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Happy December! The true foundation of our culture lies not in the perks we offer but in the genuine connections between each other. As we navigate a year, quarter, month, or four-day week where stress and burnout are highly prevalent, we have to recognize each other's value to projects, tasks, and the organization because it is the connections between each other that make an authentic culture last and scale. December Town Hall on 12/13 will be all about recognition and applause. We want to showcase the outstanding work you have contributed to making us stand out in the industry. Our agenda revolves around celebrating originality, ingenuity, and the impactful initiatives that have truly moved the needle this year. This Town Hall is not just an opportunity to listen but a chance to cheer and support your colleagues. Let's make this a vibrant and encouraging environment where every shoutout resonates with pride and appreciation. After all, your collective efforts have made us the best place to work in media.From now until Friday, 12/8, let me know if you want to say something at Town Hall.  There is no pressure to put together slides. This will be a 1 to 2-minute time slot. I want a ton of speakers and a ton of fun and for this Town Hall to be a collective moment to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional work of your peers.

– Danielle Alavian 

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Fast Five with Geneva Auduong

Where do you live now and where are you originally from?

I’m originally from Northern Virginia, a few miles outside of DC. I currently live on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and have been a downtown gal for over 10 years. I’m mentally preparing to make the move uptown in 2024. What's your favorite thing to do on Saturday morning?

My dog, Juniper, wakes up every morning at 100% so I try my best to exhaust her and ease into the rest of my day. On Saturdays, we typically start the day around 8 and play fetch at the local basketball court or Central Park.After fetch, I’ll have a cappuccino or Vietnamese coffee and hang out a bit before heading out to Trader Joe’s and a spin or hot yoga class. A big plus of a hyperactive dog is more morning time (if you’re a morning person).

Is there something you've been obsessed with lately?

How do you stay motivated or energized for work?

I love the flexibility we get from working remotely. Removing commuting extends the time I have between waking up and opening my laptop. This time really helps me start the day without feeling frazzled and ready to check off my to do list.It also helps that I like my job! I feel like I’m constantly learning and happy to be colleagues with smart and good people. Do you have any secret skills or talents we should know about?

I am really into floral arrangements. Random fact, I almost picked up enough credits for a horticulture minor in college from classes I took “for fun.” One of the classes was Floral Design. I try to make a new bouquet every week.

Where are you currently working from?

I split my time between my apartment on the LES, my boyfriend’s apartment on the UES, Neuehouse, and sometimes, Virginia. It’s nice to have options and extra nice to have a monitor set up at each location.When this hits inboxes, I’ll be working from Zürich 🙂 hoi!

Inspiration: F.R.O.G.I am newly inspired by the F.R.O.G. (Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness) movement developed by Sarah McVanel, Chief Recognition Officer and founder of Greatness Magnified. Sarah shares that F.R.O.G. encourages intentional acknowledgment in personal and professional realms. Her advice for leaders is simple yet profound - ask your team what they need, what they value, and how they want to work. This will help genuine connections thrive, celebrate greatness, and ensure every team member feels valued. I encourage you to check out this short video where you can learn more about: The power of peer recognition How to apply recognition in a hybrid work environment The “FROG Forever” approach to praise and how to implement it in your workforceAny Inspiration requests? P&C is on it. Ping Danielle.