Bonnie Woods’ Post

Are you genuinely excited for your work’s Christmas party!? Will it be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the year’s successes, take a moment to be grateful for all the challenges overcome, and bond with your colleagues? Delicious food, loads of laughs...and some surprisingly interesting non-business convo. Sounds good! 🍻 🥂 🎉 Or....is this sounding more familiar…. Already planning how long you’re going to stick it out…before you reel off your well rehearsed excuse to make an early exit? Can’t leave the dog too long on it’s own eh (you don’t even own a dog) 🤔 Filled with anxiety about whether you’ll get stuck next to the ‘bore’ at the Xmas meal...or that colleague that’s been passively aggressively stitching you up all year? Worried you might drink too much……and some horrible home-truths start spilling out!? Visualising that cathartic moment when you finally let the business owners know the REAL level of disdain you have for their ideas, strategy and general persona…. If you were running the business, you’d show them! 💪 If you are counting down the days until the work’s Christmas with excitement…..that’s just another good sign you’re working with the right people (or you’re an alcoholic). Maybe you’re an introvert, or you have other interests in your spare time, and that’s absolutely fine too… …but if you normally LOVE (or even just like) going out, partying, wining, dining, dancing, chin-wagging, just NOT with your work colleagues… …maybe it’s time to consider some of the new job opportunities I’m working on! Don’t wait until January, give me a shout and let's see if we can upgrade next year's Xmas party experience. [email protected] #hvacr #BMS #cooling #heating #engineering #sales #management #happinessmatters #recruitment

🌟 Happy Thursday everyone! 🌟 I hope you're all feeling as energized and excited for the day ahead as I am! ☀️ Yesterday, I received a message that got me thinking deeply about something I'm often asked: "Why do you post every day?" Some might see it as repetitive, but to me, it's a reflection of my unwavering belief in the power of consistency and the importance of every single day in the realm of hospitality. In hospitality, every day matters. It's not just about going through the motions; it's about making a difference—for your teams, your guests, your clients, your stakeholders. The way we perform can shape someone's future, influence their memories, and leave a lasting impact. Think about it: whether it's a three-day conference or a routine workweek, the experience we deliver matters every single day. There's no room for complacency, no time to let up just because we feel like we've accomplished something. Because for someone else, today might be their first experience, their moment of truth. Yesterday was fantastic, and tomorrow holds even greater promise, but today—this moment—is where our focus should lie. It's about embracing the opportunities and challenges that lay before us and giving our absolute best, each and every day. For me, LinkedIn isn't just a platform—it's my journal, a space where I can share my passions, insights, and experiences in the hopes of inspiring others. Whether it's a lesson learned, a success celebrated, or a new adventure embarked upon, I believe in the power of sharing and connecting with others on this journey. And as I look ahead, I'm reminded that these daily posts aren't just for the here and now; they're part of a legacy I'm building—one that I hope will inspire and resonate with generations to come. Someday, when I'm reminiscing with my grandchildren, I'll be able to share stories of the incredible people I've met and the meaningful work we've done together, simply by doing what I love. So, here's to embracing each day with purpose, to making a difference in the lives of others, and to sharing our stories with passion and authenticity. Together, let's make today count! 💼✨ #Hospitality #Consistency #LegacyBuilding

🚗🎄 Christmas Party Reminder for the Automotive Industry 🎄🚗 As the festive season approaches, many of us in the automotive industry will be gearing up for our annual Christmas parties. While it's a great opportunity to celebrate achievements and connect with colleagues, it's important to remember that professionalism still matters. Keep these tips in mind: 1. **Drink responsibly** – Enjoy the festivities, but don't let alcohol cloud your judgment. 2. **Respect boundaries** – Keep conversations respectful and inclusive. 3. **Mind your behavior** – A single misstep can impact your reputation and career. Let's celebrate safely and professionally, ensuring the holidays are memorable for all the right reasons! #AutomotiveIndustry #ChristmasParty #Professionalism #StaySafe #CareerTips #HolidaySeason

As I look forward to tonight’s Christmas party with my colleagues, I find myself reflecting on how much has changed in both my life and career. For me, born in the previous millennium, 2025 feels like a time I could barely imagine when I was younger. The thought of living in the 2020s once felt almost surreal. But here I am, and I love it. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with people who are completely different from me – people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. That diversity has been one of the greatest sources of learning, curiosity, and growth in my work. Being exposed to new ways of thinking and working has sometimes led to unexpected turns, but those moments are where I’ve grown the most. For me, my job is about creating something together with others – contributing to something bigger than myself. And getting to do that with people who challenge me, inspire me, and help me grow is something I’ll never take for granted. What strikes me most is that the job I have today, and the world I’m part of, didn’t even exist when I began my career. It’s a reminder of how much can change in just a few years – and how important it is to stay open to new opportunities and be willing to embrace the change that shapes our future. With that in mind, I’m looking forward to continuing to learn, meeting more inspiring people, and being part of a future we can only just begin to imagine.

🎄 Now is the time ... Time for teambuilding and reflection 🎄 How do you spend end of the year in your team? Please do not tell me that you focus on getting things done. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not - end of year is time to get together, to celebrate and to reflect. Don't you think? This is how I experienced successful teams at Christmas time: 🎁 Small presents: Secret Santa is a wonderful tradition. There are online tools you could use if your team works remote, even in different countries. The most appreciated gift though, is a "Thank you", coming from your heart. Try it. 🎉 Celebrate: Coming together for a Christmas Dinner is perfect. Remote is also possible, though: Former colleagues of mine used to send cooking ingredients to every team member and one evening, we met online and cooked at the same time. Can you imagine? In other teams I experienced funny online performances. Or just meet and talk. Have fun! 🧐 Reflect: I used to visualize the year I experienced with my teams, highlighting the successes and wonderful experiences as team. Not to forget the ultimate end-of-the-year Retrospective, certainly. Don't forget. 🌟Look ahead: What do you want to achieve in 2025? Start it. What is your best team experience at Christmas time so far? 🎅🎄 Whatever you decide for this year: I wish you and your team(s) a wonderful time full of trust and inspiration. ✨

Happy Friday everyone I will be off for a week because it’s my birthday next week and I always think being mid year it’s a good time to take that time out for yourself. I didn’t want to leave without honouring Pride Month! While I have friends from all different backgrounds, genders & preferences, I’m aware that Pride is so much more than just that. It’s recognising people for how they want to be addressed (their pronouns), it's about individuals being recognised for their efforts regardless of their appearance, voice, lifestyles (and not being overseen for opportunities because of this) and just being valued as a human being without discrimination or bias. The best way I can relate (albeit not the same) is that I have faced microaggressions often but I never expected to in some of my previous workplaces. I was a bit nervous about posting this, because this kind of subject seems to be a bit of a taboo but I think raising awareness of microaggressions is important in not only the workplace but every day life. Amongst the many occasions I can think of, a prime example of this was once being told for a team Halloween competition (of zombie Disney princesses) that I should dress up as Jasmine (due to my ethnicity) instead of Belle. While I’m sure the person who said this meant no harm, these small comments are impactful to people when they face them especially sometimes in every day life. I had no one correct my colleague or support me, and this is only how I can imagine my Pride friends face as a common challenge & occurrence. I urge my network to carefully acknowledge times if they have done anything like this, and make a conscious effort to correct this behaviour & consider their words & offer support (without judgement) to minority groups especially my Pride friends. I’m lucky to work at a company that values us, is diverse but responsible enough where comments like the above would never get uttered. I hope all of you are in progressive companies like here at Petroplan. 

Summer. 🌞 The word alone conjures feelings of relaxation and calmness. It's that time of year to take a break from routine and enjoy the cool summer breeze. It's also the perfect time to gift your employees and clients with a summer-themed gift. Since there's no specific summer holiday, it's an excellent opportunity to stand out with your gifts. Whether it's a custom beach towel, a portable cooler, or a quality water bottle, a thoughtful gift can make a lasting impression. Show your appreciation and make this summer memorable for your team and clients. Now's the time to get something before all the vacations start! What does summer mean for you?

Holidays like Easter are times to be with family. Whether a Director of Sales, Regional VP or SVP of a business unit, I always make an effort to work on holidays when my team has to work. To me, team members are family members. If they can make these sacrifices, so can I. Today, I had the honor or working with my Bluegreen Vacations / Hilton Grand Vacations #MountainLoft team/family in #Gatlinburg! Team members brought in an incredible food spread. Everything from a spiral ham to my Easter Bunny cake wearing the #TNVOL orange tie, that didn’t seem to help against Purdue. The message from this post is for anyone in business. Whether you own a business or are a leader of a gas station, hotel, hospital, restaurant, theme park or vacation ownership resort, it’s paramount you understand the sacrifices your team members make on special occasions like holidays or other family functions. We must build and participate in a #culture that recognizes them for preventing business interruptions servicing your guests/clients during important traditional family days. Once arriving home, I took time to text and/or call my leaders across different states that were away from their immediate family most of the day and also at the office with their work family, as I could not be at every distribution center throughout the Midwest. As a leader or executive you may not always be able to be in the “trenches” with them, but we can always show our appreciation. This #culture can change the dynamics of your personal brand and the company! Thanks to everyone in my #MidwestBusinessUnit who led with culture today and dedicated much of your Easter time with your work family! They needed you too! I needed you too! If you are looking for a #career or #brand change and would appreciate this intentional culture, please reach out for opportunities! Wayne Rickman, RRP Tom Savino Jim Fannin Rob DiGisi Dusty Tonkin Taylor Sartain Nelson Leiser Courtney Terrell Jennifer Fussell Null Brian Baker Ryan Maroo Mike Narancich Philip Hicks John Cenname Charm Smith Jeff Branch Hannah Kincannon Dalia Burack, SHRM-CP Tami Tarver Philip Hicks Tomarra Shedden

9 Weeks Until Christmas: 10 Things to Do Before Then! With only 2 months left until the big day, it’s time to kickstart your holiday preparations. By tackling the tasks early, you’ll avoid the last-minute chaos and enjoy a stress-free and magical Christmas celebration. 1. Create a Holiday Calendar 2. Schedule Holiday Activities and Outings: Don’t miss out on the various fun-filled activities and events taking place during the holiday season. Research local Christmas markets, concerts, or ice-skating rinks and add them to your calendar. This will ensure that you take advantage of all the fun festivities happening in your area... store.jpsdelights.com/

There are 3 things your holiday party should DEFINITELY be… Enjoyable Engaging Impactful Can I add something it SHOULDN’T be, too? Your holiday party really shouldn’t be an afterthought OR something that drains you/your events team. Holiday parties are insanely important for a multitude of reasons, most importantly because they make your team feel seen and cared for and well, that affects more than we often realize (including the health of your culture and your bottom line…two really important things). My team at Elevate Experiences and I really enjoy helping our clients create holiday parties. They come to us with a vast range of budgets, ideas, needs, etc – but they all walk away happy that they invested in their team at the end of the year. ❄️ Can we help you create a remarkable holiday experience for your team or your clients? DM me or click the link in the comments. PS - just because we’re in the middle of November does NOT mean it's too late to put something awesome together!