Motivation Excellence

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

You’ve probably seen recent news stories about Americans being the victims of serious crimes on a couple of Caribbean islands. Currently the U.S. Department of State has travel warnings out for two prime locations for spring break revelers: The Bahamas (level 2) and Jamaica (level 3).

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Motivation Excellence

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

Steve Chemello is our Get to Know ME employee spotlight for February. It’s our shortest month and as you can see below, his answers are short and sweet too. Thanks, Steve, for giving us a tiny peek into what makes you, you! What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry? I’m a developer. It will be eight years in April.

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Motivation Excellence

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

Have you ever sat down and really examined who you are? Your core values , adjectives you’d like used to describe you, your biggest strengths and why people should want to connect with you? If you’re looking to establish a personal brand , this is a must. You, as a brand, encompasses: who you are what you stand for why people should care How do you want people to feel when they see you or hear your name?

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Motivation Excellence

JANUARY 23, 2024

A lot of us start the New Year (or new month, or new week… you get it) with intentions to get and stay organized. We’re here to help with that task, and since it’s apropos, this blog is organized into sections so you can skip right to where you want to go! But first, let’s get to why being organized is helpful. Mindtools.com says being organized has a big impact on your overall success.

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Motivation Excellence

JANUARY 22, 2024

We recently wrote about our take on the strength of incentive travel in 2024 (spoiler, it’s good!). With a mixture of some client budget caution during an election year, expected rising levels of hospitality service, and stabilizing domestic airfares, our team is confident 2024 will be the first year in several to look and feel more calm, cool and collected.

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Motivation Excellence

JANUARY 12, 2024

It’s always fun to introduce a NEW member of our team with our Get to Know ME segment. Michelle Ebner joined as VP of Finance toward the end of 2023. Read below, and watch her short video, to learn about her first career choice and why people like to open up to her. Thanks Michelle for letting us get to know you! What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

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Motivation Excellence

DECEMBER 18, 2023

We’ve had a lot to talk about over the last four years in our incentive travel industry! 2023 was packed with programs that had to be rescheduled from 2020 and 2021. As we close out this year, and rev up for next year, there are a few key areas to keep an eye on in 2024. And they apply to single travelers, as well as incentive groups. An Election Year With 2024 being an election year, businesses are prone to be a bit more cautious with their spending budgets.

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Motivation Excellence

DECEMBER 12, 2023

December is a natural month to look back at your year and take note of the good, the bad and the ugly. Reflecting much more often, though, is associated with many benefits for your personal and professional worlds. Let’s dive into this amazing soft skill that can create waves of positive changes when incorporated regularly into your life. Create a Better You Betterup.com writes that the value of self-reflection is its ability to show you what’s working well in your life, as well as what needs to

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Motivation Excellence

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Hold on to your belly and get ready to chuckle along with Geneva Mitchell, our Get to Know ME spotlight this month. Thank you, Geneva, for being authentic in answering our questions below and in our short video. Your laugh is contagious and your positivity is engaging! If anyone holds onto a stereotype of accountants being quiet or “not fun,” Geneva definitely breaks it to pieces.

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Motivation Excellence

NOVEMBER 21, 2023

Amy Rose is the subject of our latest Get to Know ME segment. She started at Motivation Excellence in our client marketing department eight months ago and quickly became involved in our Events Committee. She helps plan fun events for our teams in the Schaumburg headquarters in addition to helping clients bring their programs to life. In the blog below, and the attached 3-minute video, Amy Rose really opens up about what makes her truly unique.

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Motivation Excellence

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

In the United States, November is the BIG month for gratitude, with Thanksgiving starting off the holiday season through the end of the year. But research shows living a life of thankfulness ALL year is truly beneficial to your health. Robert Emmons is the leading scientific expert on gratitude. Through his research, he and his team found that being grateful: Boosts your immune system Lowers your blood pressure Helps elevate your mood Allows you to celebrate the present Blocks negative emotions

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Motivation Excellence

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Bre Chambers is not a fan of being recorded, but she knocked our Get to Know ME recording out of the park this month! Be sure to watch her two-minute video and read below to get to know more about our spirited Travel Coordinator out of the Traverse City office. Thanks, Bre, for sharing how you ended up in the incentive travel industry and the brilliant photos of some recent hiking adventures (can only be seen in the video – what are you waiting for?

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Motivation Excellence

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Perception is more than a visual sense. Is the Uno card showing a 6 or a 9? You know that where you’re sitting in relation to the card might change what you see. And while visual perception is important (there’s credence to the saying, “Dress for the job you want”), how your gut instinctively feels about your environment and the people around you says a lot about your mindset.

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Motivation Excellence

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

We’ve all been on the receiving end of heart-plummeting conversation starters like: “We need to talk…” “Please come into my office for a few minutes…” “There’s something I need to tell you…” “Close the door behind you…” Did your tummy get a little queasy reading any of those? While the recipient legitimately can feel instant apprehension upon hearing someone say those words, the speaker has probably been reeling from internal turmoil leading up to the conversation for quite some time.

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Motivation Excellence

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Carrie Fox is a repeat employee, and we’re sure happy to have her back as a coordinator in our travel department! She’s our focus for this month’s Get to Know ME segment. She’s crafty and grateful and full of good vibes! Thanks, Carrie, for sharing your thoughts on our monthly questions. What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

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Motivation Excellence

AUGUST 29, 2023

Welcome to this month’s edition of Get to Know ME ! We’re spotlighting Patty Armstrong, out of our Traverse City office. Patty is succinct, organized and always ready to be a team player. The cherry on top? She’s an easy smiler! Watch her short video (told you she’s succinct) and we bet you’ll smile along with her! Thanks, Patty for sharing a bit about your life with us this month (and the nautical trivia).

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Motivation Excellence

AUGUST 1, 2023

It feels odd that a word with “pro” at the very beginning is actually not a positive. Procrastination is definitely not a word associated with any kind of desired behavior. And if you’re not a PROcrastinator, does that mean you’re an ANTIcrastinator? Something to think about as you read this blog and avoid the next item on your to-do list. ? Procrastination is a habit that can be broken with the right mindset and psychological tools.

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Motivation Excellence

JULY 18, 2023

This Get to Know ME segment features Trisha Neff from our Traverse City office. Once you read this blog you’ll know who to go to for 1. A scary movie, 2. A great book, and 3. A laugh! Thanks, Trisha, for sitting down for a recorded interview too! Between speaking Mandarin and performing in multiple choirs, it’s been really fun getting to know you! What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

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Motivation Excellence

JULY 17, 2023

The team at Motivation Excellence, a performance improvement incentive company headquartered near Chicago, is thrilled to accept the 2023 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation designation! “We work diligently as a company to show respect to our employees and foster an environment of collaboration and trust. It’s always a work in progress as we continually strive to be even better,” said David Jobes, CEO and President of Motivation Excellence.

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Motivation Excellence

JULY 17, 2023

Public speaking. Do those two simple words together make your stomach plunge and your throat tighten? It’s one of the most commonly reported “biggest fears.” Psycom states glossophobia affects up to 75% of the population! And even that other 25% still have some trepidation, if they’re at all human. ? Nancy Pender is no stranger to being in front of an audience.

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Motivation Excellence

JUNE 22, 2023

Forey Erickson is a Travel Program Manager out of our Traverse City, Michigan office, and she definitely embodies the “Pure Michigan” vibe! Read more about her below and watch a short video to learn about her favorite travel destination and why she’s making a move in 2023. Thanks Forey for sharing your awesome work ethic and laid back attitude! What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

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Motivation Excellence

JUNE 21, 2023

So much goes into self-esteem. There are external influences like how others perceive and treat you. And internal factors like confidence and self-awareness. Some people just seem gifted with healthy self-esteem, while others scream conceit or whisper inferiority. There are definitely steps you can take to balance this often emotionally tied characteristic.

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Motivation Excellence

MAY 25, 2023

It’s one of our favorite times of each month: our Get to Know ME segment! This time we’re highlighting a new member on the sales team, Allison Stewart. Anyone who has worked with her so far knows how positive and effervescent she is. You can see for yourself in her short video too. Thanks, Allison, for sharing special things about YOU! What’s your current title and how long have you been at Motivation Excellence?

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Motivation Excellence

MAY 2, 2023

We could all use a little extra time. But, since no one has been able to figure out how to make each day more than 24 hours, we need to rely on time-tested, time management skills. You’re busy, I’m busy; so let’s get right to the heart of this subject in the least amount of time. It’s a super short read, I promise! Why Time Management Matters for You You could be a procrastinator.

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Motivation Excellence

APRIL 24, 2023

This one could be a tear-jerker! Mark Bondy has worked in the hospitality/travel/incentive industry since 1980. As the owner of VIKTOR Incentives in Traverse City, Michigan, he sold his company to David Jobes and became part of the transition team at Motivation Excellence in January of 2022 leading up to his impending retirement in April 2023. Some of us have only known him a short time, but it’s been clear that he has immense character and positivity.

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Motivation Excellence

APRIL 21, 2023

If the only type of change you can handle jingles in your pockets, it’s time to make some adjustments. After all, change is a constant, and learning how to lean into it can save you some aggravation and wasted time. Being resistant to big and little modifications in your life can mean missing out on amazing opportunities, learning new things, and discovering new interests.

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Motivation Excellence

NOVEMBER 14, 2022

Trust is a huge factor in all relationships. Knowing what to expect from someone in any given situation is a fundamental element of trust. Often, trust starts out as a given, until it’s broken. That’s when huge issues can arise (or worse, fester) and cause a breakdown in communication and productivity. Building Trust Building trust really begins the moment a relationship does.

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Motivation Excellence

DECEMBER 22, 2022

We’re pleased to introduce AJ in our latest edition of Get to Know ME ! She is new to our company, and new to this industry. Read below, and watch her two-minute video to get to know her better. Perhaps she’ll be able to advise you on better organizational methods or how to use both of your eyes in a new way! Thanks AJ for letting us get to know you better!

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Motivation Excellence

DECEMBER 27, 2022

We all know how awesome having a mentor is, but did you know being a mentor is very rewarding as well? Mentors gain quite a bit from the relationship, like improving leadership and communication skills. But, you know what’s even better? According to one study, people who acted as mentors were six times more likely to be promoted and 20% more likely to get a raise.

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Motivation Excellence

JANUARY 9, 2023

Well, folks, it’s a new year. For many, that means resolutions. And for many of those people, it means failing those resolutions within the first month. And there we have it…using the word “fail” right off the top of a new year. There are reasons people often fail at New Year’s resolutions and ways to fix them, as we wrote about in a past blog , but this post is about why failure is not an ending or the opposite of success.

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Motivation Excellence

JANUARY 25, 2023

It’s time for our latest installment of our Get to Know ME feature; this time highlighting our accountant in Traverse City, Kim Kopchick! She was kind enough to sit down for a video interview so be sure to spend two minutes watching it. You’ll see she’s an easy chuckler and likes to look at the positives in life. Thanks, Kim for letting us get to know you better!

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Motivation Excellence

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Sanjay Nair joined Motivation Excellence in 2022 and has proven resilient and resourceful heading up our IT needs in the Schaumburg, IL office! He’s a man of few words, as you’ll see below, which likely helps him hone his talent of being a good listener. With only a slightly firm twist of his arm, he sat down to do a quick interview too (it’s only a touch more than a minute).

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Motivation Excellence

FEBRUARY 21, 2023

The pinnacle of the incentive travel industry, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence’s Crystal Awards , recognizes companies that produce remarkable travel experiences. SITE honored Motivation Excellence and our client partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, for Excellence in Incentive Travel: Europe at their global conference in New York City this week.

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Motivation Excellence

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

Did you know one of the most popular courses of all time at Harvard is about happiness? It started in 2006 with more than 1,400 students enrolling in Psy 1504: Positive Psychology. There are multiple joy-centered Harvard courses offered today for students, and at least one business course, Managing Happiness, accessed online for free , for us non-Harvard admits (the next one starts in March!).

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Motivation Excellence

MARCH 13, 2023

Lilly Jobes started as a travel program coordinator in the late summer of 2022, and everyone who has worked with her has nothing but compliments to cast her way! She may be soft-spoken, but she’s not necessarily shy. She’s also up for trying new things, experiencing new cultures and rescuing animals! Read below and watch our one minute video interview to Get to Know Lilly this month.

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Motivation Excellence

MARCH 20, 2023

Ever feel like you run into conflict with the same person again and again? Maybe it’s a coworker, or a family member, or a friend of a friend. Sometimes personalities just clash, and it’s not necessarily always one person’s fault. (Although, honestly, we all run into people who seem to make it their goal to make your day a little harder.) Knowing that we all face individuals, or situations, that make us want to scream, or run away, or break out in tears, having conflict resolution tools at our d

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Motivation Excellence

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

The old saying goes, “The Only Constant in Life Is Change.” [Heraclitus] That certainly has been true of late in the travel and hospitality industry. On a daily basis, we account for all types of uncertainty in the planning of all of our incentive travel programs, meetings and events. In a recent article about returning to in-person events, Brenda Rivers writes, “It seems insurmountable to balance the creation of successful, engaging and motivating live events with the constantly evolving elemen

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