Monday, November 19, 2012

So you had to go back and cut expenses for Q4 back in September, right? And you don't know how you are going to do a holiday party ... right? Here are some options:

* Trade it. Tell your regional VP or whoever you report to that your staff works hard, you appreciate them, and you want to do something for them. He/she will approve it.

* Do it in the office late one afternoon. Give it a spin and invite your staff to go potluck. Make a big deal out of it with voting on favorite appetizers and desserts. You'd be surprised how much fun they'll have with the competition.

* Open up your wallet. You make the big bucks. Your staff helps you earn that. Throw them a party at your house. On you. It will mean even more.

* Be honest. Tell them the truth. You can't do it this year. But do something, even if it's in the conference room for breakfast.

Regardless, one thing I've done every year is take a couple of evenings at home and write personalized holiday cards to every employee. Not with your stamped signature. Hand-written ... personalized. It really means a lot. I did it one year 237 times. You can handle it.