1. Be open to more flexible holiday hours

Imagine giving your employees a chance to spend more time with their families and still remain able to submit their deliverables and meet deadlines.

Strike a balance between your business goals and employee productivity with remote working or “flex hours” arrangements. It’s a great way to minimize issues with understaffing and help team members navigate their work-life balance during the holidays.

Encourage your employees to communicate well and plan ahead. Make sure work is getting done and shifts are covered by establishing a protocol for your team to check in regularly (team chats, video conferencing applications for meetings, etc.).

2. Give more incentives over the holidays

Thanking your team with gestures and gifts for their continued work and loyalty can go a long way. Raise morale by rewarding people with small bonuses, handwritten notes, and simple, personalized presents.

Another way to connect with employees during the holiday season is to host a performance or award ceremony to recognize the great job they’ve done all year.

Employees are more likely to feel motivated, engaged, and productive when they know they’re working hard to support a company that values them.

3. Provide managerial training to handle the holiday season

Equip your managers – or yourself as the business owner – to better lead the team and manage any complex situations that may arise. Brushing up on policies concerning staff scheduling, inventory, and more can help them navigate through the busiest time of the year.

Another great opportunity for leadership: Let the holidays be a time for your team members to speak openly with you about their feedback, and a chance for you to process time off requests fairly.

4. Have team meetings to discuss deliverables

Make everyone aware that you want to keep a solid workflow going over the holidays by hosting meetings and checking in.

Start the week or day with a quick team discussion to set your team up for efficiency and focus. Keep it short and record the minutes you can share with your team. Pro Tip: Meeting agendas are best when they’re brief yet direct, to help everyone stay on the same page.

5. Plan ahead for next year

As a business owner, strategizing about your future is in your best interest.

Use the momentum of this holiday season to keep your team focused and on track with your company's pipeline plans for next year. Set expectations and map out your goals in advance to offer clear direction to your team and set yourself up for success.

Make the holiday season more worthwhile for you and your employees

Sail smoothly through a busy holiday season – and whatever comes next – by implementing the strategies above to keep your employees productive during these next several weeks.

Ease your holiday stress even more by giving yourself and your team the gift of employee perks that work for everyone!

HealthChoice of Michigan is always ready to provide health coverage and support to small businesses in Oakland and Wayne Counties.

We offer affordable Small Business Plans with comprehensive health, dental, and optical benefits through an extensive network of Metro Detroit's most respected physicians and hospitals. With a flat rate of $240 per month per team member (regardless of age or gender), you can afford the best coverage for your team with minimal out-of-pocket costs.

Visit https://healthchoiceofmichigan.com to learn more and enroll in the right plan for your team.