Rhyme Year in Review: 2020
As an essential business, Rhyme remained fully operational this year to serve and support all of our clients. We adapted to remote work, virtual meetings, supplied businesses and schools with PPE, and took thorough safety precautions when out in our communities.
We continued our partnerships with the Forward Madison Football Club and Menominee Nation Arena, as they adapted and found new ways to stay connected with virtual events, drive-in movies, and more.
The Rhyme marketing team launched a new Rhyme website in December. The website was designed with our clients in mind, to use a resource, a hub of knowledge of our offerings for total business solutions and a tool to connect you with our team.
Rhyme was selected as a 2020 Elite Dealer by ENX Magazine. This year, the Elite Dealers were selected based on numerous criteria, from technical service excellence to marketing proficiency, growth initiatives, technology leadership, industry accolades and philanthropy.
One reason Rhyme was considered an Elite Dealer by ENX Magazine was based on our ‘Adaptive Success’.
“The pandemic showed Rhyme that its sales staff has a knack for virtual selling. Its virtual sales training included using video in its messaging and prospecting. The dealer also improved the client experience by providing a platform for online appointment booking. Another marketing tool was the launch of a managed IT email campaign to nurture prospects and leads in the Rhyme iT sales funnel throughout 2020.”
Despite the pandemic, Rhyme added several talented people to our staff. We were able to add 16 new people to our team in sales, service, IT, and administrative roles! Every year we are determined to get better at what we do, and our people are constantly living up to the Rhyme Core Values of excellence, integrity, growth-oriented, team player, and compassion.
One of our top priorities year after year is to grow our level of community involvement and support and this year was more important than ever to step up. Notable community involvement moments from 2020 included:
- The Lee Lake Polar Bear Plunge, held in Cazenovia Wisconsin, celebrated its 20th and final year in 2020. This year marked the 11th anniversary for our brave group of Rhyme Time individuals who plunge into the frigid waters every year. The Polar Plunge benefits the American Cancer Society and G.R.A.C.E. (Greater Richland Area Cancer Elimination). The 20-year total for the entire event is over $385,000 and the Rhyme Time group has raised over $63,000 in the past 11 years.
- Raising over $20,000 at the 12th Annual Steve Ennis Memorial Golf Classic! Adapting to the situation, we took steps to have a safe, socially-distanced event with an online silent auction and moving all processes from registration to payments online. The event raised $20K this year, which brings our 12-year total to over $200K. Every year Rhyme gives out scholarships to students that have been touched by cancer. We do this in honor of Steve Ennis and Jack Steinhoff; two men that always represented Hard Work – Determination – Optimism and "Making Every Day Count”. To-date we have awarded 60 scholarships and this year $13,000 was awarded to 11 recipients!
- Rhyme partnered with our longstanding manufacturer, Sharp, to offer a promotion to our clients to support local businesses while updating your office technology. The Tech Deals Local Meals Program ran from June to August this year and because of its success, an additional $5,000 in funds was added to use for the program through the end of the year. We offered a $ $250 gift certificate to a local restaurant or a $250 donation to a local foodbank with the purchase of a qualifying Sharp Multifunction Device or Windows collaboration display. We are proud to say a total of $23,500 was donated!
- Rhyme Holiday Giving – Local donations throughout our communities were made this past holiday season based on employee suggestions. From equipment donations to money for holiday meals, giving trees, toy drives, and more, we were able to support many area non-profits, food banks, and local families.
Happy new year and cheers to you all. This was a challenging year for all Americans and people across the globe. Loss and uncertainty have affected us all, but there was also impressive acts of kindness and unity, neighbors helping neighbors, more time with family and a greater appreciation for frontline and essential workers.
Thank you again to all of our employees, vendors, and clients for their support this year. We look forward to serving you in 2021.
