10 fun Secret Santa gift ideas

It’s baaaaaack: That little office game where you draw a coworker’s name and sneak them super secret gifts every day for a week before your identity is revealed.

Secret Santa can be crazy fun but also mind-boggling, especially if you don’t know the person whose name you’ve drawn very well. Lucky for you, there are a few gifts out there that are universal, fit your predetermined budget and make great options for your debut as the office Kris Kringle.

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Tired of turkey? Unique ideas for your work Thanksgiving celebration

Though it may not have been present at the 1621 celebration of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, the turkey is undoubtedly the star of the Thanksgiving feast. Because this beautiful bird is large enough to feed a sizable crowd — and because it is uniquely North American (often hunted by colonists) — it became a staple of the table when Abraham Lincoln declared our national holiday in 1863.

But as the Day of Thanks approaches and your calendar fills with celebrations, it doesn’t mean you have to have all turkey all the time. Your employees will likely get their fill of the bird while they’re off on Thanksgiving, so it’s your chance to come up with a fun, unique menu for your workplace gathering that shows them you’re grateful for them — but doesn’t give them a turkey hangover before they get to the main event.

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What does your desk say about you?

There’s never been a more publicly private space than your desk.

It’s the one place that houses the things you need to function as an employee, but also the only place you have to call your own in this shared environment. You work to make it a comfortable, pleasing, homey, functional space. Over time, though, it’s easy for our personal habits and preferences to take over, making it a place that sends out all kinds of vibes about who we are — for all of our coworkers to see.

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5 ways to show your customers they are valued

Having loyal customers is key to success for any business.

Think about the companies you love. Why do you keep giving them your business? Maybe their product is top-notch, but odds are that product excellence is complemented by an extraordinary customer experience. Companies like Amazon and Trader Joe’s consistently top customer service rankings because they give consumers what they want and need, and they make consumers feel good.

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Rock that office Halloween costume contest with these ideas

Here’s an easy, peasy way to win a $250 prize to throw a Halloween party for your group: Just tell (or show) us why you love this spooktacular holiday and you’ll be entered to win! All you have to do is fill out the official entry form; we promise it won’t be scary. Wink. Submissions will be accepted until Oct. 1, 2018. The winning entry will be announced on Oct. 5, 2018.

We’re all about group unity here at Workplace Pro, and on Halloween is no exception. Not only is it the perfect excuse for an office par-tay, it’s the perfect time to put your best costume foot forward as a group.

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Bullying happens at school and work: Here’s how to fight it

What do you think of when you hear the word “bullying”?

A playground is likely a common visual. The screams of happy children in the background. The heartbreaking scene of a child getting pushed around by another in the foreground — not just physically, but verbally.

But bullying doesn’t just live in school hallways or the playground. Cyberbullying among young people occurs more frequently because of easy access to digital devices and social media. And bullying doesn’t just happen to children: Adults are experiencing it in the workplace at an alarming rate — 60.3 million workers report being affected.

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These hacks will make your workday flow

You walk into the office at 8 a.m. determined to complete the day’s tasks focused and undeterred. And then all of a sudden it’s 3 p.m. and the only thing you’ve accomplished is sitting through a two-hour staff meeting and checking your email.

Sound familiar? Yeah, us too. Our work days are full of distractions. But with a little structure and help from the gods of technology, you can achieve better workflow.

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Are you reaching your annual goals? Here’s how to follow-up

The beginning of every year is often filled with optimism about what is to come — we create resolutions and set goals to ensure we’re successful in every facet of life and business.

In the workplace, those goals are most effective when backed by strategy, creating a plan of action, a roadmap if you will, that will get you to your destination. Creating a well-balanced vision of where you want your business to be at the end of the year is key to success. But if you don’t assess how you’re performing throughout the year, the likelihood you will detour from your plan and fall short of your goals increases.

Here are a few ways you can make sure you are on the right path:

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At work on the Fourth of July? Move the party from the backyard to the break room

The Fourth of July is on a Wednesday this year and for you, that may mean being stuck at work. Wahh, wahh. Not everyone gets to celebrate our nation’s independence with a day off (24% of employees across the nation, in fact, do not) — especially when it falls right in the middle of the work week.

But that’s OK. Think positive! You can still celebrate. Move the party from the backyard to the break room (or the parking lot) and spread some cheer for your fellow employees so their morale stays high and they know you care about the things that matter to them.

Here are four ways to light up the workplace with Independence Day cheer:

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