Braeden Russell

Ever heard of the phrase, "Moving is fun?" Me neither. But, let's shake things up a bit, shall we? Commercial relocations can be as exciting as a roller coaster ride, if only we change our perspective. Yes, you heard it right! Imagine this - you're not just moving furniture and files, you're moving ideas, dreams, and a whole lot of potential. It's like a game of Tetris, where every piece has its place, and the end result is a perfectly organized new space. Now, let's talk about the team spirit. Relocation is a team-building exercise in disguise. It's an opportunity to work together, solve problems, and maybe share a few laughs over the misplaced stapler. So, next time you're faced with a commercial relocation, don't think of it as a chore. Embrace it as an adventure. https://lnkd.in/e3AjpqCt #CommercialRelocation #OfficeMove #MakeMovingFun

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Yesterday, I had the privilege of moderating a virtual panel discussion for IABC Atlanta, where we delved into a topic that simultaneously sparks happiness and trepidation among corporate communications professionals: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our esteemed panelists—Jennifer Griffith from UPS, Francine Marquis from Google, and Sarah Woodward from AI Growth Ops—shared their unique perspectives, painting a vivid picture of our current AI landscape. Here are some key takeaways that I believe are worth pondering: 1. UPS: Constructing Customized AI Tools ·        UPS is meticulously crafting a customized AI tool for its employees. The goal? To enhance efficiency without compromising sensitive information. ·        Collaborating closely with the IT team, they’ve set up guardrails to prevent bias and protect company data. ·        Through campaigns and demonstration events, employees are learning how to not be afraid of these tools, but rather embrace them for better ways of working. ·        My favorite part? Communication teams now have access to pre-set customized prompts tailored to different channels (think SEO, social media, sustainability comms). After all, the right prompt can be a major timesaver. 2. Google: Democratizing AI ·        Google, a true AI trailblazer, is helping to democratize AI. It’s no longer an exclusive tool for tech elites; they’re making it accessible to everyone. ·        AI isn’t about replacing people; it’s a co-creator, helping us work more efficiently. ·        Google actively studies how customers use AI products, from content creation to personalized audience experiences, and continues to refine its products while also adding new guardrails. 3. AI Growth Ops: Operationalizing Growth ·        AI Growth Ops assists smaller companies in operationalizing growth through AI. ·        Communicators play a crucial role in building trust with both external and internal audiences. ·        Your customers are expecting to have a relationship with your brand, but when it looks like AI is obviously used in communicating with them, it can erode their trust. ·        Properly addressing internal AI concerns prevents erosion of talent pools. ·        Embrace AI as a strategic problem-solving tool with measurable outcomes— it’s more than just a shiny new object. So, what’s your perspective on AI in corporate communications? And who wants to bet that I used AI to help craft this post? 😉 #AI #CorporateCommunications

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This memory popped up recently, this was my first Covid GAPPP - Georgia Association of Promotional Products group zoom call setup. It was a very uncertain time when we were all doing whatever it takes to make it work and an uncertain world. I remember all of us adapting quickly to what was being sold, outdoor products for us, and different ways to reach our clients, zoom calls. Seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago. That's a great thing of the human spirit, is adapting. Whether that's with technology, financially, education, medicine, socially, and many other ways we all adapt to grow, learn, perserve, and succeed. What are some ways your adapting now?

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🚀 AI takes marketing to new heights! Our team recently attended the AMA Nashville Thought Leaders Luncheon, where Nicholas Holland shared insights on how AI is transforming marketing and why embracing it is crucial for success. How do you feel about AI playing a role in your work? 🤖

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Excited to start FY’25 🎉 Craig’s goal is 🍩 lost business. I know you can do it Craig! Watch #cintas Baltimore come alive in FY’25 #customerobsession #processmodernization #partnerempowerment #marketexpansion

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Want to hear where Forbes ranks Raleigh NC in 2024? Check out this list of best places to move to in 2024. Raleigh ranks #2!

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I just wanted send a quick shout out and thank you to a friend of mine, Chris Barry over at Cloud Staffing Professionals He has been a great colleague, manager, and friend of mine for close to 15 years and we had a great time catching up over dinner and drinks this evening at my house in Raleigh, NC. 🍴🍻 That said, I made some wagyu beef burgers with carmelized onions and cremini mushrooms, farmers market tomatoes, spring greens, as well as American and aged smoked cheddar cheese. To top it all off, I grilled up some potatoe buns and slathered them with W.G.'s (Wes Garrett) homemade, grilled jalapeno, roasted red pepper, and bbq bacon burger jam! Also, did some waffle fries on the side! 🍔🍟😁 I hope that sounds appetizing enough?!? 😅 I'm just happy I could spend an evening catching up with a good friend of mine that I haven't seen in many years! P.S. If you need any staffing help or contract/ consulting staffing augmentation/ support in the engineering, medical device, pharmaceutical, scientific or food and beverage industries, please reach out to Chris Barry, Rich R., Brendan Tully, or Anthony White! #friends, #goodtimes, #farmtotable, #colleagues, #meat, #vegetable, #vegetables, #burger, #burgers, #goodcompany, #fun #staffing, #Recruiting, #Recruitment, #engineering, #pharmaceutical, #medicaldevice, #foodandbeverage, #scientific, #science, #engineer, #medical, #device, #pharma, #bigpharma, #DoD, #construction, #projectmanagement, #quality, #regulatory, #validation, #reliability, #automation, #controls, #mechanical, #electrcal, #Toxicology, #chemistry, #Biocompatibility, #data

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Did you know that the average company underestimates the cost of an office move by 40%? Moving your business is more than just a physical transition; it's a strategic move that can either propel you forward or set you back. As a professional in commercial relocation solutions, I've seen firsthand the transformative power of a well-executed move. It's not just about getting your furniture from point A to point B. It's about minimizing downtime, maintaining employee morale, and ensuring a seamless transition for the company. The key to a successful move lies in the planning. I look forward to helping you with the process. https://lnkd.in/e3AjpqCt #CommercialRelocation #OfficeMove #BusinessGrowth

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Many people have asked me why I'm traveling so much lately. I've even been asked at my booth "you're a Lighthouse...why are you here?" While this story isn't the exact reason, it's an example of the ultimate goal. I want to put East Texas Lighthouse for The Blind on the map, and even more importantly, in the conversation. Because we showed up, we were able to be a connector. I met Nicko Sahlas at the CSUN conference in California two years ago. We were exhibitors, sharing our training services for those who are blind. He was looking for native users of assistive technology to help improve the accessibility of Ulta overall. I knew I wasn't the answer, but rather I had the answer. I was able to not only tell those like Nicko and Ulta Beauty who we were as a National Industries for the Blind affiliated agency but was also able to share the work of known partners like Ablr 360. Fast forward 2 years. John Samuel made good on my promises and served Ulta and Nicko with their accessibility program. Success! Was this a financial ROI for me? Nope. But was it an impact ROI? You betcha. This connection will ultimately have a positive effect on those who are blind in a much larger scale than we could ever provide directly. Moral of my story? Show up. Even if you aren't the biggest player on the field, show up. If you believe in your work, your products, your mission, and yourself, show up. You never know who's listening.

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"Jim, I'm giving you the freedom to fail." Those words from one of my great bosses, John Hardy, Atlanta Division Deli Merchandising Director. I'm the yellow chicken in the back. We were kicking off the summer 1986 season with a fried chicken promotion. For the record it took six rides on the Six Flags Over Georgia roller coaster to get the photo shot just right. I think everyone thought John was nuts when he said we were going to sell "cold fried chicken" in the deli cases at Kroger. That's right. Marinate overnight, fry the chicken, put it in the cooler overnight, display it in the case the next day. "A lot of people in the South like cold fried chicken the next day," John said. He was right. The chicken tonnage doubled in the Atlanta Division from this smart marketing move. This is one example of how he led me to experiment and be unafraid to try new ideas. One way I did that was to take our fresh-made pizzas and tilt them on display in upright refrigerated cases to catch the attention of shoppers on their way to the check-out lanes. That was a success too. By late August I was invited to fly with John to Louisville KY to the #1 deli in the Kroger company to see how to merchandise in the new European curved glass cases. We were met by the Cincinnati corporate head of Deli Merchandising. That kind of exposure never hurts. Looking back, I realize this was my first "sales" job. It wasn't line management like it was when I was a store manager. It was a role where you had to "sell your ideas" to other store managers and deli managers in order for them to improve sales and profits. We did over 15 grand openings of many new Kroger stores during my two-year merchandising role, from Rome to Newnan, Alpharetta to City Center. I realize it shaped how I would approach job roles over the years. I became the person my bosses would pick to pioneer new initiatives. And I succeeded. It's amazing what giving yourself the freedom to take calculated risks, the freedom to fail, can do for your mindset and your career. What initiatives have you taken while being unafraid to fail? Please share in the comments. #risktaking #merchandising #salestips #jimkerlinconsulting

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Wondering how to lead a remote team effectively? 🔹 Foster open communication and team unity. 🔹 Ensure clarity and consistency in communications. 🔹 Focus on outcomes, not oversight. 🔹 Leverage technology for better collaboration. 🔹 Cultivate a strong, flexible team culture. Lead from the front, even from afar! #CXO #CXOhive #leadership #ExecutivePresence #Csuite

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🌟 Exciting News from Target! 🌟 Target just opened a new supply chain facility in Georgia! 🏢 This big step will help Target get products to stores and customers even faster. 🚚📦 It's all part of their plan to make shopping super easy, whether in stores or online. 🛒💻 This new facility will keep stores stocked up and quickly ship products to people at home. It's really helping Target become even better at shopping in lots of different ways. 👏🎯 Read more about this cool update in Supply Chain Dive here: [Target New Supply Chain Facility Georgia](https://lnkd.in/gPTMmrRe) #Target #SupplyChain #RetailNews #ShoppingMadeEasy #Georgia #Omnichannel

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Ever heard of the Savannah Bananas?🍌 They play baseball in kilts, have an all-grandma dance team called the Banana Nanas, and their games are always a sell-out. Sounds wild, right? That’s because it is—and it works! Jesse Cole’s book, Fans First, tells their crazy, inspiring story and I’m hooked. This book isn’t just about baseball; it’s about flipping the script and putting your fans (or customers) first in everything you do. It’s packed with fun stories and brilliant ideas on how to stand out and create real, heartfelt connections. As a leader, it’s easy to get bogged down in the usual routine. But Fans First reminded me why I love what I do. It’s a must-read if you want to shake things up and make a real difference in your team or business. #MediaMonday📚 #Leadership #FansFirst #SavannahBananas #GameChanger #Inspiration

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If you're a manufacturer, I STRONGLY encourage you to attend this FREE webinar! Veryable is a dedicated member of the Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM) and a staunch supporter of our workforce development efforts. Thousands of manufacturers have used Veryable’s flagship product, an On-Demand Labor Marketplace, to drive cost savings and productivity by connecting with local workers desiring daily or short-term hourly work. Their niche service actually works and is a creative, sustainable solution for offsetting those hard-to-fill production jobs in real time. In this webinar, Veryable will showcase their newest product, a Workforce Management tool that automates the labor planning process for your entire workforce (Full-Time, Temp, and Veryable) by bringing together information regarding cross-training, timekeeping, production data, and more into one place to create an optimized schedule. You don't want to miss out. Register now at the link below. https://lnkd.in/ehfQMkNX

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Excited about our KY Chapter participating this year at the annual Women Connect Live Conference! It was outstanding last year! Join us this Fall at The Loveless Barn in TN! https://lnkd.in/gtuYd5wc Why Attend Women Connect LIVE? Sales Mastery: Learn cutting-edge techniques to boost your sales performance and close deals effectively. Marketing Excellence: Discover innovative marketing strategies to elevate your brand and attract your ideal customers. Financial Savvy: Gain insights into financial management to ensure your business’s profitability and stability. Leadership Development: Enhance your leadership skills to inspire and lead your team with confidence. Strategic Planning: Critically planning your goals helps develop strategies to transform challenges into opportunities to innovate. We will also have a VIP Experience, Networking, Vendors and wonderful food from The Loveless Cafe! Join us and connect with other amazing business women across the country!

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This Mental Health Awareness Month... I want to share with you all a story that I was originally hesitant to share, but I am ready to. This photo was taken of me on June 5th, 2022. I was attending the Atlanta Pride 5K with a bunch of my coworkers in the heart of the city. When people saw this photo of me, I got so many compliments about how happy I look and how much fun they had at the race because of me. What they didn't know was that behind that smile was a man who just 12 hours earlier was told by his husband of 6 years that he was leaving him. When I look at this picture, I see my acting degree hard at work. I see someone concealing as much as possible so I didn't display how heartbroken and lost I felt. I see someone who just wants to get through this event so he can cry alone in his car. I see someone who didn't see the light in himself anymore. As I reflect back, I am so incredibly grateful for this day. I was surrounded by a lot of love from friends, coworkers and new community members that provided me small moments of joy in a time when I was going through the hardest hurdle in my life. I didn't know it at the time, but I NEEDED this day. It allowed me to see what life could be like on this new path and reminded me to find the joy even in the darkest times. I just want to remind you of 2 things. 1. Your friends, family, colleagues, strangers, etc. all may be going through rough times that you may never see. It can all be easily hidden behind a fake smile and we truly never know what others around us are experiencing in their lives. 2. Little moments of joy can go such a long way for someone. Never lose sight of how powerful joy can be in this world. You never know who is around you that could really use it right now. So this Mental Health Awareness Month, I urge you to try and share a little extra joy around you. The power of joy is infectious, so let's spread it!! #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #spreadjoy #joy

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How is your leadership demonstrating care? This week at the Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM) we heard from three stellar leaders on the workforce challenges they are facing. The top message? How you care for your people is a directly impacts their perception and attitude toward the work they do and how they deliver it. You can build trust through genuine care or you can continue to lose top talent and break the trust they have in you to deliver responsible leadership. So, how do you enable caring into the programs you produce and the people you lead? #Safetyfirst #industrialhygiene #safetymanagement

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Celebrating Apprenticeship Advancements in the Carolinas As a Department of Labor (DoL) certified Apprenticeship Ambassador, I’m thrilled to share the remarkable strides we’re making in expanding Registered Degree Apprenticeships (RDAP) across the Carolinas, with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) playing an increasingly pivotal role. Key Highlights: Consortium Success: A consortium of six South Carolina HBCUs, spearheaded by SC State University, has launched an RDAP initiative targeting the high-demand field of cybersecurity software engineering. The inaugural cohort, including two graduates from Benedict College and one from SC State University, has successfully completed the RDAP, earning a nationally recognized DoL certificate. Impressively, all three have secured positions as cybersecurity software engineers at Integer Technologies in Columbia, SC, where they also received hands-on training. This achievement is a testament to the power of our collaborative approach, uniting colleges, employers, and the combined forces of government, industry, and academia. Educational Leadership: I had the honor of participating as a panelist at the 2024 Annual Carolinas Alliance for Success in Education Summit, led by the esteemed Dr. Diane Bowles of Johnson C. Smith University and Dr. Francine Alkisswani from the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives. The summit was a success, culminating in a robust list of actionable items to advance state-wide digital equity in both North and South Carolina. Fostering Partnerships: Additionally, I had the privilege of moderating a panel titled “Strengthening HBCU and Employer Partnerships Through Apprenticeship” at the 2024 Apprenticeship North Carolina Annual Conference in Winston Salem. Kudos to Dr. Chris Harrington and his team for organizing an exceptional conference that showcased the remarkable progress of ApprenticeshipNC in pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship and registered degree apprenticeship. Through initiatives like these, the Carolinas are demonstrating the effectiveness of collaborative models that weave together the strengths of multiple colleges, employers, and the synergistic partnership of government, industry, and academia. I am more confident than ever that this momentum will propel the Carolinas—and indeed, the nation—towards a brighter future in cybersecurity apprenticeships.

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🏈 Get ahead of the game and maximize your reach and impact with these high-value opportunities. Explore our latest insights on advertising tactics for the 2024 NFL season. #LifeatCox #HRDBusiness #VirginiaBusiness #Advertising

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