Successful Teamwork in Business

You’ve heard it all before…“Teamwork makes the dream work.” “Two heads are better than one.” “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

There’s a reason why there are so many phrases about the benefits of working in a team, because it’s all true! When it comes to our everyday lives, however, do we apply and live by them? It’s easy to forget these sayings when our days sometimes get so busy that we find ourselves in a “just do it” mode instead of enlisting the help of others. Although it’s easy to get caught up in doing things yourself, it’s important to know when working with a team would be more beneficial to you and the task at hand.

Benefits of a team dynamic and how to be successful at it:

1. There’s an overflow of ideas. Actively participate without judgment.

Not everyone thinks alike and that’s great! When it comes to brainstorming new ideas for a project you’ve been assigned, the more ideas the better. Sometimes people get intimidated in group environments because they are afraid of their ideas being criticized or shut down. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and ask the questions you may internally feel are “stupid.” No idea is a bad idea because even the “bad” ideas often lead to the best ones.

2. Opinions, opinions, opinions. Be comfortable accepting and giving feedback.

This is the best opportunity to receive valuable feedback before moving forward. Everyone won’t always agree and that’s ok. It’s important to weigh in on others’ perspectives in order to make the best decisions. You have to be comfortable enough to constructively criticize your teammates with the best intentions and to positively accept their constructive criticism as well. It should never be personal and all ideas, thoughts, and opinions are on deck. Again, no judgments. You’re all on the same team trying to accomplish the same goal.

3. Spread the responsibilities to those who are best at certain subtasks.

Just one person will not be the absolute best at everything that goes into the task at hand. Assign different subtasks to each team member who is the best qualified to handle that particular responsibility. Make sure the entire team is on the same page with what each is doing and what the next steps are. Doing so equates to the best possible end result, eliminates stress, and allows them to focus on what they are best at.

Now go team, go!

Source: Inc.com

Creating the GDUSA Award-Winning Biovanta Website & the Relationship Behind It

Winning a GDUSA award is always exciting because it’s both a celebration of our designers’ hard work and a time to reflect on our partnership with a client in relation to the project itself. We’re only as good as our last project after all, and our partnerships make us who we are. So let’s take a dive into not just creating the GDUSA award-winning Biovanta website, but into how it all came to be.

A Pet Food Refresh: Freshpet Stews Package Design

A Pet Food Refresh:

Freshpet Stews Package Design

About Freshpet

At Freshpet, they only want the best for your pet. Most pet owners are now more than ever making a conscious effort to find out exactly what goes into their pet’s favorite foods. With all of the pet food options out there, Freshpet wants to keep things simple and healthy for your beloved animals. Made from all-natural, high-quality proteins and vitamin-rich vegetables, Freshpet offers a range of refrigerated pet food products that are currently being sold in over 14K stores across the nation.

Our Vision for FreshPet Stews

When developing the new package designs for Freshpet Stews, it was important to represent clearly all of the fresh ingredients for each recipe. We wanted to emphasize the simple list of ingredients in a bold fashion as well as visually feature them to connect this simplicity to the consumer. Freshpet’s philosophy is about being straightforward with their products and the packaging had to be representative of that belief. The use of bright colors and bold typography helped to keep this packaging modern, clean, and inviting.

We are proud to have been awarded GD USA Magazine’s 2018 American Package Design Award for this project.

Creating the GDUSA Award-Winning Biovanta Website & the Relationship Behind It

Winning a GDUSA award is always exciting because it’s both a celebration of our designers’ hard work and a time to reflect on our partnership with a client in relation to the project itself. We’re only as good as our last project after all, and our partnerships make us who we are. So let’s take a dive into not just creating the GDUSA award-winning Biovanta website, but into how it all came to be.

The World of SEO Has Changed… Have You?

As marketing has gone beyond print and collateral pieces, everyone has heard the buzzwords “SEO” and “keywords” in the discussion surrounding websites. With the evolution of digital marketing, the roles these factors play in boosting your website have changed. Google has made updates over the last five to ten years that have changed the way search results are served and this has affected what people are seeing when they search, as well as marketers’ ability to measure campaigns.

Google has gotten smarter and keywords aren’t the center of the SEO universe anymore.

Finding the right keywords and capitalizing on them to drive traffic to your website used to be at the center of any good SEO campaign but with Google’s updates, that’s no longer the case. Keywords can still help you, but they aren’t the heavy hitter they used to be. The analytics for keywords and their rankings have changed as well, so they are not a good yardstick for measuring your success. Making the tracking tools for keywords vaguer seems to be an attempt to get marketers to focus elsewhere.

This is largely due to Google’s drive to create a better user experience. They’re focusing on what people want to see, and keywords aren’t a good guidepost. If the most popular search engine in the world is delivering results that are personalized based on users’ previous searches, location and the devices they’re using, everyone should get on board. People are being served search results based on implicit query factors. Technical jargon, we know, but Hubspot gives a great example of what this means:

A simple search for “Boston restaurants” will arm Google with a whole lot more information than before. They’re able to see which device you’ve searched from, where you’re located whilst you’re searching, even if you’re currently on the move.
Let’s say that you searched on an iPhone and you’re walking around in the center of Boston at 11:30 am. Here’s what this query would actually look like to Google:
“Which restaurants are currently open for lunch within walking distance of my current location in the center of Boston, MA?”

This means Google is digging deeper than those trusty keywords to find valuable results for searchers. You’re probably wondering, if keywords aren’t the bread and butter of SEO anymore, what is?

Content. Content is king.

Google is focused (more than ever) on the content on each individual page throughout your website. While dated websites were previously able to hide behind high keyword rankings, it’s not plausible anymore. The content on your website directly correlates to your SEO, which can/will impact your organic traffic. Algorithms have changed to favor topic-based content, so it’s not just what is on your site but also how it’s connected. Interconnecting relevant content is what search engines are starting to look for and you need to get ahead of the curve. When you create links between content you are creating “relationships” on this same topic. This information then gets signaled to search engines that your website contains a wealth of content on that particular topic. Increasing the amount of internal links on your website can achieve higher placement in search engine results pages.

If you’re not sure where to start with SEO, take a look at your website and the content you already have. Ask yourself:

Do you have a variety of content? How is your content showcased? Are there pieces of content that relate to each other? If so, are they connected? If not, is there content you could add?

Sources: hubspot.com, moz.com, research.hubspot.com

Creating the GDUSA Award-Winning Biovanta Website & the Relationship Behind It

Winning a GDUSA award is always exciting because it’s both a celebration of our designers’ hard work and a time to reflect on our partnership with a client in relation to the project itself. We’re only as good as our last project after all, and our partnerships make us who we are. So let’s take a dive into not just creating the GDUSA award-winning Biovanta website, but into how it all came to be.

Designing with Your Health in Mind: NuGo Organic Protein Bars Package Design

Designing with Your Health in Mind: NuGo Packaging Design

About NuGo Nutrition Bars

Whether it’s low glycemic, gluten-free, low carb, vegan, or for diabetes, NuGo’s line of nutrition bars satisfy your cravings with your health in mind. Artfully created with real antioxidant-rich organic cacao dark chocolate, NuGo’s collection of organic bars are certified USDA organic, Non-GMO, and OU Kosher. Perfect for the health-conscious consumer, this product line of protein bars needed a new look in order to be attention-grabbing and informative with all of their benefits clearly displayed on the front of the packaging.

Our Vision for NuGo

When given the task of redesigning the packaging for NuGo’s Organic line of protein bars, we were given a list of all of the benefits and certifications that not only are representative of their brand and their products but also are extremely important to their consumers. The mission was to communicate all of these key health benefits clearly on the front of the packaging while simultaneously visually presenting the product in an appetizing manner. As a health-conscious consumer, you not only want to eat well but of course you want to enjoy the foods you are eating. So to convey this to their customers was to find the right balance between being informative and eye-catching.

We are proud to have been awarded GD USA Magazine’s 2018 American Package Design Award for this project.

Creating the GDUSA Award-Winning Biovanta Website & the Relationship Behind It

Winning a GDUSA award is always exciting because it’s both a celebration of our designers’ hard work and a time to reflect on our partnership with a client in relation to the project itself. We’re only as good as our last project after all, and our partnerships make us who we are. So let’s take a dive into not just creating the GDUSA award-winning Biovanta website, but into how it all came to be.

International Women’s Day: Celebrating the Women of Vision

Today is International Women’s Day and we are celebrating all of the cultural, economic, social, and political achievements made by women. We would like to introduce you to all of the amazing women of Vision Creative Group! Get to know who inspires them, what their passions are, and fun facts about each person below.

Meet Ashley Koehler

Senior Graphic Designer, 2.5 years with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Being able to be creative without many restrictions. Personally: My family and my hobby in photography.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Emma Watson, she’s been a loud and proud voice in the movement for equal rights for women.

Fun fact about you!

I love watching the U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT) and saw them win the world cup in 2015 in Vancouver Canada. I also have 30+ autographs from the players that I personally got signed by attending their local league called NWSL.

Meet Natalie Davies

Graphic Designer, 1 year 8 months with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Kerning. Personally: Riding horses.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

My Mom, cause she’s my Mom.

Fun fact about you!

I can touch my tongue to my nose but can’t touch my toes.

Meet Katie Cozzi

Graphic Designer, 1 year 4 months with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: I am very passionate about graphic design and art in general. I do a lot of freelance paintings for people. Personally: I also play the guitar and am very passionate about music and theatre.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

My mom inspires me. Also, my late Aunt (my mom’s sister), my mom always said I was more like my Aunt than her. We share a soul and I hope to be a great as a person as she was.

Fun fact about you!

I own a jaw harp, my Dad bought it for me when I turned 21. I tried to learn how to play it, but never really tried. (Youtube it, its great).

Meet Jenn Persson

Senior Account Executive, 12 years with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Giving my Clients the BEST service, with unbeatable creative that is on time and on budget. Personally: Shoes!!! (and being the world’s coolest Soccer Mom).

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Amal Clooney – She is a total Girl Boss – Amazing career as a human rights lawyer and the ability to balance that and family life. She is intelligent, has an incredible work ethic, and can kick ass and look good while doing it….and she has a really impressive shoe collection.

Fun fact about you!

I’ve never been stung by a bee.

Meet Ally Wood

Senior Graphic Designer, 12 years with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: I am passionate about my work and perfecting it. I love clean concepts. Personally: I’m passionate about being a good mom and I also like working out.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

My mom obviously because she holds everything together.

Fun fact about you!

My cell phone number is still the very first number I’ve ever had.

Meet Angela Horr

Account Executive, 3.25 years with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Helping food-based clients provide valuable information to connect with consumers. Personally: Cooking and planning events so people have a really enjoyable experience.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

My mom. She is one of the strongest people I have ever met and Julia Child – she refused to let other people deter her from pursuing her passion.

Fun fact about you!

I have performed on the stage at Lincoln Center. Also, I can say the alphabet backwards faster than I can say it forward.

Meet Michelle Egan

Senior Graphic Designer, 4 years with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: I’m passionate about Illustration. Since I could hold a pencil in my hand, I have loved drawing and letting my imagination take over. Personally: I am also passionate about family, music, nature, animal rights, and my dogs.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

The first woman to inspire me is my mother. She is the strongest, most nurturing, caring person I know. She’s an occupational therapist and works with children with developmental disabilities.

Fun fact about you!

I snort when I laugh.

Meet Kelly DiGiesi

Creative Director, 18 years 9 months with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Providing the best creative options possible. Personally: Living a healthy lifestyle for myself and my family.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Not one woman, I am inspired by all of my women friends every day those who balance work, kids, personal lives etc. Especially my close girlfriends, we all help each other out. The phrase “It takes a village” is so very true.

Fun fact about you!

I have a secret talent for making balloon animals.

Meet Brianna Marosy

Social Media and Design Manager, 1 month with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Creating something that impacts others. Personally: Music, art, helping people even in the tiniest of ways.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

I’m inspired by all strong women who aren’t afraid to have a voice, shatter stereotypes, exceed others’ expectations.

Fun fact about you!

I love drawing portraits and constantly doodle eyes.

Meet Carla Renshaw

Office Manager, 6 months with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: It is very important to me to be the best worker I can be, I take my job very seriously, I am always trying to perfect my craft. Personally: My passion is my daughter Alia. She is my world and I live every day for her. She is my sidekick, and legit connected to my hip! I can’t breathe without her.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

My mom is my world. She is more together than I ever could be, and makes it look so damn easy!

Fun fact about you!

I am fighter/boxer for 10 years.

Meet Lori Thompson

Vice President, Account Executive, 16 years with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Making my clients happy and doing what I can to make their jobs a little easier. Personally: Being the best mother and role model for my children.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

I am inspired by all working mothers and how they manage to balance work and family.

Fun fact about you!

I have a few farm animals – chickens, ducks, and a goat!

Meet Kathy Phillips

Senior Account Executive, 5 years with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Helping clients successfully rebrand themselves. Personally: Music.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Michelle Obama for her leadership, compassion, confidence, and inspiration.

Fun fact about you!

I also work as a singer for a Fleetwood Mac tribute show.

Meet Sharon Petry

Executive Vice President, 27 years with the company

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Work: Most passionate about making sure my clients have what they need when they need it, our service is what sets us apart. I’m very competitive and that keeps me on my toes to always want to do the very best work that I can. It’s very satisfying to help a client out and help make them look good! Personally: I’m passionate about running and travel. Love them both and even better when running in a new place.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

My 19 year old daughter inspires me. The way she thinks, her compassion, her ability to write so eloquently and to see into the heart of something all inspire me every day.

Fun fact about you!

I am the go-to techie in my house to fix all things electronic – when the satellite doesn’t work or the DVD player or the remote.

Creating the GDUSA Award-Winning Biovanta Website & the Relationship Behind It

Winning a GDUSA award is always exciting because it’s both a celebration of our designers’ hard work and a time to reflect on our partnership with a client in relation to the project itself. We’re only as good as our last project after all, and our partnerships make us who we are. So let’s take a dive into not just creating the GDUSA award-winning Biovanta website, but into how it all came to be.

Successful Teamwork in Business

1. There’s an overflow of ideas. Actively participate without judgment.

2. Opinions, opinions, opinions. Be comfortable accepting and giving feedback.

3. Spread the responsibilities to those who are best at certain subtasks.

A Pet Food Refresh:

Freshpet Stews Package Design

About Freshpet

Our Vision for FreshPet Stews

The World of SEO Has Changed… Have You?

Designing with Your Health in Mind: NuGo Packaging Design

About NuGo Nutrition Bars

Our Vision for NuGo

International Women’s Day: Celebrating the Women of Vision

Meet Ashley Koehler

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Natalie Davies

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Katie Cozzi

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Jenn Persson

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Ally Wood

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Angela Horr

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Michelle Egan

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Kelly DiGiesi

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Brianna Marosy

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Carla Renshaw

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Lori Thompson

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Kathy Phillips

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

Meet Sharon Petry

What are you most passionate about both work and personally?

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Fun fact about you!

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