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Perhaps the reason branded tote bags are so popular is not only the versatility and practicality they offer users, but their talent for being walking billboards for your company. Not only will people hang onto any tote bag given them, they’ll put them to great use. And with reusable bags on the rise in popularity, this means your brand could be carted everywhere from busy city streets to the beach, even to the grocery store. So what promotional tote bag do you choose to get your name out there?
 Of course price is often a major consideration, but most totes easily fall into the “affordable” category. Economic bags should be sturdy too, otherwise they don’t outlast your investment. Going with something like this Recycled Cotton Market Bag will offer durability at a good price. And in keeping with the theme of this particular bag, you can even opt for eco-friendly inks. A great way to show your customers that your company cares.
 Here is something for the more fashion conscious – although it comes in a variety of colors, this apple green Reversible Tote presents a truly hip choice. It gives an eye popping backdrop for your logo, and recipients won’t dare part with this one. The front pocket adds a bit of organization and added practicality.
 For a more recreational feel, this Windjammer Tote has a great nautical design and comes with black, royal blue, red, or apple green accents. The main compartment is zippered, and the front pocket has a Velcro enclosure. This tote would be perfect at trade shows and will easily transition to everyday use. It’s hard to imagine a logo that wouldn’t look good on this one!
Now’s the perfect time for totes. As the weather warms up, people will be shifting their activities to the great outdoors, and having a great bag to take along will be appreciated and displayed. Getting your brand out there in “walking billboard” form couldn’t be easier than offering your customers, visitors, and employees the practicality of the perfect promotional tote.
For more information on these and other totes, please contact us – we’d love to talk totes. We can help you find the perfect selection from literally hundreds of options, so dream it up! We’ll find your match.
Be sure to brush up on Casual Friday policy before donning your new look. http://www.flickr.com/photos/irongategallery/ / CC BY-NC 2.0
Hey, if you can’t loosen the tie a little on a Friday afternoon, when can you? No, your college roommate’s wedding reception doesn’t count here. And while we’re not condoning anything as reckless as roasting marshmallows in the break room microwave or a national “Bring Your Gila Monster to Work Day”, we are mildly suggesting you make the most of your Friday, although we’re sure you need not be reminded. So following are our top 10 ways to express a little Friday fun, all without the addition of biting reptiles.
1. Start a singalong with your coworkers. (We like banjos.)
2. Pack a picnic lunch and a really big blanket. Invite your coworkers to join you for lunch at that little strip of grass next to the parking lot. Be sure to prepare plenty of Kool-Aid.
3. Wear platform shoes.
4. Pass out Smarties and call people one. (Warning: this does not work with Dum Dums. Bad, bad idea.)
5. On breaks, play hangman on the dry erase board in the breakroom. Make sure to erase it afterwards and put back that important office announcement so no one thinks next Tuesday is a meeting about “_outh pa_k“. (Take your time… we’ll wait.)
6. Dress up as your favorite Alice in Wonderland Character. What’s that? You already wear a really big hat and a bowtie to work? Okay, scratch that one. No, hookahs are against company policy. Scratch that one too.
7. Play “Pin the Tail on the Annual Report”. Get permission first. Thumbtack marks are hard to remove.
8. Serve a cheese fondu at the 3 o’clock break.
9. Discuss perpetual motion.
10. Play “Name that Tune”. (Again, we insist on the banjo.)
And there you have our 10 suggestions for a little Friday fun. Feel free to share your ideas too. And yes, today’s article may seem to be short on substance at first glance, but hey, fun on Friday is a great way to ensure everyone comes back on Monday. There’s no need to do all 10 things on the same day, either. That would just get a little weird. But adding a dash of the unexpected can go a long way to keeping the team feeling like a team. Just keep the Gila monsters at home, alright?
 Outdoor Awards are Perfect for Heading into the Warmer Weather Got a lot of outdoorsy types employed with your company? If so, there’s no better way to let them know they’re appreciated as part of the team than by offering some outdoorsy options in your service awards programs, or perhaps as general incentive gifts. By pairing together items in a kit, you ensure there’s something in the awarded package for everyone.
Starting with a backpack is a practical idea on all sides: The backpack is the perfect way to contain a fun and exciting host of items, and backpacks are something everyone can make use of. Try something like this Zap Backpack, which can hold a laptop, books, or even a brown bag lunch and hiking gear. Padded adjustable shoulder straps add comfort.
Fill the backpack with things such as a 3D MagLite, waterproof binoculars, two-way radios, and even a fleece throw. Items will be appreciated both as a set and individually, and of course everything can be enhanced with the names of the recipient and your company, along with the company logo.
Add kits like this to your Service Award programs, or set a few aside for special thank you’s for excellent performance and “trail blazing” within the company. Your employees will thank you for it, and anyone with a love for the great outdoors will be especially motivated to gain one of their own!
For more information on this and other similar sets, please contact us – we’d love to talk. As it turns out, there are several General Motivation people on hand who really dig the outdoors. And flashlights. Gosh, we love flashlights.
 Every Employee Wants to be Appreciated Whether you sense it or you’ve been told outright, having an employee that doesn’t feel appreciated can make for a difficult situation to deal with. Employees who feel they aren’t valued probably don’t perform at their very best, and you may be missing the level of professionalism you’ve come to expect from him or her. So how do you correct the situation?
The first thing you should do is to examine whether or not you really do appreciate the employee. Perhaps you’ve taken their performance for granted, or maybe it’s simply a matter of not having shown appreciation, either through words or actions. If after careful examination you simply can’t conceive of where the problem lies, it’s time for a talk with the employee.
No matter how valued an employee’s performance has been in the past, someone who doesn’t feel appreciated is bound to be a less satisfied worker. So if after some introspection you find that your feelings towards your employee haven’t exactly been positive, it’s not too late to turn that around and bring out the best in him or her. Yes it’s true, sometimes no manner of encouragement will bring forth a great performance, but it’s often quite surprising what will happen by making an extra effort.
On the other hand, you may have discovered that indeed this worthy employee has flown under the radar too long, and has not been given the proper kudos. What do you do? The best way to remedy the situation is to sit down privately with him or her and first sincerely apologize for the oversight. Then ask what can be done in their eyes to reverse the negativity. Do they want simple verbal acknowledgment? Do they feel they were overlooked for a promotion, or are their skills being underused? Listen openly, and if need be, tell them that you want a few days to fully absorb the suggestions they gave. A followup meeting will be necessary in this case. The important thing is to give room for the employee to express their views on the situation so you can better address it and make adjustments. At that point you’ll be able to see where improvements can be made if possible.
If you feel there’s simply been a misunderstanding – that in fact you did show the employee appreciation and they didn’t recognize it as such – find that magic middle ground and offer something else that makes you both comfortable.
When an employee doesn’t feel appreciated, you both lose. The solution may be as simple as letting that employee know the are indeed valued and needed. Other times bigger steps need to be taken; but in the end what you gain for your efforts is a happier, more dedicated employee. And if strides are made to correct an unhealthy situation, your employee will have a deeper respect for both you and the company that worked so hard to show true appreciation.
Cutting Back can be as Simple as Watching Office Supply Waste
With a tough economy comes tightening of the belt in areas that may have been previously overlooked. If you’ve got the job of cutting down on office expenses, you’ve got quite a challenge! But you need not despair – remember, even the smallest of cutbacks can add up to more significant savings. Following are 10 money-saving tips for cinching the office budget.
1. Save on Electricity – Install timers on office lighting so lights automatically shut off when no one is in the room.
2. Coffee Caddy – Most employees have no idea how much coffee an office can go through. Encourage everyone to contribute to a coffee fund by putting a collection can in the break room, and label it with the current monthly average of money spent on coffee, filters, cream and sugar so everyone is aware of the money needed to keep the coffee brewing. Ask employees to be on the lookout for cheaper supplies when shopping.
3. Cool Down – Rooms that aren’t in use can be left unheated during winter months. Shut vents in unused areas of the building.
4. Take it Down a Notch - For the rest of the building, try turning the heat down one or two degrees. Yes it’s true, this will be one of the less popular decisions, but kindly explain to all that it’s necessary to keep the costs down. Just make sure you don’t knock the heat down too far in money-saving exuberance, however, or you’ll end up with chilled and unhappy workers! That’s not so hot either.
5. Printing Techniques – Print on both sides of the paper whenever possible. And when it’s not necessary to print, don’t. Encourage everyone to refrain from printing for personal use too. You’ll save on paper, toner, and electricity, not to mention wear and tear on the printer. When you’d normally print reports, etc., for clients and customers, try sending it electronically. Let your customers know it’s the more environmentally friendly choice. Most people will know – and understand – that it’s both an environmental and an economic choice.
6. Reign in on Incidentals – Most of us have gotten accustomed to Sticky Note usage, but remember there once was a time when they didn’t even exist! Try saving scrap papers and cutting them into quarters to be used for note taking. Paper clips are reusable and in the long run will be a cheaper solution.
7. Cleaning Up – Cleaning supplies can be a huge drag on the office budget. Thinking of the price tag attached to the mounds of paper towel, glass cleaner, and other cleaning products can make one’s head spin. Try purchasing a few spray bottles and filling them with water and vinegar. Or purchase something like the ActiveIon (pricey at the get-go but well worth it) to avoid regular replacement of cleaners. Buying reusable cotton cleaning cloths instead of disposable paper towels will cut down on expenses, not to mention all the extra garbage.
8. Dry Out - For bathrooms and break room areas, replace paper towel dispensers with reusable cotton cloth hand dryers or air dryers. The initial investment means never having to dole out for disposable paper towels again.
9. Break Room Cut-Backs – along with the reduction of paper towels, cleaners, and coffee expenses, make sure the break room is supplied with reusable dishes and silverware instead of disposable. Again, you’ll be cutting back on trash volume. Encourage everyone to wash dishes immediately after usage. By mixing 1/4 cup of dish soap (or less) in an old bottle mixed with water, you’ll hardly ever have to replace that soap! Most are highly concentrated and can handle being greatly watered down without losing their potency.
10. Ask for Employee Input – Holding a meeting, or simply going around the office and asking for ideas, is a great way to get everyone in on the spirit of cutting back. Ask people what they’ve done in their own homes to decrease expenses, and see how you can implement those at work. Most people will be more than happy to share their ideas, and when they see them put to use in the office, they’ll be glad they were able to contribute in any way possible.
It’s the small expenses that often sneak by us, adding up to a big problem. But by taking a closer look at the little money leaks, you’ll make quite a savings in the long run. Be sure to calculate the expenses before and after, and share them openly with everyone. Explain it’s for the benefit of all, not just the company’s bottom line. Sure, cutting back can be hard and it does mean sacrifice on everyone’s part, but being open and honest with employees when it comes to trimming the fat by cutting down on office expenses will ensure you have not only everyone’s participation, but their enthusiasm as well.
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Of course price is often a major consideration, but most totes easily fall into the “affordable” category. Economic bags should be sturdy too, otherwise they don’t outlast your investment. Going with something like this Recycled Cotton Market Bag will offer durability at a good price. And in keeping with the theme of this particular bag, you can even opt for eco-friendly inks. A great way to show your customers that your company cares.
Here is something for the more fashion conscious – although it comes in a variety of colors, this apple green Reversible Tote presents a truly hip choice. It gives an eye popping backdrop for your logo, and recipients won’t dare part with this one. The front pocket adds a bit of organization and added practicality.
For a more recreational feel, this Windjammer Tote has a great nautical design and comes with black, royal blue, red, or apple green accents. The main compartment is zippered, and the front pocket has a Velcro enclosure. This tote would be perfect at trade shows and will easily transition to everyday use. It’s hard to imagine a logo that wouldn’t look good on this one!
