I began giving Sierra Club Wilderness Calendars as holiday gifts, a few at a time. When I saw how much people liked them, I sent out more, until finally the number grew to about 300 per year. [300 x $10 each is $3,000.] This was a big investment, but it gave me and the recipients a lot of joy.
I left all advertising off the calendars intentionally. This is much different than what people ordinarily receive. Usually, calendars are cluttered with ads on every page. This left the impression that it truly was a gift, and that I and my company were different. We were friends, not just consultants.
There are two letters below, and I had helped both writers get re-employed, so they were doubly grateful.
Subject: Thanks!
Date: 10 Dec 20— 16:26:23 -0700
From: Ralph Richardson
To: Bill Frank
Hey Bill,
What a great calendar!
That's a piece of advertising that didn't find its way to the trash can but went right to the wall. I will have it all year and be reminded of CareerLab for the duration. I was also surprised (pleased) that it wasn't labeled on every month with the name of the benefactor—all the more reason to insure that it makes it to the wall and stored in my consciousness.
Thanks a lot.
Ralph - another employed alum!
Subject: Belated Thank You
Date: 03 Jan 20-- 19:37:39 -0700
From: Jared Grantholm
To: William S. Frank
Bill: I greeted the New Year with a beautiful new Sierra Club calendar, then realized I had not said thanks. Well, Thanks. It is very nice, and, I note, not riddled with the obtuse marketing so many other firms feel compelled to emblazon on their Holiday gifts. I guess I'm not surprised at the subtle, yet very effective marketing of CareerLab, they are a class organization.
Thanks for the calendar, and thanks for all of the support and encouragement you provided in a rather traumatic time. I am pleased to announce that there is life after BankCompany, although I would also have to admit that there is much about the bank I miss, particularly some of the people. Having worked in a consulting capacity for the bank during the past year, I am amazed, disappointed, yet not surprised at the changed culture. They have really thrown out the old, much of which I cherished, and come in with the new, much of which I loath.
Enough with digging up old bones, how is everything with you? I would hope we could get together to match notes, catch up, and generally re-acquaint. How about breakfast at the restaurant on Yosemite, just south of Arapahoe? I have been traveling to beautiful Peoria, IL (and other exotic environs like Renville, MN, Grant, NE, and Alpine, TX) about every other week, but would make it special if we could get together. Give me a call, or send me an email with a date that fits your schedule. How about this Thursday?
Thanks again for the thoughtful Holiday gift. I will probably look at it daily and recall the special friend that sent it to me.
Happy New Year.
Jared Grantholm