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May 16, 2014

Beat the Summer Heat – How to Energize Your Employees in the Summer

Filed under: Recognition & Motivation Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 3:27 pm

Floral Motivation NoteCards by PaperDirectThe hot and sultry summer has a strange way of making people feel lazy, but your employees don’t have to fall prey. You can energize employees and motivate them to keep up the great work they’ve been doing all year long with a few helpful hints.

Make summer work fun work. Hold your daily business meetings outside and your weekly meetings at a nearby park. Encourage employees to enjoy the season by offering each employee a personal day or flex hours they can arrange to fit around activities.

You may even want to consider keeping special summer business hours. Closing the office a tad early on Fridays can go a long way toward keeping employees refreshed and ready for business on Monday.

Keep it comfy. A comfortable summer work environment is a must, starting with an indoor temperature than neither bakes nor freezes your workers. Add a bit of summer flair to the workplace with fresh flowers, ice-cold lemonade and other seasonal perks that can help energize Dancing Daisies Lettertop Certificates by PaperDirectemployees and keep them at their best.

Reward and surprise them. Rewarding work well done is a great way to ensure you’ll keep getting more of it. Surprising employees with a certificate or award can boost morale as well as the overall workflow.

You could even go for a weekly summer award for the employee that best beat the heat with the top job performance over the past five days. Baseball tickets are an inexpensive gift ideas that everyone enjoys!

Give them incentives. Setting specific summer goals can keepemployees on track, as can serving up a number of incentives for them to meet those goals.

Floral Motivation Water Bottle by PaperDirect

Certificates and awards can again work, as can summer-oriented, motivational gifts, such as a personalized water bottle.

Get the company into the summer swing. Hold an employee barbecue or picnic one Saturday by the lake. Or meet up after work one day at the coolest outdoor café.

Schedule at least one, just-for-fun company event that helps generate camaraderie and lets workers enjoy each other’s company without a deadline or overstuffed in-box looming in the background.

Mix, match and combine the tips as needed to continue a summer-long stretch of energized employees.

Check out PaperDirect.com for more ideas on incentives, rewards and certificates, although the fresh flowers and lemonade are all up to you.

May 14, 2014

Creative Summer BBQ Invitations

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , , , — PDWriter @ 10:17 am

Click for Details: BarbequeAs cherry blossoms fall and temperatures soar, it’s time to break out the grill. Bring people to your door this summer with an assortment of summer BBQ invitations from PaperDirect. You can print them out from the comfort of your office on quality designer paper, or customize free downloadable templates and have PaperDirect do the rest. Here’s a taste of the hot-off-the-grill products PaperDirect offers:

Personalized Border Papers

These fun flyers are sure to get noticed. Choose your message and print it on specialty designer paper, or design the flyers yourself and have PaperDirect custom print it for you. Designs include Grillin’, Watermelon, Barbecue and Picnic.

Fold-Up Invitations

Add an element of excitement this summer with personalized fold-up invitations. Just print, fold, seal and ship! Each box of 28 invitations Includes clear water seals and response cards. Choose from trendy designs like Picnic, Barbecue and more.

Summer-Themed Postcards

On The Grill Postcards by PaperDirect

Available in Jumbo and Standard sizes, these colorful two-sidedpostcards are sure to get taste buds tingling. Choose the style and count and get them hot off your printer. Or pick your own font, layout, logo and image, and let PaperDirect handle the rest. You’ll have to stop by PaperDirect to see all the innovative designs available!

Crescent Envelopes

Like a good steak, sometimes your invitations need an extra layer of oomph. In this case, it’s not BBQ sauce, but a well-designed crescent envelope. A perfect fit for folded border papers, postcards and other PaperDirect potpourri. Designs include the fun Watermelon Party, the classy On the Grill and the bold Red, White & BBQ.

BBQ Party Tear-Off Tickets

Get your special event off the grill and onto the Picnic II Tear-Off Tickets by PaperDirectplatter with personalized BBQ party tear-off tickets. With an easy-tear perforation, these tickets are add a professional touch to any event.

Want more ways to help your business stand out? Visit PaperDirect for summer BBQ invitations and more innovative paper products that are sure to kick summer off with a sizzle.

April 18, 2014

8 Fun Game Ideas for Company Picnics

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , , , , — PDWriter @ 8:44 am
Barbeque Border Papers by PaperDirect

As the weather warms up, it’s time to start thinking about enjoying it with a company picnic! Choose from a variety of invitations r create your own invites on festive border paper and get your employees, and perhaps their family members, together for a fun afternoon outdoors. Help keep the party enjoyable with these fun game ideas for company picnic days.

Game Ideas:
Barbeque Border Paper by PaperDirect

1. Sack Race: This rowdy outdoor game will get everyone loosened up because it’s impossible to not look silly while hopping around in a sack. If you don’t have access to sacks, pillowcases work just as well.

2. Water Balloon Toss: There’s no harm in getting a little wet, and most people will in a water balloon toss game. Have people pair up and stand a few feet away and toss a water balloon from one person to the other, taking a step back with each successful catch.

3. Horseshoes: If your picnic area has a horseshoe pit, this makes a fun and casual game for people to play whenever they have a spare moment at the picnic. There’s not much as satisfying as hearing the clink of a horseshoe around the stake!

4. Bocce Ball, Bean Bag Toss, or Ladder Golf: These picnic games go along with nice weather and being outdoors. Consider building a branded game and give out prizes to the winner!

5. Three-Legged Race: If your group doesn’t mind getting a little crazy, pair off and tie your adjoining legs together for a classic three legged race. It’s amazing how well people can get along if they’re depending on each other to cross the finish line first.

6. Human Knot Challenge: Divide picnic attendees into teams and have each team get in a circle, put their hands in the middle, and grab two different people’s hands. Then challenge teams to untangle into a circle as quickly as possible without letting go.

Watermelon Party Border Paper by PaperDirect

7. Company Trivia: Get everyone together at the end of the day for a trivia game, asking about company history and fun facts. You can even keep the same teams from games earlier in the day.

8. Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest: This classic contest is fun for picnic attendees of all ages, even employees’ children! It’s also an easy one to play if you’re already planning to serve watermelon. Set up a starting line and mark the farthest seed each time with a golf tee.

With every picnic game that’s played at your company picnic, focus on having fun and getting to know each other in a context outside of work. If you want to heat up the competition a bit, shop for prizes and custom certificates for game winners, too.

November 26, 2013

The Top 5 Customer Appreciation Event Ideas

Filed under: Event Planning Tips — Tags: — PDWriter @ 12:51 pm

Holiday Holly Postcards by PaperDirectIf you’ve recently started a new company, then you recognize the importance of your customers. You know that your customers have taken a chance on working with your company, and you want to show them that you are committed to them and that you appreciate their business. The best way to do this is through customer appreciation events. These customer appreciation event ideas will help you get started on planning something that all of your customers will enjoy.

5 Customer Appreciation Event Ideas

  1. Throw a Christmas gathering for all of your clients and customers. During this festive time of year, your customers will appreciate having the opportunity to relax and enjoy pleasant company. Use Christmas post cards to announce your event formally to your clients.Fairy Light Holiday Postcards by PaperDirect
  2. Host an art class at an art supply shop or a gallery that features a local artist. This unique event allows your customers to experience something new, and they will be grateful that you gave them the opportunity to do so.
  3. Set up a picnic at a local park. There’s not much that is better than free food and time spent outdoors. Choose one of the best local parks in your area and throw a barbecue that your clients and their families can attend.
  4. Host a wine tasting event, complete with appetizers and desserts. If you have a brick-and-mortar storefront, consider hosting this event in your own space. If you don’t have a physical location and are an online entity, rent space at a museum or at a local restaurant.
  5. Plan a casino night and invite your clients along to play. This is a bit more exciting than your average customer appreciation event, and it is enticing to many different groups of people. Set your event up as a charity casino night, and pick a worthwhile cause. This will allow your customers to know that you are not only committed to them, but also committed to your community.

Tartan Sleigh Bells Casual Invitations by PaperDirectThe art of customer appreciation is lost on many presidents and company leaders, but it’s an important piece to the marketing puzzle. Recognizing your customers and proving that you appreciate their loyalty to your company will help you earn a reputation among the business community. These small events will help you gain prominence and ultimately allow your company to continue to grow into the 21st century. For all of your event supplies and paper products, visit PaperDirect.com today.

July 26, 2013

How to Plan A Rockin’ Company Picnic

Filed under: Designing Your Invitation — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 2:30 pm

When planning the menu for your company picnic, select a variety of foods that appeal to all guests. The safest bet is classic picnic foods that are tried and true, and sure to please the masses. Be sure to send picnic invitations in advance with details, and let the invitations be indicative of the type of picnic. Whether the event will be country casual or fancy fare, the food is always the main event. Here are the world’s 10 best picnic foods; so pull out the red-checkered tablecloths, send out the picnic invitations and get ready for some good old outdoor fun!

1. Grill: The most popular grill fare is of course hot dogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers. But don’t forget to have a few veggie or soy burgers on hand for vegetarian or vegan guests who are often overlooked at picnic style gatherings.

2. Salads: It wouldn’t be a picnic without the summer classic, potato salad. Pasta salad and coleslaw are in the same family and can help round out the side dishes and add variety to your picnic spread.

3. Fruit Salad: A fruit salad hits the spot on a hot summer day. Mix up watermelon, grapes, strawberries, and blueberries for a quick fruit salad that everybody is sure to love.

4. Corn: Corn on the cob is another yummy classic, whether you have room to throw it on the grill, or boil it before the picnic; corn on the cob is always a crowdpleaser.

5. Watermelon: The quintessential summer food, watermelon is a must-have for any picnic. Kids and adults alike can’t get enough of the sweet, juicy fruit — it may even start a good old fashion seed spitting contest.

6. Lemonade & Iced Tea: Always refreshing on a sunny day, have plenty of both beverages – and ice water – on hand.

7. Fried Chicken: Another picnic favorite, you can’t go wrong serving up fried chicken at your gathering.

8. Veggies: It’s always good to have some healthy snacks on hand, a veggie tray with dip is an excellent choice.

9. Cookies: You need to have some sweet treats for dessert, and an assortment of cookies will appeal to everybody’s sweet tooth. Plus, they are easy for guests to eat on the go between picnic events.

10. Root Beer Floats: Surprise everyone by offering a root beer float station; a simple and delicious ice cream treat that kids and adults love!

Use any or all of the above ideas to plan the best, well-rounded company picnic that will have everybody talking!

June 18, 2013

Safety + Summer = Happiness: 7 Steps to Safe Summer Parties

Filed under: Event Planning Tips,Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 10:08 am

Safety Casual Certificates by PaperDirectSummer is here and that means lots of outdoor play and weeks of family fun and memory-making vacations. Unfortunately, it also means an increase in accidents. Nothing destroys the fun and joy of a family outing faster than an accident, so make the pledge to keep this summer the safest possible by taking these few, simple steps:

1. What’s more fun during the summer than cooling down with a dip in a pool, lake or ocean? Water play is a great way to keep temperatures from soaring on even the hottest summer days, but it’s important for children and adults to take a few steps to make sure their summer swim sessions are as safe as possible. First, never swim alone. Drowning can occur even in relatively shallow bodies of water, and it can happen quickly. When your kids are in the water, provide full supervision and attention – no texting or talking on the phone.

2. Respect the sun. Wear plenty of sunscreen that’s strong enough to protect your skin type, and apply it after swimming and after playing sports. Use a hat to protect your scalp and sunglasses to protect your eyes.

3. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water even if you aren’t involved in strenuous sports and seek shade if you start to feel overheated. Watch for heatstroke symptoms including headache, flushed skin, skin that feels hot, nausea and lack of sweat.

4. Avoid picnic panic by keeping everyone a safe distance from grills and open fires, and always keep a fire extinguisher or pail of sand on hand to put out a fire quickly. Don’t leave any fire unattended.

5. It may seem like fun to run or roll in a field of wildflowers, but bees like those flowers too. Wear shoes and have a first aid kit equipped to handle the pain of stings.

6. Wear a helmet when biking and review biking rules with kids at the beginning of the season. Gloves and kneepads may be a good idea for inexperienced riders.

7. Lots of people hit the road for summer vacations, so use special caution while driving. Make sure kids stay buckled and provide them with activities so they don’t distract you. Never, ever leave a pet in a parked car; even with the windows cracked, the heat can soar and every year, pets are killed in parked cars with open windows.

Think Safety Post-it® Notes by PaperDirect

Kids love rewards, so make summer safety fun by offering safety award certificates personalized with their names. Use safety-themed Post-It® notes to remind kids how to remain safe; their sticky surface makes them ideal for posting on pools, play areas or in outdoor eating areas, and they’re ideal for when kids have friends over.

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