As the move begins to get people back to work and parts of the economy are opening up - preparing offices for a different work environment is key and keeping sustainability top of mind may be challenging.  This is a great time to re-engage employees around a common vision, including sustainability, and to re-enforce the company culture in a tangible way.

Here are three tips for keeping sustainability front and centre during the transition back to work.

#1. Buy local: Directional signage, hand sanitizer stations, desk pads, recycled stickers instead of re-usable name tags may all be steps you are considering. If you can find a local solution it is worth the effort.

#2. Demonstrate your values: Employees will want to feel they are safe at work - having their own utensil set, lunch bag with bento box and water bottle can be good options.  Personalizing products can be done by imprinting right onto the product or simply adding a sticker or name with a sharpie. If you are thinking about sending everyone a 'Back to Work' kit or a mailer, you could send items in a backpack including notebook with information, safety kit with gloves and mask. Consider giving each employee their own set of white board markers that they take with them to meetings.

#3. Communication: Regular communication is key. Creating a 'Back to Work' safety campaign for employees with a new design is a way to add energy, colour and excitement to coming back to work. If you have created a team to manage the safe re-opening of the office, you could outfit the team in t-shirts or jackets to show who they are and that they are there to help. 

by:  Jane Mitchell, Founder and CEO Oyster Promo Inc.

Photo: Austin Distel

Mother Earth is constantly repairing herself and is doing so now right before our eyes.  As levels of air pollution (NO2 Nitrogen oxide) have been reduced by up to 40% in some areas of the world due to the stay at home orders in order to contain the coronavirus, the air we breathe is literally cleaning itself.

At the same time, seismologists have noted a reduction in noise levels that allows them to hear seismic activity that they haven't been able to in the recent past due to human noise.  With up to 30% less noise pollution, the birds are louder, the oceans are quieter allowing whales and other marine life to communication more easily and less stressfully.  And the outdoor world feels a bit more peaceful for many.

We must listen to the messages from the earth that the COVID-19 pandemic has sent.  We will all benefit if we do.  We need a healthy Mother Earth for our own health and for all living things.

During this crisis we have naturally moved towards a simpler, healthier world.  Our values of kindness, community, and compassion have automatically come to the forefront for most of us during this pandemic.  The things that really matter are front and centre.  Can we hang onto this coming together of humanity and continue to fight as one against climate change?

In an article in the April 17th edition of the Economist magazine Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of England, drew parallels to the response to COVID-19 and the need for a heightened response to climate change.  "Once this war against an invisible enemy is over, our ambitions should be bolder - nothing less than to make a 'fit planet for our grandchildren to live on'."

And as David Attenborough recently said: "this is the very last moment we have in which we can hope to stem some of these disasters".  We have been give a chance, perhaps the last chance, to come together and to make change and to save our natural world.

We all need to take action.  How you communicate sustainability will make a difference.  There are a few basics to keep in mind:
1) Health and well-being is front and centre in people's minds.  It is important to pay attention to this.
2) Communicate values more and growth at all costs less.
3) Be honest and transparent.
4) Express optimism - this is not a denial of what is, but a belief that the future is positive.

By:  Jane Mitchell, Oyster Promo Inc. Contact:  jane@oysterpromo.com
Photo:  Elena Mozhrilo, Unsplash

We are all hearing a lot about drop shipping these days. 

Along with events going online, employees working from home and virtual meetings, there is still a tangible way to connect with the people you are meeting virtually - through drop shipping.

Drop shipping for branded merchandise refers to the process of placing your order the normal way.  However, instead of all of the products being shipped to you at a central location to be distributed or given out in person, the products are automatically delivered (drop shipped) to individual recipients at their location.

Whether you are sending to your ten Board members or to 100's of conference attendees, we can organize it for you.  Simply order your products, share your mailing list, and we'll do the rest.  We can even package your products in a custom 100% compostable mailer or a recycled custom cardboard box.

Drop shipping allows you to continue to drive engagement no matter what the status of your event.

To find out more, please email: jane@oysterpromo.com, or give us a call at 902 452 9664.