Attention HR Folks, business leaders and entrepreneurs:

Are you the World’s Best Boss? (tip of the cap to Michael Scott).

I certainly cannot claim to be the World’s Best Boss, but here are 7 things I learned about “managing” folks over the past 25 years (yes, I’m that old!)

Do your quieter team members have a voice in your organization?

Last year the Printable team visited "The Office Experience" where the world of the TV show comes to life.

Check out this super cool graphic of total lines spoken by each character:

Question: For all the Creeds, Merediths and Stanleys in our organizations, how can we do a better job of giving them a voice?

Everyone talks about R.O.I. But what about R.O.E.?

In my swag world, R.O.I. means Return on Investment.

As in, what type of “return” will I get back from the amount of money I invest in swag.

But what about R.O.E. – Return on Engagement?

A few years ago, I visited Las Vegas with my teenage daughter to celebrate her acceptance into college. Being a teenager, she has a pretty typical sweet tooth.

So when we passed by a store called I Love Sugar...we just had to go in.

“I just need something cheap to giveaway at an event”.
 
I scratch my head when a client says this to me.
 
I have to remind them that their reputation is on the product we choose to represent their brand. 

HR Folks: Is it possible to stem the tide of “quiet quitting” with high-end branded merch?
 
In the age of quiet quitting, connecting with disengaged employees is a top priority.
 

ASI Live: How Distributors and Suppliers Can Effectively Leverage Social Media at Trade Shows. Great discussion yesterday with some of the top minds in our industry! Thanks Vincent Driscoll for inviting me to take part.

What’s reusable, warm and glows?

No, it’s not one of my patented Dad jokes, but rather words that describe the characteristics of the items in this super cool “Let’s Get Cozy” kit I recently received from my partners over at Hit Promotional Products.

A reusable travel tumbler, some hot chocolate and a scented candle!

HR Professionals: Please don’t give cash or gift cards to employees during Q4!

I think we all can agree that in this current economic climate it’s harder than ever to find and retain top talent.

So, it’s easy to think that a gift card or cash appreciation gift would be part of the retention elixir.

Procrastinators raise your hand!

If you find yourself behind the 8-Ball when it comes to year-end gifting to employees, clients, prospects and referral sources, I have some good news!

We’re currently operating on standard lead time including orders with embroidery.

It's my job to stay in tune with branded merchandise trends.

One of the biggest trends I am seeing from my clients is a gravitation toward co-branding with premium products and retail brands.

People are LOST without their earbuds and headphones. Well, 87% of us, anyway!

Listening to music, podcasts, & audiobooks or taking a phone call. At their desk, out for a jog, chilling on the couch. They’re practically glued to our ears!

Have you done anything embarrassing lately that you’ve shared with your team to show personal responsibility/ show your vulnerability?

Recently, I had one of my biggest Doh! moments while on vacation.

Hey, HR managers: Branded merch can be part of the solution to the 3 “R’s” that keep you up at night.

1️⃣ Recruitment of talent
2️⃣ Retention of employees
3️⃣ Rewarding and appreciating existing team members

Our social media guru Brittany Wright dropped some branding wisdom in the September issue of PS Magazine.

Hey, marketers…talk about knowing your target audience!

I stopped into this Potbelly Sandwich Works restaurant in Chicago on what happened to be the first day of school for Chicago Public Schools students.

Lane Technical College Prep High School high school is around the corner from this particular Potbelly. From the pic, can you guess what their main school color is?

Recently our team visited the Office Experience where the world of the TV Show, The Office comes to life.

Behold: the desk of Phyllis Lapin-Vance!

Phyllis is a sales representative at Dunder Mifflin, Scranton but judging by what is happening on her office computer, Phyllis is not making many sales.

Phyllis is the quiet-but-friendly type who would rather engage in “girl talk and gossip” than be selling.

“I need to buy some branded merch, what’s the latest and greatest?”

This is probably the most common inquiry I get via email, phone, Zoom or even via text from my clients.

Sometimes when there's a popular trend or two, the answer is easy to spit out:

• Vacuum-insulated drinkware (think Hydroflask, Klean Kanteen etc)

• Sustainably-produced apparel (with recycled polyester content)

• Blankets (comfy is in!)

• Bags made from recycled water bottles (saved from the ocean)

• Insulated cooler bags (like those thick, pliable Yeti-coolers)

I’ve never actually thrown a boomerang before and managed to bring it back!

Regardless, a boomerang is a good metaphor for employees coming back to your organization after they have left to “explore other options”.

No matter how hard we as managers work to build a culture that is fit for a Best Places to Work Award, some employees are inevitably going to leave our teams.

The whole Ark team has been helping some of Chicago's neediest population for years with their amazing philanthropic work and generosity. We were thrilled when they asked us to donate aprons for their volunteers who make a difference in Chicago's Jewish community every day!