Written by: Deneane Abed, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The holiday season is in full swing and before you know it, the New Year will be here. It's a time for family gatherings and spending time with loved ones, but it can also be stressful for many people who work from home or on virtual teams. You're getting ready for the holidays and you realize that this year is going to be extra hectic with all of your work commitments. The holidays are a stressful time for everyone. It's easy to feel overwhelmed as you try to check off all of your annual “must-do” holiday tasks. If you manage a virtual team, the stress may be heightened by the fact that many employees don't have much face-to-face contact with their co-workers or customers. If you manage a virtual team or have employees working remotely during the holidays, here are three tips to help motivate your workers so they stay productive throughout the festive season.
1. Remind them how important they are
It's that time of year again when we give thanks for all the good things in our lives and it can be easy to forget about those who help us get through the day. As your team heads into their holiday break, take a moment to recognize them and let them know how much you appreciate what they do for you. This is also a great opportunity to thank your team members for the work they did this year so far and provide some short-term goals or incentives. You might even want to plan an employee appreciation event! The holidays are a great time of year for you to express gratitude to your team and show them how important they are. Let's be sure not to lose sight of what matters most during this season!
As a female CEO, it is important to build an effective team. As your company grows, you'll rely on your employees more than ever to handle the tasks that come with running a business. Reminding them how important they are can help maintain morale and avoid burnout. The following tips will help you say thanks in a way that resonates with them and reinforces your leadership role. Be sincere, by showing your appreciation and telling them how much you appreciate their efforts this past year. Give specific examples of what they have done well so they know how valued they are as an individual on the team. Make it personal one size does not fit all and highlight the skillsets of the employee so they are aware that you recognize the value they bring to your business.
2. Show your appreciation
Holiday events are a great way to boost morale and motivation in your company. They're also the perfect opportunity for you to show appreciation for your employees' hard work throughout the year. If you want to make this holiday season one that they'll never forget, here are some ideas of fun activities you could do! While your virtual team may be spread across the world, a great way to celebrate the holidays is by hosting a virtual party for everyone on your team. It can be as simple or extravagant as you want it to be and if done correctly, it will make employees feel appreciated while still being cost effective. When planning the event ask people what their availability is, put together a budget, brainstorm ideas, and finalize it by letting your teams know the details. This will help build better relationships and increase productivity in the workplace.
3. Set your virtual teams up for success
After the new year, many companies are looking to get their virtual teams organized and ready for success in the upcoming year. Here are some tips on how you can set up your team for success after the holidays. This can be a great opportunity, to make sure your virtual team isn't let down after the holidays. Here are three things you should do before sending your remote workers on their merry way! Hold a Zoom meeting with each employee individually and discuss your quarterly goals to ensure they understand expectations. Create an end-of-year survey for them to fill out about how they felt working as part of your virtual team this year.
A survey can provide you with valuable feedback about your company and its culture. Use this information to create a business plan that will make your team members feel valued and appreciated. Having a business plan will help you support your employees throughout the year. One of the best ways to make sure your employees are taken care of is by having a solid business plan. This will provide an outline for what needs to be done and when, as well as how much money is needed each month. Having a written document that has been reviewed with others in the company ensures that everyone knows what they need to do and when it needs to happen, which can lead to less stress for everyone involved. Creating this document will also ensure that there's enough funding at all times. Having one last safeguard against financial hardships is always worth doing if you want your company culture to thrive.
Deneane Abed, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Deneane Abed, is a business coach, expert in leadership and team alignment. She believes that when you have a team of people who are aligned with the organization's values, engaged in the work they're doing, and confident about their success – it creates an environment where everyone can achieve more than they thought was possible. She is the CEO of SUA VIDA, a business consulting company helping Female CEOs to develop effective leadership skills, high performing teams, and establish a healthy work-life balance. Deneane has over six years of leadership experience working in corporate America and understands the challenges facing today’s leaders. Prior to coaching she served as an operations director where she found her passion through managing her own team, mentoring other directors in her market, and worked with Fortune 500 companies’ business owners as well as their employees. During this time, she obtained her MBA from Albertus Magnus College. She is committed to empowering women in leadership and creating an environment where they can flourish by providing access to her proven strategies. She believes that together we can make this world better for our business and teams, but it all starts with us taking care of ourselves first! Her mission is to create more female leaders globally and is committed to the growth of their businesses. She provides successful results-driven outcomes to help female CEO’S fully step into their business owner role and manage their teams with ease. All while building exceptional company culture for their teams to align with the mission and vision of the business. Her coaching style is empowering, supportive, insightful, encouraging with a healthy dose of accountability to help you achieve your goals faster!
