When we seek out our interviewees for the back cover of our RecogNation publication, we’re looking for people who can elevate our stories with their own professional experience and their own personal twist. I discovered Roberta Matuson while researching the broad topic of onboarding, and, although she was a complete stranger to me, I took a risk and reached out to her. What luck! She was so willing, gracious, and enthusiastic—and ended up being the ideal contributor to this issue’s topic.

Did you know that more than 62% of Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day each year? That’s more than half of the nation scrambling to make reservations, purchase flowers, candies, stuffed animals, and more to please their Valentine! A holiday revolved around love, gush, and attraction can be difficult to address appropriately in the workplace, but to ignore a holiday that is so prevalent in our world today would be difficult… especially when you don’t have to. But how can it be celebrated the right way?

If you’re anything like me, your holiday budget is starting to feel the squeeze. And if you’re anything more like me, searching Pinterest for handmade gifts or free printables to offset some cost, sounds like a giant time sink. <Enter holiday hero music> Baudville to the rescue!

Check out these completely FREE holiday printables to use for your event, interoffice holiday gift giving, or for some just plain silliness!

When making an award presentation, it's important to remember that this may be the one opportunity your recipient is publically recognized by his or her employer. To make the award memorable and effective, plan both the award ceremony and the events leading up to it. Your careful planning will ensure that the value of the award is clearly expressed and communicated.

Don't forget that today is World Kindness Day! What better time than the present to sprinkle a little kindness dust on the people around you? Give a stranger a warm smile, buy someone's coffee, bring in donuts, or help a friend or neighbor with a project.