Archive for April, 2010

The Do-s and Don’t Ever-s of Employee Communication

April 26th, 2010, by Caitlin

Employee communication is a key building block in the foundation of any successful business. Any team that excels in communication will probably tell you how it aids to the success of new projects and makes solving even the largest problems a much easier task. Here‘s a list of things to do (and avoid) to help improve employee communication.

Do
… communicate openly with your employees about new projects, programs and goals. Expressing clear individual and team goals to employees keeps everyone on the same page.

… keep your employees fully informed and prepared prior to sending out customer communications.

… provide specific scripting to employees who have direct communication with customers. It’s a great way to get the main points of a new program across and to give your employee a jumping off point.

… encourage employees to expand on these scripting pieces. Be sure to acknowledge what works and what doesn’t, it’s all a part of the learning experience.

… reward those who get great results and coach the ones who need more assistance. Incentives can also be a great way to reach your goals and keep morale high.

… give employees specific timelines and due dates. Make sure these timelines are reasonable and ensure that a specific priority level is noted. (Also note: only label a project’s deadline as “ASAP” if it’s completely necessary. If everything is labeled as a hot priority, it deems the whole system ineffective.)

But think twice before you…
… rely solely on email when an issue needs to be addressed. No one likes receiving an angry faced emoticon. Face-to-face meetings can be a better alternative. ☺

… launch a new program to customers without letting your employees know. There are many great surprises in life, but this isn’t one of them. Keep the communication open and the results will (pleasantly) surprise you.

… raise your voice to a colleague. Losing your cool is no way to solve problems and can be detrimental to doing so. (And you might get an unfortunate new nickname like Hothead).

Contact Sherri May & Company today to expand on your employee communication programs.

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Company News: April 2010

April 25th, 2010, by admin

Yoga Certified
We’re proud to announce Art Director Jen Noto is merely 3 weeks away from receiving her yoga certification. After completing the 10-Week, 200 hour, Teacher Training Intensive program at Urban Yoga in Phoenix, she will be certified to teach classes. Congratulations Jen!

A Successful Season
Copywriter Caitlin Bebout just finished her first season as Xavier College Preparatory’s varsity lacrosse coach. “The girls improved so much from the beginning of the season to the end, and I’m really proud of how they adjusted after moving up to a higher division,” she said.

Out and About
Account Execs Angi Brugger and Cindy Whitehead learned about different shades of green in the printing industry by attending an Earth Day Event held by Prisma Graphic. Industry experts shared the newest environmentally friendly papers and processes to attendees. SMCO staffers also attended two Phoenix Chamber events this month. Cindy and Designer Aleta Lynch attended a Bid for Business event for Minority and Women owned businesses. They made great contacts with potential prospects including SRP, the City of Phoenix, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Aleta and Agency Manager Sue Thomas took advantage of a Chamber invitation co-hosted by the City of Phoenix to view the skyline from the Orpheum Penthouse in downtown Phoenix. A great networking opportunity, Aleta and Sue traded business cards and made new contacts while enjoying great views in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.

Making a French Connection
Sue’ family recently hosted exchange student Celine Trioux from Meylan, France as part of the International Studies Magnet program at Central High School in Phoenix where daughter Abi attends. Sixteen year old Celine was one of 10 students visiting from sister school Lycee du Gresivaudan. In addition to visiting the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Heard Museum, ASU, and other points of interest, Celine was treated to shopping at several local malls, attending the school prom, a Diamondbacks game and Suns game. “It was a wonderful experience and we truly enjoyed hosting Celine,” said Sue. “Now Abi has an open invitation to visit Celine and her family in France.”

New Arrival
Congratulations to Cindy Mirkin, an SMCO client at Wells Fargo, on the birth of daughter Sarah Eve who arrived a couple of weeks early on March 7 weighing in at 6 pounds and 10 ounces.

Cross-Cultural Community Service
This coming July, Graphic Designer Katie Milburn will be taking a two-week trip to Ireland. She’s visiting the north coast of Ireland with her church group to help on service projects aiding the poor and underprivileged children. To help pay her way, Katie is selling raffle tickets for a three-day, two-night deluxe weekend stay at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort (valued at $678). You don’t have to be present to win, just email Katie at Katie@sherrimayco.com to purchase your raffle tickets for a great cause.

Staying in the Know
Agency Owner Sherri May recently attended the 15th Annual Best Practices in Retail Financial Services Symposium put on by the American Banker. Her top takeaway … banks need to improve customer satisfaction and learned great ways to do so. Click here to read more.

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Marketing Advice from an Old Pro

April 21st, 2010, by Caitlin

Recently, I stumbled upon a collection of tips written by marketing guru, Bruce Mau. If you’re wondering who he is, he’s the face behind numerous high profile marketing projects including Coca-Cola, MTV, and even Arizona State University’s recent sustainability campaign. His unconventional advice can relate back to your business and your daily life. So without further adieu, here are some highlights from Bruce Mau’s Incomplete Manifesto for Growth:

Ask stupid questions.
Growth is fueled by desire and innocence. Assess the answer, not the question. Imagine learning throughout your life at the rate of an infant.

Collaborate.
The space between people working together is filled with conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight, and vast creative potential.

Capture accidents.
The wrong answer is the right answer in search of a different question. Collect wrong answers as part of the process. Ask different questions.

Process is more important than outcome.
When the outcome drives the process we will only ever go to where we’ve already been. If process drives outcome we may not know where we’re going, but we will know we want to be there.

Don’t be cool.
Cool is conservative fear dressed in black. Free yourself from limits of this sort.

There you have it, marketing and life advice from one of the best in the business. Click here for the complete (or should I say incomplete?) list.

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