Company Culture

 by murphyepson

Vitaminwater’s $100,000 No Smartphone For a Year Challenge: Could you do it?

Vitaminwater recently launched a conversation-starting New Year’s challenge – $100,00 to select participants that could go a full year without using their smartphone. The contest rules stated that participants would receive a 1996-style cell phone and could use work laptops, desktop computers and voice-activated devices but smartphones and tablets were prohibited.

We polled members of #teamME to find out if they could do it, for how long and what they could accomplish in a year without all of the scrollin’ and swipin’. Check out what we said.

Marie

  1. Could you do it? Not today, but I could when I retire in 10 years or so.
  2. If so, how long do you think you could go before using your smartphone/tablet?  I couldn’t go more than an hour today, because clients and the ME team need to be able to reach me easily. But when I retire? I could definitely go a year. Or five!
  3. What do you think you could accomplish by ditching your smartphone/tablet for a year? I’d exercise more and generally be more relaxed.

Cindy

  1. Could you do it? No, I use my phone to navigate, order food, find out operating hours, review work emails every day…it’s too convenient to have this mobility in a small format that I can carry in my purse or pocket and that works without me having to constantly reconnect to different hotspots or networks.
  2. If so, how long do you think you could go before using your smartphone/tablet? I couldn’t do it!
  3. What do you think you could accomplish by ditching your smartphone/tablet for a year? I do like to leave my phone at home a lot when out walking or when on vacation. It’s too stressful to jump every time I get a ping which is often unimportant Facebook notices. I also don’t like to have it at the dinner table as it really stifles conversation. We were just talking the other day about how people seem to have lost the art of dialoguing back and forth…can we blame it on the phone or the general lack of manners in our culture? No idea.

Missi

  1. Could you do it? YES, 100K count me in!
  2. If so, how long do you think you could go before using your smartphone/tablet? If I was provided a phone to use, I could go the entire year easily. Considering I can still use my laptop or computer, I would still be able to accomplish my daily tasks on those devices.
  3. What do you think you could accomplish by ditching your smartphone/tablet for a year? My phone tells me how much screen time I use daily and it bothers me how much time I waste. Detoxing from my mobile device would be so refreshing and I would probably watch more Netflix…just kidding. My extra time would be used to be more active for sure and I would focus on myself more. Love the idea of traveling without GPS but then again, I should get familiar with smoke signals or how to use flares if I am lost.

Nick

  1. Could you do it? No.
  2. If so, how long do you think you could go before using your smartphone/tablet? If I did, 1 day.
  3. What do you think you could accomplish by ditching your smartphone/tablet for a year? Take more naps, read more books and eat more ice cream.

Stephanie

  1. Could you do it? I think I could do it.
  2. If so, how long do you think you could go before using your smartphone/tablet? I’ll pull out my crystal ball and say 3 months, maybe 4 – LOL!
  3. What do you think you could accomplish by ditching your smartphone/tablet for a year? I’d just use more paper for directions, notes, reminders, etc.

Angela

  1. Could you do it? Yes. For $100,000? Totally.
  2. If so, how long do you think you could go before using your smartphone/tablet? I’d go the full year. Eyes on the prize…literally. 🤑
  3. What do you think you could accomplish by ditching your smartphone/tablet for a year? Before I share, here’s some background: if you have an iPhone, you’re able to access how much time you spend each day on screen time. I typically spend between 2-3 hours a day (I know. yikes!). Taking that into account, if I had an extra 2-3 hours in my day because I wasn’t scrollin’ I would use that time to: 1) take more art classes like pottery or painting; 2) learn how to make wine; 3) plan out my next adventure … maybe Spain? And, finally…I’d probably spend a ton of time “taking the scenic route” while driving because I can’t function without a GPS. Haha!

Tim

  1.  Could you do it? I would like to say yes but it would depend on how I received the $100,000. If it was a one-time payment at the end of the year, no. If I received weekly payments of $1,923.08, yes.
  2. If so, how long do you think you could go before using your smartphone/tablet? I would shoot for a year but being realistic not very long. I enjoy the accessibility of information that my phone affords me and don’t feel that the usage of my smartphone hinders my overall productivity. With that being said, if I got past three weeks, I’d be $100,000 richer.
  3. What do you think you could accomplish by ditching your smartphone/tablet for a year? I think I would re-discover what it was like as a kid when you had to ride your bike around and knock on your friend’s door’s and ask if they could come outside and play.

Mindy

  1. Could you do it? NOT A CHANCE!
  2. If so, how long do you think you could go before using your smartphone/tablet? I bet I could make it through a long-ish work meeting, maybe two hours. I’m anxious just thinking of trying to go THAT long.
  3. What do you think you could accomplish by ditching your smartphone/tablet for a year? I think it’s similar to giving up pop, candy and other addictive substances – I’d start with physiological withdraws, and then come out the other side with focus, clarity and a sense of accomplishment for having shaken the habit. That, and I’d be able to conquer the free world.

in Company Culture / General / Now Trending / teamME / Uncategorized 0 comments
 by murphyepson

Who’s the Thanksgiving Turkey?

Ah, the most delicious holiday is upon us; filled with family, friends, thanks and of course—mouth-watering food. When it comes to the annual autumn gathering, some people love the turkey most while others prefer mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies or pie. No matter your favorite, Thanksgiving feasts wouldn’t be complete without each dish, just like #teamME wouldn’t be complete without each member of our cornucopia serving up great work and client service in their own unique way.

Naturally, we needed to know which fare we each would be if we were, indeed, Thanksgiving food. We each took a quiz to find out and the results are in. Check out who’s what if we were Thanksgiving food. You’ll never guess who’s the main turkey:

This year, and every year, we are so thankful for an awesome team filled with many unique professionals with an array of talent, and for the clients we serve. Happy Thanksgiving from #teamME.

in Company Culture / Design / Marketing / teamME 0 comments
 by Tim Bates

On the MEnu: Personal Branding by Account Coordinator, Tim Bates

“Be kind, be self-aware and above all else, be you!”

Last Wednesday, I kicked off #teamME’s inaugural “On the MEnu” lunch and learn by serving up the importance of personal branding.

I define strong personal brands as someone’s authentic and genuine image or reputation. Strong personal brands are not about popularity, boasting or being arrogant. Many people view personal branding as vanity and self-serving but that’s not the case. It’s about intentionally letting your brand shine and being vulnerable. By doing so here are the tradeoffs you’ll experience:

  • Better client and work relationships
  • Added value to your network and communities
  • Increased self-awareness
  • More meaningful interactions
  • Established credibility
  • More confidence

For more, check out my presentation here: On the MEnu: Personal Branding

 

“Character is who you are when no one is watching.”

– Legendary Head Coach, John Wooden

“Your personal brand is who you are when everyone is watching.”

– Tim Bates … maybe

in Company Culture / teamME 0 comments
 by murphyepson

#teamME’s 3 tips on Culture and Clients

Zheijang University is one of China’s oldest, most selective and prestigious institutions of higher education located in the city of Hangzhou, the capital of the Zheijang Region in Eastern China—and their students came to learn from #teamME. Zheijang University is one of China’s oldest, most selective and prestigious institutions of higher education located in the city of Hangzhou, the capital of the Zheijang Region in Eastern China—and their students came to learn from #teamME.

The students wanted an inside look at a full-service advertising and PR agency to discuss organizational culture, client management and what drives effective communication in the world of business.

Here were the top three takeaways from our conversation:

  1. Client relationship building: Listen. Then provide strategic and timely communication recommendations, maintain a positive attitude, be open and view your client as a person not just a client to exceed expectations and build trust.
  2. Client management: Some client goals will be challenging. Managing expectations by setting a clear scope, schedule and budget in the beginning will lead to successful solutions in the future.
  3. Organizational culture: Every company has a different culture. From creating divisions for accomplishing specific goals to all-inclusive atmospheres where everyone has a hand in each project. Work to understand your culture and be willing to serve as a team player.

Though #teamME is always convening fascinating conversations, the students of Zheijang University put a face on our international brethren. The students, studying various career paths from teaching Chinese as a foreign language to broadcast news and TV production, may not all be entering the world of advertising and public relations, but they seemed eager to hear our stories and takeaways, so they can test them in their fields someday. It was a great reminder that no matter where we are born, we all aspire to learn from each other to become our best selves. MurphyEpson was delighted to share our best practices, but more importantly to learn from such a fresh, engaged and brilliant group of students.

#teamME is sending a huge thank you to Pat McAloon for organizing the trip and to the students of Zheijang University for taking a leap out of their comfort zone.

For more information on Global LT visit, global-lt.com or connect with them on social media.

Facebook: @GlobalLT

Twitter: @GlobalLTUSA

in Advertising / Client Relationships / Clients / Columbus Marketing / Company Culture / Marketing / Marketing in Columbus / Marketing Team / Organizations / Public Affairs / Public Relations 0 comments