Press Release: See In Colors Awarded Project Restore Grant to Expand Business Operations

Press Release: See In Colors Awarded Project Restore Grant to Expand Business Operations

by | Mar 15, 2023 | Business

PRESS RELEASE

March 9, 2023

For Immediate Release

See In Colors Awarded Project Restore Grant to Expand Business Operations

Greenbelt, Maryland – See In Colors, a woman owned visual communication company, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant from the Governor of Maryland. The grant will help support the business’s efforts to promote economic growth and job creation in the area.

The award is a part of the Project Restore initiative, which seeks to help businesses that are expanding, opening, or moving into previously vacant commercial space. The Governor stated that the initiative has been a huge success, and that the latest round of grants will further extend its impact across the state. See In Colors was 1 out of 376 select business owners awarded this round.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for the importance of our work and efforts to make a positive impact on our community.” said Lisa Nelson, Founder/CEO of See In Colors. “Our new office is situated in the heart of Old Greenbelt at The Granite Building. We look forward to working with other local businesses to support economic recovery in Greenbelt and across the state.”

About See In Colors
See In Colors is a visual communication company that “draws the big picture” for organizations using strategic planning, training, and meeting facilitation. These services enable public and private sector organizations to see solutions and have impactful programs. For more information about See In Colors, please visit their website at seeincolors.com

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The When, Why, and How of Planning Your Staff Retreat

The When, Why, and How of Planning Your Staff Retreat

by | Jul 14, 2022 | Facilitation, Leadership

If you’ve been stuck on how to move forward with your staff retreat, now’s the time to take initiative. Mid-year and end-of-year are two great opportunities to get your team together to share, plan, reflect, and build community.

Here’s what to know about planning a staff retreat.

Why Plan a Staff Retreat?

Don’t let the word “retreat” put you off. Staff retreats are hugely productive – and are critical for steering your organization in the right direction. They’re a way to get your team aligned with your vision and mission, and an opportunity to reconnect away from the keyboard. Newer team members or remote/hybrid workers will also get the opportunity to put faces to names, building camaraderie and organizational buy-in.

The “When” of Your Staff Retreat Matters

Technically, a staff retreat can happen whenever it’s convenient for your calendar. But there are certain times of the year that will return the most value. A year-end date is great for reflecting on the previous year’s efforts and for redirecting team energy into the next year. Meanwhile, a mid-year date can galvanize your team to push forward and give their all for the remainder of the year. Retreats can also double as rewards for finishing a major project, or can help refocus and reorient the organization in the wake of major organizational change. Be mindful to plan your retreat around popular holiday breaks – and avoid overlapping important religious or cultural events. 

How to Plan Your Staff Retreat

Organizing a staff retreat involves many moving parts. For best results, make the process collaborative and inclusive. For example:

  • Use Doodle Polls or Calendly to choose a date. Shortlist a few dates and invite team input to see what works best for your team. Depending on the size and make-up of your organization, it might make sense to book multiple days. Think mid-year, end-of-year, or even around key events or milestones in your organizational calendar. Polls are also vital for identifying dietary needs and other accommodations.
  • Decide on in-person or virtual format. In-person gatherings are ideal, but whether this is a viable option depends on the distribution of your organization. If your team is scattered across the country, offer to fly everyone to a central destination, or piggyback your meeting off an industry conference or event. For smaller budgets, a strategic partner’s conference room or a coworking space can be an affordable way to get people out of the office. (If you opt for a virtual get-together, here’s how to make it a success.)
  • Know your goals and plan accordingly. Retreats aren’t one-size-fits-all. Identify what you want to achieve with your retreat, and build out your itinerary to suit. Set objectives, break into groups, invest in facilitation and visual note-taking services, and follow up with post-retreat material that your team can incorporate into their day-to-day. 

Ready to make your staff retreat a success? Make it visual for an experience that  delivers value for your team – and your organization as a whole.  Add Graphic Recording to your staff retreat so that everyone can SEE the big picture. Contact us today!

Make Your Virtual Staff Retreat A Success With These Out-of-the-Box Ideas

Make Your Virtual Staff Retreat A Success With These Out-of-the-Box Ideas

by | Jul 14, 2022 | Business, Event Planning, Uncategorized, Visual Thinking

After two years of virtual everything, we understand the screen fatigue. People want to retreat from Zoom, not go on a virtual retreat on Zoom. But don’t blame the virtual platforms. Virtual meetings, events, and staff retreats don’t have to play second fiddle to in-person meet-ups. A virtual savvy tech host and a consultation with experts like See in Colors can elevate your virtual staff retreat to one that’s memorable in all the right ways. 

Whether you’re hosting a mid-year retreat to rally your team to dig deep through the end of the year, or planning an end-of-year celebration, here are the three components that make for a successful, impactful, and dare we say it…fun virtual staff retreat.

1. Create a Theme

Now we’re talking. Themes are great for unifying an event and getting people off the sidelines and into the action. Develop a comprehensive theme that lends itself well to teams, events, activities, and competitions. A retro theme offers opportunities for costumes, old-school music, and nostalgic TV quizzes. A sports theme brings out people’s natural competitiveness, and can be plenty of fun if you opt for less conventional sports. A theme is great for setting the intention of your time together, while also encouraging participation and good-natured competition. Choose one that’s inclusive and that will resonate with your team. 

2. Celebrate the Wins

Too often in day-to-day life, we fail to celebrate the wins – big and small. A virtual staff retreat is the ideal time to cheer on team members who have made a difference, met milestones, or who have done great things within (or outside of) the company. Schedule an award ceremony (formal attire recommended) to cap off your event, as well as daily “awards” to help start each day off on the right note. These can be serious or silly, or a mix of both. By the way – just because the event is virtual doesn’t mean the awards have to be. Arrange to have a small gift or novelty trophy sent to each team member’s address with details of their award.

3. Add Some Entertainment

Sure, staff retreats are a place to come together and do business, but you can’t be all business, all the time! Book entertainers from all walks of life to entertain your team, keep them engaged, or help them tap into their creativity and communication skills. Turns out fun and professional growth go hand in hand! At See in Colors we’ve seen  great results including magicians, improv coaches, mindfulness instructors, wellness coaches, and even book authors. These all offer a refreshing perspective that can help your team feel re-energized and excited about how they approach their work.

If a virtual staff retreat is on your to-do list of things to arrange, make sure it’s a good one. Talk to See in Colors about how to ensure your virtual retreat is one everyone will be happy to log on to.

Meeting Facilitation Must-Knows

Meeting Facilitation Must-Knows

by | Jun 21, 2022 | Business, Facilitation

After two years of largely virtual events, the summits, seminars and conferences are starting to show up on our calendars again. In-person team meetings and gatherings are making a come-back as well as we all revel in getting things done – together!

If your meeting facilitation skills are a touch rusty, use these five must-know tips to achieve a polished result.

1. BYOM (Bring Your Own Markers)

Come ready with a fresh pack of dry erase-friendly markers. This way you’ll be covered in case your venue doesn’t provide them or the provided ones are dry or in hard-to-read colors. Avoid low-visibility colors like yellow or orange, and use markers with a thick point. If your audience is expected to take notes or contribute, have extra writing implements and paper available.  

2. Check COVID and Other Safety Protocols

COVID might not be #1 on people’s minds these days, but it’s still with us! Check case numbers in your area, follow recommended protocols for masking, social distancing, and vaccination status, and provide virtual attendance options for the immunocompromised. Share information about health and safety procedures such as emergency exit routes or the location of first-aid spaces. 

3. Get on Top of the Food Situation

If you’re in charge of food, ensure that snacks, beverages, breakfast, and lunch are provided. Cater to a variety of dietary requirements and make sure that food is labeled. Prior to your meeting, confirm any allergies and provide separate, allergen-free food. If food isn’t provided, make it easy for attendees to order meals, or share a list of nearby dining options.

4. Use Visuals for Wayfinding and Time Management

Visuals set the mood, guide people to where they need to be, and help keep your meeting on track. Print and place welcome signs, wayfinding messaging, and meeting outlines. Have a large sheet or whiteboard where you can “park” attendee questions or ideas to return to after the end of the meeting. 

5. Organize Room Layout and Seating

Avoid a free-for-all when it comes to seating. Arrive early to set up your meeting room in a way that’s most conducive to your agenda and format. Don’t forget to check your tech before you start! Provide adequate seating, with some seats designated for speakers or those with mobility requirements. 

Facilitating a meeting involves juggling a number of moving parts. We hope these five simple tips will help you prepare for a successful in-person event! Need tips on hosting a memorable meeting, or assistance with note-taking and recording? Get in touch!

If your meeting facilitation skills are a touch rusty, use these five must-know tips to achieve a polished result.

Breaking Down the Role of the Meeting Facilitator

Breaking Down the Role of the Meeting Facilitator

by | Jun 21, 2022 | Business, Facilitation, Leadership, Uncategorized

Meetings don’t run themselves. An experienced facilitator can help keep your meeting on track, ensure that all voices are heard, promote discussion and conversation, and streamline transitions between topics and speakers. 

At See in Colors, we’re experts at facilitating meetings – and we’re committed to delivering an elevated experience for every participant. Here’s what makes a powerful meeting facilitator.

Has Processes for Getting it Done.

Meetings are complex and organic, with many moving parts. A great meeting facilitator has proven processes and procedures in place to meet identified outcomes, keep the meeting focused, and adhere to the schedule. Working these things out on the fly is never recommended – a good facilitator will know when and how to step in to maximize productivity, communication, and impact.

Knows Facilitation Ebbs and Flows.

Meetings are like symphonies: they ebb and flow in terms of speed, energy, and presentation techniques. An experienced meeting facilitator will be able to match the energy of the presentation and dial things up or down in order to keep the meeting moving along comfortably and naturally. They won’t force a pace or a tone – their goal is to work from the sidelines to guide things along and ensure smooth transitions.

Gives Everyone a Voice.

It’s all too common for one or two voices to dominate the floor in a meeting. A good facilitator will be mindful of giving everyone equal opportunity to participate, and will create space for people to do so (especially if the boss is in the room.) They might invite questions, lead a discussion, or monitor the group chat for key talking points. Their presence also provides more opportunity for managers to chime in: having a facilitator overseeing the meeting takes that task off the plate of your senior staff.  

Leads from the Rear.

A facilitator is a guide, not a keynote speaker. They don’t take center stage, but rather lead from the back of the room. An experienced facilitator will lead with a light touch, giving presenters and participants the spotlight. At See in Colors part of the meeting facilitation our clients often leverage is our graphic recording services. This type of visual meeting notes and minutes allow us to capture questions, action items and aha! moments throughout the event. It’s active listening made visual and holds the attention of the room long term. 

Is a Neutral Voice.

Meeting facilitators are a neutral party there to help a meeting succeed – not to put their own stamp on it. Their job is to build trust, create a communal space, and make sure the meeting addresses the points and goals outlined in its schedule. They might diffuse a situation or help a meeting move past a roadblock, but they’re an impartial spectator, not someone there to push an agenda.

At See in Colors we’re expert meeting facilitators. We can help take meeting management off the plate of your team leaders, freeing them up to listen and participate – and ensure an inclusive, productive, streamlined environment that makes meetings something your team will look forward to attending. Talk to us today about our meeting facilitation services. 

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