Liberty Distribution Center News

April 17, 2015
Issue 7
Liberty Distribution Center News
L DI C
Liberty Town Hall
LDIC
Dave Hall joined about 55 Liberty employees for a Town Hall on April 9. During
the session, he updated the group on the following:
Dave Hall, President
Hallmark North America
Hallmark is in a state of continuous change in order to grow in a dynamic marketplace and remain competitive. Some of the key areas we are making progress
in are:
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Winners of the
April SKC tickets are:
Mike Wilson
Axle Chastain
& Shirley Claypole.
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Retirement
Judy Atkinson,
Order Processor,
will retire on June 1, 2015.
The Liberty Bell
A Publication of
Liberty Distribution Center
Editor:
Kathy Oskison, 27539
Assistant Editors:
Sheila Jenkins, 27538
and
Monique Lucas, 27321
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Taking greetings share – We are doing this through greetings “segments” that
are focused on distinct consumer needs, such as premium (Signature), millennial
(Studio Ink), humor (Shoebox), multi-cultural (Sinceramente and Mahogany) and
value.
Enhancing and improving the Hallmark Brand experience
 We will have newly branded departments at 2,400 mass channel stores,
including Walmart and Kroger, with new fixtures and signing, as well as
new product.
 Hallmark branding gives us a competitive advantage.
Grow new distribution in new spaces and new places
 Amazon, HSN and QVC (These venues allow our consumers to “pre-shop”
our products and are a great way to feature Hallmark artists.)
 Test markets – (E. g., JC Penney, Lowes) These are expanding this year
and give us added exposure.
 Bodegas (small grocers) in Los Angeles – exposure with Sinceramente
cards
Reinvent Hallmark Gold Crown
 About 200 test concepts are in the works at present. They are also relaunching some Hallmark products such as Hallmark Kiddie Car Classics
and Rainbow Brite.
 The main focus is on: 1) Hallmark artists and artistry 2) multi-cultural 3)
increased use of digital marketing tools and 4) each store offering products/services of local interest.
Create new businesses that last
 North Pole will be a continued focus for 2015. We learned what worked
in 2014, and what we can improve upon in 2015.
 Developing products for mass channel customers in the broader “hard
lines” area, specifically baby, home and seasonal items.
Reduce costs – Our efforts in all areas in 2015 will include a much more Lean
cost structure. We must be nimble and responsive to our customers and consumers.
A Q&A session resulted in many questions being answered by Dave. As always, we
appreciate having the chance to hear his updates and his candid feedback.
The Liberty Bell
Page 2, Issue 7, April 17, 2015
Liberty Fishing Derby Planned – Saturday, April 25 – 7:30-10:30 a.m.
‘Hendron Lake’ north of the LDC Shipping lot supposedly has some ‘fat lunkers’!
Saturday morning, April 25, is your chance to land the big one. Dave Gengler
and Steve Buck will be our fishing guides. Please see the following requirements
to participate and sign-up for the derby:
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Eligibility and Compliance:
This event is only for current Liberty Hallmark employees.
You must have a valid 2015 Missouri fishing license.
You must comply with state fishing laws and creel limits.
Parking will be exclusively on Lot #1.
Other things you should know:
50 people fishing at one time is our participation limit for fishing on the lake.
Please let Sheila Jenkins know if you plan to participate.
Fishing is free, but please consider bringing one canned good as a Harvesters
donation.
However, if you bring three canned goods, you can have free coffee and a
donut.
United Way and LDIC representatives will be helping Dave and Steve at the
event…so take time to learn more about their 2015 activities and get
involved.
In the event of inclement weather, we’ll communicate if there is a need to
reschedule.
Go Fishing
and Win the Derby!
Derby participants donated 90 cans
of food last year!
Sponsored By:
The Liberty Bell
Page 3, Issue 7, April 17, 2015
Paid Time Off (PTO) Reminders
With many employees planning summer travel and vacation, the following information and tips will help in
reporting and tracking time under the Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy.
Employees can take or withdraw hours from their PTO account at any time with manager approval during a
given month if they have a positive balance at that time. This is subject to any department or division
guidelines related to requesting time off.
By policy, an employee’s PTO bank cannot go ‘negative’ and they cannot use PTO before hours have been
accrued. If an employee does not have enough PTO in their bank to cover an accountable absence, they
will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. FMLA-approved absences are never accountable.
The HR Direct system was designed so that the next month’s PTO bank is available to pay, even for FMLAapproved absences, if the pay period (Monday-Sunday) includes the last calendar day of the month and
the employee has taken more PTO than is currently in their bank. Unless the absence that caused the employee’s PTO account to go ‘negative’ is approved under FMLA, the absence will be accountable and disciplinary action will result. Employees are strongly encouraged to keep enough PTO in his/her bank so that
their PTO banks will not go negative.
Card Shop Hours:
Mon.: 11a.m. -1 p.m.; 1:45-4 p.m.
T-Fr.: 2:30-3:30 & 6:30-8 a.m.;
11a.m. -1 p.m.; 1:45-4 p.m.
Wed.: 7-9 p.m.
Card Shop Updates
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March birthday drawing winner was Mary Srite.
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There will be a drawing for a large Snoopy plush.
Guess the amount of Tootsie Rolls in the jar to win!
New Liberty Photographers
Connie Saunders, Order Support Specialist, and  Wednesday, April 22 is Administrative Professionals
Day.
Jennifer Grider, Order Processor are new Liberty
Photographers. They will take pictures of signifi-  Cinco de Mayo is May 5, and Nurse’s Day is May 6.
cant events, special functions, and photos of emBe sure to select your cards now.
ployees who have reached their 25-year anniver Mother’s Day is May 10. We have lots of Mother’s
sary.
Day gifts, and a special promotion with a three-card
purchase.
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Connie Saunders
Jennifer Grider
Armed Forces Day is May 16. We have cards and
product to help honor those who serve our country.
Page 4, Issue 7, April 17, 2015
DIVERSITY CORNER – Liberty Diversity & Inclusion Council (LDIC)
The Liberty Bell