Cheering You On atWork

LONDON, ON, March 12, 2012 /CNW/ - A buzzing hockey arena isn't the place most business people visit to generate new ideas. For London, Ontario resident Rodney Lover, however, it was inside a cold arena that he found the logical place to start his new company campaign, called "Cheering You On - Celebrating Workday Success," which aims to celebrate local business success stories.

"I was thinking about how a coach encourages a team, how fans cheer for the win. It just sort of got mixed up in my thoughts," says Lover, who is a partner and the marketing director of atWork Office Furniture in London.

"Our region's news hasn't always been positive to say the least, over the last year or so. But there is so much to be thankful for and celebrate. We need to cheer each other forward." 

With unemployment numbers plaguing a region with a historically strong manufacturing sector, business news stories these days often focus on challenging times. This doesn't have to be the norm Lover conveys.

"Even if our unemployment number goes to 10%, that means 90% of our employable community are at work. We need to celebrate their successes and cheer them on. Their daily triumphs will be critical to lay the path for more people to be employed beside them."

Standing in that London, Ontario arena, amongst loud local hockey fans, Lover sent off several emails about his idea to friends, and within days, was sitting with a sales representative at the London Free Press, launching "Cheering You On - Celebrating Workday Success."

Funded by atWork Office Furniture, the new campaign began featuring successful and growing local businesses and organizations in a half-page feature in the London Free Press March 5th. 

Lover, who explained the campaign aims to highlight businesses who are bucking negative trends and are hard at work in the community, will become a regular feature in the Free Press, and can hopefully allow people to see that business success stories are still happening in London and around Southwestern Ontario.

"It will run for a while on Mondays. I know it is ultimately a small effort; a small voice in the loud sounds of all the media around us, but we desperately need to be cheering each other on. Our local economy depends on our collective success. Maybe we can start the shouts of praise," said Lover. 

The print campaign "Cheering You On - Celebrating Workday Success" now also includes a website (www.cheeringyouon.ca) where articles can be read and other local companies can be nominated to be honoured. The messages of encouragement and success are also taking to social media sites including Twitter and Facebook as a part of this initiative.

From offices filled with knowledge based workers, to service industry teams, technology companies, and in particular, local manufacturers who are adding value every day to their local community, Lover says they all deserve a pat on the back, and need to hear the positive voices that are urging them to continue serving the region. 

"Positive self-talk is a crucial success factor in athletics and life," commented Lover, "Our hard working neighbours need to be told how valued they are and encouraged to keep going." 

Certainly if these workers are listening, they have fans at atWork Office Furniture, and now, all across London, cheering for their success.

Learn more or join the cheering today!
facebook.com/atWork.office.furniture
@atworklondon  

Additional Information:

For more than twenty years, the atWork Office Furniture has outfitted Ontario businesses and organizations. The Ontario buying group includes six locations. Each location is independently owned and well established in their communities. Find them at www.atwork.ca.

Social Media:

facebook.com/atWork.office.furniture
@atworklondon  
Photos available upon request.

Rodney Lover, [phone] x 135