Seasonal

Holiday Gift Etiquette at Work

Greta Cline, CFO
Greta Cline
Partner, CFO/COO
December 16, 2019
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It’s that time of year. The holidays are upon us, and navigating the season of gift giving at work can be tricky. Should you give your boss a gift? What about coworkers? From group gifts to skipping out on Secret Santa, we’ve got the answers to some of your most frequent dilemmas.

Am I supposed to get my boss a gift?

Gifts in a workplace should usually flow from the top down. In fact, many companies don’t allow gifts for supervisors because this could be seen as trying to buy favor. However, it’s important to take your company culture and individual relationships into consideration. Don’t feel like you can’t purchase a gift for your boss, but if you do, it’s probably best to keep it small and simple.

What about giving gifts to co-workers?

Gift-giving is a personal gesture, and chances are good that you don’t know everyone at your workplace. If you’d like to buy gifts for the people you work with, consider purchasing for those that you interact with regularly or feel close to personally. Use discretion when handing them out. While it’s fine not to get something for everyone, you don’t want to disrupt any team dynamics. If you happen to receive a gift from someone that you don’t have a gift for in return, a sincere thank you note is an appropriate response.

What if I’m being asked to chip in money for a group gift?

If you would like to be involved, feel free! But don’t feel obligated to spend money on something you do not want to participate in or can’t afford. It’s perfectly acceptable to decline the invitation by saying something like “I’m sorry, I can’t participate this year.”

Should I participate in Secret Santa-type exchanges?

Know your environment. In some offices, Secret Santa and other gift exchanges are just for fun, while in others you’ll be the odd one out if you don’t participate. In these situations, it’s great to pick out a simple, gender-neutral gift such as a sweet treat, gift card, or an interesting office supply. Usually these types of exchanges have a budget of $10 to $15. Make sure you stick to the budget and have some fun with it.

What’s a thoughtful gift for a colleague?

Show your coworkers you care by picking out something that they would truly use or appreciate. Take into consideration things you’ve heard them talk about or seen them deal with everyday. Is one of your coworkers always cold? Buy her a scarf or shawl. For the coworker who always forgets his lunch, consider a gift card to a local restaurant or Door Dash. A Starbucks gift card is a one-size-fits all gift and you can even email it to co-workers.

beef jerky bouquet
The Manly Man Bouquet

Looking for a unique and tasty gift idea? The Manly Man’s beef jerky bouquets are a meaty treat that men (and women) can enjoy! Making a small donation to a colleague’s favorite cause is another neat way to show you care. Keep in mind that some types of gifts are too personal. Items like jewelry, perfume, or lotion may cause your colleagues to second-guess your intentions.

Happy holiday gift giving!

Seasonal

How to Not Fear the Cheer this Holiday Season

Staci Upmeyer
December 16, 2019
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As the last month of the calendar year, December brings on stress and deadlines that are not present the other 11 months.  Then, add extra vacation by most co-workers (and possibly for yourself) and the upcoming holidays – BOOM! It’s the perfect stress storm. How can you stay sane this holiday season?

  1. Make time for exercise! Although it seems that there are not enough hours in the day, using some of your precious minutes for exercise can help you be more productive during the work day. Even if it is a quick stretch at your desk – it can make a difference!
  2. Practice gratitude! People’s fuses are going to be short this month. When you feel like lashing out, take a moment and think about why you are grateful for that person. Maybe they helped you meet a deadline earlier this year or brought in a yummy office treat. Reframing your attitude at a moment’s notice will keep you calm throughout the season.
  3. Keep Hydrated! With all the holiday treats and processed food abounding, it’s important to drink water. Water can help to wake you up in the morning and keep you going all day long. Trust us, you’ll feel better headed into the new year.
  4. Prioritize! Whether it’s a work or personal deadline, make a list each day of what you need to get done. Look at your list and tackle the most pressing items first. Save items that you do not complete, and as year-end approaches assess what is feasible for you to complete.

If you find that you need an extra pair of hands this season, give us a call.  We’ll send a temporary employee right over to alleviate your stress and help you meet year-end deadlines. In addition, if you need some extra cash this holiday season, check our job board for short term assignments or refer a friend to a job and you could pocket $100!

Seasonal

Fun and Festive Drinks from TGHR

Meaghan Smith
December 10, 2019
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We conduct very important research in our office. Of course, we track our staffing stats weekly, but in preparation for New Year’s Eve we have been trying a new drink recipe during Happy Hour. Here’s our favorites ready for you to mix up and enjoy this holiday season.

Week 1: Root Beer Float
To make this take on a soda fountain classic, mix three parts root beer with one-part RumChata. Frosted mugs are optional!

Week 2: Cinnamon Roll
We liked the RumChata so much, we brought it back in week 2. This time, we mixed one-part RumChata with three parts cream soda.

Week 3: Red Wine Floats
To change it up a bit, we switched to wine. For these delectable drinks, you need one pint Magnum Dark Chocolate Raspberry ice cream, 1/2 bottle of red wine, seltzer for serving and to make them extra fancy – chocolate sauce, for lining glasses. Start by rimming the insides of four glasses with chocolate sauce, then scoop in ice cream and pour in the red wine. Top off with seltzer before serving.

Week 4: Apple Cider Sangria
First step for this drink is grab a large glass pitcher. Then gather a Granny Smith apple (sliced), a Red Delicious apple (sliced), Golden Delicious apple (sliced), lemon (sliced) and an orange (sliced). Add that fruit to the pitcher and pour in two cups of apple cider, two bottles of ginger beer and a bottle of white wine. Stir and enjoy! Feel free to add some bite size pieces of all fruit in the bottom of each glass to really impress your guests.

Week 5: TGHR Holiday Spritzer
Break out the bubbly for the finale. Pour ¾ of a glass of champagne, then add equal parts pomegranate and cranberry juice. We like to make it extra fancy with fresh cranberries and pomegranate seeds in bottom of glass (added to the glass before champagne).

Cheers to the new year!

Seasonal

Perfect Time for Podcasts

Lindsey Curtis
September 10, 2019
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Looking to change up your routine as you drive to work?  Need something else to listen to as you run on the treadmill?  We’ve got the perfect suggestion – podcasts!

Stop what you are doing right now and browse to the purple podcast button on your phone.  Don’t have one?  Head over to the App Store or Google Play Store and download Stitcher, which will get you started.  Once there, browse for these TGHR recommendations.

Anytime is a good time for self-improvement.  Have you been meaning to revise your resume (hint – use our resume template)? Looking for interview tips?  Career Cloud Radio is the podcast for you.  Even in its description, it states, “there’s no better show to hear practical and tactical job search advice that is actionable.”  It promises that you will learn something new in every episode.

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit?  Then search for Gimlet Media and you will have your pick of podcasts that touch on how businesses are built.  Our recommendation?  Start with StartUp, which has eight seasons of episodes, will occupy you for quite some time.  The first season follows Alex Blumberg and how he started a podcast company.  It’s so entertaining that ABC had a sitcom  about Alex and how he started his business.  So, hurry up and get on the bandwagon now!

Also from Gimlet Media is The Pitch, which if you like Shark Tank, you’ll like the The Pitch.  Each episode founders pitch their businesses to a group of investors.  The types of businesses are varied and you will pick up personal branding tips along the way.  Each episode does include a follow-up interview with the founders, so if you like to know “where are they now” this podcast won’t leave you hanging.

Glassdoor has a great round-up of other career-related podcasts to check out to add to your list.

Not business related, but if you can’t get enough of Dateline and true crime stories, try the podcast Dirty John from the LA Times.  It’s told in six episodes and you’ll be on the edge of your seat by the last one.  It chronicles the life and family of Debra Newell, a successful interior designer from California and her relationship with John Meehan, a felon.  It’s narrated by Christopher Goffard, who is a reporter for the LA Times. Another crime-related podcast you might want to add to your list is Crime Junkies.  And it’s produced right here in Indianapolis!

Are you already listening to podcasts on a regular basis?  If so, please share with us on social media your favorites – we’d love to hear them!

 

Seasonal

Simple Summer Sides

June 26, 2019
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Summer is the perfect time for cookouts with friends and family. We love a good BBQ at That’s Good HR.  Burgers, hot dogs or chicken on the grill just smells like summer! Here are two simple sides that will keep you smiling all summer.

Kirstia’s Famous Corn Dip

This “dip” is best served with Fritos Scoops, but tortillas chips work too. Carrots are a great option for the health-conscious, but despite their crunch they don’t measure up to the chip options.

Ingredients:

4 cans Fiesta Corn (drained) – must be Fiesta Corn, no substitutions

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayo

2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons canned jalapenos (or more if you desire more heat)

Mix all the Fiesta Corn, sour cream and mayo together until well blended.  Add jalapenos with a little juice and continue to mix.  Next, add the cheese and mix more.  Once all ingredients are together, if the dip looks too wet, add a bit more cheese.  If it appears too dry, add equal parts mayo and sour cream. Trust us – it is delicious.

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

What says summer more than lemonade? This recipe can be doubled, tripled or even quadrupled to your desired serving size.

Ingredients:

1 cup lemon juice (squeezing 4-6 makes about 1 cup)

1 cup sugar

6 cups water

To make 1 cup of lemon juice, you will need 4-6 lemons.  If you want to make more lemonade, just double the recipe – 8-12 lemons, 2 cups sugar and 12 cups water.  We promise it will taste like you’re strolling the midway at the State Fair.

Share with us what your favorite summer side dish is.  Bonus points for including a recipe!

Seasonal

Summer Reading Professional Development Books

Susie McKenna
June 10, 2019
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While you are laying by the pool or relaxing on the beach, let summer do some work for you! We’ve got links to summer reading lists (see below!), but here’s a short round-up highlighting some of the latest (and soon-to-be greatest) professional development books that are hot off the presses just in time for summer.

Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

Melinda Gates, who is more than just the wife of Microsoft guru Bill Gates, shares stories of the women who have inspired her through the years in this book published in April 2019. The stories begin with her own mother and fan out to include the extraordinary women she has connected with through both her professional and philanthropic work all over the globe. The conversational tone of this book will keep you turning the pages faster than you can sip on your summertime beverage.

It’s the Manager by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter

Just published in May 2019, this book reveals 52 key findings from Gallup’s largest study on the future of work. The study found that the quality of managers and team leads are the single biggest factor in a company’s long-term success. Both authors have previously penned best-selling books, and this is sure to join that list shortly. A bonus in this book is it also comes with a code to access the CliftonStrengths assessment, which reveals your top five strengths.  If you haven’t taken the assessment yet – it is definitely worth doing so this summer!

Feedback (and Other Dirty Words): Why We Fear It, How to Fix It by M. Tamra Chandler and Laura Dowling Grealish

Performance reviews are often dreaded events, but this book helps flip the script and explains how to turn that fear into an opportunity to flourish.  You will learn the three F’s of feedback (focused, fair, and frequent) as well as find exercises to practice what the book preaches.  The real-world examples help to underscore how to turn receiving feedback into a positive experience. This book is the perfect pick for your Fourth of July vacation since it doesn’t debut until June 18, 2019.

WOLFPACK: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game by Abby Wambach

As the Women’s FIFA World Cup kicks off in France this month, it’s the perfect time to read this book written by one of the stars of soccer. Based on her 2018 Barnard College commencement speech, which went viral, this short read (less than 100 pages) serves as a rallying cry for women to unite with their “wolfpack”. You will be fired up and ready to take on tasks of Olympic proportion after finishing the book.

Want more summer reading suggestions? Bill Gates recently released his 2019 summer reading list or you can check out our past suggestions. Let us know what books tops your list this summer – we’d love to hear from you!

Events

Soak Up the Sun in Indy this Summer

June 6, 2019
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That’s Good HR focuses on staffing the local Indianapolis area, which means we work local, live local and most importantly love to play local! Summer is the perfect time to get out and experience all that Indy has to offer!  There’s no shortage of festivals in Indy during the summer months and here’s where you’ll find our staff hanging out and soaking up summer.

Lindsey Curtis never misses the Italian Street Festival at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. If homemade pizza, spaghetti sauce, cannoli and cheesecake sound good to you, then mark your calendar for June 14 and 15 from 5 – 11 p.m. The best part about this festival (besides the food) is admission and parking are free!

What’s the “best day ever” for Tiffany Moore?  It’s Carmel Fest on July 4.  She loves the parade, the food AND the fireworks. The celebration kicks off this year on July 3 and features a kids zone, talent show, 4.5 mile run – not to mention a plethora of vendors and food.

Greta Cline spends a week every summer relishing in the fun at the Boone County Fair – you’ll find her July 20-26 at The Fair Shake serving up grilled cheese, milkshakes and more!

All summer long you can find Ashley Paramoure hanging out at free concerts, eating ice cream, and riding bikes with her kids on the Monon Trail. Free summer fun concerts can be found in Indy at Holliday Park, Eagle Creek Park, Garfield Park and downtown on the Canal at the Indiana History Center and Eiteljorg Museum – click here for a full list.

For more ideas on how to celebrate summer in Indy check out this list of 100 things to do this summer compliments of Indy’s Child or Thrillist’s list of cool things to do in Indy. For a robust list of summer festivals, Downtown Indy has them all lined-up for you!

Tell us…what’s your favorite way to celebrate summer in Indy?

Seasonal

Out of Office Messages for Any Occasion

April 11, 2019
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Even though spring has just sprung, are you already planning your summer vacation? Are you dreaming about setting your OOO (Out of Office) before Memorial Day even arrives?  Before summer hits there are two items to check off your to-do list.  First thing to do is contact That’s Good HR. This ensures that your office will be covered, and you can have the relaxing, restful vacation you deserve. Our team can send you a temporary employee for when you or your staff will be out of the office.

Next, make sure you set your out of office message.  Whether you are gone for one day or one week, setting an auto-response message helps people know when to expect a return reply.

Only headed out for one day? The Muse has two examples for simple messages you can use to minimize emergencies in your inbox.

Are you going to be out of the office for a special occasion?  If your company culture allows, it’s always best to personalize your out of office with why you are out.  Personalization can create a connection and give context at the same time.  For example, if you will be out of the office to get married, sharing that in your out of office message will convey to your business contacts that you most likely won’t be checking email on the big day.  Perhaps someone you email also recently got engaged or married and you can share your stories.  See some examples of occasions where you might be OOO.

Not sure what to write on your Out of Office message? No fear, this OOO Generator compliments of Hubspot will automatically generate an out of office message for you. Simply enter your info in the prompts and choose summertime or holiday theme. Two fun and jazzy out of office messages will be generated for you to copy and paste into your email.  If they don’t match your personal style, use them as a jumping off point to craft a message that is on point with your personal brand.

Our team is ready to help you head OOO.  Someone is always in the office, so you do not get an out of office message!

Seasonal

TGHR Souper Bowl

February 1, 2019
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With crazy cold temperatures in the Midwest and the big game approaching this weekend, team TGHR decided to heat up the office with a little friendly competition.  Introducing the inaugural TGHR Souper Bowl!  Staff members made soups and desserts to share during an office lunch.  Our big winner was Pizza Soup, but the other entries definitely made the playoffs in our book.  Try your hand at these soups and let us know which one you think is a touchdown.

Crowd-Pleasing Pizza Soup

This is crowd favorite especially with kids.  What really sends this soup over the goal line is topping it with mozzarella cheese and garlic butter croutons.

1 pound ground sausage

½ cup onion, diced

4 cups water

2 jars of pizza sauce (16 oz. each)

1 package pepperoni cut into quarters – pro tip: look for the mini pepperonis to use there fore no cutting needed

2 tomatoes diced

1 tsp sugar

½ tsp Italian seasoning

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp dried rosemary

¼ tsp dried basil

Brown and drain sausage and onion. Put in crock pot with other ingredients and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Great soup to make the night before the big game as this soup tastes best the next day.

Sausage Supreme

We’ll find out which team reigns supreme this weekend, but this soup was a winner! This one comes with the option of making it in a stockpot or a crock pot.

1 pound Italian sausage

1 onion, diced (red onion was used)

1 can Northern White Beans (do not drain)

1 can chicken broth

1 can of Rotel

1 Tbsp oregano

Salt and Pepper to taste

Brown sausage with onion.  If in stockpot add other ingredients and simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes. In crockpot, heat for 3 hours.

Touchdown Tortellini Tomato

This soup was top draft pick and comes together so quick, it will be ready by halftime.

1 can petite tomatoes (28 oz)

1 can chicken broth (28 oz)

1 can tomato soup (21.5 oz)

1 package chive and onion cream cheese spread (16 oz)

1 package cheese tortellini (found in refrigerated section)

1 pound Italian sausage (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and simmer for 1 hour.

Huddle-up Vegetable & Steak Soup

This low-carb soup will warm you up so fast, you will feel like you are in the middle of the huddle.

1 pound beef stew cubes

2 cans of diced tomatoes with garlic and oregano

3 cans of beef broth

1 package of each: corn, green beans, edamame, carrots (frozen)

Radishes, quartered

Place all ingredients in the crockpot on low for 8 hours, add water if needed.

Legendary Red Beans and Rice

This take on a classic is sure to be a winner!

1 pound uncooked (dry) red kidney beans

12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced

5 garlic cloves, minced

3 celery stalks, diced

1 medium white onion, peeled and diced

1 bell pepper, cored and diced

2 tsp Creole seasoning

1 tsp hot sauce, or more/less to taste

1/2 tsp dried thyme

2 bay leaves

7 cups chicken or vegetable stock

Salt and pepper to taste

Rinse the kidney beans thoroughly. Add the kidney beans, sausage, garlic, celery, onion, bell pepper, Creole seasoning, hot sauce, dried thyme, bay leaves and chicken stock to the crockpot and stir. Cook on high for 6-8 hours, or until the kidney beans are soft and cooked through.  Season with salt and pepper.  Before serving, remove the Bay leaves. Serve immediately over rice, garnished with green onions. Recipe here.

Spicy Chicken Ramen with a Kick

There’s no pressure to make the extra point when you make this soup with a kick!

4 cups low sodium chicken broth

1 can coconut milk (14 oz)

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

2 Tbsp fish sauce

2 Tbsp honey

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

2 Tbsp red chili sauce (or sriracha)

1/4 cup Thai red curry paste

3/4 pounds rotisserie chicken

8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

2 red peppers, chopped

1 zucchini

1 inch fresh ginger, grated

1 clove garlic, minced or grated

2-4 squares ramen noodles

1 line, juiced

3 cups fresh baby spinach

1/3 cup fresh basil or cilantro, roughly chopped

In a large soup pot, combine the broth, coconut milk, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, peanut butter, and chili sauce. Add the chicken, cremini mushrooms, red peppers, zucchini, ginger, and garlic. Simmer on the stove over medium heat for 15 minutes. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat. Stir in the noodles, lime juice, spinach, and cilantro. Let the noodles soften. Top the soup with peanuts, cilantro and scallions. Recipe here.

Seasonal

Our Intent

Susie McKenna
January 10, 2019
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Annually as the new year approaches, many folks take time set their intentions for the next year. Making a new year’s resolution is common place on January 1, but 80 percent of resolutions fail by February. One thing you can do to help your resolution – or resolutions – stick is to share them with others who can help keep you accountable.

To prepare for the new year, the TGHR team engaged in a fun, crafty activity one day during a staff lunch. Using a kit bought online, each TGHR staff member came up with a word that sums up what they want out of the new year. We took the words and hammered them on to bracelets that can be worn as a reminder of our intention. It was great to share these words and the meaning behind them with the co-workers we see daily. We also documented our intentions on our office white board (well in our case our board is, of course, orange – our signature color), so we can help keep each other accountable.

What’s your word for 2019? Here are ours:
Mary – Breathe & Patience
Tiffany – Let Go
Amber – Grace & Serve
Lindsey – Cici & Sully
Kate – Be Present
Lana – Trust
Ashley – Thrive
Madison – Be Bold
Staci – Breathe
Greta – Patience
Kirstia – Strength
Susie – Grace
Meaghan – Faith over Fear
Emma – Rooted

We’re excited to get the new year underway. If getting a new job is one of your 2019 resolutions, give us a call – we’re ready to help you achieve that goal!

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