Here’s why I’m sending you a parade
Edition 4, Vol. #1 January 2025
Hi, friend,
At the end of a long week, it’s easy to dwell on the hard stuff.
The long hours. The lost opportunities. The moments when everything felt like a struggle.
But in 2025? We’re giving each other parades.
Parades for the big wins and little victories. Standing ovations for just making it through the week.
And we’re not just cheering for ourselves. If you share it, we’re hyping it.
- Had a bright idea in a meeting? High-five!
- Got good feedback on a project? Handful of confetti!
- Ate lunch out of the office instead of your desk? Victory lap!
What’s something you accomplished this week that deserves a parade?
Let me know and I’ll cue the marching band.
Mary Pat Nimon
President
idea one
Save the date for Annual Enrollment
Your company offers fabulous benefits. Your Total Rewards program is the total package.
So why don’t employees seem to understand?
Because people don’t think about their benefits until they need them. And most companies don’t think to communicate about that bevy of benefits year-round.
But effective communications don’t just appear once a year.
Create a plan to keep the conversation going all year long, with quick hits of bite-sized benefits info in short videos or infographics.
For example, instead of a one-time info dump during annual enrollment, keep financial programs top of mind with a fresh focus each quarter.
Like this:
- Q1 New Year, New Money Moves: Highlight 401(k) check-ups & encourage contribution boosts
- Q2 Tax Season & Smart Spending: Send reminders to take advantage of tax-free health savings
- Q3 Mid-Year Main Events: Highlight first-time home-buyer perks or loan assistance
- Q4 Finish Strong: Make sure everyone knows what happens to unused PTO & FSA dollars
When benefits communication is woven into the employee experience, people don’t just enroll — they engage.
idea two
Did you hear that?
Ever been in a meeting where the leader does all the talking?
(If so, I hope I wasn’t the wordy one!)
Here’s the thing — real leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening to what your team is saying.
The good. The bad.
And the great ideas that might have otherwise gone unsaid.
Yet you can’t expect all that to just happen. There’s an art to listening in.
idea three
Fun, fur real
Each year on one football Sunday in February, millions of viewers tune in — for the Puppy Bowl.
Nothing but three hours of adorable, adoptable animals.
There are no highly trained athletes on the field or expensive ad campaigns. It’s just pure joy, and people eat it up.
So what’s the secret – and can we steal it?
Yes, we can. Because the secret is it’s fun. And it’s simple. With just one glance, you understand it completely.
As a comms person, it’s proof you don’t need a massive budget to get people’s attention. You just need to connect in a way that makes your audience feel something.
So be authentic. Keep it simple. And, when in doubt, bring in the puppies.
(& a meme)
How’s your BINGO card shaping up so far this year?
Here’s why I’m sending you a parade
Edition 4, Vol. #1 January 2025
Hi, friend,
At the end of a long week, it’s easy to dwell on the hard stuff.
The long hours. The lost opportunities. The moments when everything felt like a struggle.
But in 2025? We’re giving each other parades.
Parades for the big wins and little victories. Standing ovations for just making it through the week.
And we’re not just cheering for ourselves. If you share it, we’re hyping it.
- Had a bright idea in a meeting? High-five!
- Got good feedback on a project? Handful of confetti!
- Ate lunch out of the office instead of your desk? Victory lap!
What’s something you accomplished this week that deserves a parade?
Let me know and I’ll cue the marching band.
Mary Pat Nimon
President
Let me know and I’ll cue the marching band.
Mary Pat Nimon
President
idea one
Save the date for Annual Enrollment
Your company offers fabulous benefits. Your Total Rewards program is the total package.
So why don’t employees seem to understand?
Because people don’t think about their benefits until they need them. And most companies don’t think to communicate about that bevy of benefits year-round.
But effective communications don’t just appear once a year.
Create a plan to keep the conversation going all year long, with quick hits of bite-sized benefits info in short videos or infographics.
For example, instead of a one-time info dump during annual enrollment, keep financial programs top of mind with a fresh focus each quarter.
Like this:
- Q1 New Year, New Money Moves: Highlight 401(k) check-ups & encourage contribution boosts
- Q2 Tax Season & Smart Spending: Send reminders to take advantage of tax-free health savings
- Q3 Mid-Year Main Events: Highlight first-time home-buyer perks or loan assistance
- Q4 Finish Strong: Make sure everyone knows what happens to unused PTO & FSA dollars
When benefits communication is woven into the employee experience, people don’t just enroll — they engage.
idea two
Did you hear that?
Ever been in a meeting where the leader does all the talking?
(If so, I hope I wasn’t the wordy one!)
Here’s the thing — real leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening to what your team is saying.
The good. The bad.
And the great ideas that might have otherwise gone unsaid.
Yet you can’t expect all that to just happen. There’s an art to listening in.
idea three
Fun, fur real
Each year on one football Sunday in February, millions of viewers tune in — for the Puppy Bowl.
Nothing but three hours of adorable, adoptable animals.
There are no highly trained athletes on the field or expensive ad campaigns. It’s just pure joy, and people eat it up.
So what’s the secret – and can we steal it?
Yes, we can. Because the secret is it’s fun. And it’s simple. With just one glance, you understand it completely.
As a comms person, it’s proof you don’t need a massive budget to get people’s attention. You just need to connect in a way that makes your audience feel something.
So be authentic. Keep it simple. And, when in doubt, bring in the puppies.
(& a meme)
How’s your BINGO card shaping up so far this year?
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Three fresh ideas (and a meme)
Our monthly take on today’s marketing and communications topics… and a little fun, too.
