23rd December, 2006: Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2007
Here’s a holiday wish for you.
We wish you a very Happy New Year!
Posted by Sabine at 5:56 pm | Comments (3)
22nd December, 2006: ABC Primetime Challenge: The Guidelines
In a healthy partnership for healthful living, ABC and Bigelow Tea joined forces this summer. A competition was set to follow two teams testing weight loss moTEAvators. The Bigelow Tea Team was on a quest to become healthy for the sake of good health. The Bridgeport Bluefish Corporate Office took on becoming healthy to avoid humiliation. The ABC Primetime Challenge Weight Loss Special, which aired December 20th, followed the story and people who took part in the event.
The Guidelines
Any contest or challenge needs guidelines to ensure that the contestants are playing by the same rules. These are the basics that were established to make sure the end result truly showed which motivator was more powerful.
ABC established detailed guidelines for the motivation challenge.
- Goal: Lose 15 pounds in two months.
- Ten participants per team.
- Minimum weight allowance to participate: 175 pounds.
- Same clothing must be worn for original and final weigh-ins.
- Participants choose their own weight-loss strategy.
- Scoring: Each team member earns 1 point if successfully losing 15 pounds or more at final weigh-in. No point awarded if less than 15 pounds lost. Total team points tallied to determine ultimate team winner.
The Bigelow Tea set guidelines.
- Agree to work in team fashion.
- Drink 3-4 cups of green tea daily.
- Weekly weigh-ins to be conducted.
- Weights to be posted on conference room board for tracking progress.
The guidelines were made known to all and were agreed upon.
The contest and the science behind it were discussed in detail on the Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore. ABC News Primetime also detailed the science at their site. ABC News also covered the story. The ABC Primetime Challenge Weight Loss Special aired on local ABC channels on Wednesday, December 20th, at 10pm, EST.
Posted by Elizabeth at 3:05 pm | Comments (2)
20th December, 2006: ABC Primetime Challenge Weight Special to air 12/20/06 @ 10pm EST
This story is carried over from 12/11 when we first reported on the weightloss team.
After our June visit from ABC Primetime, a caravan of ABC personnel returned to Bigelow early in the morning on Tuesday, July 18. Their early hour allowed them to set up lights, cameras, sound and scale equipment. That task complete, they set off to capture some sunrise film shots of the Bigelow operations as team participants gathered on the production floor for the opening shoot. Each team member was greeted by Jay Schadler (ABC Primetime Correspondent) and then we participated in individual interviews.
The moment of reckoning was when we met at the Blending Warehouse for our initial weigh-ins. One-by one, we stepped up to the scale as our weights were recorded by the person from ABC. As part of the challenge, three of our team – we’ll meet the whole team at end of the series — were each presented with a video camera and asked to document their personal journeys and team events over the next two months. The day’s festivities concluded with a team meeting to discuss motivating ideas to assist in our team’s weight loss endeavors
ABC Primetime Challenge Weight Special is scheduled to air on local ABC channels on Wednesday, December 20th, at 10pm, EST. Check local listings to confirm.
Posted by Elizabeth at 2:15 pm | Comment (0)
18th December, 2006: 3rd Generation and Going Strong
We had a magazine here just last week interviewing the family on succession and the challenges of passing a business to the next generation. Lori and I are the third generation running the company, and if I am correct only 3% of family companies make it this far.
During the interview, we were discussing how we were able to make the transition. Not an easy question to answer but one thing I am sure, I know that a key ingredient to being able to pass a company to the next generation is the need for a 100% commitment and passion to the product, the customer and the employees!It really doesn’t matter what the company sells, profit or non profit, in my opinion, you have to love what you do….you have to want to do what you do….and then, maybe then, you can see a business successfully passed down.
When the interview was done, I once again realized how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful organization, making such delicious teas, with the world’s best employees!
(Pictured above is Cindi at Bigelow Headquarters in Fairfield, Connecticut in front of a painting of her grandmother, Ruth Campbell Bigelow.)
Posted by Cindi at 10:53 am | Comments (2)
15th December, 2006: From our customers: tea at a baby shower
“My sister wanted to do a nice baby shower for my niece. My niece wanted to have the party at a formal tea place, but it was a bit much for my sister so we decided to have it at my house.
We provided all of the usual treats plus coffee but I wanted to also include tea because of my niece’s first wish to have a tea party. I took out my Bigelow tea box and had it nicely presented on the table along with one of my favorites, Eggnogg’n.
Well when it came time to have the tea and coffee, everyone went for the tea and they went nuts over the Eggnogg’n. Before I knew it the conversation had turned into stories about tea. I didn’t know a lot of my guests because there were my niece’s friends, but by the time everyone had left, we had all had a good laugh and shared some nice tales about tea.”
Derry, Connecticut
Here’s a Recipe for Eggnogg’n Pancakes
Posted by Sabine at 3:13 pm | Comment (1)
13th December, 2006: Shaking Up The Cosmo
It’s hard to visit a fine restaurant without seeing a Cosmo. Since the HBO hit “Sex and the City,” the Cosmo has been the rage. In fact, the Cosmo has become a bit of a trendsetter and inspiration. Mixologists at the trendiest eateries outdo themselves looking to create the hippest, most ingenious innovation on this popular drink.
One variation is quickly becoming the toast of the trendy set. It’s the “Constant Comment” Cosmo and it’s showing up at chic bars, holiday parties and everywhere the fashionable crowd can be found. The new cocktail is made with Bigelow® “Constant Comment” tea, sugar, orange juice and vodka.
“This cosmopolitan is the perfect blend of spice, sweet and fun,” says Cindi Bigelow, a third-generation Bigelow family member and Bigelow Tea’s co-president.
Try the recipe for yourself.
“Constant Comment” Cosmo
Ingredients:
6 Bigelow® “Constant Comment” tea bags
11/4 cups (310mL) boiling water
1/3 cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons (30mL) sugar
4 ounces (120mL) vodka
1/4 cup (60mL) fresh orange juice
Instructions:
Place Bigelow® “Constant Comment” tea bags into a measuring cup and add 1-1/4 cups boiling water and cinnamon stick, let brew five minutes. Remove tea bags and cinnamon stick, add sugar and stir until it dissolves. Chill.
To make Cosmo, mix 2 ounces of the cooled sweet tea with 1 ounce vodka and 1 tablespoon orange juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into a martini glass, garnish with a strip of orange zest and cinnamon stick if desired.
Yield: Serves 4. Share with friends!
To the Future!
The hit TV show “Sex and the City,” is now being shown in reruns around the world and seems like it will be around forever. This refreshing new drink might just do the same. Share a “Constant Comment” Cosmo with someone from another generation. If you do, discuss how this drink has roots in the ancient practice of tea drinking and the modern-day, big city. Not many things that bridge generations so gracefully are also so hip and delicious for people to share. Enjoy!
Posted by Elizabeth at 11:01 am | Comments (3)
11th December, 2006: ABC Primetime Challenge: Bigelow Tea Employees Participate in Weight Loss Challenge
This past June, ABC Primetime invited our company to participate in a Corporate Weight Loss Challenge. The challenge involved testing weight moTEAvators. The idea was to test which had more moTEAvational power ? becoming healthy for one’s sake vs becoming healthy to avoid a threat of humiliation.
Bigelow Tea , dedicated to the positive moTEAvation of being healthy for their own sake, competed head-to-head against the Bridgeport Bluefish Corporate Office, who were placed in a competitive environment were each asked to lose 15 pounds in a two-month period.
The test was to see whether the positive moTEAvation – do it for me and my health – or the negative moTEAvation – don’t let down the team and possibly humiliate myself would win out in the end.
A preliminary visit to our company on June 20 provided ABC Primetime Producer, Tom Berman, and Associate Producer, Christine Murphy-Costello, an opportunity to tour our facility operations and meet with potential team participants. Soon after we let them know that we were up for the challenge, we held our first team collaboration meeting to design t-shirts for the event. The slogans, ‘Drink Green – Get Lean’ and ‘TEAM Bigelow – moTEAvated to lose weight’ were selected.
We were ready. Let the games begin!
Posted by Elizabeth at 6:22 am | Comment (0)
8th December, 2006: What a great day
Phil Simms (former Quarterback of the NY Giants) and his wife Diana as well as Joe Torre (manager of the Yankees) and his wife Ali came to spend a day at Bigelow Tea here in Fairfield, Connecticut. All I can say is wow! It was probably one of the most exciting days for our employees that I can ever remember.
We first did a plant tour where everyone in the plant got a chance to shake hands and say hello to the sports Icons, we then followed up with a Q&A session where all our employees got to ask questions where the candid answers and the excitement in the room actually gave me the chills. It was amazing to see all of our employees have direct contact with Joe and Phil…it was beyond words.
We then finished up with departmental photos with the two gentlemen. The smiles filled the room. When the photos were complete, we finished up with a lovely lunch. I think everyone had a great time. It was even more special that Joe and Phil brought their wives; Diana Simms and Ali Torre were complete delights.
So easy to talk to, so approachable, just so lovely…all I can say is “WHAT A GREAT DAY”!
Posted by Cindi at 10:53 am | Comment (0)
7th December, 2006: Joe Torre and Phil Simms visit Bigelow Tea
Let me give you a little Bigelow history about Joe Torre, Manager of the Yankees, and Phil Simms, former Quarterback of the NY Giants. Joe Torre agreed to do an ad campaign for us because he believed so much in the value and healing powers of green tea (he has recovered from prostate cancer). It was a natural that he teamed up with Bigelow Tea for print ads, radio spots and more. Our campaign was so successful that we quickly knew that our effort had to be expanded. With that I received a call from Phil and Chris Simms who are both avid Bigelow Green Tea drinkers. We had several meetings and soon realized that they would be great as members of the Bigelow Green Tea Team! The ad has been running in Sports Illustrated and the New York Times and it has been getting a great response from readers across the country.
Because we appreciate all that they have done for Bigelow, we wanted to say thanks by inviting them to Bigelow Tea in Fairfield, Connecticut. The big day was Tuesday December 5th. What a day it was with the visit from Phil Simms, Joe Torre and their wives. It was so rewarding to watch them engage with all of the employees and to have them learn about how we make tea. Joe and Phil are great representatives for our company. Not only did they enjoy themselves with our team but we truly appreciated their coming to visit and their overall support for Bigelow Tea. Thank you Joe and Phil!
Posted by Bob at 9:20 am | Comment (0)
4th December, 2006: Why I like to do in-store demos
I think one of my favorite parts of the job is when I get to be around our customers, like when I do an in-store demo. I really think it keeps me connected and in some ways really grounded as to what is the mission of this company.
I recently did a demo at Whole Foods in Union Square, and it was great.
I get to hear what the tea drinker is looking for, what influences the decision process, what new teas they want to try…all really critical things to ensure our company stays “in touch” with our consumer.
Sometimes I am out for the entire day between the travel, the set up, the demo and then getting home, and people look at me like “why are you doing that” but afterwards, you just know — that was the right thing to do.
I have to remember why we do what we do here at Bigelow, and after my demo at Whole Foods, my mission was crystal clear…produce great teas for the passionate tea consumer.
Posted by Cindi at 5:39 pm | Comment (0)
