Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Holiday Greetings from Janet Helm

As I reflect on another amazing year I want to take the time to
thank you and wish you and yours a festive holiday 
season filled with much love, laughter and gratitude. 
Merry Christmas!
Janet 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Is it Necessary to Give Corporate Gifts in December?


"Is it really necessary to recognize my 
employees and customers with gifts in December?"


This is a question that comes up a lot.
The answer: "Absolutely not!"
Remember, genuine appreciation can't be forced.
We've all received gifts that are disappointing or puzzling and that is
not what you want to convey to the people most important
to your success!
Consider these alternatives:
1- Don't make last minute rushed choices. Instead, send handwritten
messages of gratitude. The message can be simple: "Thanks for making this another great year. Wishing you, Bob and your family a holiday season filled with fun."
Writing notes does take time, but the personal attention can mean more than an expensive, rushed choice.
2- Book a time in late January when the dust has settled (go ahead and mark it down right now) to revisit your employee and customer recognition. Well-chosen gifts that reflect your culture and brand creatively and genuinely don't need to be expensive, just well thought out in advance!
3-Consider other months besides December when your gifts won't be competing with other corporate gifts and are guaranteed to stand out!
January is a good month as you can use a Fresh Start theme: gift ideas can be 
leather accessories including journals and passport holders with your logo embossed on the front or custom-designed calenders.
Spring is another great time for recognizing employees' contributions or clients' value to your business: golf balls in attractive logoed wood boxes or hikers pack are just two ideas.
Fall/Thanksgiving gift ideas include: small desk-top pumpkins with a custom hang tag wishing all a festive season, a gift set of thank you cards 
or stylish tartan scarves.

As I always say, "it's not what's inside the gift box that matters, but what it represents - your genuine appreciation."
Let me know how you recognize your employees and customers creatively and
genuinely!
Janet

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Holiday Gift Giving






'Tis the season for peace, joy and gratitude! 


 We are here to help you give modern meaningful gifts this holiday season.
Contact us today to get started! 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Making a Difference Can Be Easy


                                     

Making a difference can be easy! 
When it comes to sincerely recognizing your team, 
it doesn't have to be a lot of work or expensive, just meaningful.
Share your gratitude with a simple thank you. Try it. 

to start thanking with our pretty Thank You Post Cards

Share results with me by posting a comment.

Interested in learning new insights on 
recognition strategies that work? 
Call me today at 604-730-2600. 


Sincerely,
Janet



Thursday, October 11, 2012

Holiday Gift Giving Guide- Sneak Peeks







Our Holiday Gift Guide is almost complete- in the mean time w'eve 
added sneak peeks- images and ideas for you on Pinterest!

Click on link below and we will send your our
Looking for ideas? Share here how we can help! 

Happy Giving!
Janet 


Monday, September 17, 2012

Inexpensive Ways to Stylishly Extend Your Brand


My clients often ask me to design custom tissue paper and ribbon with their logo on them. I do like the look, but share with them that most manufacturers have minimums so you have to order large quantities, making the idea expensive. If you know you will use the ribbon and tissue in a timely matter it is worth it as is a stylish and effective way to extend your brand. If you know you won't use the ribbon and tissue that quickly-within 4-6 months (logos change, and storage can be an issue) I suggest a few other solutions.

1- Choose tissue, wrap, bags and ribbon in your corporate colours.
You can have fun mixing colours and it won't be expensive.

2- If sustainability is important to you, use natural, recycled ribbons, and tissues. (Your recycled paper insert cards should also let recipients know their gift has been wrapped with eco friendly items.)

3- If you know you will be storing or shipping your gifts avoid using ribbon at all as it always gets crushed. You want your gift to arrive the same way it left your hands, so instead create gift box sleeves that fit around the lid of the gift box. This was a solution we at Janet Helm created to ensure our clients' signature tartan scarf  boxes arrive exactly the same way they left. (as we know before the recipients receive their gifts so  many other people handle them- from a shipper, receiver, the odd border inspector, purchaser, managers, just to name a few!)

Gift sleeves created for Colliers tartan scarf gift boxes

Keep in mind, if you have more than one location- all locations should be using the same gift wrap, tissue and ribbon. This keeps your brand experience consistent with employees and customers as well as saves people time from running out to buy ribbon and tissue!

Have a gift wrap or giving challenge or question?
I would love to hear from you. Post a question or comment here.

Happy Giving!
Janet

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Grateful for Blown Car Turbo!

Morning at Heffley Lake, BC 

I'm back at 'er this week after spending most of August on holiday, enjoying the beauty of British Columbia with family and friends. I'm grateful for the good food, good wine, good conversations and good belly laughs I shared around campfires, on decks and docks. What I find myself most grateful for though is my car breaking down in Cache Creek on the way back from Barkerville. I'll spare you the lengthy hot afternoon details and skip to us arriving by tow truck to Kamloops. The sun had set, and we were all a little cooler and calmer. We checked into a hotel for the night and I quickly realized I left my phone charger in my car which was now in the auto shop locked up for the night. At this point, I took it in stride, shrugged, and opened a beer.(I remembered to grab those out of the car!) I sat on the deck and asked a couple of hotel guests if they had a charger I could borrow. As my phone charged, we proceeded to introduce each other and share our, "what brings you to Kamloops" stories. Into our conversation I found out their four year old son has leukemia. With the hospital next door to the hotel, I found out many people stay there while visiting family and friends. I remember saying that night as I kissed my sons goodnight, "thank you for the blown turbo." I was reminded how grateful I am for my sons' health and that there is no good, no bad just how I react to a situation and every moment of the day is an opportunity for gratitude. 
I am grateful for my blown turbo!
Janet


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Good Leaders Harness the Power of Appreciation

How does client or employee recognition affect business success?
Check out my and two other industry experts' answers in this issue of 
Business in Vancouver's 

Monday, June 25, 2012

Join us!






In this issue of  Real Giving I invite you join us on our blog, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. Become part of our community to receive free: fresh gift ideas, trends in the industry, my inspirations and creative solutions, instantly, as I see them!

It's an easy way to be inspired, learn and connect with other like-minded "realgivers."

We've also just added a few fresh recognition ideas to our Ready to Give gift line and I would love to hear what you think. And if you are looking for something specific, or want to see more of let me know!

Remember, the more you can give thanks to others, the more you will bring the appreciation back to you.
I am excited to be connecting with you!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Happy Father's Day!

My Dad 1950's

My Dad, 1950's

Happy Father's Day Dad! 
"Janet, be happy, have lots of fun, and
 always be grateful."
Thanks Dad for setting a wonderful example of how to enjoy life. 


Saturday, June 2, 2012

Sharing A Gift Project

photo by Janis Nicolay

We've been working with Coca-Cola since 2003 when we first designed their very own tartan. The criss cross plaid pattern symbolizes family, community and unity- all words that reflect Coca-Cola.

So when the call came to design cuff-links for their Artic Home campaign, we were excited to roll up our sleeves with them. Photographs of actual polar bears were used for inspiration.  Gift cards sharing the story of the commission and the symbolism and reason for the commission was included- all for a great cause!

Visit our Facebook page to see more recent projects.


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Gratitude Attitude



Before you start your day, 
give a gift of thanks for waking up!
During your day, 
give a gift of gratitude- thank the person who helps you most often at work. 
Before you go to bed,
give a gift of thanks, by sharing one thing that made you smile during the day.

So who is willing to give it a try and share results?

Post your favorite gifts and what happened as a result- the powerful impact it made on your business and life. Giving a Gift a Day will make a difference in your life and in your company!

Read my inspiration for creating our Giving Project.

To giving gifts,
Janet

photo courtesy of Ludwig Interior Design

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Is It Summer Yet?


Well even it it's not quite summer, the weather sure feels like it (finally!) 
and we can't wait to share our summer must have gifts!
Check out our current issue of Giving for fresh, fun ideas 
for your upcoming 
recognition occasions and events!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Mother's Day

1950s photograph of my mom


Happy Mother's Day Mom!
Love Janet


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Sharing a Custom Gift Project


Teck Resources- a company who truly values recognition with meaning is always a pleasure to collaborate with. 


Their objectives for this project:  Provide gifts for local and international government officials and executives involved in the opening of a new copper mine in Chile. 
Gifts are to be made of copper and be suitable to display on a desk.
Gifts are to be unique reflecting Teck's genuine appreciation.


Strategy: We designed hand blown glass paperweights with real copper leaf floating inside. We also designed copper coins with artwork of the local Chilean church where the mine exists, the Teck logo, and the event information in both Chilean Spanish and English. The coins were added into the glass during the manufacturing of the glass pieces. 


The result: "Janet, that is why we call you. You are such a great resource and we can always count on you to design unique gifts. Thank you!"

This was a meaningful project to collaborate on and I was thrilled with the final results. 

Saturday, April 14, 2012

What to Know Before You Give

In the current issue of Corporate Meetings & Events I share questions to ask before you invest in purchasing your gifts, awards and incentive solutions.

Share with me your ideas and suggestions by posting a comment here.

To modern meaningful recognition.
Janet

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Influential Women



Once again I was thrilled to be the award sponsor for The Influential Women in Business Awards-
Business in Vancouver's annual event celebrating women leadership.

The awards are human glass figures, hand blown with outstretched arms symbolizing leadership and celebration. Each piece stands 11" high and is one of a kind. During the creative process, glass ribbon swirls of reds, pinks and purples are included which is a subtle and stylish way to reflect the event's branding.
The awards reflect the genuine appreciation of Business in Vancouver, make an impact when presenting on stage and in photographs, and are a unique award that stand out from the rest- just like the recipients.



Providing gift packaging that is sturdy, safe for travel and fashionable is an important detail as I want the gift giver's experience to be effortless and the recipients' gift experience to be a happy one from start to finish. (having to think about how to get the award back to the office in 
one piece would not continue the experience!) 


Thanks Lucy Cameron for the photos!
Initially when we looked at base options, I  felt using a mass produced glass base would take away from the sculpture look I was going for, so each base is also hand blown, then etched with the event, date, and recipients' names. Gift cards with Business in Vancouver's logo on the front and space for their personal message of gratitude inside is another detail that continues the experience for both the giver and recipients. The card also shares more information on the commission and the artist.



Read more about the inspiring women honored on
page 27 and 28 of BIV's March 20, 2012 issue

What occasion do you have coming up where you want the awards to reflect your genuine gratitude?

Thursday, March 8, 2012

International Women's Day!



We've come along way baby!

I am grateful for all the amazing women I have in my life.
My mom first comes to mind. I am thankful she continues to share with me her experiences, her thoughts, and her generosity. I am grateful for my sisters Denise and Ramona who introduced me to Elton John's music and bell bottoms. (I’m dating myself I know, but I’m dating them too- hee hee) They both continue to inspire me with their genuineness.  I’m grateful for my good friends, many I've had since high school- ladies who ground me and I can always count on to tell ‘er like it is. I’m grateful to have such awesome clients- leaders, many pioneers in their industries- smart, tough women who lead with compassion.

Tonight I'm celebrating International Women's Day by attending Dress for Success Vancouver's gala fundraiser.  Check out Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, and the Influential Women In Business Awards to experience another organization and event celebrating women.

On International Women's Day I wish all women a day filled with much love, laughter and peace.
Love Janet

photo from John Oxley Library. State Library of Queensland


Thursday, February 16, 2012

What's The #1 Reason People Quit Their Jobs?


BRUTAL FACT

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, it's because people 
do not feel appreciated.



Showing your appreciation doesn't need to be difficult, awkward or time consuming, just genuine.

Are latest issue of Giving shares quotes from amazing biz leaders who understand the importance of meaningful recognition as well as a few gift solutions 
for your upcoming occasions 
— ideas they'll love!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Another reason to be Thankful- Better Health!


When we express gratitude, a result is good health.
When you're in an appreciation mode, your life is healthier.
When you're in a negative mode your life is not healthy.
What I find awesome about this is more and more companies are seeing the benefits 
of being grateful and are creating attitude 
of gratitude cultures!
 
Being grateful not only makes you feel better, it makes everyone around you feel better.
It is a fact- expressing gratitude & thankfulness brings good health!
What else? Giving is free! 
Giving can be as simple as a wave to your neighbour, holding the door open for the person behind you, 
plugging the parking meter ( this happened to me! Experience my story of how giving a "gift" a day 
changed and continues to change my life. )

Does this all sound a bit Pollanna-ish? Why not try it first before you dismiss it.
Share results with me here by posting a comment.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

January is National Thank You Month!

January is National Thank you Month! 
Most of us know, people rank being appreciated at their job as more important than the 
amount they earn when it comes to their overall job satisfaction- so start thanking today!
Start off easy- no cards required as
post it notes make great thank you cards- 
really no tac is needed! Post on ipad, computer station, lunchroom.

Ensure your thank you is immediate. 
Better late than never doesn't necessarily work in this case. 
Within 48 hours is a good measure.

Be specific. 
"Thank you for ensuring our deadline was met." 
The message shows you noticed, and care and the person 
knows how they helped- being able to easily repeat the action again!
Have fun thanking this month!