While there are surely *some* parts of the year we may wish to forget, as we turn to a new calendar, I’m going to try to identify the parts I actually want to savour and take with me to 2021 and beyond. 

Like focusing on what’s REALLY important: The wellbeing of my family, my friends and my colleagues.

How the world got a little bit closer. Communities grew tighter, and new communities emerged. All this, despite acquiring an entirely new set of terminology and practices designed to keep us apart. 

This year was fraught with tension. It’s now up to us to channel this tension into a force for good. The good news is that these tensions have sped up the velocity of progress, on issues from race, to flexible work, and more. 

True to our name here at Felicity, we are always looking for opportunities to do things with ease, and to do good. That’s why you’ll notice we’ve made some changes to this month’s MarketWell based on your feedback, and we’ll continue to evolve to make it more valuable and simple for you. As for the “do good” part, I encourage you to read on to the end of this email to see the “gift” our team has made on your behalf this holiday season.

From all of us here at Felicity, I hope you are able enjoy many moments of calm and indulgence this holiday season. May 2021 bring happiness and good health for you and your loved ones!

 

Wellbeing from around the web

Should kids financially support their parents?
A fascinating look at how families, specifically adult children and their parents, support each other—financially and otherwise—and how that’s changing with the pandemic. The takeaway: Consider who is supporting your consumers and who is ultimately making (and funding) the buying decisions. What can your brand do to connect with both your main audience as well as the people supporting them?

The 29 Canadian game changers who got us through 2020
Do you market to millennials? Then give this list a good look over. These are the people millennial women are looking up to this year—and into next, as curated by Refinery29. The content is interesting on its own, but the fact that it was brought to life as a sponsored partnership also piqued our interest. Birks, a brand that’s been courting the millennial audience for years, earns instant cred in appearing to know and follow these game changers. The takeaway: Diversity, outspoken advocacy and innovation drive the millennial audience. Want to connect with them? Form smart partnerships with expert content creators.

 

Want to make change? Read SEE Change.

Meet Felicity content strategist, author and journalist Elisa Birnbaum. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of SEE Change Magazine, a storytelling platform for changemakers.

SEE Change Magazine is a digital publication of social impact for anyone interested in learning about inspired social entrepreneurs across the globe. Sign up to the monthly newsletter and magazine for free. For additional one-on-one conversations with changemakers in the SEE Change communities, be sure to subscribe to the podcast: seechangemagazine.com

 

Latest movement: Supporting employee wellbeing

Image: @wocintechchat on Unsplash

2020 has been a difficult year. While 50% of Canadians reported that their mental health worsened after the onset of physical distancing, an employee-specific survey shows that three out of four employees have experienced negative effects on their health and wellbeing because of the pandemic. In response, 63% of Canadian employers are actively investing in, or planning to invest in, employee wellbeing.

What’s an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? As defined by Canadian telemedicine company Dialogue, an EAP “is a benefit program funded and implemented by employers or plan sponsors to help their employees or members navigate personal and work-related difficulties.” They aren’t new, but they’re changing with the times and are becoming less about crisis or illness management and more about improving wellbeing overall.

How do EAPs help employees while saving businesses money? Read more on our blog.

 

Happy Holidays from all of us at Felicity!

 

 

Feeling inspired?