The traditional employee performance review: It’s an annual exercise dreaded by most employees and managers alike. Beyond the apparent lack of appeal, are reviews worth the time invested? Are they beneficial for the company? Or the employee? I’ve been reviewing our annual performance review process—the questions, the scorecard grading scale—and I’m wondering: What are we…
If you’re in marketing, then you know that brand engagement is essential for growth. More than ever, making meaningful connections with your customers, prospects, employees, and other key audiences is good business. That’s because authentic engagement helps build trust and promote brand loyalty. And branded swag—promotional products, apparel, and gifts—is a proven tool for making…
Last year, a record number of Americans left their jobs during the Great Resignation. Then in 2022, some employees who did stay began to coast through their workdays with little enthusiasm or effort. These “quiet quitters” have us scratching our heads: What will be the next workplace trend? And how can we future-proof our businesses…
We all know a talker—that colleague who can walk into a room and quickly strike up a conversation or deliver a sales pitch with complete confidence. On the other end of the spectrum, most of us also know a person who is a patient and thoughtful listener. Both are redeeming qualities. And both are essential…
This blog is updated from the original posted on November 13, 2019. I was looking through old blogs and came across this one—and I had to laugh. When I wrote this in 2019 clearly, I had no idea about the wave of change coming at us. The reality is that during the last 2 ½…
Employees are now back in the office and on the sales floor for more and more businesses. And while the workplace might look a bit different than it did pre-pandemic, some of the mainstay corporate events are back in action, too, including annual sales meetings. Successful sales kickoff meetings can boost morale and set the…
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” The quote from the late pastor and author Robert Schuller is the title of one of his inspirational books. And it’s also a mantra for embracing the difficulties that life inevitably throws our way—and coming out on the other side better off for the experience. Here’s what…
Consumers want to feel a connection to the brands they buy and the organizations they support. So, knowing that we gravitate towards those products and brands that resonate with us, think about using product personalization to create a feel-good bond with your brand. Product personalization is on-trend. Why? Personalization is an effective way to improve…
Big legal firms. Small tech startups. No matter your company’s size or industry, in today’s competitive and increasingly fluid job market, employee recognition has become an essential tool for helping to attract and retain top talent. More and more employees are currently seeking new opportunities. CNBC reports that “some 65% of employees are looking for…
Clearly, 2020 presented us with unique challenges and setbacks. But it also catapulted change. It was a year that moved some of us out of our comfort zones and prompted businesses to adapt to the new normal, pivoting to meet our customers’ evolving needs. While there’s plenty of benefits to lessons learned from having your…
