Kudos Wednesday: Kind Words From Our Customers

"Crystal has really stepped up with Christian getting pulled off the reception desk… our toughest customer has gone out of his way to tell me she has done a great job, is on the ball, and always follows up.
They are both doing a great job!!"

Good Morning Folks,

At FSO, our employees are expected to always seek new ways to make our client’s life better – the white glove treatment, the whole FSO Experience. It is not just a tagline for our brand – rather, it is the way we approach everything we do.

With all the our national expansion and opportunity to support our current clients literally anywhere and everywhere across FSO USA, we have a tremendous opportunity to expand our current services with our clients and make our their lives easier from IT Solutions, to Records/Imaging Services, to Conference Center management, to Document Production and more, more and more.  

Our growth also represents opportunity for all employees to expand your horizons and responsibilities.

I am so proud of what our culture represents: a commitment to the Client and Employee experience! Hear it direct from our client's mouths:

Ashley Menear & Derek Williams, Y&R
"Kudos to all of you and your staff! But, especially the 3 of you!  I know better than anyone how particular and demanding this client can be and how much work goes into planning and executing this 2 day meeting. I very much appreciate your efforts. You’re all amazing." 


Christian Marius and Crystal Peoples, Soros

"Aida – wanted to take a second to tell you what a GREAT job both Christian and Crystal are doing!! Christian has turned into a backup to basically every one of our executive assistants and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! Everyone is asking for his help and our PMs, CIO, Analysts, etc all benefit from him covering rather than an outside temp. He has been SEAMLESS in doing this!! Crystal has really stepped up with Christian getting pulled off the reception desk… our toughest customer has gone out of his way to tell me she has done a great job, is on the ball, and always follows up.They are both doing a great job!!"


Informationalist Team, Capco

"Thank you to all of you for your fine professionalism over the last two weeks as you pulled together what was a very successful event for Capco, Digital and for our partner Hub Culture. I was tremendously impressed with you calm under pressure / annoyance / aggressiveness from me. Thank you very much for your help and your continued assistance."

Desmond Myers, Argo
"Good Morning, Is it possible to have Desmond Myers for another week to assist on the records project at Argo. She has been doing a fabulous job to date and there is still a good amount of work to be completed."

Driven by the People Solutions Group, training is an urgent and never-ending
priority for Chief Chaos Officer Jim Caton and His Team

Our summer meeting was not your father's company picnic.
READ ALL ABOUT IT

Thanks fort taking the time to write to me about these gifted employees. I am always eager to hear more about how we are doing.

The PERSONAL touch AND CARE that our clients complimented us on…this is what sets us apart; this is why we are blowing the competition out of the water every chance we get, this is why our employees LOVE FSO and feel the connection to us!

THANK YOU for all of your support and hard work…WE really appreciate it!  

Cheers FSO USA!!!!

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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"Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life."
 ~~Leo Buscaglia
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Not Your Father's Company Picnic

"I would like to thank you for showing us that management indeed cares about all the employees and how hard work and dedication is truly the key to a successful organization. It was a wonderful opportunity for FSO employees in the same region to get to know each other and recognize the diversity."

Good Morning Folks,

While most companies in this economy are cutting out or cutting back and having pot luck summer supper get togethers in their parking lots, while only top executives and sales stars jet off to golf outings in fancy resorts, FSO (where business never is conducted as usual) believes that our people make the difference. Therefore there is nothing more important than recognizing their achievements and celebrating our success as a family.

So for our second half kick-off and (re)IMAGINATION of the summer picnic as usual, we took to sea, chartering a cruise for a sunset toast around the isle of Manhattan. And we took the whole gang aboard. This was a great expression of gratitute for our site leaders! :) We rocked the boat which is a great metaphor for what we do every day in the field. When was the last time you treated your employees like this?

Wrote one of many employees to me in a post-event thank you, "I would like to thank you for hosting such a wonderful event. It was a wonderful opportunity for FSO employees in the same region to get to know each other and recognize the diversity that the company offers. I would especially like to thank Christine for showing us that management indeed cares about all the employees how hard work and dedication is truly the key to a successful organization."

Said another, "First I would like to thank you for the wonderful boat cruise and I had a great time. I also want to say thank you for allowing me to represent FSO under your leadership. I'm amazed watching the growth of this company and the environment that's created for us makes me feel blessed. It's been a little over a year since joining FSO and I was with Deloitte at the time. Deloitte is a great company and people had asked me why would you leave a company like Deloitte and my response was I missed the passion and energy working with the both of you prior with the other company. I just want to say I'm proud to work for FSO and happy with the training and leadership from Don Adams & Neal Michael. Thanks for everything and I will continue to inspire my team and develop."

So people also ask me what ever in the world brought you out of retirement to deal with the stress of building a business especially in these times? And the answer is that I live in service to others. My approach to employee care and inclusion will be my leadership legacy.

I'm just a kid from Queens, New York – the product of a broken family and the school of hard knocks. I had no expectations of anything being handed to me; I stood to inherit nothing from my parents. Everything I earned came from working “100 jobs at once” – parking cars, serving Baskin Robbins, and pursuing my own future with a relentless passion that drives me today. I’ve built it all from scratch, passion, belief and drive with people who share those traits and want to bring success to life.

My legacy is to pay it forward so people who show up with FIRE>>SKIP>> and TWINKLE... can have the same opportunities I had against all odds, coming from challenging circumstances. It's nights like these, emails like those above, that provide a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment that no amount of money can buy. To see others grow and prosper is the greatest of gifts I can give myself.

I tell my managers: "Leadership is teaching. Leadership is caring. Leadership is giving. Your employees are great. Use them. Teach them. Lead them. Love them. We don't have to do it alone. Show them the love all day every day. They want us to lead them to greatness. Never can be too busy too not have time to think about them and find new talent. Think of all the great people we or I have found this year and beyond. Where would we be without them.Maybe they have friends we can hire hire. Make your leadership skills come alive."

I could go on and on, but the pictures of our event that follow tell a story more powerful than even ten thousand words could. The sky's not the limit because the universe is infinite… but because YOU keep raising the bar!!! (As the saying goes "don't tell me the sky's the limits when there are already footsteps on the moon!" That's the FSO way of thinking. lol)

FSO USA!

Welcome to the FSO Summer Launch

Celebrating as we pass Statue of Liberty

Strike  pose!

Time to enjoy each other's company

Everyone traveled from afar to join the party

Mitch & his ladies (Crystal, Mitch, Denise and Hope)

Smile and laughter all around

See even more photographs on our Facebook page.

I've seen other workers out there – overlooked, ignored, forgotten in the decades-long transformation of Corporate American. They’re the hourly workers who work in traditional, corporate-run catacomb-like mailrooms of the workplace. Their tasks are vital to business, yet their faces are a blur to patrons and higher-ups.

Once upon a time, any job could be the launch pad for a savvy, bright worker’s rise through the ranks. No longer. Today, these workers are anonymous to many, and often fated to stay that way. 

I will always be that guy in the space who cares enough to take care of the hourly employee from the middle manager down. And that's why our company meeting will never be your father's tired old company picnic.

It was great seeing everyone in NYC! What an incredible and memorable sail! FSO rocked the boat and now we head into the field to rock the competition. 

Thanks to our employees for all you do for us, and to our clients for all you award us the privilege of doing for you.

Have a GREAT day as I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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"It is never too late to be what you might have been." –George Eliot
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And The Winners Are...

Meet our JUST HIRED (Lucky Seven) 2014-Winners-to-be
(L to R)Pat Mustico, Chad Wold, Nick Williams, Kim Padnes,
Nicole Smith, Kristin Kee  and Michael Fuscaldo

“FSO truly cares for their employees and this event was proof of that. I’m truly grateful knowing that I work for a company where I have an unlimited career path. FSO indeed is the Happiest Place to Work.”  

Good Morning Folks,

Following up on yesterday's post about our awards celebration last week, 2013 was a banner year for FSO, and there were several top performers who proved to be critical to our success this past year. This event was all them – the great people who make up FSO.


What really made the evening so unforgettable was seeing and hearing everyone’s stories of success and inspiration. We are in the business of fulfilling dreams, and it was clear to see that on Thursday night.

The evening commenced with a heartfelt "thank you" from meand went straight into the announcement of nominees and winners that spanned over 15 different award categories. The winner/s for each category included: 

==> Associate in Leading Role:

Joann Manigo (NY Magazine)

• Started with FSO as the Informationalist at New York Magazine
• Promoted to assistant manager at DKMS last October
• Because of Joann’s exceptional work at both sites she was promoted again to EM and returned back to New York Magazine
• Worked very hard to ensure the client and the team experience is impacted everyday
• Joann is on the fast track with FSO and has her sights on becoming a director in the future

Roger Rios (Capco)

• Taken initiative to create tracking systems and spreadsheets for all inventory managed by fso 
• Gone above l and beyond the clients expectations
• Does not have to be told to do certain items
• Takes the initiative and pro activity needed
• Has worked after hours to ensure client deadlines are met

Henry Azcona (PwC)

• Transitioned from his 5 yr employment at PwC to his new Lead role at FSO seamlessly
• Henry leads the Facilities team @ 300 Madison (the mothership) to a level of HOSPITALITY worth its weight in GOLD
• Supports not only our PwC leadership and staff, but our own team with ease! 
• Clients and leaders all love him

==> Best Fire, Skip, Twinkle:

Lissette Umpierre, North East Regional Director

• Perfect example of FLP - personally hand-picked and recognised by mitch for their leadership abilities and potential
• So much kool-aid that this person just needs a handle
• Amazing hyper communications that reflects our culture and has singlehandedly "infected" all their multiple sites to have the same fire, skip and twinkle
• Exudes hospitality. The perfect host, attention to detail, smile, personal and high high standards and work ethic
• Continues to build revenue opportunities and expanding sites due to delivering promise to practice. 

==> Leader in the Field:

Joseph Yap, Associate Experience Director 

• Instrumental in relocating Societe General to new space
• Most FLP members 
• Successfully launched new Lobby/Concierge Services – French speaking
• PPP Monthly Award Winner – Qualifier for PPP of Year Award
• Secured contract increase and renewal – 2015
• Instrumental to implementation and openings in 2013 – specifically Y&R
• Field Analysis SME

==> Promise to Practice:

Shawn Curwen, Experience Director 

• Shawn has done an outstanding job delivering the perfect client and employee experience through operational excellence
• A positive attitude towards work responsibilities, a commitment to quality in carrying out those responsibilities
• Since joining FSO this person has supported Operations, Sales, (re)Imagination Team
• Shawn exemplifies FSO’s 3P’s and they are even featured in the company video saying “you can’t fake passion”

==> Hospitality (re)IMAGINED:

Ben Rydell (Y&R)

• Our Master Concierge
• Leads the Hospitality Mission at Y&R
• From shoe shines, manicures, to dry cleaning to local discounts – Ben is the Go To For Everything 
• Perfect example of customer service/satisfaction
• Personal Service and Vision executed – Global CEO of Y&R David Sable – Bens biggest fan

Freddy Feliz (Grove Pointe)

• Concierge afficianado
• Delivers perfect customer satisfaction and white glove service
• Owns the stakeholder relationships – treats every guest like gold

Ian Rampaul (PwC)

• Communicates with all levels of our client’s leadership daily, to move 7000 visitors and clients around in 300 Madison seamlessly.
• Works with our entire FSO team to ensure every Hoteling client is ready to their job in a clean workspace and is getting the highest quality service every day.
• He has just enough personality and patience to be loved by all 7000 folks who walk through the doors of 300 Madison every day.

==> Best Experience Director:

Aida Hibbert, Experience Director

• From the moment this person arrived – the words being of service has resonated through our company 
• Has significantly impacted every account under their watch
• Has impacted the employee experience and client experience
• Has reImagined solutions and  thinking outside the box on how we help our clients
• Has secured new headcount, services and contract renewals and increases across every client
• Inspires their teams and sites to achieve greatness and deliver outstanding Hospitality and White Glove Service
• eams have received the most Kudos in 2013
• Is a leader for us today – due solely to her desire to provide outstanding service and leadership
• Sees the future and drives the vision of FSO – Inspiring a Nation and Fulfilling Dreams

==> Excellence in Execution for Headquarters:

Jonathan Shulman, Sr. System Administrator  

• Led the FSO site cut over for HR and Payroll in the Paychex cutover as if he was part of their departments
• Spoke to almost every FSO employee in the field supporting them in using the Paychex time entered system
• Hosted training meetings for the ED, EM etc… on multiple occasions
• Constantly developing professionally and taking advantage of the challenges FSO throws his way through its hyper growth
• Going to be an important part of managing our FSO IT accounts/staff as we grow this line of services, allowing me to go outbound to make it rain. 
• Always ready to lend a helping hand IT related or not, the staff loves him!

==> (re)Imagine Excellence:

Christine Rainey, North East Regional Director

• Solely built our Jersey Market
• 100% Client Retention
• Grew market through perfect process and operational execution - perfecting best practices
• Expanded business from 6 to 20+ locations
• FLP leader - hiring, training, promoting teams
•  Obvious choice for promotion
• Leading our largest region
• A focused. results drive, and dynamic leader 

==> Rookie of the Year:

Taylor Miller, Business Development

• She is young enough to be our child so we would like to think we “raised her”
• She has secretly volunteered to play on every corporate soccer team in exchange for meetings and business - she is their ace in the hole!
• She navigates technology better than any of us “old folks” and finds unheard of accounts 
• She drinks a lot of milk and therefore has a great large smile that makes everyone want to give her business….
• Billed the largest amount of revenue in her first year with a FSO as a rookie

==> Top Revenue Performance:

PWC Team (Jim Caton, Denise Ngeow, Bari Klein, Christine Rainey, Clark Duverger & Ben Rydell)

• All played an integral role in closing the largest deal in outsourcing history 
• A 57-city service agreement with multiple service lines
• Changed the face of our company forever
• Level of commitment to this deal could not have been stronger or more personal
• RFI and first meeting - presenting to 30+ people (we thought it was the wrong room!!) 
• Site tours, cupcakes & every detail in between
• Thank you for (re)IMAGINING!! We did it! FSO in the USA

==> Believe it, Deliver it Award:

Missy Adriazola, Experience Director & John DeSena, VP & GM North America

• Relentless commitment and tireless efforts to successfully deliver one of the largest transitions in the history of the industry
• Coordinated placement of over 300 staff across 57 cities over 6 weeks!

==> Passionate Power House of the Year
Societe General 

• Expanded services and lead the charge in reImagining mail services
• Site leads with most FLP 
• Awarded reception services which expanded to lobby/concierge and French speaking 
• Completed Massive HR scanning and data validation project - Team of 4 for 4 months
• (re) Imagined and supported the move to 245 Park - all services 
• Joe, Phil and team have ensured a solid and perfect Referencable client 
• Expanding into more services as we speak
• Team lead the way with a fire,skip and step - leading the best client and employee experience and inspiring a nation 

==> Carpe Diem 
Denise Negow, Chief of Staff

• Promoted to Chief of Staff 
• Has made the greatest impact in supporting the company and innovation of solutions that surpass the industry
• There from day one, Denise has done whatever is needed to drive the goals of the company 
• Recognized by her peers as someone who ALWAYS goes above and beyond to make a difference for the greater good of the company
• Continually supports Mitch’s vision
• Side-by-side with Mitch, lighting up the nation and laying the foundation for future growth across the country, one plane ride at a time!
• Gives 101% effort in all that she does

The top performers listed above received monetary awards and Academy Award like trophies to showcase their accomplishments. FSO's Passionate Powerhouse of the Year will be celebrated at a social event later this month. 

To further inspire and drive FSO employees to deliver exceptional service with positive attitudes, Jim Caton, Chief Chaos Officer & President, gave a shout out to the "up and comers"/"ones to watch" of 2014. 

The event concluded with a raffle of cash prizes, Paid Time Off days, and a brand new LED Smart TV. 

If there's one thing that FSO lives and breathes every day, it's the Employee Experience. We believe that people can make or break the success of an organization. As a result, we remain laser beam focused on rewarding our hard-working, dedicated employees. 

Photos from FSO's 2013 Awards & Recognition Ceremony can be viewed on FSO's Facebook page and will be featured in the next issue of FSO's monthly e-newsletter, FSO Connect. In addition, a slide show from the event is featured on FSO’s YouTube channel. 

Big HUG.. this morning to all.. have a terrific day.. make it count and lets rock it out there and INSPIRE THE NATION and give the zillions of prospects out there that are using our competitor what they rightfully deserve.. US

To our present and future stars, it doesn't get any better than this!

Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision.
The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives.
It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." 
~~ Don Adams (Locked and loaded!)

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Lovefest in Full Force: FSO Stars Shine In Red Carpet Recognition

"That was without a doubt the most incredible company meeting I have ever seen. I watched the people in the room, and could see they were pumped. I saw Mitch tear up on several occasions. How many employees get to see their owner and leader, let alone see him display such emotion??? Then there is Jim out there displaying his dance moves with the employees. That was fun to watch."



Good Morning Folks,

On Thursday of last week, FSO, hosted hundreds of Associates, Managers, Directors and Executives to recognize the key players of 2013 in a special Awards & Recognition Ceremony. The event which mimicked a Hollywood awards show, featured a red carpet, acceptance speeches, a DJ and Academy Award style trophies.  

Last week's red carpet recognition gala was so awesome. Does FSO know how to celebrate or what? With over 70 nominees in attendance, it was the best awards ceremony that I can remember.. and in the spirit of complete transparency, I am not sure if I have cried that much in one night.  

I AM SO SO PROUD OF OUR COMPANY ACROSS THE GREAT FSO USA.. and to the winners of awards.

It was so special.. a night we will not forget, and in fact a night that LAUNCHES us to INSPIRE A NATION

Congrats to all the winners! The FSO lovefest was in full force and  the clapping, cheering, and dancing will resonate for many months to come. The energy, love and friendship in that room last night was awesome! We really know how to party AND dance...Wow! 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, insights, war stories and best practices!

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees and thank you to everyone who attended and made the night so so special and unique. Not a dry eye in the house at times. 

The efforts behind making the night a top class hospitality event was clear to see - thanks to Jim, Lindsay, Aida,  all the Experience Directors, and presenters and everyone who truly made it a night to remember.

What also made it unforgettable was seeing and hearing everyone's stories of success and the inspiration it gives us to keep driving and building the FSO brand onwards and upwards across the nation.

As one tearful employee told me, "Yes, FSO truly cares for its people and tonight is proof that we mattered. We celebrated the achievements of our work, we all saw an array of emotions from tears of joy, surprised with uncontrollable shakes, overwhelming pride & acceptance and gratitude, to the man responsible for what we have and what we are right now at FSO. That man is you, Mitch. You have tirelessly worked to run a successful company which in turn made it possible for us to call FSO our home."

I am not sure where to start to respond to all the kind sentiments sent my way but to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

The future is bright, and I promise you I carry each and every one of you in my heart and personally could not be more focused on helping you achieve all the success you deserve. 

Please enjoy the photos that follow which don't even begin to express the joy of the evening.

Tomorrow check back this space as I will recap the awards with detailed accomplishments worthy of celebration for each winner.

And See more pictures on our Facebook Page.

Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

Promise to Practice Winner: Shawn Curwen

Associates in Leading Role Winners: Joann Manigo & Roger Rios

Rookie of the Year Winner: Taylor Miller

Excellence in Execution HQ Winner: Jonathan Schulman

Best Experience Director Winner: Aida Hibbert

Hospitality reIMAGINED winners: Ben Rydell, Freddy Feliz, and Ian Rampaul

Leader in the Field Winner: Joseph Yap

Best Fire, Skip, Twinkle Winner: Lissette Umpierre

Our two business analysts, Karolina & Vivian

Hope Ndoci and Mitch Weiner

Tom Pategas, Kim Shephard, and Peter Marcus

(re)Imagine Excellence Winner: Christine Rainey

Missy Adriazola and Lindsay Gallagher



See more pictures on our Facebook Page.