The importance of showing appreciation and gratitude is amplified with the Year of the Dragon, as this legendary creature of myth and legend is a symbol of good fortune, great deeds, innovative ideas and big projects. From a business perspective, recognizing this important Chinese zodiac sign shows respect, which helps cultivate and strengthen goodwill among colleagues.  Mutual respect, the cornerstone of every relationship, is essential to optimizing customer and client loyalty, referrals and customer satisfaction.

Successful...

Rock Stars or Awards?

A recent article in the 1/3/12 Wall Street Journal highlights a handful of tech companies, such as Oracle, bringing in superstar performers for their annual customer/techie conference. Oracle scored both Tom Petty and Sting this year as well as other rock giants in the past, such as Elton John and Billy Joel. Pop star Christina Aguilera entertained Microsoft’s top salespeople while Ebay hired the Shins to play over the course of 12...

Top Color 2012 – Tangerine Tango

The hottest color of 2012, according to the Pantone Color Institute, is Tangerine Tango, a shade of bright reddish orange.

The color’s pop of vivacious energy is appealing to a wide audience, from haute fashion to promotional products. This inviting color brings optimism and the energy boost to recharge.

Orange, gentler than the fire of red, is a symbol of success and good luck. Perhaps this is why the iconic Hermes...

With the holidays in full steam, we find ourselves toasting everything from people, events, the New Year, optimism, hope, highlights of 2011 and dreams of 2012.

For a polished toast to keep the ears perked, here a few tips to make the most of your toast!

• A toast should not be too long or embarrassing – keeping it short and meaningful is the key to a successful toast.
• Maintain eye-contact & speak from the heart.
• Let your guests know...