My Mom always taught me to write a thank you note right after someone has given me a gift. It was good manners. It was polite.
Canadians, in general are polite. International media regularly reports this about us. When NBC descended upon our city for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, the reporters and newscasters got to see us up close and personal, we hoped that our Canadian politeness rubbed off on them a bit. It looks like it did. Brian Williams from NBC wrote a very kind thank you note. This is a tribute to Canada’s culture.
Brian, we’re happy that you had a great experience in Vancouver. Please come back anytime.
We are curious to see how businesses in Vancouver are affected by the biggest party in town. Aren’t you? Take this quick poll to find out. Choose all that apply.
McNeill Nakamoto’s office is located in Yaletown, where one of the LiveCity locations for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics is located. Already, we are experiencing some new activity and rearranged traffic patterns in our neighbourhood. Our business will be open as usual. We will still be available to service our clients and conduct interviews. We’ve made adjustments to our way of doing our work as effectively as possible, whether or not our employees can make the commute to Yaletown.
A wonderful legacy that the games has already left for us, is the addition of the Canada Line. Our staff use “the line” exclusively when attending meetings in the downtown area. This has helped McNak with our green initiatives.
Embracing what today’s modern technology has to offer, most of the team at McNak will be able to access their office computers remotely from home during the Olympic Games. Some of our staff will be telecommuting, and some will stagger their work hours. I know that I will be glued to my iPhone to keep in touch, as well as using Yammer to keep up to date on what my co-workers are doing.
As an employer, McNeill Nakamoto has offered their staff the utmost of flexibility during this time. We have approached this situation as not a challenge, but as a once in a lifetime event that we can embrace. Our team will continue to work effectively and be productive even if we don’t see each other every single day during the largest event our city has ever produced.
What plans do you have in place to keep your company running during the games? Please share by leaving a comment.
This team knows how to have fun. We like the team’s spontaneous tribute to their corporate culture. It isn’t easy to manufacture corporate culture. And this is a team who has a culture that works. They are so aligned that they will take risks together. Trust is high. And they’ve allowed themselves to have fun. Don’t we all need it once in a while! We’d put bets that this team does some great things together. (perhaps however, not a career in performing arts).
This spontaneous video reminds us of another more structured video where the team is fully engaged and united on a common goal. You can see the magic is real in both environments. Both work. How dull work could be if one couldn’t have smiles on no less than a few faces?
Sources of inspiration can manifest in so many ways. Because inspiration is such a deeply personal thing and is unique to every individual one never knows where it may be found next. This short TED talk is just so. We have all endured so much this past year with the economic roller coaster and never ending turns and bumps in the road. To find such a simple message is exactly what we are looking for. Nothing manufactured about it. Its a reminder to us all that we don’t have to find inspiration in things that are perfect. In fact, the more raw in format the better to consume. When you hear William Kamkwamba speak and his universal message of the power to persevere, it will warm your heart. William says “Trust yourself and believe whatever happens, don’t give up”. Thank you William. You were just what we needed.
At the end of his TED talk, the audience applauds, and you can see William start to quietly clap his hands with them. Perhaps you will too.
You’ve all probably seen this video by now, as it has been making the rounds for the past few weeks. At McNak, we just can’t help ourselves, but to share this…as FUN is one of our metrics. It is one of our core values.
Enjoy.
TheFunTheory.com is an initiative of Volkswagen. The site is “dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better.”
Connecting with like minded people on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook can be valuable. It simply depends on how you make it work for you. Social media defines McNak’s culture.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with Gillian Shaw, Digital Writer for the Vancouver Sun, and I was able to provide my take on how McNak deals with social media policies and the use of social media sites with our employees. I originally ‘met’ Gillian on Twitter. Gillian wrote a great article in today’s Vancouver Sun on this subject. Interesting read.
I had the opportunity to meet Gillian in person today at the SOHO SME business conference. She was speaking on a panel with Rich Patterson and Shane Gibson – “The Business of Social Media: How to Maximize Connections Using Social Communities on the Internet”.
I had also ‘met’ Rich Patterson of NinePointTen Social Media and Patterson Brands on Twitter, and was happy to meet him in person today. Wherever you make those social connections – whether it be on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN etc. – there is nothing like meeting these great folks in person.
McNak embraces social media. It keeps us connected to our community, and keeps the conversation flowing. It also provides another avenue for new connections. It’s just nice to make it personal once in a while.
Yesterday McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group had the great honour of receiving the Big Heart Award from Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland at the Big Sisters Spring Lunch. We truly believe that mentorship for young women strengthens our community. Sarah McNeill comments, ‘Every young girl deserves to be inspired to their own future greatness. Big Sisters truly offers this opportunity to these young girls. As both mothers and business owners, Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is the most natural choice for our company’.
McNeill Nakamoto is proud of its involvement with Big Sisters and thrilled to have raised over $50,000 for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. We find ways to involve our staff, our clients, the community and especially the Little Sisters themselves. We do this by raising funds and awareness:
through silver sponsorship of the Big Sisters Divas Gala
‘McNak Jeans for Big Sisters’ – individual donations by McNeill Nakamoto staff members in exchange for wearing jeans to work
Grape Juice, the fun and very successful Wine Auction created and hosted by Team McNak
‘McNak Career Launcher’ for Little Sisters – a workshop on assisting teenage ‘Littles’ with resume and interview tips
Sarah McNeill chairs the Big Sisters Gala, and with her influence and network has created a broad awareness in the community, as well as broken fund raising records for this annual event.
The Big Sisters Big Heart Award is given annually to a business for outstanding support of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.
My Mom always taught me to write a thank you note right after someone has given me a gift. It was good manners. It was polite.
Social networking is great. There, I’ve said it.
Mike Desjardins
McNeill Nakamoto
Sharon Tong
Sarah McNeill
Cheryl Nakamoto
Dennis Wolff
Sandra Mebs
Jessica Rozitis
Julie Steele
Bradley Cuzen