Discover the secrets to happier employees in this week's edition of Happy Office Hour, powered by Brand Sauce. Packed with industry insights, hot new products for your company store, and valuable tips to make your office happier—while making your company culture the envy of your industry.

A Dash of Industry Insights

Industry Headlines, Insights, Data & Events

✨ How Did You Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day: Happy Employee Appreciation weekend! One day just isn’t enough…let’s keep this party rolling. I’d love to know, how did you celebrate your employees yesterday? Respond and let me know…

📊 February 2025 Jobs Report Shows Mixed Signals: February's jobs report reveals slower-than-expected growth with 151,000 new positions and unemployment edging up to 4.1%. Read more below.

🎪 The Print on Demand Event You Can’t Miss: The Impressions Expo 2025, set for March 20-22 in Atlantic City, NJ, is a must-attend event for Print on Demand (POD) professionals, showcasing the latest products, equipment, and trends like DTG printing and eco-friendly items driving the market to over $12.89 billion in 2025. Don’t miss the workshops and networking opportunities—register here.

The HR Corner

February 2025 Jobs Report

The February 2025 jobs report was released yesterday at 8:30 a.m. ET by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, provides critical insights into the labor market. The report indicates that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 151,000, slightly below the expected 160,000, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.1% from 4% in January. This rise is attributed to a decline in labor force participation, particularly among men, dropping to the lowest level in two years.

Key takeaways include:

• Healthcare added 52,000 jobs, the largest sector gain.

• Federal government employment decreased by 10,000, reflecting recent administration cuts, though the full impact may appear in future reports.

• Average hourly earnings increased by 0.3%, suggesting moderate wage growth.

This data is crucial for HR and business leaders, as it may influence hiring strategies, wage negotiations, and economic forecasts. For a detailed report of yesterday’s report, refer to the official BLS summary.

Words of Wisdom

Transformation: Slow and Then All at Once

James Clear, in his bestselling book "Atomic Habits," introduces a powerful concept called "The Plateau of Latent Potential". This principle illustrates how progress isn't always immediately visible—there's often a gap between our expectations and results that Clear calls the "valley of disappointment."

When organizations implement new initiatives—whether for employee recognition, client relationships, or marketing campaigns—they frequently abandon them too soon because they don't see immediate culture shifts or ROI.

What they don't realize is that meaningful transformation follows this exact pattern: consistent, small actions compound over time before breaking through to visible results.

The Culture Corner

Transform Employee Birthdays Into Culture Builders

Did you know 67% of employees prefer private acknowledgment on their birthday, yet most companies settle for generic emails that get lost in the inbox?

Our clients are discovering how automated birthday programs deliver powerful ROI beyond just celebrating another year:

• 12% reduction in job search activities during birthday months

• 3x higher engagement from personalized recognition vs. company-wide announcements

• 53% of employees would stay at their jobs longer if they received meaningful appreciation

The most impactful birthday programs share three key elements: personalization, choice, and zero administrative burden. Why settle for generic gift cards when you could provide a seamless digital experience that saves your HR team hours every month while making employees feel genuinely valued?

👉 Reply with "Birthday" and we'll send you our complete Birthday Recognition Playbook, or book a 15-minute demo to see how our automated birthday program can strengthen your culture one personal celebration at a time.

Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: The Israel Bridge (TIB)

Meet The Israel Bridge - Empowering Israeli Student-Athletes in the U.S.

Founded in 2006, The Israel Bridge stands as a pioneering nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Israeli student-athletes in the United States. With impressive reach across 200+ universities nationwide (including Princeton, MIT, Harvard, and UCLA), they've built a powerful support network that connects these talented individuals to resources that help them thrive both athletically and culturally while far from home.

Survey Rewards Program: A Brand Sauce Success Story 🌟

This quarter, we partnered with The Israel Bridge to transform their feedback collection process into a meaningful engagement opportunity. Understanding the critical importance of student insights, they implemented our digital gift card solution to recognize survey participants and gather valuable data to shape their future programs.

Each respondent received a personalized $35 store credit redeemable at The Israel Bridge's custom online store, featuring high-quality branded merchandise from premium suppliers. The digital reward cards included custom branded messaging that reinforced their mission and encouraged social media sharing.

The Impact

• Collected valuable insights from 80+ Israeli student-athletes

• Identified key needs: career mentorship (81.6%), holiday hosting (57.9%), and anti-Semitism support (31.6%)

• Created meaningful connection points with students during challenging times

• Generated authentic testimonials highlighting program value

From survey design to reward fulfillment, we helped The Israel Bridge create a seamless feedback loop that strengthens their relationships with student-athletes while providing crucial data to enhance their nonprofit.

🤝 Partner with The Israel Bridge

Interested in supporting TIB’s mission? I'm happy to make an introduction - reach out at [email protected].

Weekend Update

Around the Water Cooler With Ross aka The P.O.D. Guy

A Simple Reminder: We’re All Fighting Battles

It’s something we all know, yet often forget—everyone around us is carrying their own burdens. Life’s challenges aren’t always visible, but they’re always present. A recent experience drove this home for me in a powerful way.

Last Friday, I woke up with severe stomach pain. It came in waves—five minutes of excruciating pain that made it hard to breathe, then disappearing as if nothing had happened. An hour later, another attack. This cycle repeated throughout the day until I found myself in the ER, only to leave at 1 a.m. without answers.

For context, my gallbladder ruptured a decade ago, leading to ongoing GI issues. This latest episode was just another addition to the list. But beyond my own struggles, this experience was a stark reminder: everyone is fighting something, whether we see it or not.

We never truly know what someone is going through. A colleague who seems distracted, a friend who’s unusually quiet, a stranger who snaps in frustration—they might all be carrying unseen weight. What we can control is how we respond. More patience. More kindness. Less judgment.

Let’s make a conscious effort to lead with compassion. It costs nothing but can mean everything.

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