Catalyst Ranch’s
Creative Juice Blog
With the holidays in full swing, I’m reminded of an uplifting team-building activity I once devised for my peers in an arts nonprofit organization for our company retreat. It’s rich in reflection and connection, and while its themes are naturally holiday-related, it’s relevant any time of year. What I cooked up can be easily recreated [...]
We’ve been savoring these somewhat in-between days which happen after Labor Day and before the autumn equinox, i.e., the more scientific end of summer. But lo and behold, we're staring that milestone in the face — the autumn equinox is today, September 22 — and it’s still hard to let summer go. We dwell in this [...]
We’re thankful for an industry where we get to meet so many people and create community and connection into different industries and spheres. Human connection is such a huge part of cultivating mental wellness. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we’re bringing some attention to resources and communities whose work we have high regard [...]
We're not a drug store. Our colorful accoutrement isn't seasonal, and the bits and bobs that give you the warm-and-fuzzies don't get shelved on a clearance rack after February 14! On the contrary, LOVE is in the air all year round at Catalyst Ranch. Our environment has just the right recipe of joy and creativity [...]
Like Christmas, our staff look forward to early November every year. That's because it marks the Catalyst Ranch Anniversary, which we traditionally celebrate with a big party. All our Ranch Hand personnel join in putting on the festivities—for Ranch friends and clients alike—but make no mistake: We also get to enjoy the party ourselves. It's [...]
Plan Today, Succeed Tomorrow: The importance of Strategic Planning Meetings We’re just a few months away from the end of what has been a truly tumultuous two years. As we look towards the future, it is more important than ever to take stock and start the process of recrafting your company’s direction for the year ahead [...]
Quality vs. Quantity; a simple premise but with ubiquitous applications. In the realm of meetings, whether in-person or hybrid, it’s important to keep in mind when you begin your planning process how many people need to be included. In her book, The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker emphasized the idea of the “Purpose-driven list”. When deciding [...]
Unique Special Events Your wedding day is one of the most important in your life and it will be one you remember forever. But it takes an extra special bit of flare to make it a day that your friends and family remember forever, too. The same goes for any event you [...]
5 ways to brighten your work space by Kim Jean Time and again we hear the bubbling excitement of voices approaching the elevator on their way out after a successful day of meetings at Catalyst Ranch. The sound of laughter, overhearing meeting attendees talk about the surroundings, how many ideas they’ve generated, how productive they’ve been [...]
Levi is an innovator and entrepreneur who is bringing together other innovators and entrepreneurs in a spirit of collaboration in a no-pressure environment. He brings this spirit to the West Loop when Coffee & Conversation comes to Catalyst Ranch in February. Name: Levi Baer Name of Your Company: Second Shift, teacher at DePaul University, and leader [...]
