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Practical Meets Different in the Notebook Band-it

The Notebook Band-it is a product that appeals to a wide range of audiences, from voracious readers to home handymen, everyday chefs and office organizers.

That’s because this stretchy book band lets you find and keep your page, hands-free.

Whether you’re reading on a breezy beach, repairing what’s broken, whipping up a gourmet feast or keeping ‘to-do’ lists in order, this giveaway goes to work.

The Notebook Band-it is made from an ultra-wide elastic band. A charm provides the perfect backdrop for your organization’s logo.

So, whether you are kicking off a new project and want to outfit the project team with a way to stay organized, you are looking for a novel giveaway at an upcoming home show or you want to equip new customers with a way to keep their welcome packets in order, the Notebook Band-it is likely to prove popular. It’s so practical that users often wonder, ‘How did I live without this?’

-Suzanne

Photo Frames That Really Stick

People love to put photos and announcements on the refrigerator. But now that non-magnetic fridges are more popular, you have to be a bit more creative. Here’s where our Removable Picture Frame Decal can be helpful.

These removable photo frames use repositionable glue, allowing you to move the frame anywhere, anytime, over and over again. Unlike magnetic frames, which require a metal surface, the repositionable photo frames will stick to any surface. Your fridge, file cabinets, windows or white boards can all hold photo frames, whether they are metal, wood or glass.

Frames are available in a 2×3 snapshot or 4×6 standard photo sizes. They’re great to give to employees, volunteers or donors as a thank you. Include a photo and you’ll make your gift even more meaningful.

The frames are available in multiple colors and a woodgrain style with walnut, ash, or maple shades.

Best of all, these promotional products are affordably priced, making them a great giveaway. For as little as 19 cents each, you can give people a place to hold cherished pictures, whilst promoting  your corporate brand in a simple yet memorable way.

-Suzanne

Feedback in the workplace

Feedback in the workplace

The term “feedback” is frequently utilized by mission controls to describe the signals sent back and forth between a space rocket and planet Earth. Feedback determines the accuracy of the rocket’s course and is used to make corrections and adjustments to keep it on the right path. The term has been integrated into business as a means to discuss performance and to keep employees on course.

It is important to keep in mind that feedback is not just a one way street. We must foster a work environment where employees are both open to receiving and giving feedback. The use of frequent and timely feedback alerts us to where we stand at any given moment and lets us know if we’re on the right track to achieving organizational goals. So, how do we envelop this concept and foster a feedback-friendly work environment? Read on for some simple tips.

Giving feedback            
One of the more commonly thought of places for giving employees feedback is the annual or semi-annual performance review. Although this process does provide one opportunity to engage employees and solicit their thoughts and ideas, it cannot be the only means to do so. After all, once or twice a year is just not enough. Instant feedback for a job well done or constructive criticism in areas needing improvement, and regularly scheduled touch-base points, are vital to keeping on track.

  • Immediate recognition: Catch people doing good things on the job and provide staff with immediate recognition for a job well done. A rewards program can be a great way to call out those who go the extra mile. For instance, you see a nurse go above the call of duty by checking another break room for a magazine requested by a patient. Immediate praise and a small token of thanks such as a medical badge pull, healthcare stress reliever or imprinted travel mug can go a long way to recognize an outstanding employee. 
  • Constructive criticism: Communicate negative feedback as soon as possible and in private. Be specific about what went wrong and how improvements can be made. Expand on how the negative behavior effects everyone involved and be clear in your expectations going forward.
  • Touch-base meetings: Regularly scheduled, touch-base meetings provide the opportunity to cover things in between performance reviews. These one-on-ones can be a great forum to discuss goals, wins, concerns and expectations.

Getting feedback
Now that we’ve established some methods to give feedback, we need to get some in return. You may be wondering: How engaged is the staff? How satisfied are they working at this facility? What is the communication like between doctors, nurses and other staff? Does everyone feel they have the right tools to do their jobs? Do they feel secure in their jobs? Here are some ways to find out:

  • Surveys: One method of generating employee feedback is to conduct a survey. Allow time for staff to complete the survey on the clock and during non-peak hours. A baseline survey should be no longer than 15-20 questions and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. More frequent, shorter surveys can be conducted afterwards as a means to check-in. Encourage participation by offering contributors a small token of appreciation like a lanyard, stethoscope light or Doctor Suave pen.
  • Suggestion box: A suggestion box or an online portal where employees can post comments and concerns can be a great way to generate feedback and get opinions that may not otherwise be shared. This lets employees know you’re interested in what they have to say and gives a sense of anonymity to those who may be shy or unwilling to share otherwise.
  • Share and share alike: Once a survey is complete or the suggestion box is emptied, share your findings—both the good and the bad. Foster an environment that values openness and honesty and while presenting the results, open up the conversation for additional feedback and clarifications.
  • Act: Why ask for feedback if you’re not going to do anything with it? The purpose of asking for employee input is to make organizational improvements and to assess what needs to be done to either get back on track or continue to follow the right course. Develop a plan that entails how you intend on doing this and share it with staff.

Feedback is vital to the health and well-being of your organization and without it you risk disengagement, lack of clarity and lost opportunity. It is imperative that you are not only giving feedback on a regular basis but also that you are fostering a culture where it is safe and encouraged to give, too. Let your staff know you can walk the walk and talk the talk.

"Feedback: Why It’s So Important For Keeping Employees on Course." TLNT. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.

Hatter, Kathryn. "How to Give Feedback to Employees." EHow. Demand Media, 01 Aug. 2007. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.

"How to Get Feedback From Employees." Inc.com. N.p., 10 Aug. 2010. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/08/how-to-get-feedback-from-employees.html>.

"5 Tips to Get Great Feedback from Employees!" FluidSurveys 5 Tips to Get Great Feedback from Employees Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.

"Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Why Feedback Is so Important." TLNT. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.


April

   
Monthly    

Atlanta Food and Wine Month
ASPCA Month
Alcohol Awareness Month
Amateur Radio Month
Autism Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Car Care Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Community Spirit Day
Confederate History Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month
Frog Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Grilled Cheese Month
Holy Humor Month
Home Improvement Time (April – Sept)

Honor Society Awareness Month
Informed Women Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
International Twit Award Month
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Library Snapshot Month
Math Awareness Month
Month of the Young Child
Month of the Military Child
National African American Women’s Fitness Month
National Autism Awareness Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National DNA & Genomics & Stem Cell Education & Awareness Month
National Donate Life Month
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month
National Garden Month
National Humor Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Landscape Architecture Month
National Multiple Birth Awareness Month

National Occupational Therapy Month
National Parkinson’s Awareness Month
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet Month
National Poetry Month
National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Physical Wellness Month
Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month
Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
School Library Media Month
Soy Foods Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women’s Eye Health & Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Habitat Awareness Month
World Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month
Weekly    

The APAWAs Pooper-Scooper Week: 1-7
Explore Your Career Options: 1-7
Golden Rule Week: 1-7
Laugh at Work Week: 1-7
Medication Safety Week: 1-7
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week: 1-7
Hate Week: 4-10
Just Pray No! Worldwide Weekend of Prayer and Fasting: 6-7
National Animal Control Appreciation Week: 7-13
National Blue Ribbon Week: 7-13
National Public Health Week: 7-13
National Week of the Ocean: 7-13
National Window Safety Week: 7-13
American Indian Awareness Week: 8-14
Masters Tournament: 11-14
YoYo and Skill Toy Weekend: 12-14

Bat Appreciation Week: 14-20
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: 14-23
National Environmental Week: 14-20
National Robotics Week: 14-20
National Library Week: 14-20
National Public Safety Telecommunicates: 14-20
Pan American Week: 14-20
Week of the Young Child: 14-20
(Spring) Astronomy Week: 15-21
Undergraduate Research Week: 15-19
Health Information Privacy And Security Week: 17-23
International Whistlers Week: 17-21
Cleaning for a Reason Week: 18-24
Consumer Awareness Week: 18-23
Police Officers Who Gave Their Lives In The Line of Duty Week: 18-23
National Park Week: 20-28
Money Smart Week: 20-27
Administrative Professionals Week: 21-27
Coin Week: 21-27
Fibroid Awareness Week: 21-27
National Karaoke Week: 21-27
National Volunteer Week: 21-27
National Pet ID Week: 21-27
National Paperboard Packaging Week: 21-27
National Severe Storm Preparedness Week: 21-27
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week: 21-27
Preservation Week: 21-27
Sky Awareness Week: 21-27
National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week: 22-28
Safe Kids Week: 22-27
Mariachi Week: 24-27
National Pro-Life T-shirt Week: 24-30
National Scoop the Poop Week: 24-30
Daily    

1: April Fools or All Fools Day
1: Atheist Day
1: Boomer Bonus Days
1: Dyngus Day
1: International Tatting Day
1: Library Snap Shot Day
1: Myles Day
1: National Fun Day
1: National Fun at Work Day
1: Poetry & The Creative Mind Day
1: Reading is Funny Day
1: Sorry Charlie Day
1: St. Stupid Day
1: Tater Day
1: US Air Force Academy Day
1: White House Easter Egg Roll
2: International Children’s Book Day
2: National Love Your Produce Manager Day
2: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
2: Reconciliation Day
2: World Autism Day
3: Find a Rainbow Day
3: Pony Express Day
3: Tweed Day
3: Week Out Hate: Snow the Seeds of Greatness Day
3: Whole Grain Sampling Day
3: World Party Day
3: National Day of Hope
3: National Walking Day
3: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
4: International Day for Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action
4: Square Root Day
4: Victims of Violence Holy Day
4: Vitamin C Day
4: World Rat Day
4: National D.A.R.E. Day
5: National Deep Dish Pizza Day
5: Hospital Admitting Clerks Day
5: National Walk to Work Day
6: Army Day
6: New Beers Eve
6: Drowsy Driver Awareness Day
6: National Love Our Children Day
6: National Student Athlete Day
6: Tartan Day
6: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Day
6: Teflon Day
6: International Pillow Fight Day
7: International Beaver Day
7: International Snailpapers Day
7: Metric System Day
7: National Beer Day
7: No Housework Day
7: Tangible Karma Day
7: World Health Organization Day
8: Buddha Day
8: Trading Cards for Grown-ups Day
9: Equal Pay Day
9: National Be Kind to Lawyers Day
9: National Cherish an Antique Day
9: National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day

9: National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
9: Ascension Day
9: Appomattox Day
9: Jenkins Ear Day
9: Winston Churchill Day
10: ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Day)
10: National Farm Animals Day
10: National Sibling Day
10: One Day Without Shoes Day
10: Salvation Army Founder’s Day
10: Safety Pin Day
11: Barbershop Quartet Day
11: International “Louie Louie: Day
11: National Pet Day
11: World Parkinson’s Disease Day
12: D.E.A.R. Day (Drop Everything and Read)
12: International Day of Human Space Flight
12: Licorice Day
12: Tax Freedom Day
13: Walk on Your Wild Side Day
13: Thomas Jefferson Day
13: Scrabble Day
13: Baby Massage Day
14: Children with Alopecia Day
14: Dictionary Day
14: International Moment of Laughter Day
14: Pan American Day
15: Boston Marathon
15: Income Tax Pay Day
15: McDonald’s Day
15: Take a Wild Guess Day
15: That Sucks Day
16: National Health Care Decisions Day
16: National Library Day
17: National Stress Awareness Day
17: Bat Appreciation Day
17: Blah! Blah! Blah! Day
17: Ellis Island Family History Day
17: National Haiku Poetry Day
17: Ford Mustang Day
17: National Bookmobile Day
17: Nothing Like A Dame Day
18: Adult Autism Day
18: Get To Know Your Customers Day
18: National Columnist Day
18: National Golf Day
18: Pet Owners Independence Day
18: High Five Day
18: International Amateur Radio Day
18: National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day
18: Poem in Your Pocket Day
18: Support Teen Literature Day
18: Day of Silence
19: John Parker Day
19: National Hanging Out Day
19: Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day
19: Yom HaShoah
19: DNA Day
19: National Day of Silence
20: Auctioneers Day
20: Husband Appreciation Day

20: Record Store Day
20: Spring Astronomy Day
21: Kindergarten Day
21: National Chocolate-covered Cashews Day
22: Chemists Celebrate The Earth Day
22: Earth Day
22: Girl Scout Leader Day
22: In God We Trust Day’ Day
22: Mother Earth Day
22: National Jelly Bean Day
24: International Guide Dogs Day
23: Movie Theatre Day
23: International Marconi Day
23: National Teach Your Children To Save Day
23: Talk Like Shakespeare Day
23: World Book & Copyright Day
23: World Book Night
24: Genocide Remembrance Day
25: Administrative Professionals Day or Secretary’s Day
25: Hairstylists Appreciation Day
25: Malaria Awareness Day
25: Hug a Plumber Day or Plumbers Day
25: Red Hat Society Day
25: Yom HaZikaron
25: World Penguin Day
26: Hug an Australian Day
26: Audubon Day
26: National Kids and Pets Day
26: Richter Scale Day
26: Trinity Sunday
26: Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day
26-28: Bob Wills Day
26: Yom HaArzmaut
26: Arbor Day
26: National Hairball Awareness Day
27: Babe Ruth Day
27: Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
27: Mantanzas Mule Day
27: Morse Code Day
27: Eeyore’s Birthday Day
27: National Go Birding Day
27: National Rebuilding Day
27: Penguin Day
27: Save the Frogs Day
27: Sense of Smell Day
27: World Tai Chi and Qigong Day
27: World Healing Day
27: World Veterinary Day
28: Biological Clock Day
28: Lag B’omer
28: National Pet Parent’s Day
28-: Mother, Father Deaf Day
28: Workers Memorial Day
29: National Dance Day
29: “Peace” Rose Day
29: Pinhole Photography Day
29: Zipper Day
30: Beltane
30: Bugs Bunny Day
30: International Jazz Day
30: Dia De Los Libros Day
30: National Honesty Day
30: Spank Out Day
30: Walpurgis Night
30: World Healing Day

 

May

   
Monthly    

ALS Awareness Month
American Wetlands Month
APS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome)
Arthritis Awareness Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Awareness of Medical Orphans Month
Better Hearing & Speech Month
Borderline Personality Disorder Month
Brain Tumor Awareness Month
Carrots and Cauliflower
Celiac Awareness Month
Clean Air Month
Community Living Month
Creative Beginnings Month
EcoDriving Month
Family Wellness Month
Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month
Freedom Shrine Month
Gardening for Wildlife Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Gifts from the Garden Month
Global Civility Awareness Month
Go Fetch! Food Drive for Homeless Animals Month
Grapefruit and Kiwi Month
Haitian Heritage Month
Heal the Children Month
Healthy Vision Month
Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month
International Audit Month

International Business Image Improvement Month
International Civility Awareness Month
International Victorious Woman Month
Jewish-American Heritage Month
Latino Books Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
Motorcycle Safety Month
National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month
National Barbeque Month
National Better Hearing Month
National Bike Month
National Egg Month
National Foster Care Month
National Good Car Keeping Month
National Hamburger Month
National Hepatitis Awareness Month
National Inventors Month
National Meditation Month
National Mediterranean Diet Month
National Mental Health Month
National Military Appreciation Month
National Moving Month
National Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month
National Osteoporosis Prevention Month
National Photo Month
National Physical Fitness & Sports Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Preservation Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National Smile Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Sweet Vidalia Onions Month
National Tuberous Sclerosis Month
National Toxic Encephalophathy and Chemical Injury Awareness Month
National Vinegar Month
National Youth Traffic Safety Month
Older Americans Month
Personal History Month
Potatoes and Limes Month
Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month
Preeclampsia Awareness Month
Prepare Tomorrow’s Parent Month
React Month
Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Strike Out Strokes Month
Teen CEO Month
Tennis Month
Tay-Sachs and Canavan Disease Month
Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month
Ultra-violet Awareness Month
Women’s Health Care Month
World Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Young Achievers of Tomorrow Month
National Family Month: May 13-June 17
Weekly    

Choose Privacy Week: 1-7
International Wildlife Film Week: 4-11
Dystonia Awareness Week: 5-13
Be Kind to Animals Week: 5-11
Children’s Mental Health Week: 5-11
Drinking Water Week: 5-11
Flexible Work Arrangement Week: 5-11
Goodwill Industries Week: 5-11
Kids Win Week: 5-11
National Alcohol and Drug Related Birth Defects Awareness Week: 5-11
National Anxiety & Depression Awareness Week: 5-11
National Family Week: 5-11
National Hospital Week: 5-11
National Hug Holiday Week: 5-11
National Nurses Day and Week: 5-11
National Occupational Safety & Health Week: 5-11
National Pet Week: 5-11
National Raisin Week: 5-11
North American Occupational Safety & Health Week: 5-11
PTA Teacher Appreciation Week: 5-11
Public Service Recognition Week: 5-11

Update your References Week: 5-11
Dating and Life Coach Recognition Week: 5-11
Intimate Apparel Week: 6-10
National Wildflower Week: 6-12
National Correctional Officer’s Week: 6-12
NAOSH Week: 6-12
Teacher Appreciation Week: 6-10
Universal Family Week: 10-16
National Tourism Week: 11-18
EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week: 12-18
Food Allergy Awareness Week: 12-18
National Dog Bite Prevention Week: 12-18
National Educational Bosses’ Week: 12-18
National Nursing Home Week: 12-18
National Police Week: 12-18
National Return to Work Week: 12-18
National Transportation Week: 12-18
National Women’s Health Week: 12-18
Reading is Fun Week: 12-18
Salute to Moms 35+ Week: 12-18
Work at Home Moms Week: 12-18
American Craft Beer Week: 13-19
Children’s Book Week: 13-19
National Etiquette Week: 13-19
National Stuttering Awareness Week: 13-19
National New Friends, Old Friends Week: 18-25
National Safe Boating Week: 18-24
National Bike to Work Week: 19-25
National Medical Transcription Week: 19-26
National Stationery Week: 19-22
Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week: 19-26
World Trade Week: 19-25
National Backyard Games Week: 20-26
International Coaching Week: 20-26
Mudbug Madness Week: 23-26
Old-Time Player Piano Week: 24-27
Week of Solidarity with the People of Non-Self-Governing Territories: 25-31
Hurricane Preparedness Week: 26-6/1
Black Single Parents Week: 29-6/4
Daily    

1: Amtrak Day
1: Batman Day
1: Beltaine
1: Executive Coaching Day
1: Global Love Day
1: Great American Grump Out
1: Keep Kids Alive! Drive 25 Day
1: Law Day
1: Lei Day
1: Loyalty Day
1: May Day
1: Mother Goose Day
1: National Bubba Day
1: National Dance Day
1: New Homeowner’s Day
1: School Principals’ Day
1: Silver Star Day
1: Stepmother’s Day
2: Martin Z. Mollusk Day
2: National Day of Prayer
2: National Day of Reason
2: Roberts Rule of Order Day
3-5: Bats Day
3: Garden Meditation Day
3: Hug Your Cat Day
3: Lumpy Rug Day
3: National Special-able Pets Day
3: National Two Different Colored Shoes Day
3: No Pants Day
3: Paranormal Day
3: Public Radio Day
3: Tuba Day
3: World Press Freedom Day
4: Armed Forces Day Military – Amateur Crossband Communication
4: Bladder Cancer Awareness Day
4: Free Comic Book Day
4: Intergalactic Star Wars Day
4: International Firefighters Day
4: International Space Day
4: International Respect for Chickens Day
4: Join Hands Day
4: National Homebrew Day
4: National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
4: National Scrapbooking Day
4: Space Day
4: Star Wars Day
4: World Give Day
5: Cartoonists Day
5: Childhood Stroke Awareness Day
5: Cinco de Mayo
5: Kentucky Derby
5: International Midwives Day
5: National Infertility Survival Day
5: Totally Chipotle Day
5: World Laughter Day
5: International Babylost Mother’s Day
5: Motorcycle Mass and Blessing of the Bike Day
5: National Infertility Survival Day
6: Buddah Day
6: Joseph Brackett Day
6: Melanoma Monday
6: No Diet Day
6: No Homework Day
6: Nurses Day
7: Accountant’s Day or Accounting Day
7: Childhood Depression Awareness Day
7: National Teacher Day
7: World Asthma Day

8: Donate a Day’s Wages to Charity Day
8: Childhood Mental Health Awareness Day
8: National Night Shift Workers Day
8: National Third Shift Workers Day
8: No Socks day
8: Occupational Safety and Health Professional’s Day
8: Receptionist Day
8-9: Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for those who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War
8-9: Second World War
8: VE Day
8: World Red Cross Day
9: National Moscato Day
9: Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day
9: School Nurses Day
10: Child Care Provider Day
10: Fintastic Friday: Giving Sharks a Voice: 10
10: Lupus Day
10: Military Spouse Appreciation Day
10: Windmill Day
11: Birthmother’s Day
11: Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Awareness Day
11: Eat what you Want Day
11: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day
11: International Migratory Bird Day
11: Letter Carrier’s Food Drive Day
11: Mother Ocean Day
11: National Babysitter’s Day
11: National Miniature Golf Day
11: National Windmill Day
11: Stay Up All Night Day
11: National Train Day
11: World Belly Dancer Day
12: Hug your Cat Day
12: International Nurses Day
12: Limerick Day
12: Mother’s Day
12: Mothers at the Wall Day
12: National Nutty Fudge Day
12: Odometer Day
12: World Fair Trade Day
13: Frog Jumping Day
14: National Chicken Dance Day
14: The Stars and Stripes Forever Day
14: Shavuot
14: Underground America Day
14: Hyperemisis Gravidarum Awareness Day
15: International Day of Families
15: National Chocolate Chip Day
15: National Tuberous Sclerosis Day
15: National Women’s Check-up Day
15: Nylon Stockings Day
15: Peace Officer Memorial Day
15: National Employee Health and Fitness Day
15: Straw Hat Day
15: Turn Beauty Inside Out Day
16: Biographer’s Day
16: National Sea Monkey Day
17: Endangered Species Day
17: International Virtual Assistants Day
17: National Bike to Work Day
17: National Defense Transportation Day
17: National Pizza Party Day
17: Syttende Mai
17: World Hypertension Day
17: World Information Society Day
17: World Telecommunications Day
18: Armed Forces Day
18: HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
18: I Love to Reeses Day
18: International Museum Day
18: Mother Whistler Day
18: National Learn to Swim Day
18: O. Henry Pun-off Day
18: Visit Your Relatives Day
19: Boys Club Day
19: May Ray Day
19-20: Mike, the Headless Chicken Day
19: National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
19: Neighbor Day
19: Pentecost
19-20: World Autoimmune Arthritis Day20: Eliza Doolittle Day
20: Weights & Measures Day
21: American Red Cross Founder’s Day
21: End of the World or Rapture Party Day
21: I Need a Patch of That Day
21: National Endangered Species Day
21: National Wait Staff Day
21: Sister Maria Hummel Day
21: Victoria Day
21: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue & Development
22: Canadian Immigrants Day
22: International Day for Biological Diversity
22: National Maritime Day
23: Declaration of the Bab Day
23: National Taffy Day
23: World Crohn’s and Colitis Day
23: World Turtle Day
24: Brother’s Day
24: Don’t Fry Day
24: Heat Awareness Day
24: International Tiara Day
24: Morse Code Day
24: National Wig Out Day
25: Cookie Monter’s Birthday
25: National Missing Children’s Day
25: National Tap Dance Day
25: Nerd Pride Day or Geek Pride Day
25: Towel Day
26: International Jazz Day
26: Julie Pierpont Day
26: Amateur radio Military Appreciation Day
26: Shavout
27:Cellophane Tape Day
27: Indianapolis 500
27: Whit Sunday
27: Memorial Day
27: Prayer for Peace Memorial Day
28: Sierra Club Day
28: Slugs Return to Capistrano Day
29: Acension of Baha’u’Llah
29: International Day of UN Peacekeepers
29: Learn about Composting Day
29: National Senior Health and Fitness Day
29: World MS Day
30: Loomis Day
31: Heat Awareness Safety Day
31: What you Think Upon Grows Day
31: World No-Tobacco Day

Inking Your Brand

Red. Black. Blue. Those used to be the colors of ink available in promotional pens.

If your organization’s brand color was anything other than those three, you could choose a pen with a barrel aligned with your brand, but not the ink.

PaperMate’s InkJoy pens change that.

PaperMate InkJoy Pens | Promotional Products from 4imprint

InkJoy pens come in a variety of colors, with ink to match. Now, whether your brand color is orange, brown, lime green, grass green or turquoise or a more standard ink color like red, blue or black, you can get both the pen and ink to match your brand.

And, color isn’t the only feature worth writing about. InkJoy pens start evenly and write smoothly – the kind of promotional products your customers will want to get their hands on. In fact, the InkJoy pen’s branded ink colors will make these popular with your team, too. And, that might make it difficult to keep these pens on your desk.

-Suzanne

How to discover individual strengths and develop a strong team

Wayfinding and city signage
How to discover individual strengths and develop a strong team

Tom Rath is the author of StrengthsFinder 2.0. He writes that "people who … have the opportunity to focus on their strengths every day are six times as likely to be engaged in their jobs and more than three times as likely to report having an excellent quality of life in general."

When people are engaged at work, they’re more productive. Gallup® noted that the U.S. economy loses more than $300 billion annually from disengaged employees. Can you imagine what that may mean for your agency? Furthermore, engaged employees who use their strengths are less likely to leave, which improves retention and is likely to enhance your recruitment efforts as well.

Identify individual strengths
Strengths start as innate talents, a proclivity to behave or think a certain way. Then, over time, that talent is solidified by other skills, acquired knowledge and constant practice. Capitalizing on those strengths will help improve your bottom line.

Often, we focus on improving our “weaknesses,” but research indicates that by instead focusing on strengths and building well-rounded teams that capitalize on each person’s unique abilities, greater productivity can be had. According to the Gallup Business Journal®, “If companies want to increase productivity, they must … help [employees] use their strengths with knowledgeable intent.”

But before your team members can use their strengths, they have to identify them. One cost-effective way to identify strengths is to watch for signs of excitement and increased engagement throughout the day. Visible signs of excitement emerge when pupils dilate, the chest broadens, and speech becomes fast and fluid.

Another option is to register for an online assessment. One option Entrepreneur.com recommends is the VIA Character Strength Assessment. However, Gallup has come up with an online assessment tool to identify peoples’ strengths, too. It’s called the Clifton StrengthsFinder test. There you can learn about how to “develop people, maximize potential and achieve success.”

Once you’ve had your team identify their strengths individually, it’s time to put those strengths to work.

  • Share the knowledge. Each person needs to share his or her strengths with the team and discuss how those strengths can benefit the agency as a whole. Take time for your team to learn about each other’s strengths and the advantages those offer. Imprint everyone’s name and strengths on magnets for their office desks as a reminder and guide to pairing the right strengths with the right projects. Additionally, use motivational banners, table tents or posters around the office to inspire the team to use their strengths every day.
  • Make it part of the culture. When you see employees actively utilizing their strengths in ways that are helping the agency grow, reward them with a multi-function tool kit that says it’s clear they are using their “tools” to get the job done!
  • Ask them to report back. Drive the “strengths” message home by asking your employees to give you feedback on how they think they’re doing at manifesting their strengths, something they can record in a small notepad. Also, include strengths-based performance expectations in your team’s annual reviews. Hold your team accountable and watch them shine.

Ultimately, their individual strengths will help drive the entire agency to bigger and better things. It may take some time for “the strengths” idea to get off the ground, but once your employees are given the chance to become great at what they’re already good at, there will be no stopping them—or your agency.

"Using Your Strengths: How to Harness Your Natural Gifts for Greater Satisfaction." Using Your Strengths: How to Harness Your Natural Gifts for Greater Satisfaction. The Personal Growth Library, n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2013.

Amabile, Teresa, and Steven Kramer. "Employee Happiness Matters More Than You Think." Employee Happiness Matters More Than You Think – Businessweek. Businessweek, n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2013.

Asplund, Jim, and Nikki Blacksmith. "How Strengths Boost Engagement." Gallup Business Journal, n.d. Web. 24 Dec. 2012.

Goodman, Nadia. "4 Ways to Discover Your Strengths." Entrepreneur.com. 4 Ways to Discover Your Strengths | Entrepreneur.com, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 03 Jan. 2013.

 

February

   
Monthly    

Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
AMD/Low Visions Awareness Month
American Heart Month
Avocado and Banana Month
Bake for Family Fun Month
Beans (Dried and Fresh Month)
Dog Training Education Month
Exotic Vegetables and Star Fruit Month
February is Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month
From Africa to Virginia Month
Grapefruit Month
International Boost Self Esteem Month
International Expect Success Month
International Hoof-care Month
Jobs in Golf Month
Library Lovers Month

Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month
Marijuana Awareness Month
National African American History Month
National Bird Feeding Month
National Black History Month

National Care about your Indoor Air Month
National Cherry Month
National Condom Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Laugh-Friendly Month
National Mend a Broken Heart Month
National Parent Leadership Month
National Pet Dental Health Month
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Time Management Month

National Weddings Month
Pent Dental Health Month
Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
Pull Your Sofa Off the Wall Week
Relationship Wellness Month
Responsible Pet Owner’s Month
Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
Spunky Old Broads Month
Sweet Potato Month
Wise Health Care Consumer Month
Worldwide Renaissance of the Heart Month
Youth Leadership Month
Lent: 13-3/30
Weekly    

Solo Diners Eat Out Weekend: 1-7
Women’s Heart Week: 1-7
Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9
Children’s Authors & Illustrators Week: 3-9
Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 3-9
Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 3-9
Intimate Apparel Week: 4-8
International Networking Week: 4-8
International Friendship Week: 4-8
National School Counseling Week: 4-8
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14
Have a Heart for a Chained Dog Week: 7-14
Risk Awareness Week: 7-14
Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14

Celebration of Love Week: 10-16
Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16
Jell-o Week: 10-16
Love a Mench Week: 10-16
Random Acts of Kindness Week: 10-16
National Green Week: 11-17
World AG Expo: 12-14
World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 13-19
National Condom Week: 14-21
National Nestbox Week: 14-21
NCCDP Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21
Great Backyard Bird Count: 15-17
National Date Week: 15-24
National Entrepreneurship Week: 16-23
National Future Farmers of America Week: 16-23
Brotherhood / Sisterhood Week: 17-23
Build A Better Trade Show Image Week: 17-23
National Engineers Week: 17-23
National Justice for Animals Week: 17-23
National Conference on Education: 21-23

Read Me Week: 21-25
Texas Cowboy Poetry Week: 22-24
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 24-3/2
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week: 24-3/2
Telecommuter Appreciation Week: 25-3/4
Peace Corps Week: 27-3/3

Daily    

1: Bubble Gum Day
1: Car Insurance Day
1: G.I. Joe Day
1: Hula in the Coola Day
1: Give Kids a Smile Day
1: Freedom Day
1: Robinson Crusoe Day
1: Spunky Old Broads Day
1: Wear Red Day
2: Candelmas
2: Crepe Day or La Chandeleur
2: Groundhog Day
2: Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
2: Marmot Day
2: Groundhog Job Shadow Day
2: Hedgehog Day
2: Imbolic
2: Sled Dog Day
2: Take Your Child to the Library Day
2: World Play Your Ukulele Day
2: World Wetlands Day
3: Four Chaplains Memorial Day
3: The Day the Music Died
3: Dump Your Significant Jerk Day
3: Super Bowl XLVII
4: Liberace Day
4: Quacker Day
4: USO Day
4: World Cancer Day
5: Move Hollywood & Broadway to Lebanon, PA
5: Weatherman’s [Weatherperson’s] Day
5: Western Monarch Day
5: World Nutella® Day
5: African American Coaches Day
6: Digital Learning Day
6: National Girls & Women in Sports Day
7: Ballet Day
7: “e” Day
7: Black HIV/Aids Awareness Day
7: Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor’s Day
8: Boy Scout Anniversary Day
8: Laugh and Get Rich Day
8: Opera Day
8: Tu B’ Shvat
9: National Stop Bullying Day

9: Read in the Bathtub Day
10: Chinese New Year
10: Man Day
10: Plimsoll Day
10-12: Shrovetide
10: World Marriage Day
11: Be Electrific Day
11: Pro Sports Wives Day
11: National Shut-in Visitation Day
11: Satisfied Staying Single Day
11: White Shirt Day
11: Clean out Your Computer Day
11-12: Westminster Dog Show
12: Extraterrestrial Culture Day
12: Extraterrestrial Visitor Day
12: Darwin Day
12: International Pancake Day
12: Pancake Day
12: Mardi Gras
12: Paczki Day
12: Shrove Tuesday
12: Lincoln’s Birthday
12: NAACP Day
12: Oglethorpe Day
12: Paul Bunyan Day
12: Safety Pup Day
13: Ash Wednesday
13: Employee Legal Awareness Day
13: Get a Different Name Day
13: Madly In Love with Me Day
14: Ferris Wheel Day
14: Frederick Douglass Day
14: Pet Theft Awareness Day
14: Library Lovers Day
14: National Have a Heart Day
14: National Condom Day
14: World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day
14: League of Women Voters Day
14: National Women’s Hearth Day
14: National Call in Single Day
14: National Donor Day
14: Race Relations Day
14: Quirky Alone Day
14: Valentine’s Day
14: World Marriage Day
15: Lupercalia

15: Remember the Maine Day
15: Susan B. Anthony Day
15: National Gum Drop Day
16: Innovation Day
16: Kyoto Protocol Day
17: My Way Day
17: National PTA Founders Day
17: World Human Spirit Day
18: Battery Day
18: Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day
18: Pluto Day
18: Presidents Day
19: Chocolate Mint Day
19: Iwo Jima Day
19: Single Tasking Day
20: Love Your Pet Day
20: Northern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day
20: World Day for Social Justice
21: International Mothers Language Day
21: Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
21” Ta’Anit Esther
22: National Margarita Day
22: Woolworth’s Day
22: World Thinking Day
22: George Washington’s Birthday
23: Curling is Cool Day
23: Diesel Engine Day
23: Iwo Jima Day (Flag Raised)
23: International Sword Swallowers
23: Open that Bottle Night
23: Purim
24: Academy Awards Night
24: Daytona 500
26: National Personal Chef’s Day
26: For Pete’s Sake Day
26: Levi Strauss Day
26: Spay Day USA
27: Inconvenience Yourself Day
28: Floral Design Day
28: National Chili Day
28: National Tooth Fairy Day
28: Rare Disease Day

 

March

   
Monthly    

Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
American Red Cross Month
Bell Peppers and Broccoli Month
Berries and Cherries Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Child Life Month
Colic Awareness Month
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Credit Education Month
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Month
Deaf History Month
Employee Spirit Month
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onion Month
Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science & Engineering Month
Holy Humor Month
Honor Society Awareness Month
Humorists Are Artists Month
International Expect Success Month
International Ideas Month
International Listening Awareness Month

International Mirth Month
International Women’s Month
Irish-American Heritage Month
Malignant Hypertension Awareness & Training Month
Music In Our Schools Month
National Athletic Training Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Cheerleading Safety Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
National Clean Up Your IRS Act Month
National Color Therapy Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Craft Month
National Ethics Awareness Month
National Eye Donor Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Educations & Awareness Month
National Kidney Month

National Kite Month
National March Into Literacy Month
National Nutrition Month
National On-Hold Month
National Peanut Month
National Social Work Month
National Umbrella Month
National Women’s History Month
Optimism Month
Play the Recorder Month
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Red Cross Month
Save Your Vision Month
Sing with Your Child Month
Small Press Month
Spiritual Wellness Month
Supply Management Month
Women’s History Month
Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month
Youth Art Month
National Week of the Ocean Festival Sea-son: 3/9-6/8
Weekly    

National Cheerleading Week: 1-7
National Ghostwriters Week: 1-7
National Write A Letter of Appreciation Week: 1-7
Universal Human Beings Week: 1-7
Festival of Owls Week: 1-3
Iditarod Race: 3-18
American Council on Education: 2-5
Iditarod Race: 2-19
Severe Weather Preparedness Week: 3-9
Celebrate Your Name Week: 3-9
National Agriculture Week: 3-9
National Consumer Protection Week: 3-9
National Procrastination Week: 3-9
National Schools Social Work Week: 3-9
National Sleep Awareness Week: 3-9
National Words Matter Week: 3-9
Professional Pet Sitters Week: 3-9
Save Your Vision Week: 3-9
Telecommunicator Appreciation Week: 3-9

Read an E-Book Week: 3-9
Return The Borrowed Books Week: 3-9
Women in Construction Week: 3-9
Newspaper in Education Week: 4-8
National School Breakfast Week: 4-8
Share a story – Shape a Future Week: 5-9
American Crossword Puzzle Weekend: 8-10
Universal Women’s Week: 8-14
Girl Scout Week: 10-16
National Agriculture Week: 10-16
Teen Tech Week: 10-16
Turkey Vultures Return to the Living Sing: 11-17
Flood Safety Awareness Week: 11-15
International Brain Awareness Week: 11-17
Sherlock Holmes Weekend: 15-17
Campfire USA Birthday Week: 17-23
Consider Christianity Week: 17-23
Health Information Professional Week: 17-23
National Animal Poison Prevention Week: 17-23
National Inhalant and Poisons Awareness Week: 17-23
Passiontide: 17-30
Root Canal Awareness Week: 17-23
Act Happy Week: 18-24
American Chocolate Week: 18-23
Flood Awareness Week: 18-22
Wellderly Week: 18-24
Wildlife Week: 18-24
World Folktales & Fables Week: 18-24
Week of Solidarity with People’s Struggling Against Racism & Discrimination: 21-27
Tsunami Awareness Week: 24-30
NanoDays: 30-4/7
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Week: 24-30
National Protocol Officer’s Week: 24-30
National Cleaning Week: 24-30
Termite Awareness Week: 25-29
National Week of the Ocean: 31-4/6
Daily    

1: Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day
1: Employee Appreciation Day
1: Dress in Blue Day
1: National Horse Protection Day
1: National Peanut Lovers Day
1: Peace Corps Birthday
1: Pig Day
1: Plan a Solo Vacation Day
1: Refired, Not retired Day
1: World Compliment Day
1: World Day of Prayers
2: Dr. Seuss Day
2: International Tongue Twister Day
2: NEA’s Read Across America Day
3: Daughters’ and Sons’ Day
3: Iditarod
3: International Sister Cities Day
3: I Want You to Be Happy Day
3: Namesake Day
3: National Anthem Day
3: What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day
4: Benjamin Harrison Day
4: Courageous Follower Day
4: International Scrapbooking Industry Day
4: March Forth-Do Something Day
4: National Grammar Day
4: Old Inauguration Day
4: Toy Soldier Day
4: Casimir Pulaski Day
4: Fun Facts About Names Day
5: Saint Piran’s Day
5: Peace Corp Birthday
5: Unique Names Day
6: Oreo Cookie Day
6: Sofia Kovalevskaya Math Day
6: Learn What Your Name Means Day
7: Nametag Day
7: National Agriculture Day
7: National Be Heard Day
7: World Math Day
7: Cereal Day
8: Day for Women’s Rights & International Peace
8: Girls Right Now Day
8: International Women’s Day
8: International Working Women’s Day
8: Middle Name Pride Day
8: National Proof Reader Day
8: National Peanut Cluster Day
9: Barbie Day
9: Get Over It Day
9: Joe Franklin Day
9: Panic Day
9: Genealogy Day
10: International Day of Awesomeness
10: International Fanny Pack Day
10: Land Line Telephone Day
10: Daylight Savings Time Begins
10: Mario Day
10: Salvation Army Day
10: US Paper Money Day

10: Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
11: Check your Batteries Day
11: Dream 2013 Day
11: Jonny Appleseed Day
11: Fill Our Staplers Day
11: Napping Day
11: World Plumbing Day
11: Girl Scout Sunday
12: Girls Scout Birthday Day
12: Organize Your Home Office Day
13: Donald Duck Day
13: Earmuffs Day
13: Good Samaritan Involvement Day
13: K-9 Veterans Day
13: Ken Day
13: L. Ron Hubbard Day
13: National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
13: Registered Dietitian Day
14: International Ask A Question Day
14: MOTH-ER Day
14: Potato Chip Day
14: Pi Day (as in math)
14: World Kidney Day
15: Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
15: Brutus Day
15: Buzzards Day
15: Ides of March
15: True Confessions Day
15: World Consumer Rights Day
15: Freedom of Information Day
15-17: US Snowshoe Day
16: Corn Dog Day
16: Curlew Day
16: Goddard Day
16: International Sports Car Racing Day
16: Lips Appreciation Day
16: National Quilting Day
16: St. Urho’s Day
17: Campfire Girls Day
17: St. Patrick’s Day
18: Awkward Moments Day
18: Forgive Mom and Dad Day
18: National Biodiesel Day
18: Well-Elderly or Wellderly Day
19: National Chocolate Carmel Day
19: Operation Iraqi Freedom Day
19: Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano Day
20: Alien Abduction Day
20: Atheist Pride Day
20: Bed-in for Peace Day
20: Corn Dog Day
20: Great American Meat Out Day
20: International Astrology Day
20: Kick Butts Day
20: Kiss Your Fiance Day
20: National Jump Out! Day
20: National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
20: Ostara
20: Proposal Day

20: National Agriculture Day
20: Now Ruz
20: Snowman Burning Day
20: Vernal Equinox (Spring)
20: Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day
21: Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
21: Brain Injury Awareness Day
21: Companies that Care Day
21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21: Memorial Day
21: National Day of Action on Syringe Exchange
21: National Common Courtesy Day
21: Naw-Ruz
21: Spring Fairy Fun Day
21: World Down Syndrome Day
22: As Young As You Feel Day
22: Education and Sharing Day
22; International Day of the Seal
22: International Goof-off Day
22: World Day for Water
23: National Puppy Day
23: Near Miss Day
23: O.K. Day
23: World Meteorological Day
24: National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
24: World Tuberculosis Day
24: Palm Sunday
25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic
25: National Day of Celebration of Greek & American Democracy
25: National Medal of Honor Day
25: Old New Years Day
25: Passover
25: Pecan Day
25: Tolkien Reading Day
25: Vaffeldagen (Waffle Day)
26: Legal Assistants Day
26: Make Up Your Own Holiday
27: American Diabetes Association Alert Day
27: Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day
28: Barnum and Bailey Day
28: Weed Appreciation Day
29: Good Friday
29: Knights of Columbus Founders Day
29-30: National Day of Unplugging
29: National Mom & Pop Business Owner’s Day
29: Niagra Falls Runs Dry Day
29: Texas Loves the Children Day
30: Doctors Day
30: Grass is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day
30: Pencil Day
31: Bunsen Burner Day
31: Earth Hour
31: Easter
31: National “She’s Funny the Way” Day
31: Terri’s Day

 

April

   
Monthly    

Atlanta Food and Wine Month
ASPCA Month
Alcohol Awareness Month
Amateur Radio Month
Autism Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Car Care Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Community Spirit Day
Confederate History Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month
Frog Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Grilled Cheese Month
Holy Humor Month
Home Improvement Time (April – Sept)

Honor Society Awareness Month
Informed Women Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
International Twit Award Month
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Library Snapshot Month
Math Awareness Month
Month of the Young Child
Month of the Military Child
National African American Women’s Fitness Month
National Autism Awareness Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National DNA & Genomics & Stem Cell Education & Awareness Month
National Donate Life Month
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month
National Garden Month
National Humor Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Landscape Architecture Month
National Multiple Birth Awareness Month

National Occupational Therapy Month
National Parkinson’s Awareness Month
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet Month
National Poetry Month
National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Physical Wellness Month
Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month
Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
School Library Media Month
Soy Foods Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women’s Eye Health & Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Habitat Awareness Month
World Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month
Weekly    

The APAWAs Pooper-Scooper Week: 1-7
Explore Your Career Options: 1-7
Golden Rule Week: 1-7
Laugh at Work Week: 1-7
Medication Safety Week: 1-7
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week: 1-7
Hate Week: 4-10
Just Pray No! Worldwide Weekend of Prayer and Fasting: 6-7
National Animal Control Appreciation Week: 7-13
National Blue Ribbon Week: 7-13
National Public Health Week: 7-13
National Week of the Ocean: 7-13
National Window Safety Week: 7-13
American Indian Awareness Week: 8-14
Masters Tournament: 11-14
YoYo and Skill Toy Weekend: 12-14

Bat Appreciation Week: 14-20
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: 14-23
National Environmental Week: 14-20
National Robotics Week: 14-20
National Library Week: 14-20
National Public Safety Telecommunicates: 14-20
Pan American Week: 14-20
Week of the Young Child: 14-20
(Spring) Astronomy Week: 15-21
Undergraduate Research Week: 15-19
Health Information Privacy And Security Week: 17-23
International Whistlers Week: 17-21
Cleaning for a Reason Week: 18-24
Consumer Awareness Week: 18-23
Police Officers Who Gave Their Lives In The Line of Duty Week: 18-23
National Park Week: 20-28
Money Smart Week: 20-27
Administrative Professionals Week: 21-27
Coin Week: 21-27
Fibroid Awareness Week: 21-27
National Karaoke Week: 21-27
National Volunteer Week: 21-27
National Pet ID Week: 21-27
National Paperboard Packaging Week: 21-27
National Severe Storm Preparedness Week: 21-27
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week: 21-27
Preservation Week: 21-27
Sky Awareness Week: 21-27
National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week: 22-28
Safe Kids Week: 22-27
Mariachi Week: 24-27
National Pro-Life T-shirt Week: 24-30
National Scoop the Poop Week: 24-30
Daily    

1: April Fools or All Fools Day
1: Atheist Day
1: Boomer Bonus Days
1: Dyngus Day
1: International Tatting Day
1: Library Snap Shot Day
1: Myles Day
1: National Fun Day
1: National Fun at Work Day
1: Poetry & The Creative Mind Day
1: Reading is Funny Day
1: Sorry Charlie Day
1: St. Stupid Day
1: Tater Day
1: US Air Force Academy Day
1: White House Easter Egg Roll
2: International Children’s Book Day
2: National Love Your Produce Manager Day
2: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
2: Reconciliation Day
2: World Autism Day
3: Find a Rainbow Day
3: Pony Express Day
3: Tweed Day
3: Week Out Hate: Snow the Seeds of Greatness Day
3: Whole Grain Sampling Day
3: World Party Day
3: National Day of Hope
3: National Walking Day
3: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
4: International Day for Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action
4: Square Root Day
4: Victims of Violence Holy Day
4: Vitamin C Day
4: World Rat Day
4: National D.A.R.E. Day
5: National Deep Dish Pizza Day
5: Hospital Admitting Clerks Day
5: National Walk to Work Day
6: Army Day
6: New Beers Eve
6: Drowsy Driver Awareness Day
6: National Love Our Children Day
6: National Student Athlete Day
6: Tartan Day
6: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Day
6: Teflon Day
6: International Pillow Fight Day
7: International Beaver Day
7: International Snailpapers Day
7: Metric System Day
7: National Beer Day
7: No Housework Day
7: Tangible Karma Day
7: World Health Organization Day
8: Buddha Day
8: Trading Cards for Grown-ups Day
9: Equal Pay Day
9: National Be Kind to Lawyers Day
9: National Cherish an Antique Day
9: National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day

9: National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
9: Ascension Day
9: Appomattox Day
9: Jenkins Ear Day
9: Winston Churchill Day
10: ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Day)
10: National Farm Animals Day
10: National Sibling Day
10: One Day Without Shoes Day
10: Salvation Army Founder’s Day
10: Safety Pin Day
11: Barbershop Quartet Day
11: International “Louie Louie: Day
11: National Pet Day
11: World Parkinson’s Disease Day
12: D.E.A.R. Day (Drop Everything and Read)
12: International Day of Human Space Flight
12: Licorice Day
12: Tax Freedom Day
13: Walk on Your Wild Side Day
13: Thomas Jefferson Day
13: Scrabble Day
13: Baby Massage Day
14: Children with Alopecia Day
14: Dictionary Day
14: International Moment of Laughter Day
14: Pan American Day
15: Boston Marathon
15: Income Tax Pay Day
15: McDonald’s Day
15: Take a Wild Guess Day
15: That Sucks Day
16: National Health Care Decisions Day
16: National Library Day
17: National Stress Awareness Day
17: Bat Appreciation Day
17: Blah! Blah! Blah! Day
17: Ellis Island Family History Day
17: National Haiku Poetry Day
17: Ford Mustang Day
17: National Bookmobile Day
17: Nothing Like A Dame Day
18: Adult Autism Day
18: Get To Know Your Customers Day
18: National Columnist Day
18: National Golf Day
18: Pet Owners Independence Day
18: High Five Day
18: International Amateur Radio Day
18: National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day
18: Poem in Your Pocket Day
18: Support Teen Literature Day
18: Day of Silence
19: John Parker Day
19: National Hanging Out Day
19: Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day
19: Yom HaShoah
19: DNA Day
19: National Day of Silence
20: Auctioneers Day
20: Husband Appreciation Day

20: Record Store Day
20: Spring Astronomy Day
21: Kindergarten Day
21: National Chocolate-covered Cashews Day
22: Chemists Celebrate The Earth Day
22: Earth Day
22: Girl Scout Leader Day
22: In God We Trust Day’ Day
22: Mother Earth Day
22: National Jelly Bean Day
24: International Guide Dogs Day
23: Movie Theatre Day
23: International Marconi Day
23: National Teach Your Children To Save Day
23: Talk Like Shakespeare Day
23: World Book & Copyright Day
23: World Book Night
24: Genocide Remembrance Day
25: Administrative Professionals Day or Secretary’s Day
25: Hairstylists Appreciation Day
25: Malaria Awareness Day
25: Hug a Plumber Day or Plumbers Day
25: Red Hat Society Day
25: Yom HaZikaron
25: World Penguin Day
26: Hug an Australian Day
26: Audubon Day
26: National Kids and Pets Day
26: Richter Scale Day
26: Trinity Sunday
26: Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day
26-28: Bob Wills Day
26: Yom HaArzmaut
26: Arbor Day
26: National Hairball Awareness Day
27: Babe Ruth Day
27: Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
27: Mantanzas Mule Day
27: Morse Code Day
27: Eeyore’s Birthday Day
27: National Go Birding Day
27: National Rebuilding Day
27: Penguin Day
27: Save the Frogs Day
27: Sense of Smell Day
27: World Tai Chi and Qigong Day
27: World Healing Day
27: World Veterinary Day
28: Biological Clock Day
28: Lag B’omer
28: National Pet Parent’s Day
28-: Mother, Father Deaf Day
28: Workers Memorial Day
29: National Dance Day
29: “Peace” Rose Day
29: Pinhole Photography Day
29: Zipper Day
30: Beltane
30: Bugs Bunny Day
30: International Jazz Day
30: Dia De Los Libros Day
30: National Honesty Day
30: Spank Out Day
30: Walpurgis Night
30: World Healing Day

Just Doodle It

When I spotted this on Pinterest®, I thought it was brilliant.

It’s called the Doodle Duvet, a giant, washable sheet that looks like notebook paper. It can be colored again and again, using special doodle markers that come out in the wash. (These are available online and at many craft stores.)

Doodling is a very popular trend. If your target audience includes children, teens, tweens or creative adults, doodle-ready promotional products might really grab their attention.

To get conversation rolling during an icebreaker, print both a faux frame and your logo on the cover of the Composition Notebook.

Ask recipients to draw things that are important to them in their lives and then describe what they’ve drawn.

If you are organizing a camping trip, commemorate the activity by imprinting the Jerzees Blend 50/50 T-shirt with the name of the campground and a backdrop of trees or tents. Then encourage campers to doodle and draw their favorite memories from the trip.

Giving recipients the chance to personalize their promotional products is more than a fun activity. It also helps ensure recipients will use and wear them with pride.

- Suzanne

Promotional Products Placement

Brands often pay big dollars to place their products in blockbuster films.

You’ve no doubt noticed a movie’s lead actress using a laptop with a logo prominently displayed. Or, a lead actor driving a car whose hood ornament appears in almost every shot.

While traveling recently, I stopped in at a coffee shop and found the local version of product placement.

A library donated a stack of books to the coffee shop. (The books had been taken out of circulation and would have otherwise been sold or recycled.) Coffee shop customers were encouraged to take a book to read and pass it on. The book rack contained signs explaining the program and flyers promoting upcoming library programs. It was a great collaboration!

That got me thinking about how other organizations could do this, too.

For example, book shops could take books that got tattered or faded while on the shelves, add a name plate inside the book explaining the program and place them in a coffee shop or restaurant. (For a little something extra, add a bookmark containing a special offer.)

Other organizations could replicate this idea, using other promotional products. For example, an optometrist or ophthalmologist could put their messages in front of Baby Boomers and Seniors by offering complimentary Light Up Credit Card Magnifiers to restaurants for diners to use when reading menus in low light.

That’s a win for the restaurant, the diner and the optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Construction companies, architects, insurance agents, real estate agents or other small businesses targeting families could do something similar, providing restaurants with paper placemats with line drawings of homes and buildings and the logo’d Crayon 4-Pack children can use to color while families wait for their food.

Or, they could make these promotional products available in doctors’ and dentists’ office waiting rooms.

To make a promotion like this successful, think of an organization that attracts customers like yours. Offer the leader a product that will enhance their customers’ experience while promoting your business.

With that type of collaboration, who could say no?

-Suzanne

The Party Cup Grows Up

Planning party for a grown-up crowd? Here are a couple of promotional products that will put a smile on their faces.

The re-usable Red Party Cup takes the college party classic to a whole new level. And, that’s what makes it party-perfect for adults.

This drinkware will not only make your guests smile, it also doubles as a party favor and personalized giveaway. That’ll keep the fun of your party on your guests’ minds for years to come.

Another fun party giveaway is the Vino2Go Tumbler, a promotional product with a split personality. On the outside, it looks like a travel mug. But, inside, it is molded to look like a wine glass.

This makes these unbreakable tumblers perfect for camping trips, eliminating wine will be spilled from the mesh cup holder of a fold-up chair.

And, here’s a sneak preview of another item: If you’re looking for something with more vintage appeal, check out this new spin on the vintage jar.

Game Day Mason Jar | Promotional Products from 4imprint

Though the Game Day Mason Jar (Product #117770) silhouette is rich with tradition, the addition of color, cover, straw and handle transform this travel mug into a new classic.

That’s what makes all of these travel mugs and tumblers the perfect addition to a family reunion, company picnic or golf outing. They’re promotional items that inspire a little bit of fun. And, that goes a long way!

-Suzanne

Trade Show Double-Takes

Want a trade show giveaway that will grab the attention of conference attendees?

Here’s a sneak preview of a promotional product that will make trade show attendees stop and take a second look.

These are a new promotional product called Sketch Messenger Bags. These promotional bags are designed to look like they’ve been ripped from the comic strips—or like they’ve jumped from the page of a graphic novel.

These bags make a great conference tote bag because they instantly grab attention and get peoples’ minds turning. Best of all, this promotional item will get the same reaction from everyone who sees it.

-Suzanne

Promotional Products for Staying Safe

For teachers, scout troop leaders, coaches, running clubs, safety is never far from mind. (This is also true for anyone else who is responsible for people working or playing outside in the dark.)

If you are responsible for others working or playing outside, wellness and safety products are a thoughtful giveaway. These useful promotional products come in a wide range of price points.

These Reflective Sticker Sets – Twin Dots, for example, are inexpensive giveaways that come in a variety of reflective, safety colors. Scout troops will have fun sticking these on shoes, hats and jackets while participating in outdoor events or outings.

For those coaching an outdoor team or leading a running club, Reflective Slap-Wrap Bands provide another option. These wrist bands are reusable, making them the perfect outdoor safety gear for daily or weekly practices or activities.

If you’re thinking you want something a little sturdier, the Push Action Key Light is a great option. It’s small enough to clip onto a key chain or zipper pull. Or, you can keep it in your pocket for the unexpected.

During these short winter days, handing out these promotional safety products sends the message that you care about your students, troop, team or club. That’s a sentiment worth bringing to light.

-Suzanne