Booker Group’s Post

This week marks six months since I stepped out of Hospitality and into retail. Whilst there are certain elements I miss, the work-life balance I’ve found with Waitrose & Partners is vastly improved. 37.5 hour working week | Ability to compress hours into 4 days | Alternate Saturdays | 1 in 4 Sundays | No expectation to work EVERY Bank Holiday | Comparable Salary It has certainly been a lot to learn, (and still learning all the time) and at times challenging; however a decade in Hospitality, certainly helps with that(!) If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that the Work-Life balance we all strive for, has certainly been reweighted; and the Hospitality industry, which has seen millions of workers leave, could certainly rebuild some loyalty if they took heed of some of the above. Anyone looking for a career in retail, check out www.jlpjobs.com #CareerChange #Career #Hospitality #Retail #WorkLifeBalance

When we started our re-branding process almost a decade ago, we knew that we wanted our culture, identity, and atmosphere to be centered around the concept of being a 'Third Place' for our clients. Before we landed on the name 'TREBEL' , M3P LLC was formed, which stands for My Third Place. We had a simple yet powerful vision: We want TREBEL to be everyone’s 'Third Place'. Traditionally, we all have two main places: our first place is home, and our second place is work. But there’s also a third place — a space where we go to be social, unwind, and connect with others outside of home and work. It could be the local coffee shop, your favorite bar, a church, or even a community club. For us, we want TREBEL to be that third place for our clients. It’s a place where you can come in, take care of the needs of your body and mind, meet new people, and form lasting relationships — all while feeling energized and ready to take on the rest of your day. Whether you show up to challenge yourself physically or simply to connect with others in a positive, supportive environment, TREBEL is the space where you can truly belong. At TREBEL, we’re more than just fitness — we’re a community, and we’re excited to be your 'Third Place'. #thirdplace #medicalexercise #iamtrebel #blacksburgva

A fun little snippet to share with you! Welcome to my world & my "Why."

If you call your place of employment a "family" do you treat your real life family at home the exact same way you treat your employees, associates, team members, and coworkers, and do you treat your employees, associates, team members, and coworkers exactly like your real life family at home? If not, then why call your workplace a "family"?

As we approach the holiday season, I’m curious about a common practice: Do you say "Merry Christmas" to your clients? I personally do—typically a week or two before the holiday! For those who may not celebrate Christmas, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Does it resonate with you, or could it be seen as off-putting? Let’s start a conversation! Your insights could help us all navigate these interactions more thoughtfully and inclusively. Share your experiences and opinions in the comments! #Sales #BusinessDevelopment #ClientRelations #HolidaySeason #InclusiveCommunication

👣 REAL PEOPLE 💕 REAL STORIES 💡 REAL SIMPLE Meet Beth, my wonderful Office Manager of 9 years. Beth has become an integral part of my business and that of the lives of our clients. Here's a couple of insights into who Beth is outside of work: One interesting fact about you that most people wouldn't know? I have been a Halifax Panthers fan all my life, I went to my first game when I was just 2 weeks old and I used to run the club shop before I started working here. What do you love most about your job and why? Every day is different, I am always learning and love getting to meet all our clients when they visit us in the office – its nice to put a face to a name. How do you like to spend your free time outside of work? Going on holiday, socialising with friends and keeping fit – I am currently training for the Great North Run! All of our clients are important to all of us, and we each make sure we get to know you, your family & your needs. We’re always here to answer your questions and put your mind at ease. #Teamwork #DreamTeam #FinancialWellbeing

What’s the nicest thing an employer or manager did for you? Or better yet - what small unexpected gesture did they make that you still remember even if it was years ago? With all the bad press companies get (for good reason), I'm genuinely curious about what goes a long way to increase employee happiness and retention. Sometimes a company isn’t great, but it’s often the people who make dealing with stupid policies, under-market-value salaries, or dated practices almost worth it. (all this to say, pizza parties and stupid sh*t like that can never fully make up for low pay or bad business practices 🙃) 📸 PEEP THE PICTURE: My boyfriend, Cleveland, is starting his very own carpenter/cabinetry shop this year (PSA to all Austinites!). Starting a shop from scratch can cost upwards of $10-15k in investment in tools, equipment, and materials. 💜 Big shoutout to Jake Russell (manager) for unexpectedly extending an incredibly kind gesture by purchasing one of his first tools. Not to mention, it was like my 2nd week on the job too. Shocking. To all managers and employers (if you have the ability), please be more like Jake!

It’s a cruel summer if you have to spend Friday afternoons at the office. 🏖️ Good thing there’s evidence that offering reduced hours on Fridays during the summer can actually boost productivity. Here’s how companies can get ahead by letting their employees get out early.  Do you have summer Fridays at your job?

🌟 Being Yourself at Work Matters 🌟 Ever think about how exhausting it is to hide a part of yourself for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for decades? No one wants that. Being able to bring your whole self to work isn't just a nice idea – it makes a huge difference. When we're true to ourselves, we feel better, and our teams work better together. Authenticity means trust, creativity, and collaboration thrive. At Bucketlist Rewards, we’re all about creating a space where everyone feels valued for who they really are, and truthfully, I feel like this shines through in our platform. One way we do this is by celebrating milestones and our employees goals. One of my favorite parts of my role is using a presentation during the sales process that allows me to bring pieces of myself into my work. It’s those personal touches that make connections stronger and work more meaningful. We strive to help workplaces build an environment where diversity and authenticity are the norm and everyone can shine. Bring your whole self to work, every day. Let's make being genuine the standard, not the exception.

This is a great idea from Kaylea Gray 🪣 and an even more important reminder: your company hired YOU, not some fictional perfect archetype of a person in your role. Being able to show up as your authentic self takes courage and confidence (plus the right culture!), but it pays off in spades. In a world where AI and automation is an increasing part of daily life, human connection will make you stand out. And we can't form those connections while suppressing our humanity. So make the cheesy joke, go down the nerdy rabbit hole, or showcase whatever cringey part of your personality might show up at work. It'll probably bring you more success, but it will DEFINITELY bring you more joy.