “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” -Henry David Thoreau
  1. “The best revenge is massive success.”  -Frank Sinatra
  1. “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”  -Winston Churchill
  1. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” -Arthur Ashe
  1. “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” -Babe Ruth
  1. “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” -Steve Jobs

 

How To Make Every Monday A Productive One

Mondays, everyone’s favorite day of the week, I know, I love it too.  On a serious note, the dreading that comes with the beginning of the week really isn’t based on the actual work of the week starting.  For most workplaces Monday is a slow day as nothing has been set into motion yet.  Mondays can actually be utilized to make your whole week a lot better.  For starters you can use this time to plan out your week as a whole.  Organizing your week from the start can help you work more efficiently, getting more done in less time.  You can prepare and setup everything you need beforehand so it’s ready for each day.  It can also save you a lot of stress later on so surprise tasks given to you don’t become overwhelming.

Something else you can do to make your Mondays more productive is to review the past week’s work for the company.  This way you can catch any mistakes that may have been made to save company resources.  Even if none were made you could look at everything and see if there was anything you would change for the work process in the future.

Last and probably the most appealing out of the three, is saying thank you to your workers or coworkers for the previous week and getting them ready for the upcoming new one.  Our Distinctive Thank You Card is the perfect card for this purpose simple but to the point, and you can fill the interior with whatever message you’d like.  Or if the purpose is more of an informative one, our Correspondence Note Cards are free of any default artwork and can be used for whatever purpose you desire.  Whether it’s recognizing employees’ accomplishments or passing along information for the week it’s another effective way to spend a Monday in the office.

These are just some ways you can make those Mondays less of a drag and more productive. Enjoy!