What 55 Years Has Taught Us—From the Serious to the Silly
As you may know, we’re in the midst of celebrating 55 years of Creative Group. We chose to lean into 55 since our 50th hit during the beginning of the pandemic and our energy and thoughts were understandably elsewhere. So this time, we’re leaning all the way into 55. To mark the occasion, we asked our employees—from Illinois to California, Canada to Wisconsin, and from newcomers to team members who’ve been with us for decades—what they’ve learned along the way. The result? “55 Things We’ve Learned in 55 Years.” We received far more than 55 responses, but after narrowing down the list, we’re excited to share a mix of heartfelt, humorous, oddly specific, and insightful reflections (in no particular order!). Cheers to 55 years—and the many more still ahead.
1. Enjoy the journey more than the destination
2. When you make a mistake, view it as a learning opportunity and do just that: learn from it, take note for the future, and move forward
3. A team that helps each other, celebrates each other, and laughs together makes all the difference
4. Being able to solve problems and execute quickly for both small and big problems is a superpower
5. No matter how much you prepare, something can go wrong. So stay flexible and learn how to course-correct
6. Radios/Stereos in public restrooms are a thing
7. Involve the people who do the work in the work — their perspective is invaluable
8. Don’t be afraid of change. Remember, at one point, we took registrations by fax
9. Words have impact. I didn’t believe I could be a leader until someone told me they saw a leader in me
10. Always get another set of eyes on anything before you go to final print. It saves a lot of regret
11. Taking the time to explain the “why” a task can make a big difference
12. The best client relationships are partnerships, and we build partnerships with our clients in the quiet moments — the quick check-ins, remembering details, and showing up before they ask
13. Trust — given and received — is our strongest currency
14. Caring deeply about our client’s success keeps us moving forward
15. Creativity thrives in a culture where everyone feels supported
16. It’s not just what we do for clients, but how we do it — with heart
17. Feeling part of something bigger makes work feel like home
18. When you find a place where you truly belong, it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else
19. Roll with the punches and put out fires with a smile. Flexibility and grace under pressure go a long way!
20. When clients feel your passion for their business outcomes, the trust builds fast
21. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness
22. Recharging/refreshing by using PTO intentionally, and trusting others to back me up, is vital to my job satisfaction and my happiness
23. The parking garage and walkway in our Schaumburg office is one of life’s small blessings on rainy and snowy days!
24. Motivation comes from working on things we care about
25. It is possible to love what you do and have some fun at work
26. How cool it is to see a technology application born, developed, mature, and thrive!
27. It is all about the people we work with each and every day; they are what make a difference
28. Always look under the bed when advancing a VIP’s hotel room
29. Comfortable shoes when onsite are a must!
30. We’re incredibly resilient
31. We understand how to build long-term relationships
32. A healthy culture drives better performance
33. Living our Core Values is powerful
34. Women are powerful leaders!
35. Halloween is sacred
36. How to better lean into conflict
37. How to better position our value and properly charge for it
38. A disproportionate investment in leadership development pays off
39. The benefits of being agile in ever-increasing complexity
40. The power of genuinely caring for each other during crisis
41. Good people sometimes move on with valuable tools/skills we’ve helped them develop to experience wildly successful careers
42. Every person, in every role, with every title has influence and brings value
43. Not all business is good business
44. It’s heavy lifting to shift market perception of an established brand
45. Global travel builds a kinder world
46. Lifetime friendships can be made at work
47. Through the events we design, we meet a very basic human need — the desire to connect and experience a sense of belonging
48. Whenever possible, always make sure the buffet is double-sided and place the silverware at the END of the buffet
49. Our experiences in this industry transcend beyond the workday
50. Culture leads to company’s performance
51. The people you work with make all the difference!
52. Every moment of creating experiences is an adventure (never a dull moment!)
53. How to pack less when traveling!
54. We are at our best when we put people first — clients, travelers, and each other
55. We must evolve to remain relevant
