Tribute Home Care’s Post

Withum tackled an important New England debate: Dunkin or Starbucks? I think it’s Dunkin, but see what some of our team members said.    Comment below to let me know if you think they got it right!   If you’re interested in learning more about Withum’s expansion into New England, click here to take a trip through time: https://lnkd.in/eByU6Pws #Withum50

Storytime in Seattle: Back in April 1986, John was a struggling business owner with a small fish stand... Formerly an employee, he’d taken over the business from the previous owner and could barely make payroll, let alone a profit. During a coaching session with a business consultant, an employee suggested that they try to get world famous to improve their fortunes. One idea led to another, and they committed to becoming something outrageously bigger and more meaningful than just fish sellers—something out of this world. Some would call it a “moonshot.” Others thought they were bat-s**t crazy. In effect, John gave everyone permission to bring their best selves to work each day. To stop treating work as though it was work. If his fish market was going to be famous beyond Puget Sound, then work itself was going to have to become a heck of a lot more fun. John’s otherwise ordinary, 800-square-foot shop has become recognized all over the planet as the “World Famous Pike Place Fish Market.” The hilarious, goofy antics of John’s fish-flinging workers have been featured on CNN, The NFL Today, MTV’s The Real World and ABC’s Good Morning America, among others. More than 10,000 weekly visitors stop by to enjoy the boisterous spirit and wacky merriment exhibited by Seattle’s unofficial ambassadors. The Mona Lisa Effect occurs daily at a venue that is cold, wet and smelly, starring performers who wear orange aprons and rubber boots. Source: Big Little Legends #marketing #business #sales #branding

Here is our final #WIChamberMonth video!

GET READY

Even though the temperature outside was COLD - COLD - COLD, the conversation around our table on Tuesday at the Workforce and Talent Salon was HOT - HOT - HOT! The topic was "Should Work Be Considered Family?" On the one hand, what does family even mean? There are so many definitions and so many ways people have experienced "family" -- not all of them good. Consider people whose families have rejected them for who they are. (How painful must that be?) Or the people who grew up in families where younger, weaker siblings were bullied and teased. (It's OK, though. We're family.) So when we say, "We're family," it doesn't conjure the same thing for all people. That's what you want to be careful of. On the other? Well, check out the attached blog post for more insights. What do you think about it? Do you want your work to be a family? Or perhaps you already have a family, thank you very much. Thanks to Austin ☕️ Drabik for "setting the point," and Christine Boucher, Malka Bendor, Sam Underwood, and Martin O. Butler for sharing your thoughts and perspectives.

Today I had the opportunity to attend an event hosted by Futures Friends. One of the topics that came up was the concept of Rewarding Retail and the potential of retail workers providing head office with first-hand insights into the day-to-day life in the store. The discussion also considered the empowerment of retail workers, engaging them and showing both on a personal and business level the importance of staff working directly with customers. Fellow retail friends, how do you feel about this? Do you feel heard by your company? Do you feel your input is taken into account? Do you feel head office decisions are sometimes disconnected from the reality in the store? In my experience in different retail environments, I feel that the opinions of sales assistants are often not taken into account, resulting in many lost opportunities. I would venture to say companies spend more on mystery shopper feedback and other tools than on actually listening to their employees.

This video shows exactly why I recruit for Five Below.

Starbucks recently welcomed its new CEO, Brian Niccol. And while I appreciate coffee - and coffee chains - can be a polarizing topic, there was something in his message that caught my eye. Here are the four areas that he and his team will focus on initially: 1. Empowering our baristas to take care of our customers. 2. Get the morning right, every morning. 3. Reestablishing Starbucks as the community coffeehouse. 4. Telling our story. While it's a back-to-basics approach, #4 stood out to me. Storytelling is an incredibly powerful tool and everyone has a story to tell. It creates emotional connections, making brands relatable and memorable. Through stories, brands can communicate their values, mission, and personality in a way that resonates with audiences on a deeper level. Stories evoke emotions, foster trust, and engage customers by showing rather than telling what the brand stands for. This helps differentiate the brand in a crowded market, builds loyalty, and turns customers into advocates. Storytelling also simplifies complex ideas, making it easier for people to understand and connect with a brand's message. Storytelling is peopley... and #PeopleLovePeople. Are you using storytelling in your strategy? Want to learn more? Let's talk... reach out via DM or send me a message via our website. https://lnkd.in/ezAqaxyh. #TellAStory #StrategicStorytelling

Friday Fun Post: Kill the coffee networking meeting. I used to spend a lot of time in Starbucks and other coffee shops doing networking meetings. "Let's catch up over coffee." We don't spend a lot of time doing that anymore. We're more protective of our time. And on the road less. We end up in too many virtual conversations and phone calls. Yet nothing is more impactful than seeing one another in real life. So, I started to invite people to dinner. Or drinks. Sometimes with their significant others. After work. And for all the obvious reasons, it has so many benefits. Last night, Cary and I had an amazing dinner with STACI BENDER EPSTEIN and Ed Epstein of Be Group, LLC. I had recently run into them at a PSPS: Philadelphia Society of People & Strategy event and Staci suggested we catch up over dinner. She and I go back to when Real Food Works worked with her PR firm. And Ed and I worked briefly together decades ago when I moved to #Philly and his tech staffing firm wanted to farm me out to SmithKline. We met for dinner at a small, local #vegan restaurant. Rachel Klein of Miss Rachel's Pantry is one of the best in the country. It was an amazing meal, and we also got to support local business and social conscious eating. You've heard me say it so many times — get out of the office, get out of the house, and meet people IRL. And don't suggest that crappy cup of Starbucks. How about an Ardmore Old Fashioned at Char & Stave? Or a lunch at Fergie's Pub? Or dinner at Miss Rachel's? #networking #smallbusiness #partnerships #collaboration #community #serendipitouscollisions

Taking a Risk With The Family- In 2019, my 13-year-old daughter expressed a desire to launch a bakery sales business at our local farmers market. Taking on the role of a supportive parent, I dedicated evenings and weekends to assist, primarily offering consultative guidance as she was passionate about creating a family business. Given our family name, Nagel, the logical choice was to specialize in bagels, and thus, Nagel’s Bagels was born (https://lnkd.in/epvrYtPn). To formalize our venture, I established an LLC and undertook the project of setting up a dedicated bakery space in our basement, separate from our family kitchen. The enterprise gained popularity within our community and among local friends. As our weekly presence at the market approached each May, our family rallied together, pooling efforts to buy supplies, prepare ingredients, and ensure seamless operations on Saturday mornings. This collective involvement allowed my two daughters, wife, and myself to engage with neighbors and forge new friendships. In June 2022, a realtor presented us with an opportunity to acquire a shop on Main Street. Despite recognizing the considerable commitment it entailed, we saw it as a chance to instill a strong work ethic in our daughters and create a lasting legacy. The decision gained additional significance when, in September, I was laid off from my job. Contemplating the potential success of the bakery, I envisioned sustaining our livelihood through the business and decided to empower my daughters to manage all aspects independently. Transitioning from a career-focused mindset to prioritizing family and investing time and resources, especially in the absence of alternative income, presented challenges. As of January 2024, I am actively seeking a new professional role, reflecting on the risks assumed since September 2022. Despite the uncertainties, I consider the experience a blessing, providing my daughters with valuable lessons in navigating challenges and overcoming difficulties. The unexpected layoff served as a buffer, allowing me to be a safety net for them during this entrepreneurial journey. While I anticipate returning to my career path, the time spent supporting my young entrepreneurs has proven to be a meaningful and an enriching gift.