News, Nuggets, and What’s Worth Knowing

🧂 A Dash of Industry Insights

🎉 Giveaway Winner Alert: Shoutout to last week’s winner, Kaitlin Brady, who scored our biggest giveaway yet, the $316 Jouncer speaker. Missed out? No sweat, this week’s giveaway is even bigger 👀 Keep scrolling...

🏐 Recreational Leagues Are the New Networking: Adult sports leagues are booming, blending post-work kickball with postgame beers. More than just fun, they’re becoming a powerful tool for connection, culture, and community-driven brand building. Read more here.

🍼 This is the Power of Swag: A simple branded onesie became a symbol of support, belonging, and values that extend far beyond the workplace. Our partners at Oil Changers get it, this is what it looks like when swag isn’t just merchandise, but a reflection of culture done right. See below:

The HR Corner

📊 A Gen Z + Millennial Reality Check

What Today’s Workforce Really Wants, According to Deloitte

Deloitte’s latest global survey (with over 23,000 respondents across 44 countries) dives deep into the minds of Gen Z and millennials. By 2030, they are projected to make up nearly 75% of the workforce. TLDR: they’re redefining what success, stability, and satisfaction look like.

Here’s what you need to know:

🧠 Learning > Climbing
Only 6% of Gen Zs say reaching a leadership position is their top goal. What they do care about is learning opportunities, mentorship, and growth pathways that don’t require becoming a manager.

💸 Higher Ed? Meh.
One-third skipped college altogether. Many are opting for vocational training, certifications, or diving straight into the workforce while questioning the ROI of traditional degrees. Employers are starting to drop degree requirements and invest in on-the-job learning.

🤖 GenAI Is Here (and Complicated)
Over half are already using AI tools for content, strategy, and even risk analysis. They love the productivity boost, but they worry it will shrink entry-level jobs and widen inequality. Soft skills like leadership, empathy, and creativity are now non-negotiable.

🔁 Job Hopping Isn’t Flaky. It’s Strategic.
Nearly one in three Gen Zs plan to leave their job in the next two years. Why? They’re chasing the holy trifecta: money, meaning, and well-being. If a job doesn’t deliver all three, they move on.

🌱 Purpose + Planet > Perks
Nearly half have rejected jobs or assignments that clashed with their values. Environmental impact, mental health policies, and DEI are no longer just talking points. They are deal breakers.

The takeaway
If your culture doesn’t offer flexibility, personal growth, and values-aligned leadership, don’t expect this generation to stick around. But if you do, you might just earn a few lifelong advocates (and maybe even a few employee-promo LinkedIn posts with your logo front and center).

👉 Want help translating these insights into tangible HR programs? We’ve got plays for that. Just reply “Playbook”

🏆 The Company Rec League Playbook

Adult rec leagues are exploding across the country, and they’re not just for kickball diehards. They’re a goldmine for team bonding, brand visibility, and low-lift culture building. So why not turn your company’s after-hours athletes into your most enthusiastic brand ambassadors?

Here’s how to run the play:

Step 1: Rally the Team

Start a company kickball, volleyball, or pickleball squad. Don’t worry about who’s good. Worry about who’s in. This is about showing up, not showing off.

Step 2: Swag the Roster

Incentivize participation with a custom gear pack. Every team member gets:

• A branded jersey or tee

• Company hat or sports bag

• Custom tumbler or water bottle

• Optional extras like socks, towels, or team flags

Step 3: Make It a Moment

Use your store to manage sizing and fulfillment. Let employees choose the gear they’ll actually use.

Step 4: Share the Wins

Encourage players to share team photos at games. Post them internally, externally on social media, or even on your website.

Pro Tip: Use It as Recruiting Fuel

Rec leagues are a vibe, and prospective employees notice. Show that your culture extends beyond spreadsheets and Slack.

Lights, Camera, Action

🎥 Ross's Video of the Week

In this week’s video spotlight, David Novak sits down with Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and it’s packed with gems. A few takeaways that really hit home:

• If you’re going to do something, go all in. Half-efforts don’t build anything meaningful.

• Trust your instincts. The best leaders don’t outsource their gut.

• The single greatest driver of product improvement? Customer feedback. Always.

• Success comes down to a mix of self-awareness, curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the humility to know you’re not done yet.

Weekly Client Spotlight

Evocati PR

🤝 Meet Evocati

Evocati PR is a purpose-driven public relations firm on a mission to amplify voices that too often go unheard. As a service-disabled veteran-owned business, they specialize in helping clients communicate, inspire, and activate underserved communities. Their values-based approach is rooted in empathy, integrity, and impact, making them a trusted partner for brands that want to do well and do good. With a world-class team and a bold origin story, Evocati proves that culture isn't just strategy, it’s the foundation.

Our Collaboration

Evocati PR wanted a simple, budget-friendly way to extend their brand through client gifting and team gear, so we launched a custom pop-up shop just for them. It’s already been a hit.

Here’s why it works:

• Pick up to 9 premium products from brands like Nike, Carhartt, and North Face

• Just $10 per month to run the shop

• No inventory or bulk orders required

• Only pay when someone places an order

• Perfect for small teams with limited budgets

From branded apparel to drinkware and tech accessories, Evocati is now putting their brand into the hands of clients and team members with ease. It’s a low-lift, high-impact way to test out having a company store without the overhead.

🤝 Partner with Evocati PR 

Want an intro to meet their team? Email us at [email protected].

Weekly Giveaway

Giveaway: Our Biggest Yet!

Last week, we gave away a $316 Jouncer speaker and had more entries than ever. Big shoutout to Kaitlin Brady for taking home the prize!

But this week? We’re leveling up.

We’re giving one lucky winner a FREE custom pop-up shop for your company, plus $250 in store credit to spend on it.

You’ll get:

• A premium store with an Amazon-like shopping experience, stocked with up to 9 products you choose.

• Gear from brands like Nike, Carhartt, and Patagonia branded with your company logo.

• No bulk orders are required. You can order one at a time, or in bulk.

👉 To enter, Reply to this email and tell us how you’d use the pop-up shop. Give us your most creative reason, and we’ll pick a winner based on the best response.

Weekend Update

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

Raising a Team Captain: Lessons in Leadership from a Backyard Party

My son Bo is 10 years old and headed into 5th grade this fall. He recently signed up for club soccer, his first season playing at this level. The team will play a few tournaments over the summer, and the regular season begins in the fall.

I went to one of Bo’s practices and noticed something: he didn’t know any of the kids on the team. None of the parents knew each other either. After practice, the coach held a quick meeting and asked for a parent to volunteer as team manager. One mom raised her hand and said, “It looks like we’re all new to this team.”

At that moment, my own athletic background kicked in. I realized that for this team to succeed, the boys would need to get to know each other quickly. They’d need to become friends and learn to trust one another, on and off the field.

I approached the team mom and offered to host a swim party at our house to help everyone break the ice. She was immediately on board.

So, last weekend, we hosted the party.

The night before, I sat down with all four of my kids. I explained why we were hosting this event and what I expected from them. Naturally, there were questions (and a few complaints):

“Why do we have to go to the store? Why do we have to help set up chairs and drinks. Do we really have to help clean up too?”

But that was the moment. I pulled Bo aside and explained something more important:

“The job of a team captain isn’t just about being the best player. It’s about bringing people together. A captain is someone who builds trust, shows up when a teammate makes a mistake, and cheers loudly when someone does something great. A captain opens his home, helps set up and clean up, and makes sure everyone feels welcome. When someone says, ‘Thank you for hosting,’ the captain responds, ‘Thanks for coming.’”

I wanted Bo to understand what leadership looks like, how it shows up in simple, everyday actions. One day, when he’s older and working in an office or leading a community initiative, these same leadership traits will still matter. He can be the “captain” of his workplace, his neighborhood, or any room he walks into.

At the end of the day, we all need leaders who bring people together and make sure everyone has a good time doing it.

Cheers to all of us striving to be better leaders and captains of the world we live in.

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