Four Ways The Holidays Will Help Your Business
Dec 22nd, 2009 by David Svet
The familiarity of the holidays is upon us. It’s a time to spend with friends and family, a time to be reflective, a time to share. It’s also the end of the year for business owners and division managers — another time to spend being reflective and sharing with friends. We do it every year. For some of us things change, yet, for others the New Year comes and is just like the old year. So, let’s take a look at why that is and what can be done to create change.
First, holidays are obviously seasonal — there is a passage of time between them. That’s why they are special. They don’t happen every day, so, we celebrate them. Look around your business. What do you celebrate? One way to see this is to look at the parties that you celebrate. More importantly, what do you celebrate as a natural extension of your business? What is it that drives you to openly offer praise and rewards? Why do you single someone or something out and hail its uniqueness? You may find something worth celebrating that can rally the team and create significant change.
Second, holidays have rituals — there is a right way to do things ranging from religious rituals to particular types of cookies. But your rituals are your own and everyone else has their rituals. That’s great when we are looking at different families — enjoy the diversity. But it isn’t great when it is your work family. That family needs shared rituals too or it risks being a fractured group of sub-tribes. Do you have a ritual that bonds you together — something that you all share? Maybe you need your own meme this year, or maybe a mascot? Is there something that everyone can rally around?
Third, holidays are a time of sharing. When we gather together in friendship there is a common need to share what has happened in our lives. If you are adequately using social media and honing your networking skills, you should have relationships with your customers and partners that make this kind of sharing natural when you see each other face to face. If you are openly transparent and let them be part of your life it is easier to relate on a human level.
Finally, shared seasonal rituals include lots of storytelling — not new stories, the same stories that you tell each year. We find comfort in them. They are a touchstone. They ground us. Your business has stories too. You don’t tell them often enough because you know them so well. You are alone in that knowledge! Share your stories at ritual times of gathering with your employees, with your clients, and with your prospects. It is the only way that we can all be grounded in your core values. If you don’t tell the stories, no one else will — they will die.
Make sure that you celebrate everything worth celebrating! Happy holidays!
photo: D Sharon Pruitt
