Branding Ideas℠

Tag: kindness

You are currently browsing the Branding Ideas Blog posts tagged: kindness

The History of Administrative Professionals Week

April 14, 2016 Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
No comments

1950s reception deskAs we mentioned on our recent post, April Holidays, Events, and Awareness Dates to Keep on Your Radar, April is chock full of special events and awareness dates worth making a note of. One such event, set to take place later this month, is Administrative Professionals Week. Running from April 24 – April 30, with Administrative Professionals Day placed in the middle of that week (Wednesday, April 27), it’s a perfect opportunity to recognize the hard work and talent of the administrative professionals at your company and the many ways in which they support your business success.

How Administrative Professionals Week Got Started

Administrative Professionals Day began back in 1952, as Secretaries Day, which was part of National Secretaries Week. It was originally created to celebrate the important contributions of secretaries to the economy and encourage more women to join the profession during a postwar shortage in the US. While secretaries were typically women, in the following decades men slowly started joining the profession. Today, both men and women are among the proud administrative professionals and executive administrators.

Recognizing Administrative Professionals Today

In 2000, the name of the holiday was updated to Administrative Professionals Day (and Week) to reflect the expanded job responsibilities and additional roles that administrative professionals have taken on in the current business landscape. Businesses and organizations use the occasion to celebrate the many contributions of their staff of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support staff with cards, flowers, or lunches. Other gift ideas that would be fitting might include a desk set, or an award or plaque if they have served in their position for a long time or with particular distinction.

Gratitude Goes a Long Way

Though our work lives are often fast-paced, it’s often worth taking a moment to share gratitude with our colleagues and those around us. In fact, expressing gratitude and engaging in thoughtful acts of kindness can benefit us just as much as the people whose days we seek to brighten. Administrative Professionals Week, as well as other special events taking place throughout the month of April, is a perfectly good excuse to do just that.

As we enter spring, are you wondering if there are promotional gifts or other products that might be a good fit for the season or a special project or campaign you might have on your radar? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for advice. If you have an idea in mind that might benefit from some creative brainstorming, we’d be happy to share some recommendations. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on custom branded promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

The Powerful Benefits of Kindness

November 4, 2015 Events & Holidays
No comments
The benefits of kindness

photo credit: Atlas Hands via photopin (license)

Have you heard of World Kindness Day? Celebrated across the globe each year in countries from Singapore to Nigeria, it’s coming up on November 13. Originally started by the World Kindness Movement in 1998, World Kindness Day is an opportunity to pause and witness the beauty that a simple act of kindness can bring to the lives of those around you. With Thanksgiving coming up in the U.S. later this month, it ties in perfectly with the themes of gratitude and compassion that may already be on some of our minds. Here are a few ways you can show kindness to others on this special occasion:

  1. Give the gift of listening. In our busy world, despite our best intentions, sometimes it can be challenging to stop and focus on what our loved ones, friends and colleagues are saying to us. We also know what it’s like not to feel heard. Listening is one of the most powerful ways in which you can show kindness to another person.
  2. Ask questions. The other side to active listening is asking thoughtful questions. You can show kindness simply by inquiring about how they are, what they’re excited about, or what their concerns are. It’s a powerful way to show that you care how they are feeling and what’s happening in their life.
  3. Show someone that you care. Share your appreciation for someone who matters to you with a nice gesture that will be meaningful to them. This could be something small, like giving someone a chocolate chip cookie when they’re having a rough day. A handwritten note is always appreciated and remembered.
  4. Praise someone. Sometimes our accomplishments or special moments in life can go under the radar. Other times we don’t even notice our own talents and special gifts as we’re showing them. If you see someone’s skills or positive qualities in action and appreciate them, let them know. It’ll brighten their day.
  5. Practice awareness. As you’re going through your day, is there someone who’s struggling to find a seat on the subway or straining to reach an item on the top shelf at the grocery store? Keep your radar up for what others are experiencing and how you can be of service.

Of course, kindness can have benefits to the giver as well as the recipient! Practicing kindness can increase one’s levels of health and happiness, strengthen relationships, and inspire others to show kindness in return. We wrote last week that a year-end party is a perfect occasion to share your gratitude with the colleagues and employees who helped make the year a success. You don’t have to wait for a major occasion or a holiday to share the gift of kindness with those around you, though. In many respects, kindness is even more powerful when expressed, even in small ways, as we go about the business of our daily lives.

Are you wondering how you can make an impact with a special gift that shows a thoughtful touch? We’d be happy to put our expertise to work for you. Reach out to us on Twitter and Facebook—or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise on ways you can make a lasting, positive impression through kind and thoughtful gifts.