As we are now full swing into the holiday season, I thought that it would be great if all business enterprises demonstrated the holiday spirit all year long. Think of how different people seem to act around this time of year – more patience, more gracious…there is just an entirely different feeling for these couple months. Why only this time of year? Why do many people and businesses only choose now to reach out and help others?
Come January, every person and business starts with a “clean slate” and is filled with high hopes and drive towards new goals and opportunities. Then, sometime during the next few months, most of the ambition, joy and empathy fade away. Even though most of us can admit that the holiday season and beginning of the year are the most enjoyable time of year, we lose sight of that at some point. What if we didn’t? What if people and always walked around with smiles and businesses always embraced a service-minded atmosphere?
Everyone wants to enjoy not just what they do for a living, but the environment of their workplace as well. Given that we spend nearly the majority of our adult years at our place of business, it only makes sense to strive to find a job that you enjoy going to each day. Check out our blog, White Elephant Gifts That Will Not Get You Fired.
As a consumer we tend to gravitate towards businesses that we’ve had a good experience with, or one that comes with high recommendations from a friend or family member. Making a good impression on consumers and treating them with respect should be a top priority for every business, especially in the current “buyer’s market” economy – in which consumers can easily switch who they choose to do business with.
What could be more important to any company, then to have an effective customer service program and a friendly and motivated staff of employees? “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar” – most of us have heard this saying at one time or another, and there is a lot of truth behind it. A little bit can truly go a long way, something as simple as a smile can make a difference in someone's experience or day and a sincere apology can turn a negative situation into a positive one. Whether you are serving customers or managing employees the concept is the same – take a piece of the spirit of the season with you throughout the year.
Upon researching the idea of recognitions for businesses with holiday spirit, I found that a California newspaper, the Orange County Register, has a Holiday Spirit Award for their local businesses. In order to qualify for the Holiday Spirit award, a nominated business must have a record of being kind and cheerful to their customers. They must have evidence on “going that extra mile” to provide customer satisfaction and being good to their employees all year long.
Maybe there should be a national Holiday Spirit award for companies outside of Orange County, California that embrace those operating practices on a daily basis, or other recognitions of this kind that are awarded throughout the year.
I hope that all that read this blog will contribute generously to their local charities, pray for peace on earth and the safe return of our military personal that are protecting and serving our great country and embrace the spirit of these months throughout the year. Consider this your challenge for next year – and see what a difference it makes in your business and your life when you are sharing the holiday spirit all year long.
Bill Peppler, Managing Partner at Kavaliro