Happy One-Year Countdown!

Photo from public domain, courtesy of Wikipedia

We are one year away from Vancouver hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and are so excited. The next year is going to be big!



Visit our blog regularly for our tips around the games (better yet, subscribe to our blog to be the first to know!), and check out these links to keep up with the celebrations:

Vancouver 2010 Official site

Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad


To the Games,
Janet

Circle the date – 1 week until the One Year Countdown to Vancouver, 2010!

Alder stools measure approximately 19" - 38" diameter and 12" - 28" high.
Photography by Jon Benjamin

The most famous of circles, as well as most well traveled, the Olympic rings are coming to Vancouver on February 12, 2010, celebrating the winter Olympics.

I see circles in design everywhere these days, and it makes perfect sense for recognition. Circles represent unity, collaboration, and friendliness- think globes and discussion roundtables. Circles show up in many places in nature, and are a design classic commonly used in corporate logos, as well as many Vancouver landmarks, like the BC Place Stadium and TELUS World of Science, which we can see outside our studio windows.

Here are a few of my favorite circles in Vancouver/Whistler:

• Created from fallen or previously harvested alder trees, the tables shown above are a contemporary west coast accessory perfect for a home, office, or your hospitality suite. http://www.janethelm.com/PDFS/Canadian_Furniture_JHrtg.pdf
  
• When in Whistler, I am always guaranteed a good work out with my friend Monique. Perhaps not a perfect circle but a good run around the Valley Loop Trail in Whistler, Old Mill Road around Lost Lake Loop then out Upper and Lower Panorama is an absolutely breathtaking example of our west coast beauty. Click here for more information on Whistler’s great winter Cross Country trails.


• TELUS World of Science and Science World – the iconic geodesic dome at the east end of False Creek - get dirty, messy in this ‘please touch’ environment that is awesome for kids and adults alike. For current exhibition click here.


• The Vancouver 2010 site is essential for what is happening and upcoming in our city and province. http://www.vancouver2010.com/


• Globes, globe awards, and round awards are full of symbolism for corporate events and are a unique alternative to standard awards and plaques. Contact us about commissioned globes in corporate colours and hand blown custom pieces.

To circles,

Janet

Canadian Environment

Photography by Jon Benjamin

We are excited and busy here in Vancouver, getting ready to welcome the world in February, 2010 to celebrate the winter Olympics. Currently, we are working with companies preparing for the Olympics, providing made in Canada gifts, gifts made by hand, and very often, gifts that are sustainable- soulful ideas that are finely crafted and creative, reflecting the unique beauty of Canada.

Recently, an opportunity presented itself with the timing and need to provide furniture and design services for 2010 hospitality suites. With my passion for design, art and architecture, and as a proud Canadian, what a great chance to offer our customers made in Canada furniture and accessories for their Canadian experience. Not only for hospitality suites, but also for your office, home, and in hotels.

Visit our Canadian Environment page on our Oh Canada website to see just a sampling of our proudly Canadian made furniture and accessories.

Call us for more examples of outstanding Canadian designs for your office, home, hospitality suite and hotel. Design services are also available.

Here's to celebrating Canada with soul!
Janet

Three easy ways to build genuine recognition this year

Having thank you cards on hand, ready to use, ensures the thank you won't be forgotten

The stuff of recognition - the awards, plaques, certificates, gift cards, isn’t the real recognition. The recognition comes with the thought and connection the employee feels. Meaning must be tied into the object for the award or gift to be a valued part of the recognition experience for the recipients. Employees are looking for meaning, and sincere appreciation for their personal value to the organization.

Here are 3 ideas you can start this month to ensure that you are providing recognition that works, making the most of your budget and time, inspiring and appreciating your team, and growing your company this year. Try one for three months and send me an update. I would love to hear your success.

1. Show appreciation and say thank you to small things
   Show appreciation by genuinely saying thank you more often and to small things you would typically take for granted. Old school thinking is that you don’t have to say ‘thanks’ because your employees already know you appreciate them, or that too much praise will have them asking for a raise. It is a fact, thank you can never be said enough, especially now. Thank yous also encourage people to be focused on a positive outlook, rather than negative one.


2. Listen, really listen to their ideas
   Communicate to your team how important their thinking is to answering cost savings issues. Listen to their solutions and improvements, and recognize their great ideas specifically. Thank them for how they are helping the company grow.


3. Look at your existing recognition programs for their true recognition value
   Review all your tangible awards, promotional items, and incentive gifts for recognition potential. Look for ways to simplify. You don’t have to go over the top—just ensure you are sincere. For example, choose locally made items, especially if sustainability is important to you and your company. Present in person, include a brief explanation why you chose the award, how it reflects the company values, and how it reflects your appreciation for their specific accomplishment.

When it comes to sincerely recognizing your team, it doesn’t have to be a lot of work or expensive, just meaningful.

Interested in learning new insights on recognition strategies that work? Call me today at 604-730-2600. I would love to speak to you.

Sincerely,
Janet

On the Ninth Day of Christmas…

The last cookie has been rolled in icing sugar. I'll deal with the kitchen in the morning, as I am nestled in for the night.

It has been 9 Christmases since it all began here at Janet Helm, with the thought that giving could be meaningful and easy.

The original Christmas card thought of sharing my vision of “The 12 Days of Christmas” has, over the years, evolved to include my sons. With “9 Ladies Dancing,” (I made sure I mentioned the "ladies" part to them after...), they danced for me in the park. “10 Lords a-leaping” should be a snap next year.

To see the entire series to date visit: www.janethelm.com/12days

Snow is falling here, a rare delight for Vancouver. (I say delight from the comfort of my home, the night before the morning commute.)

I am wishing your holiday season is filled with much fun, love, and laughter and that the year ahead brings happy, healthy times.
Janet

Don’t “down-size Christmas” say employers in the know.

I recently read an article by Joanne Chianello in our local paper, The Vancouver Sun, that mentioned a company whose employer hand-wrote 20 notes and personally delivered them to his employees, inviting them all to dinner. I felt compelled to call this company and say, Kudos.

I spoke to Jennifer Cross, the business development manager who mentioned that the company is 40 years old, and has original customers coming in who are now in their 70's. No wonder they have such happy customers- their employees are happy, which reflects in the outstanding customer service provided. As she is quoted in the Vancouver Sun article, "its our job to keep our employees happy and feeling like things are good. We want everyone to feel excited about their job."

The article also quotes Patrick Sullivan, President of Workopolis, saying that it is not about the party, but "it's all about the symbolism," and “what employees appreciate more than a grand gesture is some recognition that they worked hard."

December is just one time of the year to say thanks to your team. I recommend recognizing and rewarding employees throughout the year. It creates a culture of appreciation and a happy, satisfied team. Ongoing recognition, whether a formal program or not, that thanks employees- from public displays of thanks with awards or gifts, to subtle thank yous in the form of emails with a cc to the CEO- goes a long way in helping a company achieve their goals.

Avoid generic recognition items, like dated gold watches or gift cards that people may not redeem. Instead, choose ideas, experiences and items that are directly tied to your corporate culture and mission. This creates a team atmosphere that all are involved and feel truly contributing to goals.

To modern meaningful giving,
Janet

It is all in the delivery...

One of our most popular Ready to Give gifts, as the meaningful symbolism works for so many occasions.

During a recent follow up with a customer after her event, I learned that, while she loved the gifts, in her presentation to the recipients she felt perhaps she didn't communicate the symbolism of the gift as well as I had with her. A great lesson learned for both of us.

Helping our clients present their gift to best showcase the meaning behind it is as important as the gift itself. I learned that sharing our excitement and symbolism comes naturally to me because this is what I do. For our clients, that is why they have come to us - they are experts in what they do, and we provide the expertise to help them recognize those most important to their success, clearly and effortlessly.

With this in mind, we are now providing easy techniques and tools to our clients to ensure their gifts continue the experience effortlessly and with meaning, as intended.

Here are a few tips to ensure that when presenting gifts, they are received with as much meaning and value as the thought you put into them.

1. When presenting your gift to an individual or a group, tell a short story of why you chose this gift- the symbolism, how it ties in with the occasion, and how they can benefit from the piece in their home or office. Make it easy for them to understand the relevance.


2. If the gift is delivered or presented in a hotel room, ensure a story card is included to speak to the symbolism and why you chose the gift for them.
   For example:
   "I chose this basket made of FSC-certified cherry wood that was hand-made by an artisan in a time-honored tradition a hundred years old, because it reminded me of our working together for a better planet and creating a bounty of opportunity as we continue to work together. I hope you enjoy this basket and it reminds you of our time together, as well. Yours to enjoy filled with seasonal fruit, or simply displayed at your home. Each piece is hand-signed by the artist for you on the bottom of the basket. Thank you again. And enjoy.”
   

I am grateful for the opportunity to share this as it is an important part of the giving process.
Readers, what are your thoughts or questions about the giving process? Please feel free to post your comments and questions below.

Janet