As this year end approaches, now is the time to take stock of how 2010 went for you and your company. And this can be the perfect opportunity to reflect on what went right. Now maybe you’re thinking… “it would have been GREAT if more had gone right.” And there is a time to look at that. But in the spirit of the holidays and year end close out, I challenge you to make a list of what went right in 2010. And celebrate those wins with your team.
So… Why should you celebrate?
Reinforces the cohesiveness of your team
Everyone wants to be on a winning team, right? Working together is fun when you’re accomplishing your goals and have wins to celebrate. Celebrating team accomplishments together reinforces the cohesiveness of the team and helps keep everyone engaged. It can also provide another venue for good communication and coordination that improves or maintains your team’s performance.
Recharges your team for the next challenge
These days we’re requiring more from our workers than ever before. Celebrating together can recharge your team so they’re ready for the next challenge. “Okay, we accomplished THAT project – what else can we accomplish? What other gains can we make?” Getting a history of wins behind you lays the groundwork for working on future big wins.
But… What if you don’t have a fat entertainment budget?
Get creative on a small budget
There’s always ways to have fun that don’t cost a lot of money. Find the “fun-factor” person in your organization and do some brainstorming with them. One organization’s celebration event featured the management team performing a reenactment of a famous music video – it brought the house down! For those of you who have to know more about this and/ or want to be mindlessly entertained here is a how-to clip, footage of this at a wedding, footage of this in a movie. (You’ve been warned – don’t blame me if you want those minutes back!) Of course, you’ll want to keep in mind what would be a good fit for your team and the culture of your organization.
Thank yous are free
Sometimes the best celebration is a handwritten note articulating a team or an individual’s contributions to the company wins. Knowing that those contributions are noticed, appreciated and recognized can go a long way in keeping your people engaged and happy. And engaged and happy employees stay with you, work hard and help you keep customers!
So get celebrating!
Make your list. Check it twice. And go celebrate the wins!
by Julia Robinson, Managing Partner Steller Solutions
