#because that’s more of a midsize tote bag

[theres-whump-in-that-nebula]

Okay task completed. I also bought a new “work bag” which will totally be used for work and not smuggling my stuff out of the house bit-by-bit.

[lenomeshbagsupplier-blog]

Three Critical Tips for Finding a Good Heavy Bag for Martial Arts Training

If You're new to martial arts, you most likely need to think about obtaining a thick bag (also referred to as a punching bag) for coaching. Heavy bags are excellent training tools which will permit you to practice your pace, timing and energy without needing to spar with a true individual. There are several different heavy bags offered and finding a great one for the training needs may be hard. Within this guide we will cover 3 major tips for picking out a fantastic leno mesh bag manufacturer.

Choosing the Right Weight Heavy bags range in weight from approximately 70 to 150 lbs. A lot of men and women are confused about which weight would be the perfect one for these. The fantastic news is that there is really a fairly straightforward method to pick out a fantastic bag weight. Just divide your weight by half and then proceed with a tote that's about that amount. By way of instance, if you weigh 160 pounds afterward a 70 or 80 pound bag will likely be ideal for whatever you want. The 1 exception to this rule would be when you've got significant remarkable power. In case you've got strong kicks (or punches) then you most likely need to take into account a heavier bag, that is less inclined to maneuver when struck hard.

Choosing a Good Cover Material In overall,leno mesh bag supplier with three types of cover materials, such as vinyl, leather, and wool. Leather is unquestionably the very premium cover substance. It's generally used on more costly and high quality thick bags, but sometimes it's also found on several mid-range products. Leather feels fantastic once you hit it with a punch or using a kick. Additionally, it does not tend to damage your knuckles as far as some other materials.

Vinyl may also be an Excellent cover substance, although It is contingent upon the bag. Most midsize punching bags are created out of a plastic cover. It does not possess exactly the identical premium feel a leather tote has, but it still feels quite good to hit. Canvas covers are earmarked for really cheap and generally low-quality bags. We do not recommend them unless you can not manage a marginally more expensive leather or plastic tote.

Choosing Between a Hanging Heavy Bag plus also a Freestanding Heavy Bag There are two sorts of heavy bags which most people need to pick from - hanging bags and freestanding luggage. Hanging bags would be the conventional sort of thick bag that hangs from the ceiling typically with a string. Freestanding bags, on the other hand, have a foundation and do not have to get hung. There are advantages and negatives to the two sorts of bags.

Hanging Bags have a tendency to move around just a little bit when struck. This is fantastic for working on pace, timing and precision. Additionally, because the bag is hanging it supplies a middle of gravity that's somewhat like a real individual. If you're training to get a martial arts contest, a hanging bag is fantastic to work with for simulating a true individual. But, there are just two drawbacks for hanging punching bags. To begin with, they are more difficult to set up and you must get an extremely stable ceiling which may maintain a 70-150 pound bag. Secondly, once you prepare the bag it's extremely tough to move, and therefore you will need to get a reserved space which you're dedicated to maintaining your luggage in.

Freestanding punching bags are easier to go around. As a consequence, that you may roll it out and then train with all the tote. When You are Done you can just roll back it out of the way. Additionally, Freestanding bags are often easier to fill than the hanging type. The Major disadvantage to freestanding luggage is that they do not move round the same Way hanging bags perform. This means they are not as good to work in your own Timing and speed. Additionally, the Middle of gravity is significantly different than the usual Hanging bag and does not simulate an actual person too.

[maryellencarter]

So the final cause, if I recall my Aristotle (I was terrible at Aristotelian logic, or at least at what the badly illustrated homeschool textbook said was Aristotelian logic), was that my apartment has been growing irregularly more squalorous for months. Occasionally I would have a bout of energy and put my groceries in the pantry, but for the most part I've been doing well to keep up on the laundry. The proximal cause was... probably the coloring books.

Anyway, this morning I put on pants that were not sweatpants, probably for the first time in months, because going to get vaccinated is a festal occasion and one ought to look one's best. (I put on my cute top with the frilly shoulder straps and the little rosettes, too, since I figured it'd be smart to wear something sleeveless. And my combat boots with the pastel tiedye laces, in case of hiking, which also turned out to be smart. I was decked out.)

So then I went and showed a number of people my ID and my appointment email, and they poked me with a timy needle -- not as small as the one they used in the ER for the insulin that time, I didn't even feel that one, but a very nice thin needle compared to my usual standard of needles, which are the ones they use to try and get blood *out* of you, and often fail when you are me. Then they made me sit down for fifteen minutes in case I took an allergy, and then they gave me a lollipop (I got blue cotton candy, my favorite flavor) and a sticker with a hashtag on it and I left.

Then I got to wend my way back from the place where the vaccinations were happening -- it was a big event on the college campus, since they have a lot of nice big rooms and wide open spaces there -- and it happened I was coming back from a direction I do not usually wend my way from, and I dropped into Michaels. Usually I go to Joann's, because they have fabric, which Michaels doesn't, and Michaels is generally a bit froofier in the sorts of craft supplies they stock at least locally, but the Michaels and the Joann's are right across the street from each other, and I still haven't heard anything about my special order on the floss color that Joann's was out of. Michaels doesn't have the full range of DMC colors, but I took a look and they did in fact have the color I needed.

Then I wandered around some, because Michaels actually does have a bigger yarn selection than Joann's, and I found some Patons Kroy (my absolute favorite sock yarn for feel and texture) in a colorway I didn't loathe, which is *not* something I've been able to find since they stopped making that one colorway with all the orange and black and gray stripes, which I loved dearly and can't remember the name of. So I was like "this will be just the thing for that one lace scarf I was looking at that needs wool yarn in case it has to be blocked to look right", because knitted lace is like that and you can't block acrylic. You can "kill" acrylic but that's different and I'd rather not.

Um. Anyway. Then I wandered around some more, because I get into Michaels so seldom that it's handy to look at what-all they've got while I'm there. Over the past... week or so I have had a sudden bout of wanting to color in coloring books, because that happens to me sometimes; there was an impulse trip to the Walmart way out in the boondocks on the unlit road for Crayola colored pencils, because I decided I was not going to pay eight times as much for Prismacolors.

(The really infuriating thing about coloring books, in my opinion, is that right now you can either find the kiddie newsprint coloring books which are with us always, of course, or you can find "adult coloring books" which are *in-fucking-variably* filled with horses and lions and whales and other large charismatic mammals covered in what look for all the world like quilting patterns. If I wanted to color a rendition of a quilt filled with tiny stripes and polka dots, I'd get some graph paper! And the dots and lines and so forth are so tiny that you can *only* color them with colored pencils, because that's Adulty.)

(Yes, I know they sell coloring pages on Etsy and places. I've been avoiding the print shop for at least a month and a half now, when if I would put the things on my thumb drive and go to it, I could start getting my student loans out of default. I would never wind up printing coloring pages off of Etsy. No, I don't know why. Print shops scare me, perhaps slightly worse than post offices.)

Um. Where was I? So I had gone way far out to the Walmart nobody goes to which therefore often has interesting things in stock, and I had discovered that Crayola still does the glitter crayons I had coveted as a tiny, and they also make double-ended scented markers, which are like the coolest thing ever to the tiny early-nineties child I still am in my heart. So as of this morning, my kitchen counter was completely covered with... things. There was already the sewing machine and the Dr Pepper that doesn't taste like an old shoe, and the peanut butter and the elephant-shaped porcelain wax-warmer, but there had been a narrow slot where I could put a plate and eat my meals -- my only table having been co-opted a year ago by my workstation. Now that slot was filled with various Crayola products and a coloring book with mermaids in it, which at least had a few pages that could be colored partly with markers or crayons, instead of being entirely minced into geometric shapes barely larger than a pencil lead.

SO, what happened after I got vaccinated and found yarn and floss, is that I found out that Crayola still makes the *pearlescent* crayons I coveted even more as a kid. I had gotten one in a little sample pack included with my big 64-box, and it was very precious to me. It's long gone now, of course.

So of course then I bought the pearlescent crayons, and then I bitched at Leia for a while about how I didn't have any coloring books I could use these wonderful crayons *on* unless I wanted to go back to the Lisa Frank newsprint of my youth. (They did actually have Lisa Frank. I strongly considered it. But my tastes have evolved beyond newsprint.)

Then I googled some things, and I found Walmart listing a Crayola mandala coloring book. I went to look for it, and I didn't find it, but I did find a different coloring book with "stained glass" style pictures (sadly not on actual tracing paper, but it occurs to me that if I could source some tracing paper, which it further occurs to me that I haven't seen in years although admittedly I haven't been looking, that I could *trace them* and color them and tape them on my windows like the tacky '90s kid I am), which GLORY HALLELUJAH has spaces big enough to fucking color in!

...Michaels also had neon and metallic Crayola crayons. I might go back. They were 24-packs of each. The single silver and gold crayons from my mom's 64-pack were pretty much only used for Easter eggs in our house, so as not to use them up. I just -- I have a wealth beyond imagining of special effect crayons and markers available to me, and I'm struggling to find anywhere to use them. This seems backwards.

So anyway, then I also found a cute sundress big enough to go over my ass, and then I sat in the furniture section for a while and pondered buying a new table so I wouldn't have to keep stacking coloring books on top of the peanut butter jar in order to eat, and it occurred to me that if I took down my Christmas tree, which I've had up since the Before Times (having gotten it from in fact the same Walmart east of anywhere after all the rest in town were sold out of the particular model), then I would have a space along the back of the kitchen counter where I could hypothetically put a table.

So, because I am a sensible and moderate individual, I bought a thing of string to tie up the Christmas tree branches with, and did not buy a table yet. Then it was time for D&D, so I hurried home and put my vaccination card on the fridge and got into the voice chat and started taking down the Christmas tree.

Then it was five hours later, and I had started konmari-ing the whole apartment in order to have somewhere to store the Christmas tree, and I had discovered that my closet shelf was almost entirely full of empty cardboard boxes, so I had pulled all those out and rifled through them to make sure they didn't contain anything important, and after rescuing three cards from a friend and one glasses chamois, I stuffed most of the boxes in a trash bag, jammed the condensed Christmas tree and all the winter blankets and my air mattress and various other wintry things into the giant box my office chair came in, managed to get that giant box up onto the closet shelf (I have some soreness around my injection site but I honestly don't know if it's a side effect of the vaccination or a pulled muscle from wiggling a very large heavy box into a very tight space over my head), and moved the Goodwill oddities into a midsize box that I think I brought my workstation home in, but they just moved the remaining onsite agents into a much smaller room so I don't think I'm going to be asked to bring my workstation back for a while, and when I do go to bring it back I think the monitors will fit nicely in my washtub.

(I'm giving Goodwill my crockpot. After I forgot the garbanzos in it for three days until the chicken broth started to stink, I decided I am not a person who needs to own a crockpot. Also something like eight skeins of rather ugly yarn because I bought too much for the baby blankets I was making.)

(I'm not sure why I own a washtub. It's bright blue and plastic. It does have a use, which is to hand-wash my weighted blanket in occasionally, as of course you can't put twenty-odd pounds of glass baubles in a washing machine.)

(I certainly did make some life choices that led me here, did I not.)

Annnnyway, so now I have an almost empty three-drawer Rubbermaid dresser, an entirely empty and extremely large Rubbermaid tote (I'm pretty sure I could trap myself in there, but I haven't tried), a mostly empty square ottoman which is also a storage box, and a royal shitton of tiny things like office supplies and party favors that don't *go* anywhere.

"A place for everything" is the really hard part, you know. I achieved it once. Then I moved out of that apartment and have never achieved it again. Once things *have* places, then even if you don't have the spoons to put the peanut butter jar back in the pantry right *now*, you know it has a spot between the Hormel and the Chef Boyardee, and it's way easier than "oh god if I open the pantry there won't be any room and I'll wind up putting the peanut butter under the bathroom sink with the Johnnie Walker Black or maybe over the kitchen sink on top of the Thermacare back wraps."

(You're supposed to store whisky upright in a cool dark place, okay. None of the upper cabinet shelves are tall enough, so I could have put it either directly over the water heater or directly next to the oven. Instead it lurks behind the toilet paper, next to the Clorox wipes and the pre-pandemic Lush bath bomb, which I should... probably use at some point.)

Erm. So then I was pondering what-all storage I would need to source in order to begin having places in which to put things, *findable* places which is the real grail, and -- I think I took a pause to read Dreamwidth and someone linked me a plushie trilobite, okay. I haven't yet entirely decided whether to buy it, but it occurred to me that I definitely have no home for a plushie trilobite, any more than for the amazing Zaeed plushie currently trapped under my cross stitching or the Star Wars Build-a-Bear who was supposed to make Ewok noises until three weeks of freeze-thaw cycle in a malfunctioning package locker did for his electronic squeaker, or the poor American Girl doll languishing inside the ottoman.

So then I was like "we used to have that little net corner hammock for stuffed animals when I was a kid, we never could get it mounted right, but perhaps with fewer cooks that would be a good option". So I googled for one, and all I could find was an assortment of JUMBO five-or-six-foot-long double-deep toy hammocks, obviously necessary to keep your child from drowning in the flood of stuffed animals that have taken over beds in the past thirty years.

(Okay, I was pretty toy-deprived as a kid, the 1980s were not in general what you would call a time of less stuff in American households. Still. I have a twin bed. I can hardly even *find* a toy hammock that wouldn't be bigger than my bed in some dimension.)

So then, it being the aforementioned five hours later with a lot of D&D combined with hard physical labor in the middle, I said to myself, said I, "Hammocks are made out of net, and nets are made out of strings." And by god, if there is one thing I'm better at than another, it is making things out of string. I've never actually gotten around to trying out the whole process of making an actual fisherman's net, which is much more closely related to tatting than to knitting, but I have yarn and most of the possible knitting or crocheting supplies I would need to invent things.

Which, at long last, explains why I have paused to write this halfway through creating a triangular filet crochet toy hammock out of sparkly yellow yarn.

Joann's is having a 50% off sale on plastic storage whatsits tomorrow, but I think I'll probably spend a large part of the day putting office supplies into ziploc bags and hanging them in rows on the wall with pushpins so as to figure out what-all I in fact own.

[kristablogs]

Bike helmets to take on your next ride

Never bike without one. (Victor Xok via Unsplash/)

Biking is looking ever-more like an efficient, healthy, and sustainable way to travel. With a two-wheeler, you can freely and quickly get around without coming into close contact with other people. But for any bike journey, most experienced riders will tell you that a helmet is essential to ensure your safety. Whether you’re a commuter or leisurely joyrider, the ideal bike helmet can withstand impact, and it will also provide you with more confidence and comfort while navigating the streets. You’ll want to consider fit, safety, style, and ventilation when selecting a helmet. Here are some of the top helmets on the market.

Pack it in your bag. (Amazon/)

When you’re on the go, carrying around a clunky helmet isn’t always the best option. This foldable helmet is perfect for those who prefer a portable alternative. This helmet comes in three colors—navy, black, and white—and can fit in your tote or backpack while you continue on your way. It has 14 vents to keep you cool and reflective stickers so you stay visible during nighttime use. Who said you couldn’t look stylish in a helmet?

Matte colors and professional-looking design. (Amazon/)

This midsize helmet has great airflow with 25 vents. It’s crash-tested per the MIPS approval system for an affordable price. Beyond practicality and functionality, the color scheme of neutrals is sure to draw compliments on the road. The polycarbonate shell and anti-microbial padding makes this helmet cut out for any kind of weather as well as resilient against sweat. Because this brand offers four different sizes, be sure to measure your head before ordering.

The classic commuter choice built for recreation. (Amazon/)

For daily commuters, this helmet is your match. Its solid fit, classic style, and protective features are designed to keep you safe on the road. Oh, and did you hear roller skating is back? Sling this helmet in your bag on your way to the rink or skate park, as it works for those activities, too. The helmet includes two moisture-wicking pad sets so you can choose your own fit, as well as an adjustable chin strap. Given this helmet has less ventilation, scrub the front pad occasionally to prevent oil or sweat buildup, especially if you’re wearing it every day.

Can withstand commutes or mountain biking. (Amazon/)

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, classic road companion, the Schwinn helmet is the one. The helmet has nearly two dozen air vents and pads that withstand moisture to keep you cool on even the hottest summer days. The adjustable dial enables you to customize the fit for maximum protection, all within a helmet that’s so light, you’ll forget it’s there.

[scootoaster]

Bike helmets to take on your next ride

Never bike without one. (Victor Xok via Unsplash/)

Biking is looking ever-more like an efficient, healthy, and sustainable way to travel. With a two-wheeler, you can freely and quickly get around without coming into close contact with other people. But for any bike journey, most experienced riders will tell you that a helmet is essential to ensure your safety. Whether you’re a commuter or leisurely joyrider, the ideal bike helmet can withstand impact, and it will also provide you with more confidence and comfort while navigating the streets. You’ll want to consider fit, safety, style, and ventilation when selecting a helmet. Here are some of the top helmets on the market.

Pack it in your bag. (Amazon/)

When you’re on the go, carrying around a clunky helmet isn’t always the best option. This foldable helmet is perfect for those who prefer a portable alternative. This helmet comes in three colors—navy, black, and white—and can fit in your tote or backpack while you continue on your way. It has 14 vents to keep you cool and reflective stickers so you stay visible during nighttime use. Who said you couldn’t look stylish in a helmet?

Matte colors and professional-looking design. (Amazon/)

This midsize helmet has great airflow with 25 vents. It’s crash-tested per the MIPS approval system for an affordable price. Beyond practicality and functionality, the color scheme of neutrals is sure to draw compliments on the road. The polycarbonate shell and anti-microbial padding makes this helmet cut out for any kind of weather as well as resilient against sweat. Because this brand offers four different sizes, be sure to measure your head before ordering.

The classic commuter choice built for recreation. (Amazon/)

For daily commuters, this helmet is your match. Its solid fit, classic style, and protective features are designed to keep you safe on the road. Oh, and did you hear roller skating is back? Sling this helmet in your bag on your way to the rink or skate park, as it works for those activities, too. The helmet includes two moisture-wicking pad sets so you can choose your own fit, as well as an adjustable chin strap. Given this helmet has less ventilation, scrub the front pad occasionally to prevent oil or sweat buildup, especially if you’re wearing it every day.

Can withstand commutes or mountain biking. (Amazon/)

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, classic road companion, the Schwinn helmet is the one. The helmet has nearly two dozen air vents and pads that withstand moisture to keep you cool on even the hottest summer days. The adjustable dial enables you to customize the fit for maximum protection, all within a helmet that’s so light, you’ll forget it’s there.

[servaxo]

Tips for Building Successful Teams

Nearly every business depends on strong teams to perform at peak capability. And, business leaders employ several tactics to get their teams up to speed, including leveraging team-building gifts.

As psychologist Bruce Tuckman famously described back in 1965, teams commonly follow the model of “forming, storming, norming and performing.” It is the leader’s job to move the team through to the performing stage as quickly and as seamlessly as possible. But, how do you get there? And how are other organizations navigating this challenge?

In this Blue Paper, we take an in-depth look at team-building trends in the workplace, including original findings from a recent 4imprint® survey; the strategies and tactics organizations are using to support and grow strong, functional workplace teams; and tips on how you can encourage and build high-performing teams to meet your organizational goals.

Survey results shed light on team-building trends

A recent 4imprint survey conducted via online panel at the Association for Talent Development conference took a look at how organizations train their employees to work effectively in teams. The survey, conducted in mid-2017, shed light on how organizations support, fund and structure effective teams.

Here’s a look at what the survey found.

Successful teams create engaged and satisfied employees.

Teams are where it’s at. The majority of survey respondents, regardless of their industry or company size, said employees work frequently in teams within their organization. In total, 47.3 percent of respondents said their employees always work within teams, and another 47.8 percent said their employees sometimes work in teams.

Respondents from organizations of more than 1,000 employees reported the highest percentage of staff who work in teams, with 39 percent reporting they always work in teams, and 35 percent saying they sometimes work in teams.

Working as a team isn’t enough, though. The team has to work well together to truly be successful. Great teams pay dividends in several ways. Recent statistics show that companies with engaged employees earn up to 2.5 times more income than competitors with low employee engagement. Meanwhile, in a study by SalesForce®, respondents cited poor collaboration or communication as a primary cause of workplace failures. Team-building efforts positively affect results. What’s more, staff with high engagement levels are 87 percent less likely to leave a company than those who are only minimally engaged.

As you’re considering team-building strategies, consider team-building gifts as rewards for a job well done, incentives for innovations, or as tools to help teammates feel connected to a common mission.

Offer support and training opportunities to increase team effectiveness.

According to the survey results, 41 percent of companies with at least 1,000 employees train staff on teamwork skills. Meanwhile, at 21 percent of midsize organizations with 250-499 employees, teamwork training is most likely to be given to executives. And among smaller organizations with 100-249 employees, just 6 percent are likely to provide team-building skills only to their executive team.

What the survey shows is that companies have an opportunity to increase team performance by providing training in communication, effective listening and project management.  Why are these skills important? In an effective team culture, members fully understand how their teamwork feeds into the company’s strategic plan and ultimate success. The result: team members feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves, which is proven to increase employee engagement and work satisfaction.

Yet our survey found not all training is created equal. Of survey respondents, 62.4 percent said their company offered communication training, making it the most common type of teamwork training offered across all industries. Meanwhile, effective listening and project management were among the least common offerings.

The bottom line: organizations can greatly benefit from educating employees to be more effective team players. It can be challenging, especially when you’re bringing together staff with very different skill sets and personalities.

Building healthy work relationships can lead to increased job satisfaction. Here are some simple tips on how to forge winning relationships at work. Share these ideas with your employees and you could see big rewards.

Show gratitude. Remind employees to thank their coworkers. Receiving thanks is a proven way to boost optimism and an employee’s sense of self-worth.

Go the extra mile. Workers can boost the office mood by simply being thoughtful. Encourage them to contribute to the daily chores of the office, such as refilling the printer paper, making a pot of coffee or picking up treats for a morning meeting. Little things can make a big difference in the office atmosphere, especially if everyone contributes.

Kick drama to the curb. Encourage your employees to avoid participating in office gossip or complaint sessions. Focus on solutions to create a more positive atmosphere.

Be honest about bad habits. Have employees take a good, hard look at what they do that may be irritating to others, and then help them find a way to break those habits.

Create a culture of sharing. Everyone brings their own unique skills and qualities to the table. Create a sense of teamwork by encouraging everyone to contribute their knowledge and expertise. Then, consider rewarding those who regularly contribute with thoughtful team-building gifts.

Provide the resources your teams will need to achieve success.

Most companies are not only recognizing the value of teamwork, they are investing in it. More than 55 percent of survey respondents said they provide employees with technological tools, like project management and video conferencing technology, to help the team work together. The largest companies tend to offer several resources to encourage team building, our findings show. It’s important to note that respondents said in-person meetings are happening less often than they have historically, especially in small to mid-size organizations, which is just one reason why investing in technology pays off.

It may come as no surprise that challenges can derail even the best-laid plans when it comes to teamwork. According to a recent Gallup® poll, even if employees feel connected to their teammates, they risk losing their way if members don’t understand expectations, lack access to the right tools or aren’t able to contribute their skills toward the goal. The report says that instead of functioning like a well-run machine, team meetings may degrade into complaining sessions.

Companies can address issues head-on by establishing clear expectations, ensuring teams have the needed resources to achieve goals and making sure those with specialized skills are able to fully contribute.

Encourage team unity with team-building gifts.

According to our survey, team-building giveaways are a popular choice for creating strong teams. About 55 percent of survey respondents said in their experience, custom branded apparel is the most effective product for promoting team unity.

Bridget Kane, marketing coordinator for Fair-Rite Products Corp., knows first-hand the importance of building a sense of team with a remote workforce. About 45 distributors and reps who sell Fair-Rite electromagnetic components come together from around the world every three years for a sales conference at their factory in Wallkill, N.Y. They learn about the company’s emerging products, and the sales conference is the perfect time to promote team bonding.

“We want to build team morale because we don’t see them on an everyday basis,” Kane says. “I think with outside sales reps and distributors, it’s kind of important to bring them back in because they are a part of their own companies, but they are here to help our team in the end. Even though they may be affiliated with another company, they are also under our umbrella, and we appreciate them. They are a part of what makes Fair-Rite great.”

To show sales reps and distributors they are appreciated, and to help them feel like they’re part of the Fair-Rite team, Kane ordered a wide variety of team-building gifts. She selected the Big Lanyard – 7/8” – 36” – Snap with Metal Bulldog Clip and the useful Ruler Notebook with Flags and Pen. Women received the Pilbloc V-Neck Button Down Cardigan Sweater – Ladies’, while men received the Tipped Colorblock Wicking Polo – Men’s, and conference attendees could keep their new duds dry with the ShedRain® Super Mini 42” Umbrella.

“So really they left with a whole bunch of Fair-Rite gear, and they were happy about it. I was told by a majority of them that these were the best giveaways they ever received,” Kane says.

She adds that a conference is a valuable tool for the company’s long-term success. “It’s worth the investment of getting everybody together…in the end, they are motivated, and they feel appreciated, and it’s for the benefit of everybody. Fair-Rite helps them personally, and that helps the business, so I think that’s very important.”

If you’re looking for team-building gift ideas, knowing what works at other companies may help. Our survey results ranked logo’d apparel as the most popular promotional at 57.8 percent. Polos, sweatshirts, jackets and T-shirts were followed by custom printed pens, with 43 percent of respondents saying their organization sealed teamwork in ink. Branded drinkware was at 42.5 percent, and custom totes/bags were at nearly 39 percent to round out the most popular promotional products for encouraging team unity.

Strategizing ways to help a remote workgroup stay engaged and feel connected is a necessity. Global Workforce Analytics reports that 63 million Americans worked remotely at least part of the time in 2016. Fostering strong teams with a virtual workforce can be challenging—and if you’re brainstorming ways to make that happen, you’re not alone. For more inspiration on how to keep those virtual staffers engaged and happy, team-building gifts may help.

Building strong teams: A secret of strong companies

Creating great teams takes time. So, if your organization is just beginning to build the foundation, you’re most certainly not alone. As our survey results indicate, teams benefit from having the right tools at their fingertips, appropriate direction and clear expectations, an equal mix of listening and sharing, and thoughtful team-building giveaways. With a strong foundation in place, your team’s productivity is likely to reach new levels, and members’ engagement and satisfaction are likely to rise as well. All of this leads to a positive effect on your organization’s bottom line. As a bonus, your staff will be proud to wear team-building gifts that bear your brand, knowing they’re a part of a winning team.

The post Tips for Building Successful Teams appeared first on 4imprint Learning Center.

Tips for Building Successful Teams published first on http://ift.tt/2vTEVjv

[servaxo]

Tips for Building Successful Teams

Nearly every business depends on strong teams to perform at peak capability. And, business leaders employ several tactics to get their teams up to speed, including leveraging team-building gifts.

As psychologist Bruce Tuckman famously described back in 1965, teams commonly follow the model of “forming, storming, norming and performing.” It is the leader’s job to move the team through to the performing stage as quickly and as seamlessly as possible. But, how do you get there? And how are other organizations navigating this challenge?

In this Blue Paper, we take an in-depth look at team-building trends in the workplace, including original findings from a recent 4imprint® survey; the strategies and tactics organizations are using to support and grow strong, functional workplace teams; and tips on how you can encourage and build high-performing teams to meet your organizational goals.

Survey results shed light on team-building trends

A recent 4imprint survey conducted via online panel at the Association for Talent Development conference took a look at how organizations train their employees to work effectively in teams. The survey, conducted in mid-2017, shed light on how organizations support, fund and structure effective teams.

Here’s a look at what the survey found.

Successful teams create engaged and satisfied employees.

Teams are where it’s at. The majority of survey respondents, regardless of their industry or company size, said employees work frequently in teams within their organization. In total, 47.3 percent of respondents said their employees always work within teams, and another 47.8 percent said their employees sometimes work in teams.

Respondents from organizations of more than 1,000 employees reported the highest percentage of staff who work in teams, with 39 percent reporting they always work in teams, and 35 percent saying they sometimes work in teams.

Working as a team isn’t enough, though. The team has to work well together to truly be successful. Great teams pay dividends in several ways. Recent statistics show that companies with engaged employees earn up to 2.5 times more income than competitors with low employee engagement. Meanwhile, in a study by SalesForce®, respondents cited poor collaboration or communication as a primary cause of workplace failures. Team-building efforts positively affect results. What’s more, staff with high engagement levels are 87 percent less likely to leave a company than those who are only minimally engaged.

As you’re considering team-building strategies, consider team-building gifts as rewards for a job well done, incentives for innovations, or as tools to help teammates feel connected to a common mission.

Offer support and training opportunities to increase team effectiveness.

According to the survey results, 41 percent of companies with at least 1,000 employees train staff on teamwork skills. Meanwhile, at 21 percent of midsize organizations with 250-499 employees, teamwork training is most likely to be given to executives. And among smaller organizations with 100-249 employees, just 6 percent are likely to provide team-building skills only to their executive team.

What the survey shows is that companies have an opportunity to increase team performance by providing training in communication, effective listening and project management.  Why are these skills important? In an effective team culture, members fully understand how their teamwork feeds into the company’s strategic plan and ultimate success. The result: team members feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves, which is proven to increase employee engagement and work satisfaction.

Yet our survey found not all training is created equal. Of survey respondents, 62.4 percent said their company offered communication training, making it the most common type of teamwork training offered across all industries. Meanwhile, effective listening and project management were among the least common offerings.

The bottom line: organizations can greatly benefit from educating employees to be more effective team players. It can be challenging, especially when you’re bringing together staff with very different skill sets and personalities.

Building healthy work relationships can lead to increased job satisfaction. Here are some simple tips on how to forge winning relationships at work. Share these ideas with your employees and you could see big rewards.

Show gratitude. Remind employees to thank their coworkers. Receiving thanks is a proven way to boost optimism and an employee’s sense of self-worth.

Go the extra mile. Workers can boost the office mood by simply being thoughtful. Encourage them to contribute to the daily chores of the office, such as refilling the printer paper, making a pot of coffee or picking up treats for a morning meeting. Little things can make a big difference in the office atmosphere, especially if everyone contributes.

Kick drama to the curb. Encourage your employees to avoid participating in office gossip or complaint sessions. Focus on solutions to create a more positive atmosphere.

Be honest about bad habits. Have employees take a good, hard look at what they do that may be irritating to others, and then help them find a way to break those habits.

Create a culture of sharing. Everyone brings their own unique skills and qualities to the table. Create a sense of teamwork by encouraging everyone to contribute their knowledge and expertise. Then, consider rewarding those who regularly contribute with thoughtful team-building gifts.

Provide the resources your teams will need to achieve success.

Most companies are not only recognizing the value of teamwork, they are investing in it. More than 55 percent of survey respondents said they provide employees with technological tools, like project management and video conferencing technology, to help the team work together. The largest companies tend to offer several resources to encourage team building, our findings show. It’s important to note that respondents said in-person meetings are happening less often than they have historically, especially in small to mid-size organizations, which is just one reason why investing in technology pays off.

It may come as no surprise that challenges can derail even the best-laid plans when it comes to teamwork. According to a recent Gallup® poll, even if employees feel connected to their teammates, they risk losing their way if members don’t understand expectations, lack access to the right tools or aren’t able to contribute their skills toward the goal. The report says that instead of functioning like a well-run machine, team meetings may degrade into complaining sessions.

Companies can address issues head-on by establishing clear expectations, ensuring teams have the needed resources to achieve goals and making sure those with specialized skills are able to fully contribute.

Encourage team unity with team-building gifts.

According to our survey, team-building giveaways are a popular choice for creating strong teams. About 55 percent of survey respondents said in their experience, custom branded apparel is the most effective product for promoting team unity.

Bridget Kane, marketing coordinator for Fair-Rite Products Corp., knows first-hand the importance of building a sense of team with a remote workforce. About 45 distributors and reps who sell Fair-Rite electromagnetic components come together from around the world every three years for a sales conference at their factory in Wallkill, N.Y. They learn about the company’s emerging products, and the sales conference is the perfect time to promote team bonding.

“We want to build team morale because we don’t see them on an everyday basis,” Kane says. “I think with outside sales reps and distributors, it’s kind of important to bring them back in because they are a part of their own companies, but they are here to help our team in the end. Even though they may be affiliated with another company, they are also under our umbrella, and we appreciate them. They are a part of what makes Fair-Rite great.”

To show sales reps and distributors they are appreciated, and to help them feel like they’re part of the Fair-Rite team, Kane ordered a wide variety of team-building gifts. She selected the Big Lanyard – 7/8” – 36” – Snap with Metal Bulldog Clip and the useful Ruler Notebook with Flags and Pen. Women received the Pilbloc V-Neck Button Down Cardigan Sweater – Ladies’, while men received the Tipped Colorblock Wicking Polo – Men’s, and conference attendees could keep their new duds dry with the ShedRain® Super Mini 42” Umbrella.

“So really they left with a whole bunch of Fair-Rite gear, and they were happy about it. I was told by a majority of them that these were the best giveaways they ever received,” Kane says.

She adds that a conference is a valuable tool for the company’s long-term success. “It’s worth the investment of getting everybody together…in the end, they are motivated, and they feel appreciated, and it’s for the benefit of everybody. Fair-Rite helps them personally, and that helps the business, so I think that’s very important.”

If you’re looking for team-building gift ideas, knowing what works at other companies may help. Our survey results ranked logo’d apparel as the most popular promotional at 57.8 percent. Polos, sweatshirts, jackets and T-shirts were followed by custom printed pens, with 43 percent of respondents saying their organization sealed teamwork in ink. Branded drinkware was at 42.5 percent, and custom totes/bags were at nearly 39 percent to round out the most popular promotional products for encouraging team unity.

Strategizing ways to help a remote workgroup stay engaged and feel connected is a necessity. Global Workforce Analytics reports that 63 million Americans worked remotely at least part of the time in 2016. Fostering strong teams with a virtual workforce can be challenging—and if you’re brainstorming ways to make that happen, you’re not alone. For more inspiration on how to keep those virtual staffers engaged and happy, team-building gifts may help.

Building strong teams: A secret of strong companies

Creating great teams takes time. So, if your organization is just beginning to build the foundation, you’re most certainly not alone. As our survey results indicate, teams benefit from having the right tools at their fingertips, appropriate direction and clear expectations, an equal mix of listening and sharing, and thoughtful team-building giveaways. With a strong foundation in place, your team’s productivity is likely to reach new levels, and members’ engagement and satisfaction are likely to rise as well. All of this leads to a positive effect on your organization’s bottom line. As a bonus, your staff will be proud to wear team-building gifts that bear your brand, knowing they’re a part of a winning team.

The post Tips for Building Successful Teams appeared first on 4imprint Learning Center.

Tips for Building Successful Teams published first on http://ift.tt/2vTEVjv

[servaxo]

Tips for Building Successful Teams

Nearly every business depends on strong teams to perform at peak capability. And, business leaders employ several tactics to get their teams up to speed, including leveraging team-building gifts.

As psychologist Bruce Tuckman famously described back in 1965, teams commonly follow the model of “forming, storming, norming and performing.” It is the leader’s job to move the team through to the performing stage as quickly and as seamlessly as possible. But, how do you get there? And how are other organizations navigating this challenge?

In this Blue Paper, we take an in-depth look at team-building trends in the workplace, including original findings from a recent 4imprint® survey; the strategies and tactics organizations are using to support and grow strong, functional workplace teams; and tips on how you can encourage and build high-performing teams to meet your organizational goals.

Survey results shed light on team-building trends

A recent 4imprint survey conducted via online panel at the Association for Talent Development conference took a look at how organizations train their employees to work effectively in teams. The survey, conducted in mid-2017, shed light on how organizations support, fund and structure effective teams.

Here’s a look at what the survey found.

Successful teams create engaged and satisfied employees.

Teams are where it’s at. The majority of survey respondents, regardless of their industry or company size, said employees work frequently in teams within their organization. In total, 47.3 percent of respondents said their employees always work within teams, and another 47.8 percent said their employees sometimes work in teams.

Respondents from organizations of more than 1,000 employees reported the highest percentage of staff who work in teams, with 39 percent reporting they always work in teams, and 35 percent saying they sometimes work in teams.

Working as a team isn’t enough, though. The team has to work well together to truly be successful. Great teams pay dividends in several ways. Recent statistics show that companies with engaged employees earn up to 2.5 times more income than competitors with low employee engagement. Meanwhile, in a study by SalesForce®, respondents cited poor collaboration or communication as a primary cause of workplace failures. Team-building efforts positively affect results. What’s more, staff with high engagement levels are 87 percent less likely to leave a company than those who are only minimally engaged.

As you’re considering team-building strategies, consider team-building gifts as rewards for a job well done, incentives for innovations, or as tools to help teammates feel connected to a common mission.

Offer support and training opportunities to increase team effectiveness.

According to the survey results, 41 percent of companies with at least 1,000 employees train staff on teamwork skills. Meanwhile, at 21 percent of midsize organizations with 250-499 employees, teamwork training is most likely to be given to executives. And among smaller organizations with 100-249 employees, just 6 percent are likely to provide team-building skills only to their executive team.

What the survey shows is that companies have an opportunity to increase team performance by providing training in communication, effective listening and project management.  Why are these skills important? In an effective team culture, members fully understand how their teamwork feeds into the company’s strategic plan and ultimate success. The result: team members feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves, which is proven to increase employee engagement and work satisfaction.

Yet our survey found not all training is created equal. Of survey respondents, 62.4 percent said their company offered communication training, making it the most common type of teamwork training offered across all industries. Meanwhile, effective listening and project management were among the least common offerings.

The bottom line: organizations can greatly benefit from educating employees to be more effective team players. It can be challenging, especially when you’re bringing together staff with very different skill sets and personalities.

Building healthy work relationships can lead to increased job satisfaction. Here are some simple tips on how to forge winning relationships at work. Share these ideas with your employees and you could see big rewards.

Show gratitude. Remind employees to thank their coworkers. Receiving thanks is a proven way to boost optimism and an employee’s sense of self-worth.

Go the extra mile. Workers can boost the office mood by simply being thoughtful. Encourage them to contribute to the daily chores of the office, such as refilling the printer paper, making a pot of coffee or picking up treats for a morning meeting. Little things can make a big difference in the office atmosphere, especially if everyone contributes.

Kick drama to the curb. Encourage your employees to avoid participating in office gossip or complaint sessions. Focus on solutions to create a more positive atmosphere.

Be honest about bad habits. Have employees take a good, hard look at what they do that may be irritating to others, and then help them find a way to break those habits.

Create a culture of sharing. Everyone brings their own unique skills and qualities to the table. Create a sense of teamwork by encouraging everyone to contribute their knowledge and expertise. Then, consider rewarding those who regularly contribute with thoughtful team-building gifts.

Provide the resources your teams will need to achieve success.

Most companies are not only recognizing the value of teamwork, they are investing in it. More than 55 percent of survey respondents said they provide employees with technological tools, like project management and video conferencing technology, to help the team work together. The largest companies tend to offer several resources to encourage team building, our findings show. It’s important to note that respondents said in-person meetings are happening less often than they have historically, especially in small to mid-size organizations, which is just one reason why investing in technology pays off.

It may come as no surprise that challenges can derail even the best-laid plans when it comes to teamwork. According to a recent Gallup® poll, even if employees feel connected to their teammates, they risk losing their way if members don’t understand expectations, lack access to the right tools or aren’t able to contribute their skills toward the goal. The report says that instead of functioning like a well-run machine, team meetings may degrade into complaining sessions.

Companies can address issues head-on by establishing clear expectations, ensuring teams have the needed resources to achieve goals and making sure those with specialized skills are able to fully contribute.

Encourage team unity with team-building gifts.

According to our survey, team-building giveaways are a popular choice for creating strong teams. About 55 percent of survey respondents said in their experience, custom branded apparel is the most effective product for promoting team unity.

Bridget Kane, marketing coordinator for Fair-Rite Products Corp., knows first-hand the importance of building a sense of team with a remote workforce. About 45 distributors and reps who sell Fair-Rite electromagnetic components come together from around the world every three years for a sales conference at their factory in Wallkill, N.Y. They learn about the company’s emerging products, and the sales conference is the perfect time to promote team bonding.

“We want to build team morale because we don’t see them on an everyday basis,” Kane says. “I think with outside sales reps and distributors, it’s kind of important to bring them back in because they are a part of their own companies, but they are here to help our team in the end. Even though they may be affiliated with another company, they are also under our umbrella, and we appreciate them. They are a part of what makes Fair-Rite great.”

To show sales reps and distributors they are appreciated, and to help them feel like they’re part of the Fair-Rite team, Kane ordered a wide variety of team-building gifts. She selected the Big Lanyard – 7/8” – 36” – Snap with Metal Bulldog Clip and the useful Ruler Notebook with Flags and Pen. Women received the Pilbloc V-Neck Button Down Cardigan Sweater – Ladies’, while men received the Tipped Colorblock Wicking Polo – Men’s, and conference attendees could keep their new duds dry with the ShedRain® Super Mini 42” Umbrella.

“So really they left with a whole bunch of Fair-Rite gear, and they were happy about it. I was told by a majority of them that these were the best giveaways they ever received,” Kane says.

She adds that a conference is a valuable tool for the company’s long-term success. “It’s worth the investment of getting everybody together…in the end, they are motivated, and they feel appreciated, and it’s for the benefit of everybody. Fair-Rite helps them personally, and that helps the business, so I think that’s very important.”

If you’re looking for team-building gift ideas, knowing what works at other companies may help. Our survey results ranked logo’d apparel as the most popular promotional at 57.8 percent. Polos, sweatshirts, jackets and T-shirts were followed by custom printed pens, with 43 percent of respondents saying their organization sealed teamwork in ink. Branded drinkware was at 42.5 percent, and custom totes/bags were at nearly 39 percent to round out the most popular promotional products for encouraging team unity.

Strategizing ways to help a remote workgroup stay engaged and feel connected is a necessity. Global Workforce Analytics reports that 63 million Americans worked remotely at least part of the time in 2016. Fostering strong teams with a virtual workforce can be challenging—and if you’re brainstorming ways to make that happen, you’re not alone. For more inspiration on how to keep those virtual staffers engaged and happy, team-building gifts may help.

Building strong teams: A secret of strong companies

Creating great teams takes time. So, if your organization is just beginning to build the foundation, you’re most certainly not alone. As our survey results indicate, teams benefit from having the right tools at their fingertips, appropriate direction and clear expectations, an equal mix of listening and sharing, and thoughtful team-building giveaways. With a strong foundation in place, your team’s productivity is likely to reach new levels, and members’ engagement and satisfaction are likely to rise as well. All of this leads to a positive effect on your organization’s bottom line. As a bonus, your staff will be proud to wear team-building gifts that bear your brand, knowing they’re a part of a winning team.

The post Tips for Building Successful Teams appeared first on 4imprint Learning Center.

Tips for Building Successful Teams published first on http://ift.tt/2vTEVjv

[servaxo]

Tips for Building Successful Teams

Nearly every business depends on strong teams to perform at peak capability. And, business leaders employ several tactics to get their teams up to speed, including leveraging team-building gifts.

As psychologist Bruce Tuckman famously described back in 1965, teams commonly follow the model of “forming, storming, norming and performing.” It is the leader’s job to move the team through to the performing stage as quickly and as seamlessly as possible. But, how do you get there? And how are other organizations navigating this challenge?

In this Blue Paper, we take an in-depth look at team-building trends in the workplace, including original findings from a recent 4imprint® survey; the strategies and tactics organizations are using to support and grow strong, functional workplace teams; and tips on how you can encourage and build high-performing teams to meet your organizational goals.

Survey results shed light on team-building trends

A recent 4imprint survey conducted via online panel at the Association for Talent Development conference took a look at how organizations train their employees to work effectively in teams. The survey, conducted in mid-2017, shed light on how organizations support, fund and structure effective teams.

Here’s a look at what the survey found.

Successful teams create engaged and satisfied employees.

Teams are where it’s at. The majority of survey respondents, regardless of their industry or company size, said employees work frequently in teams within their organization. In total, 47.3 percent of respondents said their employees always work within teams, and another 47.8 percent said their employees sometimes work in teams.

Respondents from organizations of more than 1,000 employees reported the highest percentage of staff who work in teams, with 39 percent reporting they always work in teams, and 35 percent saying they sometimes work in teams.

Working as a team isn’t enough, though. The team has to work well together to truly be successful. Great teams pay dividends in several ways. Recent statistics show that companies with engaged employees earn up to 2.5 times more income than competitors with low employee engagement. Meanwhile, in a study by SalesForce®, respondents cited poor collaboration or communication as a primary cause of workplace failures. Team-building efforts positively affect results. What’s more, staff with high engagement levels are 87 percent less likely to leave a company than those who are only minimally engaged.

As you’re considering team-building strategies, consider team-building gifts as rewards for a job well done, incentives for innovations, or as tools to help teammates feel connected to a common mission.

Offer support and training opportunities to increase team effectiveness.

According to the survey results, 41 percent of companies with at least 1,000 employees train staff on teamwork skills. Meanwhile, at 21 percent of midsize organizations with 250-499 employees, teamwork training is most likely to be given to executives. And among smaller organizations with 100-249 employees, just 6 percent are likely to provide team-building skills only to their executive team.

What the survey shows is that companies have an opportunity to increase team performance by providing training in communication, effective listening and project management.  Why are these skills important? In an effective team culture, members fully understand how their teamwork feeds into the company’s strategic plan and ultimate success. The result: team members feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves, which is proven to increase employee engagement and work satisfaction.

Yet our survey found not all training is created equal. Of survey respondents, 62.4 percent said their company offered communication training, making it the most common type of teamwork training offered across all industries. Meanwhile, effective listening and project management were among the least common offerings.

The bottom line: organizations can greatly benefit from educating employees to be more effective team players. It can be challenging, especially when you’re bringing together staff with very different skill sets and personalities.

Building healthy work relationships can lead to increased job satisfaction. Here are some simple tips on how to forge winning relationships at work. Share these ideas with your employees and you could see big rewards.

Show gratitude. Remind employees to thank their coworkers. Receiving thanks is a proven way to boost optimism and an employee’s sense of self-worth.

Go the extra mile. Workers can boost the office mood by simply being thoughtful. Encourage them to contribute to the daily chores of the office, such as refilling the printer paper, making a pot of coffee or picking up treats for a morning meeting. Little things can make a big difference in the office atmosphere, especially if everyone contributes.

Kick drama to the curb. Encourage your employees to avoid participating in office gossip or complaint sessions. Focus on solutions to create a more positive atmosphere.

Be honest about bad habits. Have employees take a good, hard look at what they do that may be irritating to others, and then help them find a way to break those habits.

Create a culture of sharing. Everyone brings their own unique skills and qualities to the table. Create a sense of teamwork by encouraging everyone to contribute their knowledge and expertise. Then, consider rewarding those who regularly contribute with thoughtful team-building gifts.

Provide the resources your teams will need to achieve success.

Most companies are not only recognizing the value of teamwork, they are investing in it. More than 55 percent of survey respondents said they provide employees with technological tools, like project management and video conferencing technology, to help the team work together. The largest companies tend to offer several resources to encourage team building, our findings show. It’s important to note that respondents said in-person meetings are happening less often than they have historically, especially in small to mid-size organizations, which is just one reason why investing in technology pays off.

It may come as no surprise that challenges can derail even the best-laid plans when it comes to teamwork. According to a recent Gallup® poll, even if employees feel connected to their teammates, they risk losing their way if members don’t understand expectations, lack access to the right tools or aren’t able to contribute their skills toward the goal. The report says that instead of functioning like a well-run machine, team meetings may degrade into complaining sessions.

Companies can address issues head-on by establishing clear expectations, ensuring teams have the needed resources to achieve goals and making sure those with specialized skills are able to fully contribute.

Encourage team unity with team-building gifts.

According to our survey, team-building giveaways are a popular choice for creating strong teams. About 55 percent of survey respondents said in their experience, custom branded apparel is the most effective product for promoting team unity.

Bridget Kane, marketing coordinator for Fair-Rite Products Corp., knows first-hand the importance of building a sense of team with a remote workforce. About 45 distributors and reps who sell Fair-Rite electromagnetic components come together from around the world every three years for a sales conference at their factory in Wallkill, N.Y. They learn about the company’s emerging products, and the sales conference is the perfect time to promote team bonding.

“We want to build team morale because we don’t see them on an everyday basis,” Kane says. “I think with outside sales reps and distributors, it’s kind of important to bring them back in because they are a part of their own companies, but they are here to help our team in the end. Even though they may be affiliated with another company, they are also under our umbrella, and we appreciate them. They are a part of what makes Fair-Rite great.”

To show sales reps and distributors they are appreciated, and to help them feel like they’re part of the Fair-Rite team, Kane ordered a wide variety of team-building gifts. She selected the Big Lanyard – 7/8” – 36” – Snap with Metal Bulldog Clip and the useful Ruler Notebook with Flags and Pen. Women received the Pilbloc V-Neck Button Down Cardigan Sweater – Ladies’, while men received the Tipped Colorblock Wicking Polo – Men’s, and conference attendees could keep their new duds dry with the ShedRain® Super Mini 42” Umbrella.

“So really they left with a whole bunch of Fair-Rite gear, and they were happy about it. I was told by a majority of them that these were the best giveaways they ever received,” Kane says.

She adds that a conference is a valuable tool for the company’s long-term success. “It’s worth the investment of getting everybody together…in the end, they are motivated, and they feel appreciated, and it’s for the benefit of everybody. Fair-Rite helps them personally, and that helps the business, so I think that’s very important.”

If you’re looking for team-building gift ideas, knowing what works at other companies may help. Our survey results ranked logo’d apparel as the most popular promotional at 57.8 percent. Polos, sweatshirts, jackets and T-shirts were followed by custom printed pens, with 43 percent of respondents saying their organization sealed teamwork in ink. Branded drinkware was at 42.5 percent, and custom totes/bags were at nearly 39 percent to round out the most popular promotional products for encouraging team unity.

Strategizing ways to help a remote workgroup stay engaged and feel connected is a necessity. Global Workforce Analytics reports that 63 million Americans worked remotely at least part of the time in 2016. Fostering strong teams with a virtual workforce can be challenging—and if you’re brainstorming ways to make that happen, you’re not alone. For more inspiration on how to keep those virtual staffers engaged and happy, team-building gifts may help.

Building strong teams: A secret of strong companies

Creating great teams takes time. So, if your organization is just beginning to build the foundation, you’re most certainly not alone. As our survey results indicate, teams benefit from having the right tools at their fingertips, appropriate direction and clear expectations, an equal mix of listening and sharing, and thoughtful team-building giveaways. With a strong foundation in place, your team’s productivity is likely to reach new levels, and members’ engagement and satisfaction are likely to rise as well. All of this leads to a positive effect on your organization’s bottom line. As a bonus, your staff will be proud to wear team-building gifts that bear your brand, knowing they’re a part of a winning team.

The post Tips for Building Successful Teams appeared first on 4imprint Learning Center.

Tips for Building Successful Teams published first on http://ift.tt/2vTEVjv