Why is the start of the New Year one of the most important times of the year for a business? Here’s a hint, it’s because of the way your employees feel. They feel excited for the year ahead and ready to accomplish goals and quotas. The New Year is a universal period to foster and initiate changes.
Your employees probably have spent the last two weeks of December getting off their routines. By the time January 1st rolls around, they are tired of partying with friends and family, of eating foods that make them feel sluggish, and of being away from home with travels. They crave routine and a sense of accomplishment. They are EAGER and EXCITED for the possibilities that the New Year brings.
They are ready to hit the reset button. So learning about your employees’ goals and align your culture to foster engagement and support because your employees personal goals will ultimately bring rewards to your bottom line. We all know that support and teamwork make achieving goals easier. For example, most people want to lose weight and get healthier in the New Year. So offering a yoga class or nutritional class once a week during lunch hour will help your employees feel supported in that goal. What’s your reward? Healthier and happier employees who miss less work and are happy and engaged while they are at work! Ultimately, you will attract and retain a better talent pool!
My golf coach always said, “Energy plus motivation equals PASSION.” When your employees feel passionate about where they work, loyalty rises and they become product champions. A loyal employee creates a loyal customer. They are most likely to be talking to their friends and spreading the word about how great your company is. And according to a Nielsen survey, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family are still the most influential in influencing buyers.
Studies also show that happy employees are 12% more productive than the average worker. If you ride the wave of energy that they already feel with the New Year, you will have employees that are giving it their all at the workplace.
Schedule a brainstorming session with key employees this month and be open to new ideas. Maybe there are some interesting projects you can assign or an employee incentive program that would encourage and reward your employees. Create product champions now and spur commitment and growth within your corporate culture. The rewards will be worth the effort.
