The holidays are an opportunity for people to make meaningful connections through interactions that really matter.

This year especially, the thought behind holiday interactions will be more important than ever. That’s why we want to share a few ideas on how you can deliver gifts that speak louder than words—creating moments that matter and sparking deeper connections.

1. Make something together.

Material goods can make great gifts, but don’t always last forever. If you can, try leveling-up your physical gift idea into an experience. Here’s an example. Instead of buying somebody a basket of cookies go to a baking class together and re-create the recipes for years to come!

2. Listen close.

We know one of the best gifts you can give is simply letting the recipient know that you really hear them. For example, say you gift someone a Bluetooth speaker. Don’t stop there—take it a step further. Throw in a customized playlist full of songs they love, or songs you know they’ll love to make it even more meaningful. There’s no doubt they’ll be ready for the next (virtual) karaoke night!

3. Share an idea.

You’ll always find us browsing a well-stocked library. Book-Recommendation Roulette is a great way to create ideas that lead to opportunities during the holidays. Here’s how it works. First, get friends and colleagues to sign up—everyone who does becomes both a sender and a recipient. Second, assign senders to recipients. Senders will be responsible for buying a book they recommend for their recipient to inspire new thinking.

With just the right amount of serendipity, that book might seed your next million (or billion) dollar idea. Then keep it going, swap your books, build some buzz, and keep adding new people to the group with each round.

4. Rally together.

Sometimes the best gift of all is something you can’t find in a store. Working towards a common goal is truly special. Say you know somebody who keeps a cause close to their heart. You can rally your coworkers together to contribute to that cause physically or financially. This will show your recipient you care about what they care about — establishing a deeper connection between you both.

5. Change your perspective.

We’re no strangers to framing (challenges or opportunities) – and we know looking at things through the right lens can make a big difference. If your family is separated during the holidays, go beyond just a FaceTime call. Elevate the occasion with online games and activities that you can play together from anywhere. If you want to take it a step further, bring Google Cardboard to the party.

Here’s to the interactions that keep on giving!

Follow Vivaldi on LinkedIn & Instagram for more holiday cheer! 

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It’s our 20th anniversary and we’d like to extend our greatest thanks to you for being part of our journey.

In the spirit of the season, our team was inspired by holiday classics and took center stage to share a playlist of 20 predictions for what 2020 might hold. Visit 2020.vivaldigroup.com for holiday cheer! 

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Together Let’s Take a Turn of the Hourglass…

As the sands of time wind down on the year,
We’re taking a moment to reflect on those full of cheer.
Another turn of the hourglass is all that remains
Before 2018 reveals new moments contained.
Until then, this holiday season holds much to revere
From meaningful times with those we hold dear…

–

For the little ones all snug in their beds,
A holiday tale is a delight to be read.
And while fresh snowfall outside brings Frosty to life,
The warm kitten indoors purrs with cozy delight.
It’s moments like these that bring comfort and joy
More than any one trinket, tchotchke, or toy.

–

In kitchens all over, a tasty scent fills the air
From fresh batches of cookies baked with love and great care.
Little helpers get first bites as their delicious reward
For assisting their elders: wise, kind, and adored.
Sharing treats and affection, it’s moments like this
That fill both hearts and bellies with incomparable bliss.

–

Pups curled up on couches, a glass (or two) by the fire,
For these simple joys, little else is required.
Skating arm in arm with grace on the ice
There’s no place for naughty with friends so dear and nice.
Nay, no gift ’neath the tree could ever contain
These moments as sweet as a fresh candy cane.

–

This holiday season, from our home to yours,
We wish you those meaningful moments not found in stores.
As the new year comes in, bringing untold potential
We’re thrilled to discover even more moments most essential.
From all of us at Vivaldi, to all our friends we hold dear
Have the happiest of holidays, and a terrific new year!

Season’s Greetings,
Your Friends at VIVALDI

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#1: Engage in open-source dialogues. From sharing perspectives to discovering new frameworks, our team is committed to engaging in thoughtful, deliberative conversations.  Whether we’re talking innovation, branding, design, or product development, being more open contributors will unlock doors, enrich discussions, and lead us down new mental paths. We’re ready to dive in, so join us in the discussion — knowing the harder we’ll look, the more we’ll learn.

#2: Become an agent of Gen Z. Today’s children swipe, unlock, and play on smartphones before even learning to speak. These digital natives approach the world faster, smarter, and more efficiently. This new year, it’s time to think ahead and ask ourselves: what will the workforce look like in the next 5-10 years? How quickly will even Gen-X be considered dinosaurs in the workplace? By preparing ourselves for Gen-Z, we want to be an agent for change to ensure Gen-X and Millennials are along for the ride. Among other things, we’ll surely be busy getting reverse-mentored on the latest social media trends.

#3: Master the art of data. It’s time to take advantage of the data flowing around us, take a critical eye to the information we’re being fed, and truly make sense of how our digital world thinks, communicates, and grows. Whether it’s taking an omni-channel perspective to understanding our clients and their customers or using new analytical tools to get a better picture of what’s happening in the world, we’ve resolved to connect strategy even more closely to the data.  

#4: Listen louder. With so much fighting for our attention, it’s imperative to make sure we’re not missing out on what matters most — being attentive to the world around us. This year we’re hoping to meet with more of our clients in-person, attend more industry events, and remain strongly connected to our networks. Members of our team are already saving the dates for Marketing Week London, PopTech, and the ANA Masters conference this year. We hope to see you there!

#5: Focus on the essence. We’re often called upon to solve complex problems, facing questions like: What does it take to rebrand a 200-year-old organization? How can we unite acquired portfolios to deliver on a common growth strategy? What are new opportunities for an organization to best address consumers’ unmet needs? We always find our way to the essence and this year we’re going to continue the trend, bringing clarity to the inherent complexity of brand challenges and growth problems. Steering clear of simplistic solutions, we’re committed to providing clear, useful, and meaningful work.

We’re definitely excited for the year ahead, and can’t wait to see how each of us will do. And we’d love to learn about the resolutions you’ve set – in the meantime, Happy New Year from all of us at Vivaldi!

The post A New Year, A New Chapter appeared first on Vivaldi.

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Like the rest of us, millennials love sharing the sweet things in life – and on social media, that means posting tweet-worthy pics of good times, beautiful crafts, and tasty treats for all to see.  But during the holiday season, nothing beats the real thing – seeing, touching, smelling, and tasting something all together.  So what do you give for the guy or gal who’s always on Instagram?  How about a box of handmade delicacies – like a colorful assortment of macarons!  Bringing a sugary smile to friends’ lips (while still #nofilter-ready), these mouthwatering morsels are sure to hit that seasonal sweet spot.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

– For another tangible take on digital depictions, return to analog and make new memories with the Fuji Instax Mini 90

– For the host or hostess who always goes the extra mile, try the Crafthouse by Fortessa Cocktail Smoking Box

The post Perfect Gift #6: For the Sharer appeared first on Vivaldi.

Millennials are big on sharing – not least of all when it comes to the highlights of their lives.  But with all the noise out there, it’s not always easy for their voices to be heard.  Besides, sometimes 140 characters just don’t cut it.  So what’s the perfect gift for the millennial who wants to broadcast their unique perspectives on life’s exciting moments? How about a video-enabled, high-flying drone? Help yours take their stories to new heights this holiday season – with a far-flung flyer whose share-ability is only half the fun!

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

– Gaining new perspectives is all the rave.  Help your loved one share theirs with the hottest drone on the market: DJI Phantom 4

– Let the world see through your millennial’s eyes with a fresh pair of Snapchat’s Spectacles

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Millennials are no strangers to life’s overwhelming pulls on our attention from every direction.  And while they’re great at finding tweaks and tips to get the most out of their day, it sometimes feels like nothing short of an extra set of hands will make the cut! Since hiring one’s own personal assistant seems an unlikely line item for most budgets, what’s an aspiring lifehacker to do?  Enter the ideal personal attendant (and your perfect gift for this go-getter): the on-demand, voice-activated virtual assistant!  From Alexa to Google Home, your millennial will have instant control at her command – without ever having to lift a finger.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

– For a tastier spin on the simplified life, get the perfect pop (but hold the kernels!) from the Microwave Popcorn Maker

– Want to go hands-free with room to roam?  Cut the cord with the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 2.0 headphones for super-stylish high-end performance

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