Looking back on the past year, the days and moments quickly passed us by between a blur of projects, deadlines, tasks, and meetings but through the storm here are the moments that stuck in our mind. Throughout this past 12 months, our culture, ways of business, and relationships have evolved. While change can be intimidating, we’ve faced this year’s challenges with determination and came through on top.
We can certainly report numbers and statistics for the year, but this post highlights the stories and moments that touched our hearts and made us proud to be an Apple.
Idea Flash
What started as an idea became a reality this year and generated 7,774 ideas on top of that. Idea Flash is a desktop application that gives every employee easy access, at any time, to submit an idea that could benefit our company, our customers, or our employees. All ideas are reviewed by Appletree’s Idea Flash committee and then determined whether or not they will be implemented. The goal of this application is to give every Appletree employee a voice. It is also a tool we use in our never-ending pursuit of building both employee and customer loyalty.
Our entire 3rd quarter theme was surrounded around our Idea flash application and several prizes were awarded (including a couple $1,000 prizes) based on randomly selected ideas submitted. We also created a humorous video to educate our employees on idea flash and how it will benefit the company, employees, and customers.
Watch our Idea Flash video here.
Appletree Proves that Dreams Really Do Come True
Appletree’s Dream On program has been around since 2008 and was started by our CEO, John Ratliff. Every employee at Appletree has the opportunity to submit one dream to the Dream On committee. There are no limitations or restrictions on what the dreams can be. The Dream On committee then meets and randomly grants dreams for our employees!
Appletree respects the desire for many of our employees to keep their dream private, however, a few opted to share their story with us and can be found in past blogs.
One particular dream that brought smiles to many was that of Luis Agosto, our operations manager in Puerto Rico. Luis’ dream was to go to game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals to cheer on his Bruins in Boston. Watch his reaction on video here as he learns that his dream is about to come true. Luis teaches all of us at Appletree to ‘DREAM BIG’.
Another story that touched the hearts of many was that of Araceli and her dream to have her entire family home for the holidays. Read her story here.
Santa’s Answering Service
Back by popular demand, Appletree took calls for Santa this year. Appletree’s experts served as Santa’s helpers throughout the month of December and answered calls from children (and a couple of adults) to deliver their holiday wish lists. Appletree topped records for the year and answered more than 22,000 calls for Santa. Read all about our Santa’s answering service campaign here.
One particular caller had a very special wish for Santa this year and Appletree’s Dream On committee helped make her dream a reality. Read all about her story and listen to her call here.
Appletree Gives Back
Appletree decided to donate $1 for every customer response received on our quarterly customer survey (net promoter). As an added incentive for our customers to fill out this survey and email it back to us, we offered to donate $1 to the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) for every response received. To say the least, the response was uplifting and we were thrilled to receive the feedback. To read more about our donation, and the Ronald McDonald House, read our post.
Pink Out Week
What started as a dare for one employee to dye their hair pink for Breast Cancer Awareness turned into 120 employees dying their hair pink for Appletree’s first ever PINK OUT WEEK.
Appletree Named a Top Workplace
Appletree was recognized by the Delaware News Journal as a Top Workplace.
So as you can see, it’s been a big year for Appletree and we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished these past 12 months. There is never an idea too big or too small at Appletree and we work hard to make sure every voice is heard. We’ve been able to take a couple ideas and implement them to benefit our employees, customers, and company this year.
Does this mean we are going to sit back and enjoy the ride in 2012? NO WAY! There are already BIG goals and plans underway for the coming year and we can’t wait to keep you updated on what’s to come through our blog. So check back for updates.
Enough about us. Let us know what goals your business has for 2012 and how you are you planning to tackle these challenges?



