Category: Blog

As any good leader knows, team building and camaraderie are critical to achieving exceptional results and high levels of employee satisfaction. When the pandemic hit last year, the Noisy Trumpet team had to get creative with how to continue connecting as a team.

From virtual Happy Hours, to charcuterie board round tables and virtual pizza parties, we tried it all. And, it worked! While we couldn’t physically be together, the ability to connect with co-workers in a relaxed environment via Zoom still achieved the desired result of helping people connect and cope in an environment of disconnection and worry. It allowed everyone to meet without an agenda, to check in with each other and just reconnect. Happy, relaxed employees deliver better results.

Now that companies are gradually transitioning back to the office setting, we thought it was time to have our first in-person team building event in over a year. At the end of April, the Noisy Trumpet team met at J Philippus Art Studio and Gallery for a fun afternoon of glass art making. From cardinals to crosses, hearts and Fiesta art to beautiful sunsets, our team made it all. There were even some snacks and sips of wine to add to the fun!

Employee satisfaction is more important now than ever before. Team outings don’t detract from productivity; they increase it. With optimally-timed gatherings and outings without an agenda, teams can efficiently connect, enjoy each other’s company and recharge, so they bring their best to the work place each day.

All business leaders are grappling with how to return to the office in a safe and responsible way. The questions of when and how to safely return while still meeting the needs of the business, staff, and clients looms in the mind of management.

After months of review, thought and planning, Noisy Trumpet Digital & Public Relations is moving forward with a hybrid return to work plan initially, beginning May 3. The beginning of May was selected as our target back to the office date because of the decreased cases of Covid-19 locally, along with the availability of vaccines for all age groups starting at the end of March.

Our hybrid work format will bring employees back to our office setting for three days a week while still allowing remote work two days per week. The goal for our planning was to safely have our staff at the office while being cognizant of client needs and our employees’ health and safety.

By strategically planning a detailed calendar, we were able to schedule teams who collaborate regularly together, while still giving our employees variety in who they see throughout the week. It was important as an agency to still have full access to different team members for input and brainstorming on various projects. So, schedules were staggered to provide this access.

In addition, we also planned for one day per week for all staff to be in the office for maximum collaboration and staff meetings, and one day per week where everyone works remotely. We didn’t want to lose our leadership edge in our business category. Our staff embraced this plan because they wanted the flexibility to continue to work remotely for part of the week while transitioning back to the office.

This gradual return to office plan seems to be a good fit for Noisy Trumpet team members. The feedback I have heard is our team is ready to have some level of normal work time at the office, while still having some remote work options to maintain a healthy balance. The pandemic has forced all businesses to rethink how they approach staffing and office space. Being flexible and adaptable is just one more layer to staying competitive in an ever-changing market.

The past year has changed the way we work and interact with one another. From daily correspondence, meetings and events, businesses have learned to adapt to a new virtual work environment.

For media outlets, live and pre-recorded video interviews have become common practice in order to offer guests a safe experience outside of an in-studio setting.

To ensure a seamless and successful ‘Zoom’ interview, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Always put your phone on “do not disturb”
2. Close your applications (Outlook, Slack e.g.) and turn off all notifications on your computer
3. Gather a few props related to your story (branded clothing, accessories, artwork, e.g.)
4. Sit facing a natural source of light or an LED “ring” light
5. Make sure to turn off any background noise (T.V., ceiling fan, e.g.)
6. Using earphones with a microphone will offer a better quality sound than built-in computer speakers
7. Keep your camera at eye level so you are not looking down during the interview
8. If you are using your phone camera, position the camera horizontally not vertically on a stand or phone stabilizer
9. Avoid wearing busy clothing or prints as it can be distracting for viewers
10. Most importantly, write down and review your talking points prior to your interview

Are you Interested in learning more about on-camera best practices and the benefits of media training? We can help! Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet, and DM away!

Personal safety is a hot topic these days, particularly in the middle of a pandemic. But, for many, personal safety goes way beyond talk of viruses, masks, hand sanitizer and vaccines. 

For some, personal safety is a hard, life-changing decision made for themselves and their children. It’s often a life and death situation for women and children, and even men, caught in a cycle of abuse.

While we hear stories in the news, it became real to me when three women were murdered in our small town last year. The pressures of lockdowns, job loss and everyday stressors were too much and three women lost their lives at the hands of an abuser.

That is why I support Safer Path Family Violence Shelter, a safe haven for all those individuals suffering from domestic violence and sexual assault. 

From the cashier at a local gas station asking me about restraining orders to keep her safe once her ex gets released from prison to another woman telling me how she overcame and escaped long-term abuse, these are real people with real lives and children who are affected. 

Safer Path offers a respite from domestic violence and an array of resources for our community. I am proud to be able to direct those in need to counselors and services at Safer Path. Yet, all great organizations like Safer Path, need our support from people like you and me to make a life-changing difference. That’s why I serve on the Safer Path Board of Directors and our companies donate to important fundraisers like Pulling for Safer Path, Sporting Clay Shoot. 

The PM Group and Noisy Trumpet donated $1,400 in gift cards and $1,000 cash for their silent auction at this event to help raise needed funds for these important services. Every donation helps to sustain life-giving services like those at Safer Path.

Won’t you join me in committing time and resources to end abuse in all its forms?

ABOUT SAFER PATH FAMILY VIOLENCE SHELTER

Safer Path Family Violence Shelter, formerly known as Atascosa Family Crisis Center, was established as a nonprofit 501 (c)3 in April of 1992 to provide support to the victims of dating violence, family violence, sexual assault and stalking. If you find yourself in one of these situations, we would like to help you gain the strength you need to make changes in your life to get you out of your current situation. We provide 24-hour service to our victims. Learn more at saferpathfvs.org or call 830-569-2001.

ABOUT THE PM GROUP

The PM Group was founded in 1988. For over 33 years, the agency has continued to grow and is San Antonio’s largest advertising agency. The PM Group’s client roster spans numerous industries including automotive, CPG, entertainment and sports marketing, legal, business services, non-profits, real estate and fitness. For two consecutive years now, the Agency has set annual revenue records with the addition of six new clients and through the continued success of our existing clients. Additionally, the agency hosts their annual Charity Gala that to date has raised millions of dollars for local San Antonio area non-profit organizations in the last 15 years! In 2020 alone, the Agency donated over $1,050,000 to local non-profits. It is our way of giving back to the community that we so humbly serve.

ABOUT NOISY TRUMPET

Noisy Trumpet is a nationally recognized integrated digital and public relations firm in San Antonio, driven by statistical insights and designed to elevate brands across various marketing channels. With deep expertise in digital, web, social media and public relations, Noisy Trumpet is committed to staying abreast of the latest industry trends in order to identify new and innovative opportunities for clients. Learn more about Noisy Trumpet at noisytrumpet.com.

Noisy Trumpet would like to extend a BIG congratulations to our client Rudy’s Bar-B-Q, who in partnership with UT Health San Antonio – MD Anderson Center, helped raise $117,928 for the San Antonio Cancer Council.

The money raised was part of Rudy’s Bar-B-Q’s annual “Pink” campaign where patrons at any of their four participating locations received a FREE $10.00 Bar-B-Q voucher for their next visit when they made a $5.00 donation at checkout.

A special check presentation was held on Monday, March 29 at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q’s newest location at Nakoma and Interstate 281. President Mary Downey and Former President Cheryl Wright from the San Antonio Cancer Society received the check on behalf of the organization.

Noisy Trumpet is always proud to support clients like Rudy’s Bar-B-Q who regularly give back to the community. Stay on top of what’s happening in and around San Antonio. We are constantly working to stay ahead of the curve, and support our community. Would you like to connect with us? Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet or DM away!