This time of year, the holiday spirit pervades in every part of life, and the office, shop and yard are no different. Even as small businesses are legally bound not to discriminate on a religious basis, many companies choose not to have an official recognition of any one holiday, and simply allow employees to decorate their own areas as they wish.
Other companies, however, take advantage of being a close-knit shop and know their people well enough to stay clear of anything that might offend, while still going all-out with the decorations and gift exchanges. It’s not unusual to see the occasional wreath adorning the front of a vacuum truck or even a restroom unit or two.
What do you do to capitalize on the good will of the season? These PROs share holiday rituals that bring their staff and customers closer this time of year.
Melinda Sellers says her company makes the holidays special for its customers and employees, utilizing a few different ways of reaching out. Customers and employees alike receive fruit baskets as a “thank you” for their patronage or excellent service performance.
“It’s the perfect time to remember the people who keep you in business by hiring you, or by doing the work,” she says.
Other employee gifts may include company-branded T-shirts and a few extra days off during the slower season. “Some of our guys like to hunt, so they really appreciate the time off during game season.”
Festive decorations and radios in the office tuned to stations playing holiday music helps the company create a holiday air in the warmer climate of Chesterfield, S. C.
Cindy Tressler believes most holiday festivity takes place around the family table, and this family-oriented company sends its employees home with their choice of large hams or turkeys for a sumptuous holiday feast. The Tresslers also often take their staff out to eat at a local restaurant as a year-end “thank you” for a job well done.
Allen and Wanda Jenkins see the holidays as a great time to say thanks to their employees, and take full advantage of the opportunity. “For a small company without benefits, it’s one way we can afford to show our employees how much we appreciate them,” says Wanda Jenkins.
“At Thanksgiving, we give them gift certificates to the local grocery store, and Christmas brings cash bonuses. We do base those on both performance and on how well we’re doing any given year.
“And of course, we decorate the place,” she adds. “It’s a challenge to get people thinking snow and Santa when people are still going to the beach.”
