Notes from Jan: If you’ve had the pedal to the medal, pushing hard to make sales quotas, budget projections and production schedules, we urge you to take a break for a bit of nonsense and about laughter.

But we must point out that while fun and games can boost all of the above, it can be just like a sugar high, ready for a crash.

The foundation of good morale and productivity is hiring the right people. Yes – don’t hire grumps. And the people must have clear roles, responsibities, expectations and goals. And they must receive training and coaching which includes feedback, direction, support and recognition from a trusted manager or coach.

If these aren’t in place, this article is NOT for you. If they ARE in place, I encourage you to put this quote to work every now and then.

Our calendar shows several November only opportunities for doing this. Details on a few of these are below.

In some cases, you may feel like a fool. Your teammates may roll their eyes. But they will laugh too. And that will lighten the load, break the tension and maybe even bring people closer together. Not just today – but down the road as they think about or talk about the day that ___________ (fill in the blank).

1. December 1 – Eat A Red Apple Day. Have apples in a bowl. Tell them it’s Red Apple Day and you’re doing your part to keep things healthy for this very hard-to-stay-healthy month. Organize Saturday walks, runs or bike rides…meeting at a park or trail…to try to work off some of those extra calories sure to be consumed this month. Group exercise is also great for team building.
2. December 3 – National Roof Over Your Head Day. It’s a very difficult time for the homeless during the holiday season…people and animals. Ask your staff to donate to a homeless shelter or animal shelter. It’s a great way for your staff to rally for a common cause. If you are in the Orange County, NC area, consider helping us Blanket Orange County.
3. December 5 – National Bath Tub Party. Okay, don’t get any wrong ideas. You’ll have to start this on Monday, December 6. Tell your staff in honor of this relaxing “holiday”, whoever exceeds their goal by ___% for the week will receive a basket of bath and body products…a perfect gift in time for the hectic holidays.
4. December 7 – National Letter Writing Day. In a staff meeting, ask each of your staff to write a letter to the person sitting to their left thanking them for_________. This must be a hand-written note…no emails or texts.
5. December 13 – National Violin Day. Play some classical music before your staff meeting starts.
6. December 15 – cat herders day
7. December 18 – National Bake Cookies Day. How about a cookie swap with your staff members? Have everyone bring in a batch of homemade cookies (it’s as easy as pre-made tubes of cookie dough). Get holiday tins or gift bags. Set up a table and have everyone swap cookies to take home to share with others.
8. December 21 – National Humbug Day. You got it…let this be a time to let everyone gripe A LITTLE…blow off some holiday steam. Keep a time limit. Take the gripes seriously. Take notes. And promise to follow up on the gripes. More tips in How to Have a Great Gripe Session.
9. December 21 – National Look on the Bright Side. Yes…same day, same meeting. After all the griping…ask everyone to “look on the bright side” of the situation. Make sure they understand this is not to diminish the concerns mentioned earlier, but to involve them in a potential problem-solving process that can be looked at in more depth if necessary after the holiday.
10. December 24 – National Egg Nog Day. Easy. Serve some to all.
    
11. December 31 – National Make Up Your Mind Day. Ask each staff member to make up one extra goal for January. Plan to discuss this with each of them early in the new month.

 

 

Warning – Before you begin, be sure to read the Note from Jan at top of page.

December-Only Marketing Ideas

There are many cool opportunities to help you in the revenue department during the month of December. A potential side benefit internally…a boost to morale and productivity. All good for bottom line performance.

How can you use these occasions to boost business?

If you sell any of these or related products:

• If you sell apples, bath products, stationery, poinsettias, bingo games or ties, set up a table at the front of your store or business with these products and signs that say Happy _____ Day (or month). Offer special pricing if possible. Promote the health and relaxation benefits wherever possible. Very welcome during the craziness of December.
• Whatever special occasions you choose to highlight, and whatever associated discounts, be sure to announce them on your Facebook page.
• And in your tweets.
• And to your e-mail subscriber list.

If you don’t sell any of these or related products, you can build and nurture your community by doing things like:

• For National Violin Day play classical music in your store. Offer mulled cider and cookies for an elegant touch. Let your customers know you want them to relax while shopping in your store.
• In honor of National Dice Day, customers can role dice to see what kind of discount they will get on a single item.
• Remember those in need. This is a great time to collect items/donations for those people and animals who are in need of our help. Offer discounts to those who purchase items in your store to donate to your cause. If you are in or around Orange County, North Carolina, consider helping us Blanket Orange County.

If you sell advertising…be sure to contact your clients with ideas on how to celebrate these December occasions. They may not accept all your ideas but they will appreciate your creativity and commitment to bringing them results. You’ll be delivering added value and setting yourself apart from the competition…critical during the holiday selling season.

And if you sell ANYTHING, do you dare let your prospects know about Make Up Your Mind Day?

Our first idea was to give them a discount or a bonus if they made up their mind TODAY.   But that would be reinforcing the wrong thing.   So how about……

What can you do to make it easy for them to make up their mind TODAY?

There you have it! A month of marketing opportunities that will make your customers say “Thanks”!

Make it fun and see some serious results.

If you put any of these ideas to work this month, share your story and photos with Business Class Inc.

We’ll post them for everyone to see just how your business boosted morale, productivity and maybe even the bottom line!

Note: These are fun things to celebrate with your staff as well.

Link to other months of the year

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