T-Mobile employee talks about what Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month means to her

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Mobile Mindfulness: The Future of Mental Health

Virtual Mental Health Resources post pandemic

Daniel Dae Kim discusses anti-asian hate trends with T-Mobile during AAPI Heritage Month

Daniel Dae Kim Discusses anti-asian hate trends with T-Mobile during AAPI Heritage Month

With 5G, we can expect new types of business models that revolutionize the way people work.

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In our haste to break free from our pandemic routines, we might find that life is picking up at an overwhelming pace. One product of all of this change is that it’s a little easier to misplace, well, our products. In fact, <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lost-and-found-the-average-american-spends-25-days-each-year-looking-for-lost-items-collectively-costing-us-households-27-billion-annually-in-replacement-costs-300449305.html">a survey conducted by the Bluetooth tracking company Pixie</a> found that Americans spend an average of 2.5 days out of each calendar year searching for lost items.

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You may have forgotten what it’s like to get up, get ready and have somewhere to go, but let us remind you how easy it is to misplace something you cherish. You’re suddenly back in the morning rush with other commuters, frantically trying to make a crowded train. Before you know it, you realize this is your stop and you hastily make it out the door, only to realize you just left your new travel case with your laptop inside it under your seat. Looks like your belongings are enjoying the rest of the ride without you.

Some of the items you carry with you daily — like that designer travel bag you finally splurged on or the DSLR camera you always wanted — aren’t cheap to replace. As the saying goes, time is money, and replacing these items can have a serious <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/246949">impact on our wallets as well</a>.

If these items are so important, then why exactly do we keep misplacing them? A common reason is that the item was simply lost in a moment of absentmindedness. Psychologists have a phrase for this: <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201101/mindlessness-and-memory-slips-how-find-what-youve-lost%20">“If you don’t encode, you can’t retrieve.”</a> If you’re not consciously thinking about where you’re placing that item in the midst of the madness, your brain has no information stored about the item’s whereabouts when it suddenly isn’t in your possession. Other factors, such as our <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/mobile-mindfulness-the-future-of-mental-health">stress levels and overall mental health</a>, can also play a role in our items disappearing.

From age-old psychology tricks and mindful habits to a bit of digital device help, here are a few actionable tips for when your precious possessions are accidentally out of sight and out of mind … but thankfully, may not be gone forever.

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“Retracing your steps” after losing an item can actually be a really useful approach, and the concept of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201101/mindlessness-and-memory-slips-how-find-what-youve-lost%20">context-dependent memory</a> gives a bit of insight as to why. With context-dependent memory, our memory is the strongest when we mentally or physically place ourselves back in the environment in which the item was lost. Try this: next time you walk out of a room and forget what you were doing, paint a mental picture of yourself just a minute or two prior to walking out of that room. This reconstruction of events can help to trigger your memories of why you left the room, and this can also be an important step in rediscovering a misplaced item. In addition to visualizing the scene, try to clear your mind of any anxious or distracting thoughts relating to the missing item. This can help you begin your search in a calmed state.

2. Keep yourself in check with written and digital reminders.

If you regularly run into the issue of losing track of specific items, digital reminders might be for you. Regardless of the type of phone that you use, a variety of great productivity apps are out there that can give you that extra reminder that you need to double check your wallet for your debit card or ID before heading out of the house. Most calendar apps such as <a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/about/">Google Calendar</a> and <a href="https://outlook.live.com/owa/">Outlook</a> have remind features that can help you create good habits around organizing your items. There are also useful apps like <a href="https://todoist.com/">Todoist</a> that specialize in creating useful reminders and daily lists on your smartphone.

In that same vein are your classic physical reminders — notebooks, sticky notes and old-fashioned to-do lists that can decorate your home or workplace with helpful hints and pointers. There’s no shame in jotting down reminders for yourself and putting them around the mirror or the door so they’ll always be there during your busiest times of the day. <a href="https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/were-only-human/ink-on-paper-some-notes-on-note-taking.html">Studies have shown</a> that information can be recalled a bit easier when written, so sticky notes might be the best way to go for those who prefer pen and paper.

3. Try a Bluetooth tracker for your smaller items.

For smaller items like your phone, wallet and keys, Bluetooth tracking can provide a little bit of tech help. On those busy mornings at home when your phone unfortunately disappears and you’re late for an important meeting, Bluetooth trackers are great. They’re designed for those times that you lose an item within close proximity. So instead of wasting those precious minutes searching your living room for your phone (or keys or wallet), you can just pull up an app and save yourself some stress.

4. But also make sure to protect those truly precious possessions (and pets).

When it comes to big-ticket items, like that new guitar you forgot in the back of a cab, you’ll need something with a little more to offer. T-Mobile’s <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/iot-devices/syncup-gps-tracker-device">SyncUP TRACKER</a> uses a combination of GPS technology as well as the Un-carrier’s reliable <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/4g-lte-5g-networks" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/4g-lte-5g-networks">nationwide network</a> to track an item at anytime from anywhere. Those devices previously mentioned that rely on Bluetooth technology often have limitations in terms of tracking range or other capabilities. For your high-value items like luggage, bicycles and even pets, T-Mobile’s SyncUP TRACKER has features like virtual boundaries that connect to the tracker, which will alert you if that tracked possession (or pooch!) leaves a designated area.

It’s reassuring to know that you can always have eyes on your important items — even when you’ve taken your eye off the ball of minding them — and that your camping gear, or musical instruments or expensive electronics will be only an app view away.

More info about the SyncUP TRACKER, the app available for both iOS and Android, as well as T-Mobile’s reliable LTE network and GPS technology, can be found <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/devices/syncup-gps-tracker-device">here</a>.

Remember: Just because you lost an item doesn’t mean that you should lose hope! With a few changes to your routine and <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/devices/syncup-tracker">even some tech upgrades</a>, you’ll find it much easier to cope during those forgetful moments.

We offer insight into common patterns of forgetfulness, daily organizational tips and new digital solutions (like T-Mobile's SyncUP TRACKER) to help you keep track of your most cherished items.

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T-Mobile’s SyncUP TRACKER has virtual boundaries that connect to the app, which alert you if that tracked possession (or pooch!) leaves a designated area.

Lost and Found: 4 Tips for Managing Commonly Misplaced Items | T-Mobile Newsroom

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Lost and Found: 4 Tips for Managing Commonly Misplaced Items

Liz Habersham

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/devices/lost-and-found-4-tips-for-managing-commonly-misplaced-items

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When the day needs saving, T-Mobile's favorite superhero, Captain MEGAHertz, is only a call away. Ever wondered what it would be like to have superpowers of your own? Take this quiz to discover your hidden heroic abilities!

Whether she's saving a city from dastardly villains or completing rescue missions at lightning-fast speeds, Captain MEGAHertz is as reliable as T-Mobile's 5G network. Saving the day is hard work, and it’s time for someone new to step up as her capable right hand hero. Looks like you’re the perfect candidate! Justice must be served, take this quiz to find out which superhuman ability you'll bring to the table.

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Quiz: What&#039;s Your 5G Superpower? | T-Mobile Newsroom

Quiz: What&#8217;s Your 5G Superpower?

When the day needs saving, T-Mobile&#039;s favorite superhero, Captain MEGAHertz, is only a call away. Ever wondered what it would be like to have superpowers of your own? Take this quiz to discover your hidden heroic abilities!

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America is awash in loyalty and reward programs, but most of them don't really make an impact. This may be hard to believe, or maybe not, but the average American belongs to 14 loyalty programs—and they don't even really bother with half of them<a href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>. And there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the loyalty programs they do bother with: 46% of consumers report they are frustrated by the long wait for rewards, 35% are frustrated by confusing redemption processes, and 27% are frustrated by the need to track points<a href="#_ftn2">[2]</a>. That doesn't sound rewarding to me. Frankly, most consumers recognize loyalty programs for what they really are—a system of incentives designed to manipulate them into spending more money. AKA: the polar opposite of the Un-carrier's take—T-Mobile Tuesdays!

In 2016, we found ourselves ten Un-carrier moves down and looking for our next big thing. We wanted to express our appreciation for all the customer support and rapid growth we'd seen since introducing the Un-carrier three years prior. Looking at other major brands at the time, we saw that a traditional, points-based program might be a decent way to generate additional sales, but at the cost of being a lousy way to thank customers. We chose a different approach—and flipped the script on the tired loyalty program. We asked: What if, instead of making customers prove their loyalty to us, we proved our loyalty to them?

The answer was T-Mobile Tuesdays—the Un-carrier's fresh take on customer appreciation. It's NOT a loyalty scheme or a typical rewards program. Customers aren't forced to spend more, track points, refer friends, or prove their loyalty by being a customer for a minimum period of time. The simple goal of T-Mobile Tuesdays is to say “thank you” to customers by providing simple, easy access to free stuff and great deals—all without forcing customers to spend more with T-Mobile. Full stop.

EVERY Tuesday, any eligible T-Mobile customer—including Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint brand customers—can open the T-Mobile Tuesdays app and redeem offers—which we aptly call 'thankings'—for free or discounted goods and services from a wide range of top brands like Dunkin', Wendy’s, Major League Baseball, Pandora, Live Nation, and many more. There are usually upwards of six thankings each Tuesday, with new partners each week and regular opportunities to visit T-Mobile stores to score Un-carrier swag like baseballs caps, socks, gloves, umbrellas, and facemasks (which our customers love!). And there are additional special sweepstakes with big prizes that have ranged from $5,000 in cash to a new Tesla.

We thought customers would like it, but we had no idea how much the program would really take off. In these last five years since we launched T-Mobile Tuesdays, customers have enjoyed well over $1 BILLION worth of freebies and exclusive discounts. That includes 1.8 billion gallons of discounted gas, 150 million hours of free movies, 55 million free cups of coffee, and 28 million free burgers. Actually, according to a 2018 <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/press/tmobileone-strategy-analytics-value-add-analysis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Strategy Analytics</a> study, each T-Mobile Tuesday customer can receive almost $1,000 in extra value every year—just for being a part of the T-Mobile family.

In contrast, most companies still run traditional loyalty programs that ask much of their customers and give little back in return. AT&T’s tiered program unlocks different features depending on how many services customers subscribe to. They even reserve the best customer service for their “top” customers. How carrier is that? At T-Mobile, ALL customers are our top customers, and we believe great service is a prerequisite for us to earn your loyalty, not a reward for spending more money.

Verizon’s loyalty program started out as a credit that their customers earned for every $300 they spent on their account. Currently, Verizon's program focuses on offering customers a monthly reward … but that's only one per month, only claimable by the account owner, and only available AFTER they pay their bill, which makes it seem much less like a “thank you” than an inducement to pay up. No, thanks.

The carriers could learn something from us. Turns out, thanking customers just for being customers is a remarkably effective way to deepen loyalty and engagement. Last year, our net promoter score for customers who use T-Mobile Tuesdays was 14 points higher than the industry average. And after we extended eligibility to former Sprint customers, our net promoter score jumped another 7 points to a new record for T-Mobile!

T-Mobile Tuesdays also shows that companies can improve their bottom line without resorting to typical loyalty programs that make customers jump through hoops and track points with so many strings attached. We’ve seen that customers who take advantage of T-Mobile Tuesdays spend more with T-Mobile and stay with us longer than those who don’t. Not because they're forced to … but because they want to.

Most importantly, for a company obsessed with customer satisfaction, T-Mobile Tuesdays helps us ensure our customers feel valued. Research on customer experience and loyalty shows high customer satisfaction rates that keep on improving.

Today, T-Mobile Tuesdays is more popular than ever. Since launch, over 30 MILLION customers have downloaded the app. Last year, 21% more customers used T-Mobile Tuesdays than the in the year before, making 2020 our biggest year ever. Despite having to make significant adjustments in response to the pandemic when thankings couldn’t be redeemed in person, in 2020, T-Mobile Tuesdays set new records for customer participation, new users, and number of thankings saved. Just last week during our five-year 'Thankiversary' celebrations, T-Mobile Tuesdays hit a new record—5 million participants in one single day. That’s more than any cable network TV show!

Zoom out, and it becomes clear that our industry-best growth is due in part to our Un-carrier take on customer loyalty. We're doing it the right way—showing customers our loyalty, not forcing them to prove loyalty to us—and other businesses can see similar success when they follow our lead.

[1] Bond Brand Loyalty. 2020. The Loyalty Report

[2] Wirecard. 2019. Consumer Incentives 2019: The Digital Transformation of Rewards, Rebates, and Loyalty.

About T-Mobile T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7CBennet.Ladyman1%40T-Mobile.com%7C61a31e8901e141563d4c08d929ea82c8%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637586909447617824%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=QNlIbOYhb0VygM1DdeM03dRx7yCbMulcUexhVbfrSdA%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.t-mobile.com</a>.

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America is awash in loyalty and reward programs, but most of them don't really make an impact. This may be hard to believe, or maybe not, but the average

Five Years of T-Mobile Tuesdays:How a Fresh Take on the Loyalty Program Drives the Un-carrier | T-Mobile Newsroom

Five Years of T-Mobile Tuesdays: How a Fresh Take on the Loyalty Program Drives the Un-carrier

Bennet Ladyman

America is awash in loyalty and reward programs, but most of them don&#039;t really make an impact. This may be hard to believe, or maybe not, but the average

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/how-a-fresh-take-on-loyalty-drives-the-un-carrier

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There are few endeavors more rewarding — or more challenging — than starting a small business. Sure, the risks are high and the hours long. But the satisfaction that comes from turning a dream into a successful shop, restaurant, or service that brings value and joy to customers, and life and activity into a local community … is almost immeasurable.

Easier to measure is the critical importance of small businesses to the health of the American economy. Before the pandemic, there were 31 million U.S. small businesses that employed nearly half of all workers in this country and generated 44% of its economic activity. In normal times, these businesses are responsible for two-thirds of new job creation in the United States.

Obviously, these aren’t normal times, and the pandemic has taken a massive toll on small businesses. Over the past 15 months, nearly 10 million American small businesses closed their doors at least temporarily. According to a study published in the Journal of Economics and Management Strategy, the drop-in small biz activity between February and April last year was the largest ever recorded in the United States. And of the 20 million or so of these shops, restaurants and other businesses that made it this far, 10% are worried they will never recover and another 14% wonder if they can survive the next six months.

But small businesses are resilient, and entrepreneurs are creative and agile. Many responded by shifting their business models to take advantage of ecommerce, some for the first time. Before Covid-19, one small business in three had never made a digital sale. Today, nearly seven out of eight are selling goods and services online. This massive move to online and mobile shopping over the past year has laid the foundation for a new era of opportunity that comes with exciting new ways to reach and serve customers.

And now, with vaccination rates rising and the number of Covid cases dropping, we’re seeing signs of life that we haven’t for more than a year, inspiring hope for small business owners and their customers in small towns and big cities across the country. According to the market research firm CivicScience, 76% of Americans now feel comfortable shopping in a store, 65% are ready to eat out, and 54% are ready to travel.

The big question is: what will it take for American small businesses to weather the next stretch — and then to thrive in a mobile first, digital first future?

It starts with fast, reliable, affordable digital tools and technologies, including reliable mobile connectivity and high-speed internet. Many big cable internet service plans charge small businesses twice what they charge residential customers for the same speeds. And that’s for those lucky enough find high speed internet service at all. According to the National Association of Counties, internet speeds in 65% of U.S. counties fall below the FCC minimum to be considered broadband.

At T-Mobile, we have always believed that small businesses are the lifeblood of vibrant, thriving communities. So, with the nation’s fastest, largest, and most reliable 5G network, we are excited to provide the connectivity backbone that they will need to flourish in a world transformed by the pandemic.

Here’s how we’ll do it. To ensure that small business owners have the tools and capabilities they need, T-Mobile recently announced a set of unconventional smartphone plans and a broadband internet solution designed specifically for them. It starts with three tiers of <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/business/small-midsize-business" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smartphone plans</a> designed to enable small businesses to take advantage of unlimited talk, text, and 5G data, at unbeatable prices.

And, our industry-leading 5G network also allows us to offer small businesses a reason to ditch that much despised ISP and switch. That’s right! Say goodbye to overpriced broadband and say hello to affordable, reliable high-speed internet — delivering blazing fast speeds and easy setup, without the caps, overages, and binding annual service contracts.

We’ve also teamed up with Facebook to offer small businesses expert advice and resources to help them supercharge their digital marketing efforts. On top of that, qualified small businesses can get $200 of digital advertising on Facebook or Instagram — a potential reach of 25 thousand new prospects, depending on how a campaign is designed.

I have so much admiration for America’s small business owners. Their grit, insights, work ethic, and commitment to strengthening their local communities is the true animating spirit of the American dream. We owe the millions of small business owners who persevered through the most difficult economic period in nearly a century a deep debt of gratitude.

As we slowly and safely begin to return to the shops, restaurants, and services that are such a vital part of the fabric of our cities, towns, and neighborhoods, T-Mobile is proud to be the Un-carrier partner to small businesses across America.

To learn more about the new small business offerings from T-Mobile for Business, please visit <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.t-mobile.com/business/small-midsize-business" target="_blank">https://www.t-mobile.com/business/small-midsize-business</a>.

There are few endeavors more rewarding — or more challenging — than starting a small business. Sure, the risks are high and the hours long. But the

Better Than Ever: How 5G Will Help America’s Small Businesses Thrive Post-Pandemic | T-Mobile Newsroom

Better Than Ever: How 5G Will Help America’s Small Businesses Thrive Post-Pandemic

Oscar Meza

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/how-5g-will-help-americas-small-businesses-thrive-post-pandemic

In recognition of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), we ask Communications & Community Engagement senior specialist Melissa Jividan to tell us why her personal experience of being an Asian American at T-Mobile is one of the many reasons she loves promoting the brand on the company’s Careers social channels.

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Fate, as they say, works in mysterious ways. “I got recruited off of LinkedIn after I had graduated college in Hawaii,” says senior specialist Melissa Jividan. Six years later, Jividan now runs the Careers social channel, which — as fate would have it — includes the company’s brand <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/t-mobile/mycompany/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.linkedin.com/company/t-mobile/mycompany/">LinkedIn page</a>. “It's one of those full circle things,” she notes with a laugh.

A Seattle-area native who returned to the region when the wireless provider came calling, Jividan was first brought aboard at T-Mobile as a social media specialist in customer care, and has since moved onto executive social on the Communications & Community Engagement team in addition to her responsibilities of sharing important employee stories. She has become a unique lens through which others can see what those in leadership and in positions of all levels across the company are saying about working for the Un-carrier. Which makes us wonder, what’s her story?

 Jividan was brought up multi-ethnic to a White father and a mother who had emigrated from Thailand.

“With me being multiple ethnicities, I don’t come across as obviously Asian,” she says, which offers her a unique view into ugly conversations others would not be privy to. “I get to see what people are seeing and saying. They get very surprised when I say, ‘Hey, I’m Asian too. And what you said is not appropriate, and here’s why.’”

She then adds: “I’m my own ally, in a sense.”

In recognition of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), we talk with Jividan about her personal experience with Asian hate (and love), the importance of the Asia Pacific & Allies Network Employee Resource Group she’s part of at T-Mobile and about the career path that has led her to running the company’s Careers social channel — and where destiny may take her next.

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Overseeing the Careers social channel — LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc. — can you walk us through what a typical day is like?

Generally speaking, I am planning out what content looks like for the Careers channel — everything from creating my own content, like memes or short videos, to working with others such as a Tik Tok creator that we’re currently partnering with. If I’m not creating and planning the content, I’m shaping what the view of the channel looks like. And then I focus on how we can tell the stories of our employees that would make people who don’t work at T-Mobile want to work here. And luckily, it’s pretty easy, because many of the employees here have such incredible stories. Being able to share their stories and have them explain why they love T-Mobile, I think that’s the most surefire way to get someone to want to work here.

How important is showcasing inclusivity on the social handles you currently oversee?

I think it’s extremely important. You see more and more in media that representation matters. Just seeing someone that looks like you doing something that you previously thought you couldn’t do has had a huge impact on me and on people I know. And I think that’s important to showcase at the workplace as well. If you were to describe a position, you might immediately think of a certain kind of person. So knowing that you can be any gender or race in those roles, just knowing that it’s possible is really helpful. Because it drops that barrier of thinking, “Oh, I can’t do it because of this.” Well, this person did it, so of course you can do it. I think it’s cool, that just by sharing someone’s story, you’re able to see what your own potential is.

May is, of course, Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Can you tell us what it means to you, and how your own heritage is reflected in honoring the AAPI community?

I’m multi-ethnic, and my mom is from Thailand. So I’m half Thai and half mixed White — French and Scottish. So half-mixed Caucasian. My mom came to America from Thailand when she was 19 or 20. Growing up, I watched her struggle to work twice as hard to prove she was just good as anybody else. She’s been in America for 50 years, and I still watch her have some struggles with people who, if they don’t understand her accent very well, they visibly treat her different. So witnessing that had an effect on me. It taught me that being different doesn’t mean you’re any less of a person. It just means that you come from somewhere else. And even if you didn't have an accent, those things shouldn’t matter. Your character is what matters.

You’d mentioned that sometimes you very literally have to be your own ally. How important — and this comes up a lot at T-Mobile and the programs that we attend — is allyship from others?

I think it’s super important. Truthfully, when the whole aspect of allyship first came up, I wasn’t sure about it. Not that I’m not supportive of allies, clearly, but it sounded like a corporate thing. But since then I’ve managed executive socials for company events like a popular guest-speaker series called Talking with Trailblazers, where they’re always talking about allyship. I’m learning that it is important because no one group can do it all themselves and you really need that cross-promotional, for lack of a better term, allyship in order to make changes and get your messages across. Unfortunately, some people are never going to listen to you because of your gender or your skin color. So having that spokesperson or ally that perhaps looks more like them to advocate for us has a much bigger impact than if I were to just say it myself.

You mentioned Talking with Trailblazers, and there just happened to be the one with actor Daniel Dae Kim and T-Mobile’s EVP of Advanced & Emerging Technologies, John Saw. What did you take from that?

I loved that one. It was probably one of my more favorite <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/daniel-dae-kim-discusses-aapi-hate-crime-with-t-mobile">Talking with Trailblazers</a> that we’ve had. I think Daniel and John Saw really hit it on the head with this myth of the model minority. They explained where it comes from , how stereotypes hurt multiple ethnicities and how understanding all this can combat prejudice in the future. I really loved that. If someone were to do a Talking with Trailblazers with me, these are the things that I would want to address.

The recent and historic violence and abuse aimed at the AAPI community has generated a deep desire in allies to better support AAPI co-workers. Can you share an instance where someone’s support was impactful to you?  

Actually, yeah, this is a perfect example. The day of the Atlanta attacks, where six of eight of those killed were Asian women, I had a coworker and a friend reach out to me through text message. She didn’t even say, “Hey, I saw it was on the news.” She just said, “Hey, I hope you’re okay today. Let me know if you need anything, I’m here to support you.” And I thought that was really cool. Again, I don’t come across as visibly Asian, and so most people don’t think about it, which is fine. I never expect anyone to know my ethnicity. But for her to see that and think, “Oh, I have people I care about, people that I want to support out in the world that I should check on,” that was really cool.

It is of course incumbent upon people to do their own homework. But I was just curious if you have any resources you’d recommend for folks aiming to support the AAPI community — this month and always?

I appreciate when people ask how to become better at allyship, but I also think it somewhat falls in line with what <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/trailblazer-takeaways-ibram-x-kendi-on-being-an-antiracist">Ibram X. Kendi had talked about</a> after George Floyd’s murder, where it can’t become our responsibility to teach everyone how to be an ally or to teach the history. I believe it’s important to educate yourself, but if someone seems genuine in their growth then I’m happy to share my knowledge and experiences, too. So it’s a bit of a middle ground.

That said, oddly enough, one place that’s helped me branch out from my own information, is … this is going to sound ridiculous, but … Asian comedians. They’re always talking about their experiences and the impacts that they’ve had in their life and how they are perceived in America, let alone in their ancestors’ cultures. So their standard comedy specials about their experiences have really opened my eyes to not only what other Asians face, but also the shared Asian experience in America. Ali Wong is a huge one for me. She talks a lot about growing up Asian and marrying an Asian of a different ethnicity. That has been a key to me to unlock more information about our history and the things that are going on within our community.

In terms of supporting employees from a company level, and I guess employees supporting each other too, the Asia Pacific & Allies Network Employee Resource Group is a part of T-Mobile’s overall Multicultural Alliance. What has your involvement been like, and what do you think these groups bring to T-Mobile?

I’m involved, and I’ve definitely become more involved over the past year, given everything that’s happened, and I’ve definitely seen a bigger uptick in activity overall. And I think it’s really because it’s helping employees have a voice on various topics.

And that’s one of the things that I’ve always really liked about T-Mobile. For such a big company, people really do listen to the employees and we’re learning along with everybody else. To have a group saying here’s what our community is thinking and feeling about topics that affect us, and to see how T-Mobile is impacting those communities, it’s just nice. It’s one of those things where, again, representation matters. And so here you have this group of people that represent your community, your ethnicity, and they’re helping change the company for the better through their own eyes.

Since you hold the keys to T-Mobile's Careers social media accounts, where do you see your own career headed?

I am fortunate that I get to get a sneak peek into every aspect of the company, which I think a lot of people would love to have. If I want to find stuff out for marketing, I can do that. From engineering, technology, sales, all of those things, I get to have my hand in a little bit of it all so I can speak to their roles and help those employees share their stories. And I’m also a very curious person, so I’ve always really liked being able to know that I can gather information from anywhere.

And then in terms of my own career, I would love to keep telling stories for people. I think it’s the best way to be a positive persuader of things. I don’t exactly know what that looks like, as in terms of, is it a role or a specific position, but I enjoy what I do and I hope I can keep doing it on a bigger scale.

In recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, a T-Mobile employee talks about how the importance of representation in the workplace and beyond.

Employee Spotlight: “AAPI Heritage Month Is Important To Me Because I Believe Representation Matters” | T-Mobile Newsroom

Employee Spotlight: “AAPI Heritage Month Is Important To Me Because I Believe Representation Matters”

JasonAdams

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This Mental Health Awareness Month, we continue to investigate how our relationship with our devices has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from setting boundaries in a mobile-first world to breaking down barriers to mental health access. Through discussions with health experts and a T-Mobile employee using the company’s digital well-being benefits, we take a closer look at how the evolution of mental health tools are providing more viable options for so many people in need.

Processing the Past Year

“I know, honestly, over the past year, I’ve had a couple situations where I felt like I just wanted out.”

Jill Benner will bravely tell you that she wasn’t always keen on using the ample time at home during the pandemic to brush up on her bread-baking skills or invest in a fun new hobby. The senior speech analyst with T-Mobile’s Customer Care says the panic, paranoia and unprecedented isolation caused by the pandemic tested her mental health in ways she could never have anticipated.

A recent <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6932a1-H.pdf">CDC pulse survey</a> measured response changes from July 2019 to July 2020 and found:

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And yet, <a href="https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/">among adults reporting</a> symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, more than <a href="https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/unmet-need-for-counseling-or-therapy-among-adults-reporting-symptoms-of-anxiety-and-or-depressive-disorder-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D">20 percent</a> admitted needing but not receiving counseling or therapy in the past month during the pandemic. Benner says she was scared to be one of those people, until she began looking into what employee benefits were offered to her. What she found was something of a lifeline.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we spoke with Benner to understand how she successfully made use of a digital well-being resource offered by T-Mobile to employees called <a href="https://www.livemagenta.com/">LiveMagenta</a>, as well as mental health experts who provide care through the program. By discussing what’s working and what isn’t with those who have lived through it on both the patient and professional side, a roadmap for greater success of care well beyond the COVID-19 pandemic is uncovered, as well as hope for what actually waits for us beyond.

“The ability to call someone or speak to someone right away was so key,” says Benner, “especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious. It’s important to your overall well-being and your health. Just having access to someone to talk to is so very important.

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Feeling the Effects

“Pandemic-induced anxiety,” Benner says bluntly, when asked what causes her trouble lately. “Being alone. If you don’t get to see your family for extended periods of time, it can be very difficult.”

Benner’s story is all too familiar. The specifics may change from person to person, but according to T-Mobile partners at UnitedHealthcare and Optum — who have collected data from various clients now examining the mental health effects of the pandemic on their employees — the tone remains consistent.

“Why do people need mental health resources?” asks Jessica Zach, an <a href="https://www.optum.com/">Optum</a> Senior Client Executive partner with T-Mobile. “One of the leading diagnostic drivers in the mental health space today is anxiety and most of the recent feelings of anxiety that people are experiencing is attributed to the pandemic.”

Anxiety and trauma stress-related disorders being named the primary reason for seeking help has actually remained steady since the early months of pandemic lockdowns when <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/">nearly half of Americans</a> reported the coronavirus crisis was affecting their mental health, according to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/coronavirus-is-harming-the-mental-health-of-tens-of-millions-of-people-in-us-new-poll-finds/2020/04/02/565e6744-74ee-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a Kaiser Family Foundation poll</a>.

A federal emergency hotline received an increase in calls by <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-health-202/2020/05/04/the-health-202-texts-to-federal-government-mental-health-hotline-up-roughly-1-000-percent/5eaae16c602ff15fb0021568/?itid=ap_paigewinfield%20cunningham&itid=lk_inline_manual_12">1,000 percent</a> between April 2019 and April 2020. Experts began digging into the data to learn about the surge, finding that many more people experiencing emotional distress were reaching out for help, and using their devices to do so.

Since 2017, T-Mobile has offered its well-being benefit LiveMagenta, which provides a wide-range of resources across a bevy of areas, from financial to physical and emotional. Whether you’re looking to stop smoking, save up to buy a home, prepare to adopt a child or focus on your mental health, LiveMagenta seeks to connect T-Mobile employees with experts and the tools to tackle some of life’s big challenges. The program was expanded to include legacy Sprint employees soon after the merger with T-Mobile in 2020, and the types of services provided, especially in the mental health space, evolved over time — from apps to virtual therapy programs.

“I think things are getting better, but there’s still fear,” explains Benner. “People are going through fear of what happens when things open up. Will this reoccur? There’s an unknown, and having access to tools [like these] is so important to be able to work through those kinds of questions. LiveMagenta gives you that access, which is just phenomenal.”

In November, T-Mobile also became the first wireless company to extend mental health resources to customers via the <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/t-mobile-makes-988-emergency-lifeline-available-to-customers">nationwide 988 emergency lifeline</a>. Those in need of free mental health support were able to access it immediately by dialing 988 to be connected directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of approximately 180 local and state-funded crisis centers. Further reinforcing that our devices are key to finding help even as we prepared for vaccinations and easing of COVID-19 restriction, since introducing this free service, some 15,000 people have made use of it — with the highest recorded use more recently in March and April of this year (7,933 to be exact).

Mental Health Help, Virtually Anytime

Though adopting new healthy habits isn’t always easy, one trend that experts are trying to understand better in order to make mental health resources more accessible is the uptick in virtual visits since 2020, and the common behavioral traits when using them.

Through LiveMagenta, T-Mobile offers employees free access to premium apps for mental health support. One such app is <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Stress-Relief-with-Sanvello">Sanvello,</a> which provides “clinical techniques to help dial down the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression — anytime.”

Another set of tools widely used by T-Mobile employees are digital self-care videos and modules such as <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Mindfulness-with-eM-Life">eM Life</a>. These self-paced online courses and mindfulness exercises invite people to consume video modules over a certain period of time to learn coping methods and then offer new tools with subsequent modules.

And then there is <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Virtual-Therapy-with-Talkspace">Talkspace</a>, a network provider where members can have virtual visits and/or text based therapy with a clinician.

Robin Bassler, a former <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/LiveMagenta-Life-Coach">Life Coach</a> and current leader within the T-Mobile’s Employee Assistance program that provides LiveMagenta, says it’s not just that virtual resources are clearly a more viable option at the moment, but it’s how people use the time once they’re plugged in that she’s most interested in.

“We have also seen a significant jump in members using virtual services, such as virtual counseling and more visits to the website for self-care material,” says Bassler. “But we have also noticed members who are calling in are spending more time on the phone with us and members who were engaged with a counselor prior were attending visits more often,” she adds.

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Bassler and Zach say companies like T-Mobile have been investing in these trends in hopes it will allow the space to evolve and eventually become part of the new post-pandemic zeitgeist. And, from the most recent numbers, it’s a method that seems to be working. According to Zach, not only are virtual programs being used 100 percent more of the time across all corporate clients compared to 2019, but in T-Mobile’s case, where more than one kind of digital option is offered, employees are more apt to find something that suits their needs. T-Mobile’s employees used their LiveMagenta well-being resources at a far greater percentage than Optum’s other clients utilized their employee benefits during the last months of 2020.

 “This demonstrated more awareness of the service and a higher desire to use services by T-Mobile employees,” explains Zach.

It’s an investment that is backed by outside studies as well. Many therapists <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/finding-therapy-coronavirus-stress-anxiety-anger/2020/04/25/4c00dd3c-866d-11ea-a3eb-e9fc93160703_story.html">have transitioned to teletherapy</a> because of coronavirus lockdowns, and there’s actually already research from the past three decades which found that video-enabled teletherapy is<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0027924"> as effective as in-person therapy</a> and that the therapeutic relationship and satisfaction with therapy do not suffer.

“It’s important to always evolve resources to adapt and fit into peoples’ lifestyles and to provide a comprehensive offering,” says Bassler. “That is an area that I’ve been most excited about in terms of how we have incorporated more tools and resources for people to use such as in the moment self-care through the <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Stress-Relief-with-Sanvello">Sanvello Premium</a> <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Stress-Relief-with-Sanvello">app</a> and introducing <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Virtual-Therapy-with-Talkspace">Talkspace</a>.”

Talkspace <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/">reported a 65 percent jump</a> in clients mid-February of 2020, showcasing an obvious appetite for their service. Text messages and transcribed therapy sessions collected anonymously by the company show <a href="https://www.talkspace.com/blog/coronavirus-talkspace-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coronavirus-related anxiety</a> dominated patients’ concerns. And users at T-Mobile like Benner say it’s continued to be a helpful resource as we start to navigate the unknown of post-lockdown life.

“Talkspace has been a great resource,” says Benner. “I got to talk about things stressing me out with someone online.” And the entire suite of tools has had a cumulative effect in her overall mental health. “Since the pandemic started it’s helped me be less anxious,” Benner adds, “and helped me to manage overthinking and stress.”

Serving Those Who Serve

As May is also Military Appreciation month, there’s a natural focus on how the pandemic has affected our veterans and other military service men and women.

Before the pandemic, mental health was already a complicated issue in the military. Nearly one in three U.S. service members who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan<a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9336.html"> </a><a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9336.html">report</a> having developed a mental health condition requiring treatment. Approximately 730,000 men and women <a href="https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/topics/veterans/#:~:text=STARTLING%20STATISTICS,(PTSD)%20and%20major%20depression.">were surveyed</a>, with many experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression, but less than 50 percent of returning veterans in need receive any mental health help. As the country at large grapples with the mental health effects of COVID-19, many within the military community are questioning how this will impact those men and women who were already working to find a stable foundation.

“Mental health can affect all people, and it has particular impacts on members of the military community,” says Tana Avellar, Co-Chair of T-Mobile’s Veteran & Allies Network (VAN) employee resource group. “Hardships are felt whether you are in uniform, a spouse taking care of kids while your loved one is deployed, or a kiddo who has to learn saying goodbye to friends and new schools are a part life’s normal in a military family. These unique experiences can bring on mental health struggles which are even more amplified during today’s environment. It’s important to call out mental health because we have a captive audience listening.”

T-Mobile has created resources through LiveMagenta specifically for its VAN employees, such as <a href="https://vibe.emindful.com/programs/206">eM Life sessions</a> dedicated to helping veterans who are navigating the challenges of adjusting to civilian life. There’s also something called Live and Work Well Content that contains articles, guides and videos focused on mental health in areas such as deployment stress, family support and reunion and reintegration guidance.

Prepared For The Road Ahead

As we look to push forward, it’s key to recognize learnings of the past year and evolve old systems, not only for the crisis that could once again come our way, but for a better baseline overall.

“The pandemic has been difficult,” says Bassler, “but people are very resilient. I think people have learned some important lessons — lessons that will help when they are faced with adversity again.”

It’s in this train of thought that one can assess that the pandemic has made us more prepared and stronger to face challenges of all kinds. Deeanne King, T-Mobile’s Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, believes that by forcing us to innovate ways to create more readily accessible mental health resources, we’re in a better place to help those in need utilize tools for survival whether for reasons related to the pandemic or just for managing everyday stress.

“When I originally sent out the note about resources to support employees with COVID and leaned in on LiveMagenta and tending to their mental health — I can’t even tell you how many employees I heard from that said basically, ‘Wow, this must mean that I am not the only one struggling — thank you for helping me not feel alone here,’” shares King. “Mental health comes in so many shapes and sizes — sometimes it’s traumatic and other times it takes on a lesser weight, but it keeps us from being our best.  In the past year, we all have been in the same ocean but not all in the same boats and we never know which boat someone is in — if they are bailing water or patching it as they go — so there is nothing more important in today’s world than taking a minute to ask ‘How are you, really?’ and really listening and getting folks to these great resources if they need it.”

And the investment T-Mobile has made into connecting people to those resources is something King says she believes will reveal benefits long after the pandemic. And that’s the point. The work isn’t finished once the pandemic ends. Our problems don’t evaporate and the tough times don’t magically improve. But how we cope can.

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While experts continue to explore ways to make mental health resources more accessible, one simple truth remains a barrier to getting people the help they need: It’s never been easy for there to be a widespread adoption of good new habits over a sustained period of time. But in an effort to capitalize on Mental Health Awareness Month when the topic is top of mind, we asked Dr. Seth Sextner, the Chief Heath Office at <a href="https://www.optum.com/">Optum</a>, what are some simple yet impactful takeaways that experts can offer. He breaks it down into four parts for everyone looking to care for their mental wellbeing.Remember you are not alone. “You’re not the only one struggling. Many people are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, changes in their alcohol and eating behaviors due to changes brought on by the pandemic.”It’s ok to not be ok yet. “Just because we may be starting to open up our society again (get back to offices, travel, restaurants, etc.) it doesn’t mean we are automatically feeling back to normal.  It may take some getting used to being around people again. If you think you need help, reach out. “If you have been thinking about getting help or wanting to gain access to resources now is the time.  Don’t put it off.” There’s no one size fits all here so don’t compare yourself to others. “I try not to judge. No judgement of yourself or anyone else for seeking to take care of themselves.  We are all doing the best we can with what we have and who we are.  And in addition, there are things you can do to improve your overall wellbeing that are core. Get enough sleep, be physically active in some way everyday (this can really help your mood and overall wellbeing), notice what you eat and try little tweaks to improve your diet (ex. sneak in an apple as a snack now and then), and take advantage of your social connections.  It’s time to spend time with friends and family again (as appropriately masked, distanced, vaccinated, outside), get outside and connect with nature and my personal favorite is laugh a little.”

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This Mental Health Awareness Month, we investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic evolved mental health tools that provide more viable options for those in need.

Mobile Mindfulness: The Future of Mental Health | T-Mobile Newsroom

Shawna Ryan

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/mobile-mindfulness-the-future-of-mental-health

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The Un-carrier celebrates America’s hometown pride — because many of us were raised with it.

Small towns and rural communities are essential to our national identity. Whether rural and remote or suburban and growing, America’s hometowns are the fertile ground where millions of Americans put down roots, stretch their legs and live their dreams.

From coast to coast, hometown pride holds America together, and T-Mobile is proud to join in.

We recently <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobiles-next-un-carrier-move-5gforall">announced our latest Un-carrier move</a>. We call it 5G for All. With it, we’re rolling out America’s most expansive 5G network, spanning 1.6 million square miles — with 1.45 million of that coverage in <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/betting-big-on-brick-and-mortar-small-town-rural">small town America</a> — an area the size of the entire Midwest … plus Texas!

AND we’re bringing high speed internet to 10 million households in small towns and rural areas across the country, many that currently have limited access to broadband or none at all. We’re also offering to upgrade everyone in America with a working cellphone to a <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/deals-hub">5G phone FOR FREE</a>! Because we mean it when we say #5GForAll.

Team Magenta has a lot of hometown pride — and that’s particularly true for our leadership team, many of whom come from unsung places across America. With all the support we get from the farthest corners of the country, we figured we’d give some back. Below you’ll find shout-outs from some of our executives to the hometowns that raised them. As you can see, we’re literally all over the map with a lot of love for our roots.

Mike Sievert, Chief Executive Officer Hometown: Canton, Ohio Population: 69,837 Best thing about my hometown:  The friendliest people Town’s claim to fame: <a href="https://www.profootballhof.com/">Pro Football Hall of Fame</a> Unofficial mascot:  Did I mention footballs? Must-visit spot: Hey, have you been to the football museum with the football-shaped roof? Celebrity: Not really Iconic restaurant/meal/food item: Anything Greek or Italian Only locals know: It’s called “pop.” Soda is that clear, bubbly stuff you put in vodka. Closest road trip destination: <a href="https://www.cedarpoint.com/">Cedar Point</a>, greatest roller coaster park on Earth What you will find: Locals aren’t nosy, they’re friendly, OK? What you won’t find: Mountains. Or oceans.

Bonus: Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeSievert">Twitter</a>, where I’ll be asking followers to “tell me you’re from a small town without telling me you’re from a small town.”

Peter Osvaldik, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer  Hometown: Bellingham, Washington Population: 96,014 Best thing about my hometown: Great outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, biking, boating Town’s claim to fame: The annual <a href="https://skitosea.com/">Ski to Sea</a> race Unofficial mascot: Rain? Must-visit spot: Chuckanut Drive Celebrity: Hilary Swank, Ryan Stiles Iconic restaurant/meal/food item: Potato burrito at <a href="https://www.casaquepasarocks.com/">Casa Que Pasa</a> Only locals know: <a href="https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/teddy-bear-cove">Teddy Bear Cove</a> Closest road trip destination: Mount Baker What you will find: Laid-back people who love nature (and beer) What you won’t find: Easy parking

Jon Freier, Executive Vice President of Consumer Markets Hometown: Odessa, Texas Population: 129,928 Best thing about my hometown: The people are incredibly friendly and brutally honest. Town’s claim to fame: Odessa is known for its cowboys and roughnecks and is at the center of the Permian Basin, which pumps out 4 million barrels of oil A DAY. Unofficial mascot: Jack Ben Rabbit (see below) Must-visit spot: Our replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the <a href="https://www.odessa.edu/community/GlobeTheateratOdessaCollege/index.html">Globe of the Great Southwest.</a> Also, our high school football stadium, Ratliff Stadium, was in the movie Friday Night Lights. Celebrity: Kelly Schmedes, who last played forward for the Boston Breakers of Women’s Professional Soccer and was a member of the U.S. women’s national team. Roy Williams, former NFL wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. And First Lady Barbara Bush and former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. H.W. Bush was quoted as saying, “At Odessa, we became Texans and proud of it." Iconic restaurant/meal/food item: <a href="https://www.odessabarndoor.com/">The Barn Door</a>, <a href="https://odessamenus.com/johnnys-barbecue-menu/">Johnny’s Bar-B-Q</a>, <a href="https://www.labodegamexicanrestaurant.com/home">La Bodega</a>, <a href="http://www.dosamigos.com/">Dos Amigos</a>, Big Daddy's Catfish and Chicken (Somebody can’t pick just one!) Only locals know: Odessa was supposedly named by railroad workers who thought the area resembled their home in Odessa, Russia. Closest road trip destination: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm">Guadalupe Mountains National Park</a>, which you pass when going through Loving County, Texas, the least-populated county in America. What you will find: The world’s largest jackrabbit, named <a href="https://www.oaoa.com/news/jack-ben-rabbit/image_59ca886d-e50e-59c9-8668-ed4f7a2e2bee.html">Jack Ben Rabbit</a>. The <a href="http://www.odessameteorcrater.com/">Meteor Crater at Odessa</a>, one of the nation’s largest known craters. And the <a href="http://www.ocwg.org/">Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang</a>, which serves as a goodwill ambassador known for cooking up Texas barbecue for large crowds. What you won’t find: Rain. Odessa gets only 13 inches per year — about a third of the U.S. average.

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