Did you know that May is Creative Beginnings Month? This month, encourage your employees and staff to think out of the box, to tap into their creative side, and discover a talent they never knew existed. Who says only artists and writers and designers are creative people? While I believe that talent is genetically inherent in some people, I've also come across others who discovered their artistic side late in life. Historically, Grandma Moses was an example of someone who didn't let age get in the way of creativity. A self-taught artist, she started painting only in her seventies. Her works, which were mostly rural-life scenes, have been used as covers in Hallmark cards. Truly there's an artist in all of us! Creative Beginnings Month is a good opportunity for companies to show appreciation for and encourage their creative employees. Here are three things you can do to celebrate this special creative month: 1. Make one day a week a "dress whatever you want" day. Not everyone wants to come to work in heels and suits, although I've gotten used to it, having come from the trade show industry, which placed an emphasis on business attire at all times. Branders has a casual ...

I thought you'd like to see what we've been cooking up on the newsletter side. Here's something we recently sent out, and we really had a lot of fun doing it. Since all we've been sending out of late are sale newsletters, we thought it would be good to do something different for a change. Something fun. And this is how it came out. Did you like it? You can get subscriber-only discounts on promotional items when you sign up with the Branders newsletter.

Each of us must have this "emergency mood kit" that we can run to when we're feeling down, says this CNN article. This literal or figurative "treasure box" should contain objects that make us laugh, smile, and reflect on our good fortunes. Take this advice one step further by assembling your own emergency mood kit to give away to loyal patrons, business associates, and regular employees. Here are some promotional products you might want to include in your emergency mood kit: Everyday Calm from the Relaxing Rituals series. Custom sumo wrestler squeezie - Looking at this stress reliever will make anyone smile. Personalized spa set so they can enjoy some pampering in the comforts of their own homes. Logo-imprinted Australian chewing sticks, which contain tea tree oil, peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, fennel, and menthol. It not only freshens breath but also reduces the stress associated with giving up smoking. Promotional photo frame to hold photos of their loved ones. This one's made from retired currency, denim scraps, newsprint, yellow pages, and 100% post-industrial plastic. Promotional pedometer with step and stride and calorie counters. Regular exercise boosts endorphins, the body's natural painkiller; it also releases muscle tension and aids in better sleep.

An Internet content security company was baffled when one of its managers turned in his resignation after being with the company for almost a decade. The manager was receiving a paycheck that not many his age were getting.When asked why he was leaving, the manager said, simply, “I am tired of the corporate world. I want to pursue my other passions.” The guy wanted to study photography, to enrol in theater classes, and to travel and write about the cities he visited.