9 Tips to Make the Most of Your Holiday Party

Every year you must decide whether to have a holiday party. We say make it an annual tradition. The reasons are myriad. Here are a few:

• It's a time to say "thank you." Everyone wants to be appreciated. Do something nice for your employees. Show your appreciation. Offer a public and personal "thank you." Say the words out loud so everyone can hear. Repeat them. When employees feel appreciated, they're more loyal and productive.
• It's an opportunity to celebrate companywide accomplishments and discuss (in brief) the vision for the future. It's team-building and fosters a sense of purpose. Everyone wants to be a part of a winning team that has a future.
• It's an opportunity to give credit where credit is due. Recognize the top performers - both those who deliver results and those who exhibit the behavior you desire. Make it a public affair. Make others want to earn similar praise.
• It's a time to loosen up and get to know one another better, to build closer relationships. Familiarity breeds trust and stronger, more productive work teams.

You're on board? Terrific. Here are nine tips to consider:

1.    Be sensitive that not all persons are Christian. Call it a "holiday party."

2.    Get your employees involved in the planning. You'll get more buy-in and they can decide what's more appropriate and will be well received.

3.    Be sensitive to your company culture. If a formal affair at the country club is where everyone will feel comfortable, go for it. If a pizza party at the bowling alley would be a hit, so be it. It's for your employees - make it fun for them.

4.    It's nice to include "significant others" (don't refer to them as spouses). After all, work is a family affair. Make them feel welcome. Use name tags. Greet each one personally. Express your appreciation for the workplace contributions of their escorts.

5.    Keep it an adults-only affair. You need this time together. Include the children at the summer picnic.

6.    Get up and make a short, sincere speech. Take advantage of the opportunity for numbers 1, 2 and 3 above. Do it early in the evening - to set the tone and before people depart.

7.    Have someone take pictures. Lots of them. Discard all the bad ones and share the great ones with all the employees. Post some on the walls. Great pictures can really help create a sense of community, family and good times.

8.    If you want, have a party for customers and vendors, or if you want to have a big community open house, do that separately. Your employees need to be feted on their own. They need to be the center of attention.

9.    Be a darn nice person! This way, when your employees go home and say you're a jerk, their significant other might argue to the contrary!