Growing up a Chicago Bears fan in the 80s was an experience filled with both heartbreak and unshakable pride. And if you were lucky enough to witness Super Bowl XX, you know exactly why it remains one of the greatest moments in Bears history. I was 14 years old when the Bears steamrolled the New England Patriots 46-10, cementing their legacy as one of the most dominant teams to ever play the game. It was a moment of pure joy, one that Bears fans are still chasing nearly four decades later.

But before the glory, there was pain. Any true Bears fan remembers the devastation of that one blemish on our 1985 season: the loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. That game crushed our dreams of an undefeated season, and it stung even more because it felt like Dan Marino and the Dolphins exposed the one tiny crack in our seemingly invincible team. Looking back, though, maybe it was a blessing in disguise. That loss lit a fire under the Bears, and they never looked back.

The confidence of that team was something special. Who else but the ’85 Bears would have the audacity to film the “Super Bowl Shuffle” before they had even won the big game? Some called it cocky, but Bears fans knew it was just pure swagger. Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Mike Singletary, and the rest of the squad weren’t just playing football—they were putting on a show. And when they hit the field in New Orleans for Super Bowl XX, they backed up every bit of that bravado.

The defense was legendary—hands down the best defense in the history of the NFL. Mike Singletary was the heart and soul, reading offenses like a book and delivering punishing hits. Richard Dent and Steve McMichael were absolute nightmares for opposing quarterbacks. Wilber Marshall was a force of nature. And let’s not forget William “The Refrigerator” Perry, who somehow managed to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl as a defensive lineman. It was a unit unlike any other, and they made life miserable for Tony Eason and the Patriots that day.

Of course, as much as that Super Bowl was a dream come true, it also feels like a lifetime ago. Who would have thought that, 39 years later, Bears fans would still be waiting for another championship? We’ve had glimpses of hope—Devin Hester’s opening kickoff return in Super Bowl XLI had us believing for a moment—but nothing has come close to the dominance of that ’85 team.

Still, no matter how long we wait, that Super Bowl XX victory remains one of the greatest memories of my life. It was more than just a game—it was a statement. The Bears weren’t just champions; they were legends. And for those of us lucky enough to witness it, we’ll always remember the day the Monsters of the Midway ruled the football world.

You’ve probably encountered the term “SEO” in digital marketing numerous times. It’s one of those buzzwords that get thrown around a lot, but what does it mean, and why is it so crucial in a business setting? In this blog post, we’ll demystify SEO, shedding light on its importance and exploring the potential consequences of neglecting it in your business practices.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. At its core, SEO is the practice of organically enhancing your website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). It’s about ensuring your website ranks as high as possible when people search for relevant keywords or phrases on search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo.

Why is SEO Important for Businesses?

1. Increased Visibility: Businesses primarily invest in SEO to improve their online visibility. When your website appears at the top of search results for keywords related to your products or services, it’s more likely that potential customers will find and visit your site.
2. Traffic Growth: Higher visibility leads to increased website traffic. And more traffic means more opportunities to convert visitors into paying customers, subscribers, or leads.
3. Credibility and Trust: Websites that rank highly in search results are often perceived as more credible and trustworthy by users. People trust Google’s recommendations so a top-ranking spot can boost your brand’s credibility.
4. Cost-Effective Marketing: SEO can be a cost-effective long-term strategy compared to traditional advertising. While it requires an initial investment, it can lead to sustained traffic and conversions without the ongoing expenses associated with pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.
5. Competitive Advantage: In today’s competitive online landscape, your competitors are likely investing in SEO. By doing so, you can also level the playing field or even gain an edge over them.

Consequences of Neglecting SEO

Now that we’ve established why SEO is important let’s discuss what can happen if it’s not part of your business practices:

1. Low Visibility: Without SEO, your website may remain buried in search engine results. This means potential customers are unlikely to find you when they search for products or services you offer, resulting in missed opportunities.
2. Loss of Customers: A lack of SEO can lead to declining website traffic, meaning fewer customers. Your competitors who invest in SEO will capture a larger market share.
3. Wasted Marketing Budget: If you’re relying solely on paid advertising and not optimizing your website for organic search, you may spend a significant portion of your marketing budget on ads without reaping the long-term benefits that SEO can provide.
4. Inconsistent Branding: SEO is not just about keywords and rankings; it’s also about creating valuable, relevant, and high-quality content. Neglecting SEO means missing opportunities to strengthen your brand’s online presence and reputation.
5. Difficulty in Recovery: If you ignore SEO for an extended period, it can be challenging to catch up with competitors who have consistently invested in it. SEO is an ongoing process; playing catch-up can be time-consuming and expensive.

In conclusion, SEO is not just marketing jargon; it’s a fundamental aspect of digital marketing that can significantly impact your business’s success. By understanding its importance and the potential consequences of neglecting it, you can make informed decisions about incorporating SEO into your business practices. In today’s online-driven world, SEO is not an option; it’s necessary for any business looking to thrive in the digital landscape.

by Art Intelligenza

by Art Intelligenza

With a flair for the dramatic, please welcome smartdept.’s newest social media contributor, Art Intelligenza. Art will join us occasionally to give his unique perspective on all amazing employment-related topics. His first assignment – the open-toed shoe dilemma.

In the era of remote work and virtual interactions, professional and casual attire boundaries have become increasingly blurred. While the convenience of video interviews on platforms like Zoom has revolutionized the job application process, it’s important to remember that first impressions still matter. One often overlooked aspect of appearance in a virtual job interview is footwear. Specifically, wearing open-toed shoes can inadvertently send the wrong message and negatively impact how a hiring manager perceives you.

The Message of Casualness

Open-toed shoes are often associated with warm weather and leisurely activities. They can be comfortable and stylish choices for relaxed social gatherings or outings. However, wearing them to a job interview, even a virtual one, can convey a sense of casualness and lack of seriousness. In a professional setting, footwear is integral to one’s overall appearance, contributing to the impression of professionalism and attention to detail. Opting for open-toed shoes might suggest to the hiring manager that you didn’t put in the effort to present yourself in a polished and formal manner.

Hiring Manager’s Reaction

A hiring manager’s perception of your footwear choice can influence their overall impression of you as a candidate. While it might seem like a small detail, it can reveal your approach to professionalism and your understanding of appropriate dress codes. A hiring manager could interpret open-toed shoes as a need for understanding the importance of dressing appropriately for the interview, potentially signaling that you might not take the job seriously or may not be an excellent cultural fit for the company. This could inadvertently cast a shadow over your qualifications and expertise, overshadowing the valuable skills you bring to the table.

Advantages of Open-Toed Shoes

While open-toed shoes might not be the ideal choice for a virtual job interview, there are some scenarios where they could work to your advantage. In industries with a more relaxed dress code, such as creative fields or startups, wearing open-toed shoes could align with the company culture and show that you understand and respect the company’s values. Additionally, open-toed shoes might be more acceptable if the position involves working in a warm climate or in roles where comfort and movement are essential.

Navigating the Shoe Dilemma

When preparing for a virtual job interview, it’s best to err on the side of caution and opt for closed-toe, professional footwear. This choice conveys that you take the interview seriously and understand professional dress codes strongly. Classic black or brown closed-toe shoes are safe choices that won’t distract the hiring manager from your qualifications and experience.

In conclusion, the pitfalls of wearing open-toed shoes to a Zoom job interview are rooted in the potential message of casualness they convey. While they might be comfortable and stylish, their presence can inadvertently weaken the overall impression you make on a hiring manager. To ensure that you project professionalism and attention to detail, choosing closed-toe shoes that align with the traditional interview attire expectations is best. Remember, in virtual interactions, every element of your appearance matters, and by carefully considering your attire, you can increase your chances of making a positive and lasting impression.

Nice work, Arthur! Way to expose the potentially dark underside of the Zoom interview. Hiring managers beware!

International Pronouns Day takes place every year on the 3rd Wednesday of October. This year Pronouns Day is October 19th. International Pronouns Day takes place each year with a straightforward goal; to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. That’s amazing because it’s one of our goals at smartdept., too. With that in mind, let’s look at what Pronouns are, why they are essential, and how we can use them in the workplace to create an inclusive and welcoming environment.

What is a Pronoun?

That’s a great question! Thanks for asking. Personal gender pronouns are those a person identifies with and would like to be called when their proper name is not used. The goal is for all people to decide how they want to be addressed. Some examples of commonly used Pronouns are:

• she/her/hers
• he/him/his
• they/them/their
• zi/zir/zirs/zirself
• hi/hir/hirs/hirself

Being referred to by the wrong pronouns mainly affects transgender and gender-nonconforming people.

Why are they important?

Another great question! Referring to a person by the Pronoun of their choice is essential to human dignity. At smartdept., we use them because it allows us to see the whole picture of a person. Referring to people in our environment by the Pronoun of their choosing normalizes non-binary and transgender identities in the workplace and creates a safer environment for everyone. Additionally, it shows our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and allows us to respect our candidates, clients, and others.

How can we use them?

Ding, Ding, Ding! Five Stars! We should all consider including our Pronouns in our email signature and incorporate neutral language in greetings. If you are not sure how someone would like to be addressed, it’s okay. Just Ask. Try something appropriate like, “My pronouns are _______. Are you comfortable sharing your pronouns with me?” And if you make a mistake and someone corrects you, say “Thank you” instead of “I’m sorry.”

For ideas on how to participate in #pronounsday and for additional resources, please visit pronounsday.org.

By Haley Stowell, Sr. Creative Account Manager

The smarty team continues to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with more influential views on Hispanic culture.

Creative Account Manager, Haley Stowell, enjoys the writing of Sandra Cisneros.  Known for work that experiments with literary forms which investigate emerging subject positions, Cisneros, herself, attributes her style to growing up in a context of cultural hybridity and economic inequality. Sandra is the only daughter in a family of six brothers which often made her feel isolated. Additionally, the constant migration of her family between Mexico and the United States made her feel as though she was always straddling two countries, while never really belonging to either culture. As a result, her work deals with the formation of Chicana identity, exploring the challenges of being caught between Mexican and Anglo-American cultures, facing the misogynist attitudes present in both these cultures, and experiencing poverty.

Cisneros has received numerous awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and the Ford Foundation Art of Change fellowship in 2017, and is regarded as a key figure in Chicano literature.

In Haley’s Words…

“I admire her bold prose which lends itself to exemplifying the stories of Latinx individuals that are truly felt and understood across cultures.”

Haley’s Pick…

Sandra Cisneros penned one of Haley’s favorite books. A coming-of-age story called The House on Mango Street. Check it out!

Read more about Sandra Cisneros here.

Eryn Briscoe, Talent Acquisition Specialist at smartdept., admires the work of Mexican Painter, Frida Kahlo. Frida is known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Born to a German father and a mestiza mother, Kahlo spent most of her childhood and adult life at La Casa Azul, her family home in Cayoacán. Inspired by the country’s popular culture, she employed a naïve folk art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society. Often mixing strong autobiographical elements and mixed realism with fantasy. Kahlo has been described as both a surrealist and a magical realist.

Kahlo is known for painting her experience with chronic pain. She contracted polio as a child and was injured in a bus accident at the age of 18, which caused her lifelong pain and medical problems. It was then she returned to her childhood interest in art.

In Eryn’s own words…

“I think I admire Frida because of her exclamation, I paint the flowers so they will not die. I love that philosophy! Seeing art as a way to own the unknownable, to protect the things and people you love against the cruelty of time. Also, the fact that she’s a woman of color in a patriarchal society, is very impactful.”

Eryn’s Pick…

Check out, Diego and I. In this painting, Frida’s great anguish over Diego Rivera is revealed after his affair with Maria Felix nearly resulted in their divorce.

Read more about Frida Kahlo here.

Credits: “Sandra Cisneros” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Photograph of Frida Kahlo’s 1949 oil painting Diego And I via Wikipedia. Header photo: crop of Emmy Star Brown painting.

The smarty team continues to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with more influential views on Hispanic culture.

Creative Account Manager, Morgan Gorecki, would like you to take some time to learn about Sylvia Rivera. Born on July 2, 1951, this Latina trailblazer was a Venezuelan-Puerto Rican trans woman who pioneered LGBT activism, fighting for trans rights. Raised in New York City, Sylvia was abandoned by her birth father and became an orphan after her mother died by suicide. Living on the streets before her 11^th birthday, Rivera was forced to work as a child prostitute before she was taken in by a local community of drag queens who gave her the name Sylvia. Together she and Marsha P Johnson (who allegedly was the first person who threw a brick in the Stonewall riots) created the “Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries” (STAR) organization that provided a home for trans people living on the streets in the 1970s in NY as well as offered organizers a space to discuss issues facing the transgender community in NY.

In Morgan’s Words…

I admire Sylvia on many levels. As time goes on, the trans community has become more and more accepted, and it is clear the work Sylvia had done in the past was the catalyst to this. She had paved the way for the LGBT community to walk; feeling much more normal than our past histories have depicted. In hindsight, Sylvia has saved so many LGBT lives with her efforts not only at the Stonewall riots, but her legacy lives on as the world continues to move in a more positive direction.

Morgan’s Pick…

Check out the book, The Stone Wall Reader, an anthology chronicling the tumultuous fight for LGBTQ rights in the 1960s and the activists who spearheaded it.

Read more about Sylvia Rivera here and here.

Rob Leinheiser, Talent Acquisition Specialist at smartdept., admires the work of Jacob Padrón. This Mexican American is the artistic director of Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT. He is also the Artistic Director of The Sol Project and a co-founder of the Artists’ Anti-Racism Coalition. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University where he studied Theatre and Communications, Jacob also attended the Yale School of Drama studying Theatre Management.

Padrón was raised in Gilroy, California. During his youth, he attended a production of “La Virgen del Tepeyac” put on by El Teatro Campesino. He soon joined the company and was a member throughout his teenage years. After graduating college Jacob volunteered with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, providing support for those living with HIV/AIDS. Before his role at Long Warf Theatre, he worked as an associate producer for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, a producer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, and a producer for the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles. Padrón was named “one to watch” by American Theatre Magazine.

In Rob’s own words…

“I love the theatre scene in New Haven, where I live, and it has been made even better the last few years with Jacob Padrón’s artistic leadership at Long Wharf Theatre. Jacob is a talented producer who has dedicated his work to lift new and exciting voices, reckoning with the legacy of racism in American theatre, and fulfilling Long Wharf’s mission statement of creating theatre for everyone.”

Rob’s Pick…

If you’re local to New Haven (and even if you’re not, join or support the Long Wharf Theatre because “theatre is for everyone.”

Read more about Jacob Padrón here and here.

Credits: Sylvia Rivera with STAR banner by Roseleechs – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0; header photo: crop of Emmy Star Brown painting.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, smartdept. has asked a few of its smarties to share whom it is that they admire from this richly talented and diverse community.

One of our founders, Michelle Pairitz, would like you to know about Judithe Hernández, an artist, educator, muralist, pastel artist, and painter. Judithe is a pioneer of the Chicano Art Movement and a former member of the art collective Los Four. She is based in Los Angeles, CA, and previously lived in Chicago, IL.

Judithe first received acclaim in the 1970s for her mural work. Her artistic practice shifted over time and now is centered on works on paper, principally pastels, which frequently incorporate indigenous imagery and the social-political tension of gender roles.

In 1974, she became the fifth and only woman member of Los Four, the influential and celebrated East Los Angeles Chicano artist collective. Additionally, she was later part of the art collective, Centro de Arte Público. As early as 1970, Hernández was involved in the initial efforts of Chicano artists in East Los Angeles. During a time in which she was the only female at meetings who was not a girlfriend or wife but an active artist participant.

In Michelle’s Words…

“I identify with and admire Judithe Hernandez on many levels. I, too, am an Artist who similarly produces large works and expresses my point of view through my work. As a professional, I consider myself a trailblazer, like Judithe. Starting a niched staffing resource more than twenty years ago involved imagination, courage, and a multitude of risks. Still today, smartdept. is one of just a few creative, digital, and marketing-niched staffing resources certified as a women’s business enterprise.”

Michelle’s Pick…

Check out Summer, created by Judithe in 2013 as a portion of the Santa Monica Metro public art project transcultural depictions of sun-related mythology.

Learn more about Judithe Hernández here and here.

Melissa Imbrogno, Senior National Account Manager at smartdept. admires the work of actor, rapper, composer, playwright, and filmmaker Lin-Manuel Miranda. Known for creating the Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights, and the soundtrack of Disney’s Encanto, his work has earned him three Tony Awards, three Grammy Awards, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, an Annie Award, a MacArthur Fellowship Award, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Pulitzer Prize.

A graduate of Wesleyan University, Miranda made his Broadway debut in the 2008 musical In the Heights, starring, and writing the music and lyrics. A critical and commercial success, In the Heights, won Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, and was adapted into a film released in June 2021. Miranda is perhaps most recognized for writing the script, music, and lyrics for the pop culture phenomenon Hamilton in 2015. It earned the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was nominated for a record 16 Tony Awards, winning eleven.

In Melissa’s own words…

“Lin is an amazing writer and performer and has inspired a whole new demographic with his release of Hamilton. He took something that’s been the same way since the beginning of time and flipped it on its head. He is a minority, embraces his culture, and has inspired and taught so many.”

Melissa’s Pick…

Disney’s Encanto because the musical style is immediately recognizable and the impression it leaves on you is unforgettable.

Learn more about Lin-Manuel Miranda here and here.

Credits: Judithe Hernández in 2010 via Wikipedia; Miranda in March 2022, via Wikipedia; header photo: crop of Emmy Star Brown painting.

For the first week of Hispanic Heritage month, smartdept. is highlighting the life and career of Hall of Famer and former Pittsburgh Pirate, Roberto Clemente.

Stick to what you know, right?

Clemente played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball, all with the Pirates. Among his player achievements are 15 All-Star games, 1966 NL MVP award, 4-time NL batting champion, 12 consecutive gold gloves, 3000 career hits, 2x World Series champion, and a World Series MVP.

Oh, yeah, and he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and 6 months after his untimely death Baseball waived its standard 5-year waiting period and inducted him into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1973). His induction made him the first Caribbean-born and Latin player to receive enshrinement.

But in my opinion, that’s not even what makes him special.

Roberto Clemente was a tireless humanitarian, spending his off-seasons focused on charitable causes. His efforts both on and off the field lead Major League Baseball to rename its Commissioners Award to The Roberto Clemente Award given to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and the individual’s contribution to his team.

So, it was no surprise that when Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua, was affected by an earthquake on December 23, 1972, Clemente immediately went to work arranging emergency relief. But he learned that because of corrupt officials in the Somoza government, the aid packages that he set up were not being delivered. On New Year’s Eve 1972, he decided to accompany the relief flight, hoping that his presence would ensure the delivery of the much-needed aid to the survivors. The Douglas DC-7 cargo plane he chartered had a history of mechanical problems, an insufficient number of flight personnel, and was overloaded by 4,200 pounds when it crashed immediately after take-off into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Isla Verde Puerto Rico. There were no survivors.

If you investigated it, you would find endless examples of selfless acts performed by the late Roberto Clemente. One that sticks out for me happened on the day of his passing and was quite possibly the last selfless thing he did.

Tom Walker was a pitcher who pitch parts of six seasons in the big leagues and got to know Clemente while playing winter ball in Puerto Rico. He had just finished his rookie campaign when, on Dec. 31, 1972, he was among a handful of ballplayers helping to load the small plane in San Juan with food, clothing, and medical supplies.

Walker, who was single at the time, was to travel along on the ill-fated journey, but Clemente urged him and several others to stay back and celebrate the new year. Walker stayed, and he survived. And as only fate would have it, Walker was drawn to Clemente’s adopted hometown of Pittsburgh. Where he would raise his family and where his son, Neil on September 1, 2009, would make his Major League debut as a member of (you guessed it) the Pittsburgh Pirates. Neil Walker has been quoted, as saying “I literally owe my life to Roberto Clemente.”

Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage this month, and share who has inspired you.

By Eric Pairitz, smartdept. Principal

Jackie Robinson says to Branch Rickey, “You want a player who doesn’t have the guts to fight back”? Rickey returns, “No. I want a player who’s got the guts not to fight back.”

Before Martin Luther King Jr., there was Jackie Robinson. By being the first Black player to play in the Major Leagues and doing so without conflict, he was leading peaceful protests one game at a time, inspiring a nation, allowing an entire race of people to see what could be done, and giving them the courage to follow his lead.

April 15^th is Jackie Robinson Day in the United States. And this April 15^th marks the 75^th anniversary of the day that Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in a Major League Baseball game. When in 1947, he took the field as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Though baseball was not the first sport to integrate (football did it one year earlier), Jackie’s ability to follow through on his promise to not “fight back” paved the way for countless athletes of African American descent to follow.

At smartdept., we take the time to recognize and celebrate Jackie Robinson Day. The first step in creating a culture that promotes diversity, equality, and inclusion involves education. Through conversation, we can begin to understand what is essential to an individual and an organization and develop strategies around solutions. As I reflect on past Jackie Robinson Days, I’m reminded of the time my oldest daughter excitedly came home from second grade to share with me that her class was studying a chapter on Negro League Baseball. Knowing she was named after Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux and that her dad was a baseball nut, Maddy knew I would be excited. She didn’t know that I have an extensive collection of Negro League memorabilia, including cards, jerseys, posters, autographs, videos, and more. And I love to share.

Like any good salesperson would do, I identified my target, got the contact information for Second Grade Teacher, Mrs. Marsh, and made my pitch (pun intended) to come to share my knowledge and treasures with her second-grade classroom. Okay, I admit it’s not a tough sell! Pretty much, anyone who calls any grade-school teacher and offers to fill 30 minutes of class time (so they don’t have to) will be welcomed with open arms. She may have offered to come to the house and drive me to the school to make sure I showed up. All kidding aside, it was an honor to have the opportunity to go to each of my four daughters’ second-grade classrooms to talk about Negro League Baseball, Jackie Robinson, and what he had to endure to leave his legacy. It was a privilege and a time in my life that I will always look back on fondly.

Join us in the celebration by dawning a number 42 jersey on Friday, April 15^th. Or any other day. And learn more about Jackie’s impact on our game here. Then share it!

By Eric Pairitz, smartdept. Principal

Women’s history month is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the important female figures who have shaped our paths through life. These might be family members, friends, or mentors. Some might be individuals we see every day, while others influence us from our memories alone.

One influential woman in my life was my Grandma Lissy, who passed away last October. She led a remarkable life, by all accounts. At sixteen years old, she escaped from the Holocaust, fleeing south from the Netherlands through France. It was only through good fortune and the heroic actions of the Portuguese consulate Aristides de Sousa Mendes that she and her family were able to cross into Spain, Portugal, and, eventually, the United States.

Upon arriving in the U.S., Lissy Jarvik continued her studies and eventually attended what is now Case Western University School of Medicine. In her early thirties, she married and began a family, juggling a prolific career. She led incredible advancements in the field of psychology and specifically in her research on twins and Alzheimer’s disease. Eventually, she became a professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, where she was a pioneer in the field of psychogeriatrics.

In her later life, my grandma thought a lot about how to document and share a life lived. She spent years working on an unfinished memoir and was passionately vocal about her escape from the Nazis thanks to de Sousa Mendes. Perhaps it was through her influence that I found myself pondering the same questions when she passed away in October of 2021. How do you honor such a life as it ends? How can you share and celebrate its memory?

This is a question many great thinkers have pondered over time. Several William Shakespeare’s sonnets, for instance, are dedicated to the notion, often concluding that children are the purest form of legacy. “Die single, and thine image dies with thee,” reads the last line in Sonnet 3, as it urges a youth gazing in a mirror to have children or be forgotten to the mists of time. Other individuals focus on the work we do in our lives. “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing [about],” advised Benjamin Franklin in the 1738 edition of “Poor Richard’s Almanac.”

These ideas echoed in my head as I helped clean out Grandma’s apartment last October. As we emptied the bookshelves, it occurred to me that the collection reflected her life. They held her interests and passions, friends and colleagues, and history. Her escape. Her career. Her family. Her joys. I felt her there. That is when it occurred to me—what better way to honor my grandma, who loved to give gifts, than to re-gift each book in her collection?

Thus began the “Lissy’s Library” project. I packed up all 375 unclaimed books from my grandma’s collection and brought them back to my apartment. I organized them, created an online survey, and invited everyone and anyone who might be interested in signing up for a book. So far, around 200 books have been claimed, and 100 have been mailed out to 27 US states and nine countries, spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. (And the project is still ongoing! If you’d like to receive a book, you can still sign up here.)

One of my favorite things about the project has been learning a little bit about each book recipient. Some people leave comments about their lives, making me feel the beauty of this impermanent community I am creating. One woman sent me a message that she had read about my grandma’s life and was inspired to share the story with her children. Other recipients commented on how the project helped them reflect on themselves or reminded them of their loved ones. That is a legacy for which I know my grandma would be proud.

So, this women’s month, I hope you, too, will take the opportunity to reflect on the people that have shaped you, the journeys they have taken, and the ways you can honor them.

By Leah Jarvik, guest contributor

Released in 1971 by John Lennon, the song Imagine was the former Beatle’s way of asking us all to imagine a place where the things that divide us did not exist. Fifty years later, his message, including the physical single, downloads, ringtones, streaming, and albums on which it was featured, has sold 21 million copies, according to ChartMasters.

But here’s a what-if…

What if Lennon’s chart-topping signature song had been called Reimagine? What if he had asked us to act? To not just think about what life without the things that divide us would be like, but to rethink what existed and make it into something better. Instead of asking all the people to imagine living life in peace, imagine (pun intended) if he had written, “reimagine all the people living life in peace.” Sending out a call to action to an entire generation and the generations that followed to take steps to remake something broken into something better.

Would the 21 million people so profoundly touched by his message that they added it to their music collection be enough to make a difference if they had been asked to do more than imagine? Would reimaging have created a powerful movement that, when compounded by 50 years, would have moved us closer to a world with no countries and nothing to kill or die for? If John Lennon had asked us to do something, instead of just thinking about how nice it would be, could we literally be “living life in peace” right now?

Were we just two measly letters away from a better world? A stinking R and a crummy E?

Can someone get in a time machine, go back fifty years, and buy a vowel?

Okay. To be fair, you do have to imagine something happening to take appropriate steps towards reimagining it, I’m telling myself. My own business was built by first having a good idea and then creating a feasible plan to execute it. That said, couldn’t Lennon have put out a follow-up single asking us to expound on what we’ve imagined? Was he so naïve to believe that we would just create such a movement and take the next step all by ourselves? Ice cream moguls Ben and Jerry kinda got the message. I guess. In 2008 they reimagined the concept by creating a new ice cream flavor called “Imagine Whirled Peace.” Their attempt at changing the world with caramel, toffee cookie pieces, and chocolate peace signs was retired in 2013.

But here’s (another) what if…

What if John, a.k.a. the Clever One, had not reached so far with his ask of the world peace? Maybe that was too grand of a concept. What if he had just asked us all to imagine or reimagine considering the feelings of all people on earth? What if we had spent the last fifty years reimagining how to treat all people equally regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, ability, disability, gender, religion, culture, or sexual orientation? Wouldn’t focusing on diversity, equality, and inclusion ultimately have led us down the same path to world peace? Possibly with better efficiency?

Here’s a thought…

What if we called in a favor to Yoko Ono? After all, the Imagine concept came from Ono’s book Grapefruit, according to facts.com. In fact (pun intended), Yoko was credited as co-writer on the song on June 17th, 2017. Due in part to Lennon himself, reimagining how the song came to be. So, let’s not go toe in with this thing. Let’s all jump in with two feet by calling on Yoko Ono to help write the follow-up to Imagine and set things straight once and for all. And let’s pivot away from world peace. Are we still using the word pivot? Anyway, I think the pageant people have a trademark on the big WP deal. Those pageant people are crafty (pun intended). And are we likely subjecting ourselves to legal issues if we jump on their bandwagon? I suggest we start with other reimagining’s of DEI. Wouldn’t that be terrific?

Should we get greedy and throw in Sustainability, too?

I’ll reach out to Yoko. Rest assured; I’ll get it done! I’m persuasive. And if Yoko won’t do it, I’ll call Julian Lennon!

By Eric Pairitz, smartdept. Principal

If I told you that, to start smartdept. inc., my partner (in life and business) and I saved our seed money by downsizing, living on $25 per week for groceries (for an entire year), moving to a different state to avoid contractual issues with a previous employer, leased an office (site unseen) for $190 per month, lived in a relatives basement to save on expenses, didn’t secure funding from a bank, and went all-in on our little idea 3 months after 911 in the middle of a recession without a single client or candidate…

Would you say we qualify as “outside of the box” thinkers? Or are we risk-takers? Perhaps you prefer idiots?

When I started writing this blog, I began by jotting down a few ways our business has operated differently than some of our contemporaries. I don’t know, I’m thinking. Should I do something that gets straight to the point, like a David Letterman Top 10 list? Populated with quirky examples like buying equipment for a candidate so they could fulfill an assignment. Or rolling up our sleeves to help a candidate move so she could do a scheduled interview. That’s pretty out of the box! How about driving a candidate to an interview when their car broke down, consoling someone after a tough day, or taking time on Saturday or Sunday to make sure someone is prepared for their interview on Monday?

It was then suggested to me that these are examples of being kind. Better illustrating compassion, which is not necessarily out of the box. Kind-a, I reluctantly agreed.

Okay! Maybe let’s focus on some other areas that deserve consideration. Like having an open dialog with clients, candidates, and co-workers leading to refined processes. How about taking a consultative approach and positioning ourselves as your own personal expert on the subject of employment and our niche? Would you like us to sit in on your team meeting to help shape a process, give input on who would work best together, or assist in establishing a workflow schedule? All you need to do is ask. How about just keeping it simple? All of our recruiters are cross-trained, work on, and are compensated for all open opportunities. Our clients enjoy one point of contact to keep them in the loop, and the owners actively manage the process. So we always know what’s happening with you.

That’s some creative thinking, right there! Wouldn’t you agree? But is that out of the box?

Surely we’ve exercised our OOTBT (that’s how the kids would say it) during the Pandemic! Over the last 18 wild and crazy months, we’ve reestablished our identity, received certification from the WBENC as a Women Business Enterprise, updated our website and marketing materials, re-invested in streamlining our internal processes, added staff, and adapted to remote work for both internal employees and the candidates/clients we represent. To keep our growing team engaged, we’ve made an effort to teach them new skills outside of their jobs descriptions, done Zoom parties, and sent gifts to remind them that we see them (even if we can’t see them). Most recently, we helped one of our teammates forced by the Pandemic into being the primary caregiver by adapting to her reduced availability and offering her a new role that made sense for her new situation.

Out of the box or not, we do what you have to do (I’m sure you’d do the same).

It seems like the more I write about it, the more I realize that thinking outside of the box is another way of emphasizing change. Maybe we are not thinking outside of this elusive imaginary box, after all. Perhaps we are throwing it in the trash and getting a new one. Or better yet, there is no box! Possibly being a risk-taker, a creative thinker, having compassion for others, and doing what needs to be done are common traits relative to success. I bet if you put your space helmet on, you could think of a few high-profile examples of people who exhibit these traits. In the end, I think it’s safe to say nobody from smartdept. inc. is going to space anytime soon. And now that we’ve got the imaginary box makers all up in arms, we won’t be invited, in or out, of any imaginary boxes, and our pantomime careers are over.

But hey, if you’re looking to engage with compassionate people who prompt change by employing creative solutions to do what needs to be done, then we’re for you! Email us today!

Save your golf clap. Boutique is just a fancy way of saying we have time for you. And over the last 18 very unique months, we’ve maximized our opportunity to learn about and grow with you through conferences, break-out sessions, Zoom calls, and phone calls. We’ve made time for prospective clients, clients, industry contemporaries, candidates, our own employees, and friends, too (we are boutique, after all). One consistent takeaway from these conversations is that you are looking for a true partner with specific knowledge of your niche to solve staffing-related issues. Even the MSP leaders we connected with spoke about a shift in viewing their partners moving forward. At smartdept. inc., we choose relationships over metrics. We have more successful placements because we take the time necessary to know the clients we serve and the creative, digital, and marketing professionals we represent.

Boutique is back (caviar, while you read, is optional)!

Why do we consider our service to be boutique? Well, it’s not about our size; it’s our approach! For one, we offer a single point of contact to our clients while everyone on our team has the autonomy to find qualified candidates for all of our open opportunities. Meaning our team works together (and is compensated together) to find the most qualified person for your need. Your mother might say, “many hands make light work.” Meanwhile, you will not be inundated with information because our progress is communicated to you through the Creative Account Manager who knows you. As a bonus, working collaboratively on all of our open jobs allows us to seamlessly train our entire staff on the ins and outs of your company, department, and opportunity. So, if something does come up, any one of us can keep moving in a positive direction.

Another difference-maker is the quality of our talent. Our detailed matching process lets us really get to know everything about our talent – that’s true! But our approach to relationship building allows us to continue to learn about our talent as they grow professionally. Heck, we will stay in touch with our smartdept. inc. candidates until they tell us not to. For example, we recently placed a talent (again) who has been signed up with our resource for nearly 20 years – that’s boutique!

What about pricing? What about it? Imagine if you could have the pricing offered by your favorite big box staffing resource and the knowledge and service of a niched boutique staffing resource. Ahoy paloy! Now you can!

Finally, the experience in our niche is second to none. The smartdept. inc. management team boasts more than 40 years of combined creative staffing experience. So there isn’t anything we haven’t seen. Yep, seen that too. In many cases, our experience extends beyond staffing in our niche and includes your company, as well as the candidates who have worked (and sometimes not worked) in your environment. It’s kinda like Cheers! Don’t you want to go where everybody knows your name?

To learn more about our boutique approach to creative, digital, and marketing staffing or discuss further our philosophies on service, pricing, vetting our talent, or our experience, please drop us a line at hello@thesmartdept.com.

Now you may golf clap (at your convenience, of course).

So here we are, a good 18 months in, and the water park is re-opened. But we can’t enjoy the lazy river because there aren’t enough lifeguards available to keep that attraction going. It’s frustrating! The need is there, but it’s not exactly lining up with people’s priorities because it’s still a bit scary out there. People are still concerned about the spread of the virus, and basic things like childcare and school are still a slippery slope. Some won’t come back or can’t come back, and others are looking for a change. What can you do?

Thanks to the pandemic, our current workforce is in the middle of a major shift. The new workforce has been slow to re-enter because, in some cases, they are being paid more on unemployment than at the jobs they were laid off from, and going back to work puts them at risk of losing those benefits. On the flip side, many individuals close to retirement are finding solace by an early exit. And LITERALLY, EVERYONE ELSE is taking steps to reevaluate whether or not their current role offers them the best combination of responsibilities, compensation, and work-life balance. Side note, did you know that so many teenagers overuse the word “literally” that Webster’s Dictionary has taken steps to change its definition to mean not literal?

Another gaping hole in employment left by the effects of COVID-19 is related to women. Did you know that 1 in 4 women left the workplace during the pandemic? Some left because their jobs were eliminated. Many other women left out of necessity to assume the role of caregiver, full-time. Anyone with school-age children can easily relate to the side effects of home or hybrid school. In total, nearly 1.8 million women left the workforce during the last 18 months. Many have not been able to re-enter the workforce.

Here’s a question for those who managed to avoid having a gap in their employment during the COVID-19 outbreak. Have you been busy? Duh, you’re thinking. This just in, the remaining workforce is being asked to do more than ever. The increase in responsibility has led to more hours dedicated to work and less time to find the help you need. Your reward for such dedication might include work fatigue, lack of focus, and a shift in work-life balance. A medal for your service; that wasn’t anywhere in my research. Sorry.

What’s the rub? You need help. But, you’re so busy you don’t have time to find it.

Now more than ever, you need a staffing resource! At smartdept. inc. (oh, hi there), we are experts in our niche and on the subject of employment. Our fees are contingent on a placement, which means our searches are free until you find the candidate you want to hire. We offer full benefits to candidates placed on temporary assignments, so you don’t have to. And all of our candidates, temporary and direct-hire, are fully vetted. By the time they get to you, it’s like they’re on a second interview. Plus, we are nice. So drop us a line at hello@thesmartdept.com. Don’t you want someone to be nice to you?