Pimp My PowerPoint
Whether you’re a seasoned PowerPoint veteran or a newbie learning the ropes, everyone can use a lesson in how to make PowerPoint a useful tool to aid in presentations. CGX Leadership Development Program Associates from around the country dialed in to a webinar on Wednesday, May 16th, to do just that. Hosted by the LDP Team and presented by Brad Karsh of JB Training Solutions, “Life by PowerPoint: Crafting Compelling Presentations” was an hour full of useful lessons from which all associates can benefit.
Some of the takeaways included:
-Tell a Story: Engage your audience by telling stories; the content is more interesting and meaningful if presented in a story!
-PowerPoint isn’t a Teleprompter: Don’t put every word on your slide; limit each slide to a 20 word maximum, and learn your material without relying on reading your slides.
-Use Pictures: Pictures elicit emotional reactions and help paint your story in a more dynamic way.
-Consistency is Key: Transitions and visual aids should enhance the presentation, not distract from it; use appealing templates, colors, fonts, and styles.
We are looking forward to seeing these lessons in action when Associates present their Company Improvement Plans at the National Associates’ Meeting this August!
#TeamBrad Jazzes Up emerge!
This past April, the two of us, along with the several other Associates who made up #TeamBrad (our self-titled group of associates volunteering at emerge, led in spirit by Brad Vought), spent a week in New Orleans helping to put on CGX’s emerge conference. As part of #TeamBrad, we spent a large part of our time assisting clients and CGX employees with their needs, such as directing traffic to and from breakout rooms, carrying luggage and sample materials to their proper locations for attendees, helping guests find their hotel rooms, and providing directions home from Bourbon Street. Apart from customer-facing roles, #TeamBrad also worked hard behind the scenes. From assembling the business expo kiosks to preparing and staging PowerPoint presentation booklets, there was always more work to be done!
The hard work paid off in the end, though. For the finale of emerge, CGX put on a fantastic parade complete with lots of beads, which traveled through the streets of New Orleans from the hotel to the House of Blues. The parade, which was the largest private parade in New Orleans in recent years, included 18 floats, loaded with everyone who attended emerge, and marching bands that played live music for both those in and watching the parade. At the end of the parade, everyone funneled into the House of Blues to enjoy a night of live music and good times. With all the music, beads, spectators, and not to mention the motorcycle police escort, it was pretty difficult to not have a great time. It also didn’t hurt that the parade was led by two young LDP studs… - Bryan Hester (Hennegan) and Nick Letterly (Mercury)
Above: Nick and Bryan lead the CGX Parade through New Orleans, LA.
Associate Road Trip!
Last month, the associates at CP Solutions got the chance to tour Printing Inc., another CGX company, located in Wichita, Kansas. It was a really exciting experience because most of us had never visited another sister company. The Printing Inc. associates led us all on a tour of their entire facility, which spans several buildings. Even though we have some similar equipment, it was really interesting to see the big differences in our plant layouts, as well as some of their unique capabilities. One of their machines even has the capability to UV, Glitter UV and and full metal finishing! After visiting their pressroom we were able to see the high-definition ink that they are beginning to use; it was amazing as well!
After lunch, we visited Big Ink, a division of Printing Inc., and that was equally mind-blowing. At CP Solutions, we do a lot of mailing, so seeing the continuous forms and carbon-free capabilities was very different to us. During our visit, we also got to know the associates at Printing Inc. and the differences in our programs, from on-site interview processes, to how they run on a daily basis. We really appreciate them taking us on such a great tour!
-Ashley York, CP Solutions
Nies/Artcraft Associates Sprint for Print!
Some of the Associates at Nies/Artcraft Printing decided to take part in the GO! St. Louis Marathon Relay on April 15th. We put together two teams to have fun and gain some exposure. With over 500 relay teams participating in the event, Nies Team Sprint for Print finished 20th overall and 5th in the co-ed corporate division. The weather was great and it was a fun way to market ourselves. Like the signs say, most people don’t even drive 26.2 miles on a Sunday!
In picture from left to right: Ashley Didion, Jennifer Didion, Jon McBain, Tony Allen, Todd Schulte, Mike Vogel , Ashley Ragnow
Team A: Sprint for Print
Erin Robinson
Todd Schulte
Mike Vogel
Ashley Ragnow
Team B: Nies/Artcraft
Jon McBain
Tony Allen
Jen Didion
Ashley Didion
-Todd Schulte, Nies/Artcraft Associate
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
Consolidated Graphics’ emerge, an annual customer conference and business expo, was held in New Orleans, Louisiana this year from April 17-20. Many associates from across the country flew down to the Big Easy to help ensure the event ran smoothly. The associates who were chosen to volunteer at this event could expect to labor behind the scenes, ensuring that even the tiniest details of the conference were presented in a perfect manner.
Between their countless hours of hard work, a few associates posed for a picture in front of the House of Blues!
CGX HR Associates take on Pinot’s Palette!
The associates in Human Resources enjoyed a fun Wednesday evening spent turning blank canvases into the beautiful floral masterpieces seen below!
Mr. Davis visits Frederic Printing!
Mr. Davis and the Frederic associates stand in front of the Frederic Printing sign in Denver, CO
From L to R: Paul Schofield, Spenser Eisen, Stephen Iwen, Chad Hamilton, Reuel MacDonald, Melissa Weintraub, Jessee Swezey, Katie Tolbert, Mr. Davis, Dresden Dorazewski, Lisa Haygood, Matt Montoya, Amy Pool, Rachel Dembrun
U of Houston Students present to the LDP Team
This spring semester, a group of 8 University of Houston students were assigned a class project of helping our Leadership Development Program team market the CGX brand to potential candidates more effectively. Their project culminated with a presentation at our corporate office, where they presented their research and ideas. Both the recruiters and students learned a lot from this great project!
Mercury Associates Bowl for a Good Cause!
The associates at Mercury Printing, along with team captain and CSR Richard Meek, participated in the annual Bowl-A-Thon for Junior Achievement, one of the largest fundraising events in the state of Tennessee. The Mercury associates raised $700 through a Candy-Gram fundraiser during Valentine’s Day, which led to many happy valentines and secret admirers. Funds generated from this event allowed Junior Achievement to continue program expansion of its in-school business and economic education programs.
Though the Mercury Team, “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Gutter”, bowled more than their share of gutter balls, they still had a great time at the Bowl-A-Thon.
-Shira Sax, Mercury Printing
It’s that time of year again… MARCH MADNESS!
We’ve got some Colorado Buffalo’s in the house! Jennifer Gordon, Kaitlyn Orblom, Kelsi Cooke and Amanda Constancio of Tewell Warren in Denver, CO are ready to cheer their team on during tonights game. GO BUFFS!
