Stephanie Quantrill’s Post

What do our employees talk about at the weekend BBQ? As we head into another great summer weekend, I thought I would share something I think and talk about at least every other week, but I have never written about it. It came up again in a conversation yesterday, and I was thinking about those weekend barbecues we all enjoy, especially during these summer months in the northern States. You know the scene—friends, family, good food, and inevitably, the question: "How's work?" Through the context of the work we do at Denamico, this is how the scenarios to the “How’s work?” question plays out: 🍔 Person 1 response: "I'm loving my job! I have all the tools I need to excel, focusing on high-value activities that make a real difference to the business and to me. It's actually fun to go to work!" 🍔 Person 2 response: "That sounds amazing... I spend hours daily on manual tasks that could be automated. I wish I had the right tools to do my job more effectively." Which response do you think I want to hear from our employees? At Denamico, we've made it our mission to ensure our team always gives the first response by investing in the best tools to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Why? Because when our employees are empowered, our clients receive superior service. Let me share a few examples: ♦ Our CRM is fully integrated with email, automatically syncing information and reducing manual data entry. ♦ Our sales process is built into the CRM, providing clear task lists and allowing for quick process improvements. ♦ We've implemented AI transcription that syncs with our CRM and video conferencing tools, saving hours on meeting recaps. These tools aren't just about efficiency; they're about enabling our team to focus on what truly matters - delivering value to our clients. The ROI? Huge. We can serve more clients, deliver better results, and most importantly, our team feels equipped and motivated to do their best work. As leaders, it's our responsibility to ensure our people have what they need to succeed. After all, a superior employee experience directly translates to a superior client experience. So, what tools are you providing your team? Are they equipped to give that enthusiastic "I love my job" response at their next BBQ? Have a great weekend!

Experiences and More ! The other day, while packing lunch for my family, I was struck by the significance of each container in the tiffin box, perfectly stacked on top of each other. Each one had its unique role: the largest held the rice, the middle carried the curry, and the smallest stored pickles and chutneys. The middle container might feel proud, knowing it carries the heart of the meal—the curry—without which lunch would be dry and dull. The largest container might boast of being the foundation, holding the main portion of the meal, essential for the curry to be enjoyed. But what about the smallest container? Often filled with tangy pickles, it might seem insignificant compared to the larger ones. But imagine if one day, the smallest container, feeling unappreciated, decided to sit out. The big and middle containers are stacked and taken to work, but when lunchtime arrives and the tiffin is opened, what do we see? The curry has spilled over, soaking into the rice and leaking out of the tiffin. The meal is a mess. This scenario is a reminder of our workplaces, where teams comprise individuals with different skills and capabilities—some small, some big, but all essential to keep the work in perfect sync. Just like the tiffin box, where every container plays a crucial role, our teams function best when everyone knows their value and contributes to the collective success.

🎯 Struggling with a packed venue on weekends but empty tables during the week? It’s a common issue. Saturdays are buzzing, but Monday to Thursday? Crickets 🦗 Here’s the thing: the "build it and they will come" mentality only works for the weekend. The rest of the week, you need to fight hard for every seat filled. Relying on walk-ins or hope won’t cut it. So, how do you actually solve it? ✅ Create a direct marketing strategy that finds your ideal customers and speaks directly to them. ✅ Craft an irresistible mid-week offer that motivates people to book, not just scroll by. ✅ Drive urgency so people take action now, not “maybe next time.” Our Get Booked program does all this for you. With our 3-step Engage, Connect, Grow system, you’ll be filling tables at the click of a button. 💥 Interested in getting your restaurant booked out all week? Let’s talk. #RestaurantMarketing #GetBooked #FillYourVenue

💡 Lunch breaks aren’t just a way to avoid hunger—data shows it makes employees more productive, less burnt out, and happier overall! Win your way to employees' hearts (and stomachs!) with fresh, catered lunch. Get started here: https://bit.ly/3zDe25i #BusinessCatering #BurnoutPrevention #LunchBreak #TeamLunch #ezCater

Clarity often depends on comparison. We are often rutted in our own ways- which can impair our ability to bring clarity to others. Try a jolt of the unfamiliar. Mini Jolt: Sit on the opposite end of the conference table at your next meeting. Travel home from work using a different route from normal. Instead of ordering what you usually do at your favorite restaurant, choose the eleventh item on the menu. Half Jolt: Spend a day immersed in an environment not typically your own. Such as .. if you're an accountant, take an afternoon and spend it with a lifeguard or park ranger. Full Jolt: Travel to another country, with a culture different from your own. You'll likely return jolted and clarified. To Sell is Human. Pink. This part from work by Sommers at Tufts University.

The Great Piece Debate: What’s in Your Lunchbox? Alright, let’s settle this once and for all: What’s everyone taking to work for lunch these days? Is it the good ol’ trusty sandwich (aka “piece”)? Leftovers from last night’s dinner masterpiece? Or are you the “I’ll just grab something on the way” type? And the real question—does your other half make it for you, or are you flying solo in the kitchen every morning? Are they packing you a gourmet meal like you’re off to a 5-star office picnic, or is it more of a “here’s a sandwich and a hope for the best”? Let’s hear it—what’s your workday fuel, and who’s in charge of packing it? And does your other half does make your lunch?

🟣Chef Hilda Baci’s Record On World Food Day, we celebrate not just food itself, but the people and systems that make it all possible. And what better example than Chef Hilda Baci’s incredible feat of breaking the Guinness World Record for marathon cooking? 🟣While we all marveled at Hilda’s strength and resilience, there were many unseen hands that helped make it happen. As Hilda worked tirelessly in the kitchen, someone was washing the dishes and clearing the mess. 🟣A timer was set, helping her manage each dish with precision. It’s the kind of time management that every business owner needs. 🟣Her brand stayed alive and visible online too. Not because she was checking her Instagram while stirring pots, but because her team kept her social media active and engaged. 🟣This brand visibility is crucial especially on days like World Food Day, where staying connected to your audience builds trust and fosters support. And in her rare moments of rest, her team wiped the sweat from her brow and handed her water, allowing her to keep going strong. 🟣Delegation was key here. Hilda didn’t need to do it all herself and neither do you. 🟣On this World Food Day, let’s remember that, just like in Hilda’s kitchen, success in business (and food) requires a team behind you, a Virtual Assistant could be the team member you need. 🟣How can a VA help you? Time Management – Keep everything running smoothly, just like Hilda's cooking schedule. Brand Visibility – Stay in touch with your audience even when you're busy. Task Delegation – Let someone else handle the small stuff while you focus on the big picture. As we celebrate World Food Day, remember, you don’t have to do it alone. 🟣Rep your country’s food, Drop the name of your country’s dish in the comments below. If you don’t see it listed, just add it in the comments so we can celebrate it too. I WILL GO FIRST #WorldFoodDay #VirtualAssistants #EntrepreneurSupport

Pro Tip: Turn Slow Afternoons into Profit Generators 🕒 If weekday afternoons are slow, don’t let them go to waste! Try these ideas: Happy Hour Promotions: Offer drink and appetizer specials to draw in after-work crowds. Small Group Discounts: Encourage meetups, book clubs, or study sessions with small discounts for groups. Prep for Dinner: Use downtime to test new menu items or get ahead on prep work. Slow times are opportunities in disguise—how do you make the most of your off-peak hours? #SlowHourStrategies #RestaurantMarketing #RevenueBoost #OperationalEfficiency

This past week, I've been reflecting on the importance of consistency in my morning routine. Waking up early and getting to the office by 8 am allows me to get a head start on the day and be more productive. Plus, I found a fantastic cafe near my office that sells delicious sea salt pretzels - I had to visit them twice this week! What are some things you've learned or accomplished this week? Share in the comments below!

Why a happy work environment is so important 😄 Work NA is one of the core pillars of our Employee Value Proposition (EVP). It recognises that sometimes it’s the little things that make the difference including having a fully stocked kitchen and an endless supply of refreshments. After all, a positive work culture isn’t just nice to have, it’s a necessity. 🙌 We achieve this by: 👉 Having a never-ending supply of tea and coffee If you’ve ever stopped by one of our offices you’ll know how much the team loves their hot drinks. Not to brag but we have really nice coffee and plenty of Yorkshire Tea (is there any other kind?). ☕ This simple gesture makes a big difference to the team’s morale and it’s never long before you hear someone saying ‘Does anyone want a drink?’ 😂 👉 Fancy a snack? Our kitchen is always fit to burst, and each of our meeting rooms has a selection of sweet treats - special mention to Estelle Parker who ensures our clients and team never go without! Whether it be fresh fruit, porridge, toast, or having one of our very own air fryer jacket potatoes or sausages sandwiches our offices have it. We recognise the difference small gestures can have - after all, no one wants to be hungry at work! 😋 👉 Our events calendar We always have a jam-packed events calendar with the day often ending with some drinks and lots of delicious food! Just look at our visit to Accountex last year which saw the team dine at Vero Moderno - if it’s good enough for Pep and Haaland then it’s good enough for #TeamNA right? 🍕 This year has also seen the introduction of our NA bake off which means the office is always full of cake on a Monday! Safe to say the team’s healthy eating starts after the final 😂 👀 Keep an eye out for next week's post about the team’s love of music! What are the little things you love about your workplace? 🤔 #workNA #accounting #accountants #teamappreciation #culturematters #valuesmatter #evp #workenvironment #positiveworkplace