“Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to find a new job in 20-14”…

This is not the song you want to hear from your employees leading into the festive season. With Christmas fast approaching, it can be a definite ‘snooze you lose’ period for many businesses. Thus, being a perfect time as a CEO or Manager to make your employees feel important and valued in the business, and why not, you are a team and every member is a valuable player.

It’s a simple task, and as Orin Woodward once said, “A leader must inspire or his team will expire”,sohaving a bit of Christmas spirit in the workplace never did anyone any harm.

Clients can also profit from this lightheartedness, keeping up your relationship building and adding little touches ‘here’ and ‘there’, can really benefit your business in the long run.

Here a few easy techniques to keep your team and clients excited and engaged for 2014:

Christmas for Employees:

Fun – Karaoke and/or group activities, like a Multi Cultural lunch, are some ways to get everyone involved. Even the most dedicated front line staff member can spare 15 minutes of their day to have fun.

Who are your people – If you don’t already reward your people at this time of year, then you should. It’s important for staff to feel acknowledged. A Secret Santa, a BBQLunch, even an early finish, can be excellent things to ensure employees finish on a good note.  Read more...

Christmas for Clients:

Thank you – Send a hand written Christmas card to your clients, or if you can say “Thank You” in person even better. No one wants a generic Hallmark Card, because we know where that will end up. As Nick Hill from Insurance Business says, “All businesses can inject a bit of life into marketing”.

Have you thought about gift wrapping those December proposals?

New Projects - Why not jot down ideas; undertake a mini ‘Summer’ project outside of work, that long awaited project you’ve been toying with can finally get some traction. Fresh air and time out does wonders to your re-set button. Time away from the business can regenerate those thought patterns so you can return to a ‘flow state’.

If you’re one of those people that never stops over the festive season, one word; STOP!

Looming February – And while that Summer project is fresh, start that marketing campaign you thought about over the break, put the wheels in motion and be ready to launch in with those innovative ideas.

So get your CEO in a Santa Suit, have a ‘Secret Santa’, wrap those last minute proposals to clients, take time out, and enjoy the festive season.

Merry Christmas from QJumpers.