The holiday season is in full swing, and chances are you have already finalized the details for any holiday appreciation gifts you plan to send to your clients, but have you thought about how you are going to celebrate your team this season? If the answer is no, there is no reason to push the panic button just yet.

How to Show Appreciation During the Holidays

Showing appreciation doesn’t have to mean grand gestures or gifts. In fact, sometimes, a small act of kindness means the most. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

1. Handwritten Cards
   Don’t overlook the simple act of a personalized note to celebrate your team members. We live in a world where texts and emails are our main form of communication. And typically, what lands in our home mailboxes are bills and advertisements. What if your team open their mailboxes to a card just for them expressing your gratitude for their hard work and commitment and closing with a happy holiday message?
2. Thoughtful Gift
   You may want to think about adding a small gift to your handwritten note. Remember to take into consideration what your team members like to do outside of the office. An avid reader may enjoy a new book or a gift card to purchase the newest read from their favorite author. Don’t forget to incorporate the meaning of the gift into your note.
3. Extra Time Off Work
   What is there never enough of during the holidays? Time! This season can be stressful, and giving your team an extra day or afternoon off from work may help ease their physical or mental load. Maybe it means they can spend extra time with a loved one, finish up last-minute shopping or decorating, or just take a few hours to themselves to recharge.
4. Celebrate Your Team With a Team Luncheon
   No, this is not a potluck team luncheon. We just talked about how time is a valuable commodity during the holidays. No one wants to add to their evening activity a last-minute trip to the store or an extra hour in the kitchen. They want to enjoy the holidays with less stress! Consider catering a meal at the office or a trip to a nice restaurant with a reserved room. If your team works remotely, a restaurant gift card or a gift basket delivery with their favorite holiday treat is a great option too.

Celebrate the Team That Supports Your Business

As you start to assemble your own ideas, keep in mind that we all want to be appreciated, especially around the holidays. Your small gesture can make a big difference. And it may create a team tradition for years to come. Happy Holidays from your Front Porch Team!

It is all rockin’ on the porch!

team

noun

: a group of people who compete in a sport, game, etc., against another group

: a group of people who work together

: a group of two or more animals used to pull a wagon, cart, etc.

²team

adjective

: of or performed by a team <a team effort>; also : marked by devotion to teamwork rather than individual achievement <a team player>

verb

: to bring together (two people or things)

This past week marked the first team retreat for Front Porch Marketing. Led by our Chief Rocker, our event was an inspiring forum for creativity, innovation, processes and process improvement (oh, and world domination).

It made me ponder a little bit about what teams look like in today’s business environment.

As you can see from the definitions above, the word “team” is a noun, adjective or verb. But, what does that mean to us?

There are huge benefits in working as a team. When teams work well, each member feels they are contributing towards a shared goal. The shared knowledge and camaraderie forges (or frays) are the ties that link us together.

There is also a shared accountability for the success or failure of each project.

But, what do teams look like today? By definition, all of us are part of a team of some sort. For small businesses, there is an ebb and flow to the group. Some work in virtual teams, i.e. depending on the goal, project or time of year, individuals or groups come in and out of a project/initiative/account. This creates an efficient working structure and high value to the customer/client.

Whatever your team looks like, just remember – we’re all in it together!