12 Most Viral YouTube Videos

Happy New Year!

How many hours (days) did you spend in 2011 watching YouTube? For some people, watching it has eclipsed TV watching. I can tell you my kids prefer watching Americas Funniest Videos over TV and have a ball laughing till they fall out of their chair. What I find interesting is that they will sit side by side on two chairs in the kitchen - bringing laughter and energy to the whole house instead of huddled mindlessly watching TV in the other room. Does the computer and YouTube change how your household consumes entertainment?

Well - in case you missed it - Here are the 12 most Viral YouTube Videos of 2011!

Special thanks to Sam Fiorella and one of my favorite blogs, www.12most.com, for the list.

Cheers

Calvin

Product Reviews on YouTube

We installed new desktop computers a few weeks ago and they have built in cameras.

Here is what the staff decided to use the cameras for. Product reviews.

I love seeing staff embrace the new and create art! LOVE IT!!!!

We are ordering lighting and microphones to make the reviews look even better.

Cheers,

Calvin

Sneak peek!

My Christmas present came today as we all had a sneak peek at our new Costless web site (99% complete).

It looks incredible! The functionality and tools will make customers grin from ear to ear, compared to our current and out-dated site.

I don't have an absolute launch date, but you'll all hear soon about the roll out.

Cheers,

Calvin

Thank You!

Sometimes giving a gift to someone who never expects it can be the most rewarding.
This year we discussed amongst our managers, who are the staff at our suppliers that we could recognize?
These are the people who are behind the scenes and the unsung heroes that make all the magic happen for Costless. I'm talking about the people who pick our orders perfect every time, the delivery drivers who show up on time, the staff who take back and process our return merchandise, the receivables departments that make our invoices perfect every time.
These are the staff at our suppliers that are in the trenches and never hear a thank you or a gift from customers. Gifts from customers to suppliers is rare at the management level, and I'm sure non-existent to these staff in the trenches.
A BIG thank you to all our suppliers for helping us have an incredible year, we couldn't have done it without you, and you, and you. Please know we recognize everyone's efforts!
Cheers,
Calvin

Giving Back

Tonight is a night to give back.
Police Chief, Jim Chu, spoke at our “We Care” event tonight.
The Vancouver City Chief of Police heard about our efforts on this event and insisted on participating. He addressed the group about the challenges facing the Downtown East Side and how he leads his team in addressing the myriad of issues in Canada’s poorest neighbourhood.
We are carrying the torch of a great event EO alumni Nigel Bennett and entrepreneur coach Kevin Lawrence started 7 years ago, and are proud to be involved in the efforts by donating food, socks, candy and the use of one of our delivery trucks. Our staff and friends had a chance to get engaged with the community. Other EO members brought their staff, spouses and children to make a group of over 180 strong.

We headed to the streets as small groups to hand out specially prepared care packages. This was a chance to see how grateful a fellow human being can be for something as simple as a dry pair of socks, a holiday treat, spare clothes or even a plastic bag they can use to keep their few possessions dry.  This was a unique opportunity for our key staff to directly interact with the most challenged neighbourhood in Canada. We were not there to change lives but are hopeful to simply brighten a day during a difficult season for many in this community.
This year over 1500 packages where given out. A new record!
Unfortunately I was out of town and truly saddened I could not be a part of the event but thanks to other Costless staff, we really made our presence known. Thank you to Shawn, Todd, Nabil, Chris, Michelle, Cindy and others on our team. Merry Christmas!!
Cheers
Calvin

Christmas Party at the Giggle Dam!

After some fun at the Costless offices playing Minute To Win It, we all headed over to the Giggle Dam. The staff was totally excited!
Getting 30 staff into the Giggle Dam on the hottest corporate party Saturday night in December took a small miracle and booking 4 months ago, but here we are!!
Here is how awesome my staff is: At the Giggle Dam, it's the boss who usually gets picked on and dragged on stage to be humiliated in a fun way in front of other guests and your staff. This time when the Giggle Dam staff asked who was in charge, they singled out Todd our Call Centre Manager.
Have a look at what ensued when they dragged him on stage (instead of me!!)

Atta boy Todd.

If you haven't been to the Giggle Dam, it is a must party place for your staff.  Ask for my new friend Patrick von Pander, Director of Marketing & Operations at The Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre, and tell him I sent you.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!
Calvin

Christmas Pre-Party!

Check out a few videos from our Pre-Party here at Costless, before we took off later to our Christmas party.
We set up a open bar, food, prizes and played the game Minute To Win It.

I had a great time building all the challenges my self and playing MC for the event. The challenges were harder that they look on the internet, but we did have a few outstanding moments like Sandy balancing 3 golf balls in about 20 seconds and Terry blowing several of the Christmas cards perfectly while other teams had trouble getting one.

An interesting thing happened when we drew for some of the top prizes like Canuck Tickets, Front row Prince tickets, Helijet sightseeing flights and Pacific Coastal tickets. It was a random blind draw where the first place teams picked first - and the last team went last. You would think being the last team to pick - all the best prizes would be gone. BUT, when the last team came to pick and there were only 4 choices left, the top prizes were still available. What amazing odds!!

Cheers and Merry Christmas!

Calvin

Christmas came early for Nabil!

Christmas came early for Nabil!

He has been working on replacing our entire computer hardware systems from top to bottom.

Our shipment arrived early - over 50 boxes in total for the project!!

I've never seen a grown man hug and kiss boxes before ;-)

We are excited to gut our system over the Christmas break and hit 2012 ready to take on more growth.

Sales growth has been 15-20% per year for several years and we really got maximum value out of our old hardware, but it's time to bite the bullet and invest in the future. I can't wait to see the faces of the staff when they see their new desk top computers with a giant 27" screen with the computer built inside.

Cheers,

Calvin

Awesome is...

Awesome is...

Christmas decorations in the office :-)

Cheers,

Calvin