Tag: Public Relations

MY PUP’S IN A PANIC: 3 WAYS TO EASE THE TRANSITION BACK TO THE OFFICE

Derek BullingtonBlog, Raleigh PR Agency, The Clairemont Team, , , , , , ,

How many of you with pets returned home from your first day back in the office to torn up furniture, trash cans toppled over, scratch marks all over the baseboards or a note from a neighbor complaining of constant barking? Separation anxiety in pets is very real, but there are ways to ease the transition.

My Pup's In a Panic: 3 Ways to Ease the Transition Back to the Office

With everybody leaving the house during the day, pets are banished to gated rooms or crates. Some are lucky enough to roam through the house freely but what are they supposed to do all day? No longer do they get extended walks, random play time, cuddles on the couch and plenty of table scraps they’ve enjoyed for months.

My dog, Ellie, was no exception. She got used to having me home every day and catering to her every need and want. I could see the anxiety building up in Ellie when I would leave the house, even for short periods of time. Barking constantly when I closed the door behind me and greeting me by jumping and barking when I returned (even if I just took out the trash).

When I heard we would be returning to the office, I was very excited, and I was a little nervous as well. It had been 18 months since I had to leave Ellie for an entire day. As big of an adjustment as it would be for me, I knew it would be an even bigger one for Ellie.

My Pup's In a Panic: 3 Ways to Ease the Transition Back to the Office

3 Ways to ease the transition

Unfortunately, I did not properly prepare Ellie for my return to work. The transition should have started early so she could have adjusted. Take the time to make this transition for your pets as smooth as possible. Your dog has been your support system during these hard times, now it is your time to make sure they are comfortable and ready for the post-pandemic world.

Create a new routine

Ease the transition for your pet by creating a routine similar to your work routine. If your bedtime and wake time are going to change, start that change now. Set fixed times for different activities, including play, exercise, walks and meals. Start leaving your pet alone, no matter how hard it is for your pup, or you! Start small and work up to the 8-10 hour stretch of going to work. When you return, praise them on their good behavior and remind them that you will always come home to them.

My Pup's In a Panic: 3 Ways to Ease the Transition Back to the Office

Take the anxiety out of your departure

Another step you can take to ease the transition is to take the anxiety out of your departure. Try extending your morning walk or spend extra time playing fetch in the backyard before work. Spend quality time tiring them out so they will spend more time snoozing and less time stressing (barking) during the day! Give them something to do by leaving toys or chews. Make sure to rotate the toys to help them stay mentally active and stave off boredom.

My Pup's In a Panic: 3 Ways to Ease the Transition Back to the Office

Remember, your dog is observant. If you are stressed about leaving them, they will pick up on it, increasing their anxiety. Remain calm and patient with your departure and return.

Spend extra time with your pet

When you get home, take time for an extra walk or playtime, no matter how tired you are. If you’re going out after work, consider taking your pup with you! During the weekends, choose activities that include your dog. Go to a park, the beach or plan a picnic. You don’t have to give up your whole weekend, just enough to make your pup feel loved and included. Our pets are just one part of our life but for our dogs, we are their WHOLE life! 

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Clairemont team shares why we’re thankful this year

Clairemont InternBlog, The Clairemont Team, , ,

For the past year, family gatherings and holiday get-togethers have looked a little different. Now that celebrating in large groups is significantly safer and travel is more accessible, we are looking forward to returning to our favorite holiday traditions and seeing family and friends in person this Thanksgiving. In this post, the Clairemont team shares why we’re thankful this year! 

Dana Phelps

This year for Thanksgiving, I’m so thankful for the return of air travel to be reunited with family members who live in different states. And while pandemic fears are still looming, I’m grateful that we have more knowledge this year that will allow us to relax a bit about gathering together around a table to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I will not miss my sanitizer-place settings of Thanksgiving 2020!

Tracy Lathan

A big family Thanksgiving has always been a favorite tradition of mine, so last year having four of us around our dining room table just did not feel right. Not to mention it seems like the same amount of work to cook for four or 14! This year we will be heading back to the beach to celebrate with the full Lathan crew…18 of us in total. Oyster dressing, a fishing tournament, evening fires, eight cousins running around and peanut butter bourbon. Feeling extra thankful this year and looking forward to Thanksgiving 2021! 

Derek Bullington

I am very thankful for getting to spend time with my family this year. With my sister having two young children and my father being immunocompromised, we were not able to do family gatherings in 2020. I’m grateful to be able to enjoy our normal traditions. I hope we all remember how important family and loved ones are and cherish the moments we have with them.

Olivia Noles

This year I am thankful to be able to safely see both sides of my family, something that has been difficult to balance since the pandemic. I am also grateful to get back to our Thanksgiving weekend tradition of attending the NC State vs. UNC football game on Black Friday and to shop in person with local businesses this Small Business Saturday. 

Anna Beth McCormick

Being with my extended family is my favorite part of Thanksgiving. Pre-pandemic we would have nearly 60 cousins, nieces and nephews together at my aunt and uncle’s house. This year, I am excited to get back to our traditions safely and have an active day full of great food and the best company. 

We are wishing everyone safe travels and time spent with family this holiday season. What holiday traditions are you excited to return to this year? We’d love to hear about them. 

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Client Spotlight: Ingersoll Rand wins at Corporate Governance Awards

Derek BullingtonBlog, Clairemont Client News, , ,

Clairemont client Ingersoll Rand wins at the 14th annual Corporate Governance Awards hosted by Corporate Secretary! Ingersoll Rand secured the honor of Best Compliance and Ethics Program. This prestigious accolade recognizes Ingersoll Rand’s hard work and accomplishments over a short 21 months to build an effective compliance and ethics program.

“Just one year and nine months ago, we combined two industry-leading companies, transforming us into a single global force,” said Robert Mayfield, director of global compliance of Ingersoll Rand. “Simply pushing a transformation like this over the finish line is a huge accomplishment. Standing up an effective compliance and ethics program, seemingly overnight, and then being recognized for that achievement is an entirely different feat that took a tremendous amount of discipline, thoughtfulness and focus.”

The best compliance and ethics program (large cap) award category looks at the coordination of governance, compliance, ethics and risk management processes across the entire corporation, including all subsidiaries. The judges consider the level of understanding and integration of good governance principles across all disciplines and a truly non-silo approach to achieving an ethical governance environment. The market cap definition for large cap is $20 billion and over.

Interesting in reading more about Ingersoll Rand’s other awards? Check out our blog on the PRSA Silver Anvil win here!

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Dressing for the office: post-pandemic

Olivia NolesBlog, Fashion, ,

When I first heard we were coming back to the office, it immediately sparked the question, “what am I going to wear?” Dressing for the office is intimidating for any recent college graduate, but when you tack on working full-time for the first time straight out of a pandemic, there’s an entirely new level of excitement (and a fear) that comes with it. On one hand, I’ve missed the creative process of styling new outfits every day, but on the other hand, having never experienced an office dress code I was completely lost. Black yoga pants and slacks are basically the same thing… right?

Return to business casual post-pandemic 

Working from home, it’s easy to go from looking like you just rolled out of bed (because you probably did) to office-ready by throwing a sweater on and brushing your hair. After over a year of just dressing from the waist up, the concept of a head-to-toe outfit is daunting. Especially considering there has been no need for professional pants or shoes in anyone’s wardrobe for over a year. 

I gave my wardrobe a bit of a refresh to come back to the office, and it was more difficult than I thought. It turns out I no longer know my size after more than a year of not wearing pants. I would order work pants only to have them not fit, and the pants that did fit didn’t go with any of my tops. I thought I needed a whole new wardrobe, but it got easier.

When all you’re ever looking for is a one-off “perfect outfit,” you have nothing to wear. But when you’re living in your wardrobe daily, it comes to life. You realize that the pieces you own aren’t bad, they just need to be reimagined. Coming up with new looks by styling the same pieces in new ways becomes a fun challenge. You realize that the top you wish you had returned pairs perfectly with the pair of pants you bought in March 2020 and suddenly you’ve got a brand new outfit.

Why you should be excited about dressing for the office

Over the past few weeks, I’ve realized that getting dressed every day does make a difference in how you feel. It prepares you for anything the day throws at you and actually increases productivity. Feeling confident in an outfit improves your mental health and helps you feel more inspired and empowered. 

5 tips for dressing for the office post-pandemic

If you’re struggling with your back to work wardrobe, here are 5 tips for dressing for the office post-pandemic:

  • Try on the clothes you already own and figure out what to keep and what to replace.
  • Style several outfits in advance and take pictures so you don’t have to think of outfits the morning of. 
  • If you find your wardrobe is lacking, purchase workwear that makes you excited to get dressed in the morning. 
  • Think about proportions when styling. If your top is flowy, slim-fit pants pair better. If your pants are a looser or straight leg, tighter tops pair better.
  • Find comfortable work pants and work shoes that are easy to style with a lot of your tops. Invest in multiple colors of each.

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In the News: Wendell Falls in Triangle Business Journal

Olivia NolesBlog, Clairemont Client News, , , , , ,

Clairemont client Wendell Falls is a master-planned community in Wendell, North Carolina, just 15 miles from Raleigh. As part of the growing community, Wendell Falls welcomes American Family Care Urgent Care. AFC will be a part of Treelight Square, a retail destination that includes shops, businesses, restaurants and more.

Clairemont secured coverage of the new business addition in Triangle Business Journal. In the article, local entrepreneurs and longtime friends Aaron Zucker and Aaron Fields detail the plans for the new AFC. This will be AFC’s second location, a year after its first opened in Fuquay-Varina. 

“We are excited to marry up our philosophy of helping as many people as possible, as fast as possible, in the safest way possible to the Wendell Falls community,” Fields said. “Our Wendell Falls location will not only provide the care you need at a fraction of the cost of an emergency room visit, but our incredible team will be obsessed with making sure you have as pleasant of an experience possible while at AFC.”

Read the full article in Triangle Business Journal.

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