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: Each January, more than 10,000 promotional product distributors descend on Las Vegas for the industry’s largest and longest-running trade show. Looking for specific products or vendors? Be sure to respond to this email and let us know, we’ll be in attendance!

🧠 The Psychology of Promotional Products: In a world filled with noise, capturing the attention of potential customers & driving brand loyalty requires creativity. This article delves into the psychology of the power of promotional products, backed by data. Read more here.

Employee Appreciation Day: Get ahead of the curve! Discover how industry-leading CHROs are revolutionizing their employee experience by implementing our CRAFT program in preparation for March 7th. Learn more here.

🤪 5 Fun Facts: about the number 2025. Watch here.

New Year, New Habits

A Fresh Approach to New Year’s Resolutions For You & Your Team

As we step into 2025, let's flip the script on traditional New Year's resolutions. Instead of the usual "new year, new me" promises, let's focus on something more fundamental: building sustainable habits that lift both ourselves and those around us. As James Clear points out in "Atomic Habits," true change doesn't come from setting ambitious goals – it comes from building systems that make success almost inevitable.

The secret to transformative change, whether personal or professional, lies in what leadership expert Simon Sinek calls "the infinite game." It's not about quick wins or short-term goals; it's about creating lasting habits that compound over time. Think of it like airplane oxygen masks: you need to secure your own before helping others. This means prioritizing your own growth and well-being isn't selfish – it's necessary. When you consistently show up as your best self, you naturally inspire those around you to level up.

Here's to making 2025 the year we focus on sustainable growth, both personally and professionally. Whether it's implementing a daily learning routine, creating space for meaningful conversations with your team, or simply ensuring you're showing up with full energy each day – remember that small, consistent actions today create the culture and results we want tomorrow.

Stirring Words of Wisdom

Culture Building Quote of the Week

What struck me most about Simon Sinek's wisdom is how powerfully simple it is: culture isn't just one part of business success—it's the foundation everything else is built upon. As you plan for 2025, consider how each decision you make, from recognition programs to daily interactions, shapes your team's experience. Small, intentional actions today create the workplace culture your team will thrive in tomorrow.

A Solution Built for the C-Suite

From CEO to CSO: How Brand Sauce Empowers Every Executive

🎯Sales Leadership

CEOs understand that strategic gifting is vital to sales success. By integrating premium branded merchandise throughout the sales cycle, teams can accelerate deal momentum and stand out from competitors.

🏢 Culture Champions

Forward-thinking CHROs leverage Brand Sauce to elevate their employee experience. From thoughtfully curated onboarding packages to meaningful work anniversaries, we help build the culture that keeps top talent engaged.

⭐ Revenue Generation

Smart CMOs know the power of delighting existing clients. When you treat customers like VIPs with premium branded items, they become your most effective brand advocates, naturally driving referrals and expanding your reach.

♻️ Sustainability Focus

Chief Sustainability Officers appreciate our eco-conscious approach. Our zero-inventory, on-demand ordering system eliminates waste while offering an extensive selection of environmentally friendly merchandise options.

Weekend Update

Around The Water Cooler With Ross

Happy New Year from all of us at Brand Sauce!

I just returned from spending the last two weeks in Florida. As many of you know, I played college tennis at the University of Florida. In the photos below, you’ll see I had the chance to reconnect with my college teammates. At one point in my life, I lived with these guys, trained with them, traveled together, and spent nearly every day with them for months at a time. It’s incredible how much time you actually spend with your college teammates.

During my visit, I introduced my teammates to Madison, and it made me reflect on what it means to be part of a team with people from all over the world. It reminded me how similar this experience is to starting a new job at a company with total strangers. The ONE lesson I took away from being a college athlete is this: Look for the good in the people around you.

It’s easy, especially when you're young, to focus on the negative. People talk differently, act differently, think differently, and bring their own unique qualities to the table. Being a good teammate means choosing to find what makes each person special. Practicing this mindset can transform relationships and create stronger bonds in both personal and professional settings. It’s a habit worth cultivating, especially in 2025, as we strive for more empathy, kindness, and understanding in our communities.

This mindset has stayed with me for the last 25 years. Whenever I hear people complaining about others, I’m reminded how simple it can be to focus on what bothers us. But if you choose to look for the positive, you’ll find it in everyone.

Even after all these years, these teammates remain some of my closest friends, even though we now live on opposite sides of the country. Here's to starting the year looking for the positive inside our teammates instead of focusing on the negative. 

-Ross

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