Discover the secrets to happier employees in this week's edition of the Happy Office Hour powered by Brand Sauce. Chock-full of industry insights, hot new products for your company store, and valuable info to make your office happier and your company culture the envy of your industry.

A Dash of Industry Insights 📰

Industry Headlines, Insights, Data & Upcoming Events

🎪 PPAI Expo 2025 Update: The industry's largest trade show welcomes 40 new exhibitors, from luxury streetwear to tech gadgets. Learn more here.

💡 Employee Engagement Crisis: A shocking Gallup report reveals 77% of global workers are disengaged at work, with nearly 1 in 5 actively resenting their employer. What's driving this disconnect?

🧠 The Psychology of Promo: Research shows branded products create "muscle memory for the brain" - making your brand stick through passive, repeated exposure. This explains why physical products outperform digital ads in brand recall and customer loyalty. Read more.

Company Swag School

The Rise of the Not-So-Humble Tote Bag 📈

What transformed tote bags from simple grocery carriers to one of promo's hottest items? The numbers tell the story: online searches have surged 120% in five years, with each bag generating nearly 2,000 brand impressions over its lifetime. Here's what's driving this shift:

• Sustainability: One quality tote prevents thousands of single-use plastic bags – resonating with the 46% of consumers who favor eco-friendly brands

• Universal Appeal: From beach days to office commutes, tote bags have become everyone's essential carry-all

• Style Evolution: Thanks to fashion-forward brands and celebrity adoption, tote bags have shed their utilitarian image for trendsetter status

• Marketing Power: With 43% of users keeping their totes for 2+ years, they offer one of the highest cost-per-impression ratios in promotional products

The verdict? Tote bags aren't just carrying stuff – they're carrying your brand into the future.

Source: ASI

HR Solutions Powered by Brand Sauce

4 Ways to Improve Company Culture With Brand Sauce

Charity Initiatives

If your organization supports certain charities, let employees buy designated products with part of the proceeds benefiting those causes.

Talent Acquisition

Motivate employees to refer talent by rewarding them for successful hires through their recommendations.

Club Team Concept

Support camaraderie by sponsoring teams and clubs, like softball teams or book clubs. Recognize and reward employees who join, as they strengthen connections through shared interests.

Wellness Boost

Focus on the mental and physical well-being of your employees by offering resources such as fitness challenges, mindfulness sessions, or wellness stipends.

Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: Precision Walls’ Holiday Gift Card Program

This week we're highlighting how Precision Walls transformed traditional holiday gifting into a flexible, empowering experience for their recipients. Their custom digital gift card program – complete with festive holiday design and branded elements – gives team members the freedom to choose what they actually want.

It's time to turn standard holiday gifting into a thoughtful gifting experience that puts choice in your team's hands.

Bit shoutout to Olivia Roberson for making this happen!

Weekend Update

Around The Water Cooler With Ross

My sister, Keri Greenwald, celebrated her 48th birthday on Thursday, December 12th. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, Keith, and their three wonderful kids. Growing up, we had pretty separate lives — she's five years older than me, so our worlds rarely overlapped. But as we got older, we grew closer, and today, she's not just my sister; she's one of my closest friends.

If you know Keri, you know she's a force of nature. She's full of energy, an incredible friend, and a true pillar of her community.

In honor of Keri's birthday, I have a small request: reach out to a sibling or close friend today. Send them a quick text or give them a call. Let them know how much they mean to you and how grateful you are to have them in your life.

Life moves fast, and it's easy to let those moments of connection slip by. Let's change that—just for today.

Happy Birthday, Keri! In your honor, our Brand Sauce community is spreading love and making people smile (or cry happy tears). Let's make it count.

-Ross

© 2024 On Demand Global, LLC., DBA Brand Sauce