This time of year is characterized by many things; parties, decorations, presents, religious celebrations and stress. One of these things is not like the others and yet it shows up uninvited all the time. The reason is simple. All that celebrating adds up to employees that are distracted and want to take time off, extra commitments of all sorts, and customers with other things on their minds. Aggghhh! Relax, there are some easy ways to reduce your stressors and ensure that you have happier holidays.
- Employees are going to want time off. Set expectations well in advance and stick to the guidelines that you've given. Appearing to bend the rules for some employees will only cause resentment among the others. If you're a longtime reader of our blog you know that we recommend using employee scheduling software to make time away management easier. If you're a new reader click here for our suggestions.
- Make work as fun as possible this time of year. It can be something as simple as allowing employees to dress in fun or festive attire, decorating your business, or even just offering snacks or beverages if you don't normally provide them. Anything that can make coming to work feel more like going to a party will improve employee morale. If none of those options work for your business you can do some behind the scenes things like a Secret Santa or a white elephant gift exchange.
- Go the extra mile for your customers. You know that everyone is busy this time of year and most people probably have a lot on their minds. Do what you can to help them out. Little things like reminding them of an option or answering a question they didn't remember to ask will make a huge impression. They'll appreciate, and remember, your thoughtfulness. That one interaction can turn an occasional client into a lifelong customer.
- Give yourself a break. Often business owners believe that they have to work harder than anyone else and while that can be a great example to set for your employees, overworking yourself will only lead to complications down the road. You don't want to end up stressed out, or worse sick because you were trying to do too much. Remember to pause and take some time to rejuvenate.
- Plan ahead. If business picks up this time of year, take on extra staff to help out. If things are slow, schedule some projects that you don't normally have time to tackle so that your employees aren't twiddling their thumbs, bored at work. A little preplanning can make this entire season a whole lot more enjoyable, for everyone.
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