Abby Haralson

Abby writes this bio as her two dogs simultaneously use their puppy eyes to try and beg a treat from her. She loves helping small business owners build their brand through content, especially if they want to be fun while doing it! She loves to hike with her pets and husband, is trying (unsuccessfully) to grow a kitchen garden, and is constantly stuck between starting a new book or learning a new recipe. By the way, the dogs won, and are now both smugly chomping on a pretzel.

Abby Haralson

Not All Feedback Needs to Be “Negative” in Employee Reviews

Imagine this scenario: You’re gearing up for your quarterly employee reviews, and something feels off. You’ve noticed that your high-performers receive less in-depth feedback simply because there are no glaring issues to address. Sound familiar? Many of us subconsciously feel pressured to deliver “constructive criticism” instead of recognizing what’s working well. But here’s the truth—effective…

Abby Haralson

How Employee Development Improves Team Morale

While employee development is usually seen as a benefit only offered by the corporate big dogs, it’s become a strategic advantage for all companies. And it doesn’t take a corporate budget to access the benefits of helping your employees grow. In fact, investing in employee development can actually improve team morale and have a positive…

Abby Haralson

15 Unique Employee Incentives to Boost Morale and Productivity

Building a thriving, engaged team is every manager and business owner’s dream. But how do you keep employees motivated without breaking the bank? The answer lies in creative and unique employee incentives that not only boost morale but also improve productivity. From monetary perks to personalized recognition, we’ve compiled 15 incentives for employees to help…

Abby Haralson

From Burnout to Buy-In: How to Recharge Employee Morale

65% of employees say they experienced burnout in 2023 and studies found that disengaged employees produced 28% less revenue. While it’s become a bit of a buzzword, burnout is a well-documented workplace phenomenon that affects productivity, employee satisfaction, and organizational success. Whether you’re a manager, an HR professional, or a team leader, understanding how to…

Abby Haralson

How To Celebrate Employee Birthdays Remotely

There’s almost nothing I love more than celebrating the birthday of someone I love! My husband and I have celebrated five birthdays together and each year, I try to plan something more and more elaborate.  Multi-location scavenger hunts, a full day packed with all of his favorite things, a surprise party with friends he hasn’t…

Abby Haralson

Businesses Doing Good: Carry On Foundation

“We want to create a resilient youth; we just happen to use skateboarding.” Build Then Bless has two main goals: to improve the world one micro-interaction at a time, and to highlight businesses trying to do the same. It’d be tough to find another business in Utah who’s more dialed in on “micro-interactions” than Thread…

Abby Haralson

10 Impactful Employee Growth and Development Ideas

Employee growth and development programs can lead to higher job satisfaction, increased productivity, and better retention rates. For small businesses, this means less turnover and more experienced staff who can drive innovation and efficiency. And there are ways to build employee development without seriously impacting your revenue! Here are 10 employee growth and development ideas…

Abby Haralson

Why Is Employee Development Important?

When I joined Lemonade Stand, I was looking for a flexible job that would put me through college. I wasn’t expecting the job to redefine my ideas of corporate life and community.  But almost three years later, my experience at Lemonade Stand has not only made me a better marketer, but a better person. Want…

Abby Haralson

Why Fun at Work Isn’t a Waste of Time

Work and fun—do they mix? At first glance, these two concepts might seem worlds apart. However, studies show that when employees have fun at work, it isn’t just about idle laughter or water cooler gossip. It contributes significantly to a company’s bottom line, increases employee loyalty, and creates a happier, more productive workplace. Let’s explore…