March 2022

Summer Event

All indications are that we can get back to celebrating with our colleagues.  The Events Committee will be brainstorming ideas for a Summer Event in the coming weeks – so stay tuned for more details!

Hybrid Work Arrangement
Contributor: Chris Cartan

On January 27, 2022, Michael Glionna announced initial plans in regards to a Hybrid Working Arrangement for eligible employees, expected to roll out late Spring/early Summer 2022.

Under this hybrid arrangement, employees will have the option of Working From Home for 2 days per week.  The remaining 3 days would be in-office.  Managers will be meeting with their teams over the coming weeks to discuss plans and get feedback from team members.

Employee Education & Engagement
Contributor: Chris Cartan

On February 28, 2022, the Ignite Team announced our rebranded Employee Education & Engagement Program.

Our 2022 Employee Education & Engagement Program will consist of 3 Presentation Topics (Cyber Security, Managing Money & Moving Freight), our standard Canadian CSS Study Sessions and our new U.S. CCS Study Sessions.  In addition, we introduced our Health and Wellness Days and Team-Building Days– further details on these exciting initiatives to follow.

Something’s Brewing
Contributor: Alice Yan

Trends for 2022

2022 Spring Fashion Trends
Bright Colours – Colour lovers, set your sights on mega-saturation for spring.  We are not talking about a mere colour accent, but dousing yourself in a hue or, even better, several.

Between The Lines – Stripe designs are getting a major glow-up.  In addition to the classic horizontal pattern, new variations of colour, width and direction are used to give relaxed cuts and structure.

Oversized Shirts – The equation: a flowing oversized button-down paired with flowing oversized trousers, buttoned casually in the middle.

2022 Top Lifestyle Trends
Well Being At Home – Since everyone has spent more time in their homes due to the pandemic, sprucing up the home environment has been on many people’s agenda.
 
Sustainability – The importance of sustainable options has become a big priority for many people.  Consumers are looking to adopt more innovative products that are designed with sustainability in mind.

Meditation – Many people might decide to meditate and sit in silence when facing issues.  It has been proven that meditation helps you feel more content and happier.

2022 Top Sports Trends
HIIT – There is an increasing focus on high-intensity interval training (HIIT).  This consists of working, resting and working again at an 80-95% heart rate.  It is said to improve heart health, increase fat loss and strengthen the body.

Wearable Technology – Fitness trackers, smartwatches and heart rate monitors that count steps and track our body condition.

Virtual Reality – There is growing investment in Virtual Reality (VR) and e-sports.  More powerful simulated reality in VR means users can connect through unlimited activities and adventures.

Shopping Tips – Time for Cleaning and Gardening
April – Vacuum Cleaners; Cleaning Supplies; Travel – especially Cruises; Easter Candy; Paint & Wallpaper; Gardening Tools.  Grocery Shopping Tip: Save on ham, seasonal fruit & vegetables.

May – Patio Furniture (older models); Furniture; Mattresses; Bedding & Towels; Appliances – especially Refrigerators; Gardening & Cleaning supplies.  Grocery Shopping Tip: Save on steaks; BBQ sauces, Standard Condiments and Salad Dressings.  Also, it is the beginning of Ice Cream sales.
 

 Canada has the highest number of donut shops per capita in the world, and Canadians consume more donuts per capita than any other country. So, what are the top three Tim Hortons donuts ordered in Canada?

Click on the question above, submit your answer to Alice, and you’re eligible to win!

Submission deadline
Friday, April 1, 2022 (Noon)

Prize
$25 Tim Hortons, Starbucks or Amazon gift card for the 2 winners
(If more than two contestants have the right answer, we will pick the winning names out of a hat)

Kudos Corner

Kudos Corner is a forum where Universal employees can recognize the efforts of their co-workers.  Bring forward candidates for Kudos Corner at your next Team Meeting or simply drop your Manager a line whenever you feel someone’s efforts should be recognized in Universal & You.

For this issue we received the following entries:

Submitted by Cathy Fong of our Freight Pricing team:

“Yunji Park of our Head Office has taken on most of the responsibilities to train the newest Freight Pricing team member, Yoona Lee. After her first week, Yoona is completing basic quotes for agents and is asking for rates independently.  With Yunji focused on training Yoona, she will often work late to catch up on her own work.  Yunji will regularly put her colleagues needs ahead of her own.”

Submitted by David Lychek of our Ocean & Air Services team:

“Since rejoining Universal in October 2021, Pamela Randolph of our US Freight Operations team in Cleveland has done an excellent job, quickly reacquainting herself with our operations and, in turn, handling the majority of our import cargo with ease and expertise.  On top of this, Pamela has gone above and beyond her regular duties by taking on tasks such as updating SOPs and questioning many long standing procedures…which in some cases were redundant and unnecessary, with the end result being a more streamlined operation.”

Growing again

In Universal & You, we want to introduce all new employees.  We have new additions at our Head Office and our U.S. offices in Buffalo and Cleveland.  Please join us in welcoming everyone to the team!

Pamela Randolph rejoined our US Freight Operations team in Cleveland on October 11, 2021.		Name: Yoona Lee Team: Freight Pricing             (Head Office) Start date: February 7, 2022
Name: Tina Gilbert Team: US Customs Operations             (Buffalo) Start date: February 21, 2022		Name: Marilynne Evans Team: US Freight Operations             (Cleveland) Start date: March 7, 2022
Name: Maryam Mehrdad Team: IT Solutions (Head Office) Start date: March 14, 2022

Book Buzz
Contributor: Barbara Mulatinho

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

Welcome to the escape room. Your goal is simple.
Get out alive.

Invited to participate in an escape room challenge as a team-building exercise, 5 ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high-rise building, eager to prove themselves.  But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they’re caught in a dangerous game of survival.

Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free.  As tempers fray and the clues turn deadly, they must solve one final chilling puzzle: which one of them will kill in order to survive?

Culture and Entertainment
Contributor: Barbara Mulatinho

Stream these shows based on true events

There’s something fascinating about watching shows and movies based on true events, making it one of the main types of new productions, or at least it seems that way.  Over the years, we’ve had some truly iconic shows and movies, seeking to uncover lies and deceit around the world – and recent releases are keeping with this trend.  To help you make your way through the many selections available, we are highlighting three excellent examples of the best true story TV shows and movies that are available now. 

Pam & Tommy
Available on Disney+

An American biographical musical drama, Tick Tick Boom is directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda in his feature directorial debut.  It is based on the stage musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson, a semi-autobiographical story about Larson’s writing a musical to enter the industry.

The film was well received by critics, named one of the best films of 2021 by the American Film Institute and was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, and Best Picture at the 27th Critics’ Choice Awards.  Andrew Garfield earned numerous nominations for his performance, including winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Inventing Anna
Available on Netflix

This show tells the tale of Anna Delvey (real name Anna Sorokin), who convinced a significant number of New York’s elite that she was, in fact, a German heiress – and things only got weirder from there.  Delvey eventually made off with $275,000, before being convicted in 2019.  It’s an excellent series and well worth a watch.  Inventing Anna was created by Shonda Rhimes, her first official TV show for Netflix as part of her overall deal with the platform.  It received good reviews, thanks to the Shondaland of it all, as well as Julia Garner’s committed performance.

The Tinder Swindler
Available on Netflix

This true-crime documentary, which hit Netflix on February 2nd, highlights exactly how the optimistic search for love online can be “a dangerous game.”  It tells the wild story of a man named Shimon Hayut, who allegedly posed as Simon Leviev and claimed to be the son of a diamond mogul on the popular dating app Tinder.

Under his false identity, he would charm women and persuade them to loan him money, swindling an estimated $10 million from people across the globe.  Perhaps even more shocking than all of his crimes?  He’s walking free and pursuing a Hollywood career – while the women he swindled remain in debt to this day.  The Tinder Swindler has been viewed for 45.8 million hours, becoming the first documentary to lead Netflix’s list of Top 10 films.

Health and Lifestyle
Contributor: Veena Ramesh

Yoga Mudras and their Benefits

Everyone has heard of Yoga.  It is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.  Yoga is practiced for maintaining good health, both physically and mentally.
 
Yoga consists of a series of postures and gestures which, when practiced regularly, increase strength, stamina, co-ordination and relax the body.

As we are all in the office in a sitting position for most of the day, it is definitely not possible to practice Asanas (Yoga positions) during the day, however, what we can do is practice hand gestures which are called Mudras in Sanskrit.
 
There are many Mudras and, over the next few issues, I will introduce the most common and important ones that can be practised when sitting down – during your lunch break at the office or at home when watching TV.  The duration of any Mudra is about 15 minutes and if done in a consistent manner and with faith, it can help in a lot of ways.

The five fingers of our hand represent the five elements of the Universe:

• Thumb = Fire
• Index Finger = Air
• Middle Finger = Space
• Ring Finger = Earth
• Little Finger = Water

If all these elements are at an optimal level, our body remains healthy.  However, if even one element is increased over the others, it has an effect on the body, e.g. if the element of air is increased, you feel bloated; if the element of water is increased, you have a constant cold, etc..  Practicing Yoga Mudras specific hand gestures facilitates the even flow of energy which is required for the body to be in harmony and at its peak health and equilibrium.

Diseases occur due to an imbalance in energy in the various organs; Mudras can help balance these   energy levels/prana.  Performing Yoga Mudras can be a powerful tool for healing. 

There are a few practices we need to follow when we are performing Mudras; our feet need to touch the ground and it is recommended to sit on a chair with your back straight if you are not comfortable sitting on the floor.

Adi Mudra

We will first talk about the Adi Mudra.  This is a Mudra that all human beings practise right from when they are born.  If you observe the hands of a baby you can see this mudra.  This mudra has a lot of benefits and is one of the easiest to follow.

Adi Mudra for grounding.  Bend your thumb into the center of your palm and then wrap all of your fingers around it.  Sit with this Mudra for 1 minute or more when you are feeling scattered or anxious to help bring you back to your body.  With all that is going on in the logistics industry, this will definitely be helpful.

Adi Mudra helps relax the nervous system; improves the flow of oxygen to the head; helps to reduce snoring; increases mental acuity and improves motor skills.

The best time to practise Adi Mudra is in the early morning before 6:00 am.  It should be practiced regularly over a period of two months to optimize results.  It will help with increasing positivity as it improves our health and well being.

IT Corner

Work From Home Checklist

As mentioned above, the hybrid work arrangement will be coming soon – in order to be ready for this following is a pre-planning checklist:

Internet Connection – Do I have enough Internet speed?  Internet speed should be at least 5 mbps for both up and down.

Data Plan – Is my data plan large enough?  How much capacity you will need depends on your personal usage.  An unlimited plan is best, but you should have at least a 500 GB plan.

Wired or Wi-Fi – Will you be connecting your PC through Wi-Fi or ethernet cord (wired).  Wired provides a faster connection and is more secure.  If you are close enough to your modem to plug into it, that would be best.

Wi-Fi Extender – If you are using Wi-Fi, the signal strength in the room you are working in must be strong.  If it isn’t, you may have to get a Wi-Fi extender.  You may have a fast internet connection but if your workspace is too far from the modem, you won’t get the speed you need and the connection won’t be stable.