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]]> http://www.sigmagroup.com/blog/archives/1382/feed 0 http://www.sigmagroup.com/blog/archives/1323 http://www.sigmagroup.com/blog/archives/1323#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:30:57 +0000 pparis http://www.sigmagroup.com/wordpress/?p=1323 Why should I?  What does it matter?  How can one person change the world?  We’ve all heard the phrase, “Think globally, act locally,” but how often do we actually heed the meaning of that phrase?

The needs of the world just seem so overwhelming, right?  We find ourselves saying, “Why bother? We can’t fix everything!” and then doing nothing.  I think that’s probably a very logical solution according to our selfish, perfectionist, overachieving natures –  “If it can’t be done right, why do it at all?“  Sound familiar?

While it is true that one person can’t solve all the troubles of the world, we at Sigma have realized that everyone holds great power to make a big difference.  The power that one person has to improve the quality of life for a few, or the ability that one person has to lend a helping hand, is tremendous.

We recently created a community outreach program called Team Hercules (we have a tradition that lends itself to all things Greek).  There were two reasons we created Team Hercules.  Reason #1: It’s a program that empowers all of our employees to reach out beyond themselves and beyond the confines of these office walls to give back and better our community.  And Reason #2: I’ll get into that in a minute, at the end of this post.

So why should I — an HR manager challenged to come up with ways to build teams and increase productivity — think it is important to enact the whole “Think globally, act locally” mantra?

Empowering our employees to serve their community and help those in need has given Sigma the opportunity to build and strengthen core relationships that are built on more than doing good work.  This program helps employees find factors that motivate them beyond the mighty dollar or pat on the back.  These community outreach programs sometimes force our employees to reach beyond their comfort zones and dig deeper into themselves, and maybe their pockets, while getting a glimpse into the lives of others.

Whether it be a team going out to deliver and stock the shelves of a local food pantry, or collecting school supplies for children in need, or simply reaching out to the community to lend a helping hand — everyone wins.  There is something for everyone — for the company, for our employees and for the recipients of our good will.  We all win!

We gain appreciation.  There is nothing that feels better or can put more pep in you step then true appreciation.  Knowing and feeling it from head to toe.  An employee that feels appreciated is more likely to show appreciation, and so on and so on…

We get great experience.  Every new experience is an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to feel, and an opportunity to use our knowledge to make a positive change.  With every new experience we fill up the creative banks within our brain and we see the world a little differently.  Experiencing new things is never boring.

We get fulfillment. I don’t normally like this word because in suggesting that we need fulfillment can suggest we might feel empty.  However, let’s be realistic and admit that at times we all can feel a little empty.  I have never walked away from a volunteer event that didn’t leave me feeling like I got back so much more than I gave.  Bye-bye empty feeling.

So in a business that is fueled by wins — new clients, new accounts, new assignments, great press — that drive our bottom line, can Team Hercules really be counted as a business “win” for Sigma?  I certainly believe so.

My final thought — a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson and my Reason #2 for creating Team Hercules:  “Every great achievement is the victory of a flaming heart.”

Diego Stocco – Music From A Tree from Diego Stocco on Vimeo.

Discovering new and unique ways to create something different from a common object or idea is a challenge for all creatives. We often set our own boundaries and expectations of what something “should” be, defined either by the project parameters or personal preferences. Overcoming these limitations opens up a world of new experiences and fresh inspiration for our work.

Let’s consider the words of A.A. Milne, best known for his books about Winnie-the-Pooh and for various children’s poems:

“One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.”

What can YOU do with your tree?

Although the official Valentine’s day has long-since passed, having and being in love is relevant all year round – and especially during these trying times I’m reminded how important it is to value what you have, and to treasure those relationships that define you.  So, I’m posting a selection of Rhonda Abrams‘ All You Need is Love to Run Your Business here to inspire and remind us what matters.

You can read the entire column on USA Today.

1. Love what you do. Have a passion for what you do, and it permeates everything you do. It shows in the enthusiasm, energy, and caring you bring to your business. It carries you over the tough days when the paperwork’s due or the deal falls through. It keeps you and those you work with motivated. Always remember why you love what you do.

2. Love your customers. Without customers you don’t have a business, but most of us don’t ‘love’ our customers enough. We don’t want to bug them, so we don’t stay in touch as frequently as we should, don’t ask what they need, don’t communicate with past customers. This month, find ways to regularly communicate with customers, and, hey, take one or two to lunch!

3. Love your employees. No, I’m not talking about crossing any lines into sexual harassment. I’m talking about respecting them, treating them fairly, recognizing their contributions, allowing them to take initiative, saying ‘thank you’ when they do. This year is going to be an especially tough year for your employees — the uncertain economy scares them, family members may be losing jobs. Meanwhile, you may not be in a position to give any raises. So respect and fair treatment are even more important.

4. Love your employer. If you’re reading this and you’re an employee of a small business, understand the pressures facing your boss. Small businesses — far more than huge corporations — do everything they can to hold on to their employees in tough times. But your boss is anxious about the economy, and going to have to make some changes in how business is done. Be supportive, flexible, and energetic. Do absolutely everything you can to help your company succeed — and keep your job.

5. Love your retailers, distributors, salespeople. These are the people who bring your goods or services to customers. Sure, they’re going to frustrate you sometimes (why aren’t they making more sales?), but they need you to partner with them. Stay in touch, motivate and reward them. Give them the tools to succeed.

6. Love the future. Yes, I know we live in uncertain economic times. But entrepreneurs are optimists. We not only trust the future — we create it. We change the world. After all, all we need is love.

Over five hours, you have a lot of time to think. My family, my life, my dog, …my legs.  One thought I kept coming back to was Sigma.  My second home. The place I came to 10 years ago, instantly inspired by what “could be” with some elbow grease, a big idea and a little luck. During those 26.2 miles, I realized that the NYC Marathon – with all the hard work that goes into it, the intimidation, the need to reinvent yourself mile after mile and the determination it requires to actually finish – is just like Sigma.  We are among a sea of agencies who go up against the Madison Avenue elite, all the time trying to win over clients who think big ideas only come from big agencies. We roll up our sleeves and get it done in any way can. We are driven by our competitive nature and a passion to succeed.  We think of new ways to service clients and win business – just as I found new ways to check off mile after mile both mentally and physically. And, of course, we love what we do and are inspired by that thing we called creativity. As I ran through those five boroughs I was reminded what an amazing place NYC is… diversity, intrigue, excitement, drama. The people and the crowds were so amazing. They carried me, a non-runner, through the course and into Central Park where I crossed that finish line and got my medal. I realized you don’t have to be an elite runner – - or a so called “real runner” to cross that finish line.   And I realized that for Sigma – - through all of its inspiration, creativity and glory – -  we have every right to be there – - at that table with the big guys.  They are no different than us.

So now I’m a marathoner.  And I’m proud of it.  I spent 5 months running, a lifetime preparing and dug deep to get across that finish line.  I counted on my heart to carry me through. And besides being a marathoner – I’m a Sigmite.  More than just showing up –  I’m doing it. I’m digging deep, I’m changing the game, and I’m getting the finishers medal.  As for the Marathon, I’ll run again next year – I want to get a better time (more to brag about vs. just saying you finished).  And Sigma?  We’re not just showing up. We’re reinventing, we’re setting a new pace – - we’re letting our hearts lead us – - and who knows – - maybe one day we’ll enter the race as one of the “elite” few.  Time, and more miles, will tell.