A Dash of Industry Insights

Industry Headlines, Insights, Data, & Events

🎁 Weekly Giveaway Winner: Congratulations to Jessica Morris, on winning our pickleball giveaway in last week's newsletter! A big thank you to everyone who participated. Missed your chance this time? Don't worry—this week, we're featuring an exclusive sustainable luxury item from Swanky Promo that combines elegance with environmental responsibility. Check out our "Supplier Spotlight" section below for your chance to win!

📉 Consumer Confidence Hits Three-Year Low: The Conference Board reports consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest point since January 2021, reflecting growing concerns about economic stability. With uncertainties around potential tariffs and persistent market volatility, this decline signals potential impacts on consumer spending and investment patterns in the coming months as Americans express increased caution about economic growth and inflation. Read more here.

🧠 AI Breakthrough: Recent headlines showcase AI's transformative potential in healthcare, with an AI system that solved a superbug problem in just two days—a task that previously took scientists years of research. Meanwhile, tech market dynamics shifted as Nvidia's stock dipped following competition from Chinese AI app DeepSeek, showing how quickly the competitive landscape is evolving in the artificial intelligence sector. Read more AI news here.

📖 Brand Sauce Playbook Unveiled: After months of collaborative effort from our entire team, we're thrilled to announce the completion of "The Brand Sauce Playbook: 10 Plays to Engineer a Thriving Organization." This comprehensive resource delivers proven strategies for transforming everything from employee engagement to customer acquisition. Each play includes actionable frameworks, budget considerations, and implementation timelines designed for immediate impact. Want a sneak preview before the official release? Simply reply to this email with "PLAYBOOK" and be among the first to receive the 1st edition!

Words of Wisdom

Culture Isn’t Taught. It’s Felt.

At Brand Sauce, we know that the most impactful experiences aren’t always about what’s said—they’re about how people feel. Whether it’s a small gesture or a big celebration, creating authentic, positive moments is what build a great culture.

The HR Corner

5 Critical Insights You MUST Know About New Hire Onboarding

1. The 45-Day Decision Window
Did you know that 20% of new hires quit within the first 45 days? This critical window determines whether your talent investment pays off or walks out the door. The most frequently cited reason? Poor onboarding experiences that leave new team members feeling disconnected and undervalued.

2. The 82% Retention Difference
According to the Brandon Hall Group, organizations with structured onboarding processes improve new hire retention by a staggering 82%. Yet shockingly, 36% of companies still don't have any structured onboarding process at all. This represents perhaps the largest untapped opportunity in talent management today.

3. The Productivity Amplifier
When you invest in onboarding, you're not just training someone—you're proving that you're committed to their growth. That trust keeps them here when times get tough. Effective onboarding improves new hire productivity by over 70%, transforming tentative beginners into confident contributors dramatically faster.

4. The Year-Long Journey
Most new hires don’t truly hit their stride in the first few weeks—and yet, that’s when many companies wrap up onboarding. The most successful organizations take a longer view, guiding employees through a full year of growth, connection, and alignment across organizational, technical, and social dimensions. It’s not just onboarding—it’s integration.

5. The Engagement Decision Point
Amy Hirsh Robinson, Principal of The Interchange Group, puts it perfectly: "Onboarding is the magic moment when new employees decide to stay engaged or become disengaged. It's your chance to imprint a sense of belonging that lasts their entire tenure."

Conclusion

Don't leave your new hires to navigate alone. Great onboarding is like hosting a successful dinner party—you thoughtfully introduce guests, create comfortable spaces for connection, and ensure everyone has what they need. When you invest this care in your new team members, it creates a positive effect that strengthens your entire organization.

👉 Ready to transform your onboarding into a strategic advantage? Reply to this email with "ONBOARDING" for access to our New Hire Onboarding Playbook.

Print on Demand

The Brand Sauce Playbook

Game-Changing Strategies for Your Organization

Inside this powerful resource, you'll discover proven strategies that transform how companies approach employee engagement, customer loyalty, and brand building. Each "play" is a complete framework that's ready to implement—from Employee Appreciation Day to Birthday Recognition to Trade Show Lead Generation.

Why the Playbook Matters:

• Step-by-step implementation guides for 10 high-impact brand initiatives

• Backed by compelling data showing measurable ROI

• Complete with budget considerations, team assignments, and execution timelines

• Designed for HR, Sales, and Marketing teams

The best part? This playbook is FREE for all our subscribers.

Want early access? Just reply to this email with “PLAYBOOK” and we'll send you the 1st edition!

Your competitors are already building stronger cultures and deeper customer connections. Don't get left behind – let's put these plays into action together!

Weekly Supplier Spotlight

Swanky: Where Luxury Meets Branded Merchandise

About Swanky

This week, we're excited to spotlight Swanky, a premier partner that's redefining high-end promotional products. Founded with a vision to elevate branded merchandise beyond the ordinary, Swanky Promo has established itself as the go-to source for sophisticated, premium items that make lasting impressions.

What makes Swanky truly exceptional is its curated selection of luxury promotional products that transform everyday branded items into coveted keepsakes. Their meticulous attention to detail, commitment to quality, and understanding of brand elevation set them apart in an industry often dominated by disposable giveaways.

Behind the Scenes: Premium Craftsmanship

Swanky has built their reputation on sourcing and delivering promotional products that recipients actually want to keep and use. Their team of merchandising experts carefully evaluates each product for quality, utility, and brand-alignment potential before adding it to their collection.

Their approach combines an understanding of luxury retail psychology with promotional marketing expertise. The result? Branded items that create genuine excitement and appreciation rather than ending up forgotten in desk drawers or donation bins.

Swanky’s process focuses on selecting items that strike the perfect balance between practical functionality and sophisticated design. Their commitment to exceptional customer experience extends through every step—from product selection through delivery.

🔦 Product Spotlight: Eco-Deluxe Collection

The Eco-Deluxe Collection offers an impressive array of sustainable luxury items perfect for corporate gifting and branded merchandise programs:

• Tech Organizers & Cases: Sleek protection for devices with dedicated compartments for essentials

• Journals & Folios: Professional-grade writing accessories that make a statement in meetings

• Travel Accessories: From luggage tags to passport holders that showcase sophistication

• Desk Accessories: Elevate any workspace with sustainable elegance

What distinguishes these products is their ability to tell your brand's sustainability story without sacrificing the premium experience your clients and employees expect. The recycled leather material provides a rich texture and professional appearance while aligning with environmental values.

🤝 Partner with Swanky

Interested in adding Swanky products to your company store? Please let us know—reach out at [email protected]

‼️Swag Giveaway

Email us "SWANKY" and we'll select one lucky winner to receive Swanky’s premium Tech Case from their Eco-Deluxe Collection, customized with your company logo. This stylish, sustainable organizer keeps cords, adapters, and tech accessories perfectly arranged while showcasing your commitment to both quality and environmental responsibility.

Weekend Update

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

The Aunt Every Blended Family Wishes They Had

Two weeks ago, we celebrated Kinsley’s 4th birthday, and we had a special guest: my sister Keri flew in from Atlanta to stay with us for three nights. As always, she brought laughter, love, and a whole lot of energy. We’re all incredibly lucky to have her in our lives—she’s not just a wonderful sister, but also a devoted mom, a thoughtful friend, and one of the best aunts around.

Big thank you to Uncle Keith and the kids for letting us borrow Aunt Keri for a few days—we know it’s no small ask!

But here’s the thing that not everyone sees: it’s not easy being an aunt in a blended family. When your brother gets divorced, your role as a sister expands in ways you never expected. You don’t just navigate your relationship with your brother anymore—you’re also figuring out what it looks like with his ex, her family, and their kids. For someone like Keri, that meant continuing to show up for Bo and Max, who still call her Aunt Keri, while also honoring the connections they have on their mom’s side.

Then came another twist: when I met Madison, Keri had to start a whole new relationship—with someone she had no idea would be long-term. Madison has two girls of her own, Ryleigh and Kinsley, which meant that if things worked out (and they did), Keri wouldn’t just gain a sister-in-law—she’d gain two new nieces too.

That’s a lot of relationships to manage. A lot of emotions to hold. A lot of boundaries to figure out.

And yet—Keri handles all of it with grace.

She spent her visit fully present with all four kids. Playing sports with Bo, going on walks with Max, heading to the park with Ryleigh, doing makeup with Kinsley. She read bedtime stories. She made breakfast. She was there for all of them, equally and wholeheartedly.

Now, Madison has a sister she loves and trusts. And I have a sister who didn’t blink when our family tree got a little more complicated—she just opened her arms wider.

Thank you, Aunt Keri. We love you. And we can’t wait for your next visit.

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