Now that the weather is nice here in Michigan, we finally get to make it outside and we're definitely high fiving for that! Check out the top five things were giving High 5s for this week!

1. RecogNation.
Our newest issue of RecogNation is hot off the press and full of tips and ideas for creating pride in your organization. We are giving you some of our own secrets as well as industry's best practices for creating company pride. Plus, we have an extra-special interview with Pete Winemiller, SVP of Guest Relations for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Pete chatted with us about his successful "CLICK!™ with your Guests" program. Check out this free online issue now!

2. National Bike to Work Day/Month.
Let's face it; we all need to get to work somehow. So why not bike? Biking to work is a great way to incorporate daily exercise needs into your schedule. Challenge yourself and your team members to bike to work this month. Download these free Bike to Work Day Posters!

3. Fun in the Sun
Now that the weather is becoming nicer, get outside and enjoy it! Have impromptu meetings outside in the grass or on picnic tables. Changes in scenery can really help boost creative energy and spark great ideas! If you can't have a meeting outside, make sure you take a few minutes to get outside and breathe some fresh air. You'll go back to work rejuvenated and ready to face the rest of your day!

4. Free Downloads
We have compiled a ton of free downloads for you, located in our Recognition Resource Center. Print out our Print and Posts and post them throughout your office. Need some ideas for what to do with your team this summer? We have a free ebook for that. Or, get great Peer-to-Peer recognition ideas with our free white paper.

5. The Weekend.
Go out, have some fun, and relax this weekend. You've earned it!
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Kendra is Baudville's Product Coordinator. Using her awesome powers of organization and research, she brings new and innovative products to our customers. She is a recent graduate and is ready to help with your recognition wants and needs. Watch out, because this young professional just touched down at Baudville!

Employee Appreciation Day is March 1st this year. That dreaded calendar flip day when you realize you didn't look ahead and now you're not prepared AT ALL. Well, have no fear! Here are 10 great last-minute ideas that will delight and impress your team!

1. Head to the local gas station or grocery store and pick up some candy bars - lots of them have appreciation sayings . Pass those out with a personal hand-written note to show them you're grateful for all that they do.

2. Stop by the local coffee shop on your way back from lunch and surprise your team with an afternoon pick-me-up. Sweet treats and coffee are best when they're a surprise!

3. Check out our FREE, downloadable Winning Ways to Recognize Your Stars ebook for some great last-minute ideas.

4. Can't get out of the office? No problem! Send a thoughtful ePraise to your team members. You could even leave an element of surprise in the note and bring them a special breakfast on Monday or grant casual days for the next work week.

5. Use our FREE downloadable Freedom Passes to let your team members out an hour early in honor of your appreciation for them.

6. Attach one of these download-and-print wraps to a sucker, candy bar, or another sweet treat to show your appreciation.

7. Hold an impromptu morning meeting and spend time publicly thanking each team member for their specific contributions to the team. Tip: Be prepared with notes before you head into the meeting!

8. Take your team out to lunch! Or order in if you can't get out of the office.

9. At a loss for words? It's ok, our Sample Employee Recognition Messages list will help!

10. Split your group into teams and have a friendly office scavenger hunt throughout the day. Use this idea list to get started, and modify it for your office environment.

Most importantly, have fun with your team! And, to never find yourself in this unprepared predicament again, check out our Recognition Survival Kits; they’ll keep you equipped for every recognition moment, every time.

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As a team member since 2005, Falon has worn just about every hat the ‘ville has to offer. She’s seen both sides of working life — as an employee and as a manager — so if it sounds like she knows what she’s talking about, we’re pretty sure that’s why. When she’s not juggling between the IDville and Baudville brands, she’s been known to whip up a mean diorama - just like that!

Valentine's Day is in the air... I can smell the sweet conversation hearts now and taste the sweet chalky residue. You are AWE-SOME. COOL. FREE 2 B U. Good times. Candy, chocolates, kind words - does it get any better?! At Baudville we embrace the holidays – big and small – work-related and Hallmark-created. And we'd love for you to embrace them, too! Here are some low-cost and no-cost ways to bring a little Valentine's Day cheer to your office this "holiday" season.

Play Cupid with Free Valentine's Day Print-and-Posts.
Leave the bow-and-arrow at home (and the diaper, too, please!) Download our fun, work-appropriate Valentine's Day sentiments and sneak them into your co-workers' office spaces for a little secret V-Day fun .

 

Virtual Valentines? No Problem! Send a Free ePraise.
Check out our Special Edition Valentine's Day ePraise section. Type a quick note and send it their way! Our clever and safe-for-work Valentine's Day sentiments keep it light and fun!

 

Candy? For me? You SHOULD have!
Valentine's Day and sweet treats go together like salt and pepper. Be prepared with a chocolate-filled candy dish at your desk. Or engage your team with some special Sweet Treats to let them know how awesome you think they are!

 

Have some time on your hands?
Bust out the red construction paper, doilies, and stickers, and create personalized valentines for your team members. Cap it off with a sucker, chocolate bar, or package of conversation hearts and you'll be the talk of the office!

Have a blast with your co-workers this Valentine's Day! And after you're done, tell us all about it! We can't wait to hear from you.

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As a team member since 2005, Falon has worn just about every hat the 'ville has to offer. She's seen both sides of working life — as an employee and as a manager — so if it sounds like she knows what she's talking about, we're pretty sure that's why. When she's not juggling between the IDville and Baudville brands, she's been known to whip up a mean diorama - just like that!

About four times a year, we busy ourselves creating catalogs that feature our new and bestselling products. We do this because we know that, in your hands, our products can bring value to you and help you create a positive and rewarding environment for your team.

But, one day we asked ourselves, “What more can we do? Above and beyond our products, how can we engage with our customers in an informative and thoughtful way?”

The result of this pondering became RecogNation: a quarterly supplement to our catalog, written by recognition experts, that addresses a common workplace concern with a variety of articles on that topic. In addition, this publication features an interview with an up-and-coming CEO, whose success on the current issue’s topic offers inspiration and insight to our readers.

Our first issue is all about building stronger teams and is just days away from hitting mailboxes everywhere. Sound interesting to you? You don’t have to wait: you can download it now for free from our Recognition Resource Center!

Take a few minutes to give it a read, and if any of this hits home with you, tell us about it—we’d love to hear!
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Allison is a self-proclaimed Copywriting Diva and has the certificate to prove it! She’s been writing for Baudville for four years and has worked in a variety of business settings for more than 19 years. Before becoming a professional writer 12 years ago, Allison worked as a department manager where she used Baudville products to motivate her team. She’s what we call a true believer!  


I always enjoy the holiday season! I appreciate the beauty of a freshly fallen snow, the parties with friends and family, and the exchange of gifts with loved ones. I also love anything that makes my preparation quicker and easier!

We’ve created some new free downloads for the holidays that we hope will make your holidays a little easier and more merry. All you have to do is download, print, cut, and deliver, and you can get more enjoyment out of your last few days of 2012. Celebrate your accomplishments! Recognize outstanding performances! And express your appreciation for every teammate who made it possible! Download these fun printables and get started!

	Holiday Gift Tags Are you giving holiday gifts to coworkers, employees, or your boss? Enhance your presentation with our adorable gift tags! Inspired by the artwork on our Spinner Ornaments, these gift tags are the perfect complement to any gift. I plan to use them for my gifts! Download Holiday Gift Tags
	Holiday Certificates Celebrate the individuals on your team and their accomplishments with these fun holiday certificates. The holiday look and feel makes them a great addition to your last staff meeting of the year or team party. Download Holiday Certificates
	Candy Cane Wrappers Do you want to do something for your entire team but don’t want to spend a lot? Print and cut out these notes and attach one to a candy cane for an instant, low-cost appreciation gift! Your teammates will appreciate the gesture, and you’ll appreciate the savings! Download Candy Cane Wrappers
	Holiday Print and Posts  A thoughtful note can go a long way when it comes to making sure your team knows they’re valued and appreciated. A little laughter doesn’t hurt either! Our holiday print and posts will put a smile on their face and make them feel like a part of the team. Download Holiday Print and Posts

Get all our free holiday downloads on Baudville.com and visit our Recognition Resource Center for more free downloads.

Happy Holidays!

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Cori is Baudville's in-house Recognitionista (she's officially a Certified Recognition Professional, too)  and a member of the Millennial generation. Get her employee recognition tips and special discounts by liking Baudville on Facebook.