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THIS WEEK
10 Ideas to Make the Most of the Christmas/New Year Wind-down
ALSO IN THIS EDITION
Thank you for being part of the Heart Harmony family in 2009. I have enjoyed sharing the journey with you!
As this is the last newsletter before Christmas (and we take a few weeks holiday), I would like to wish you a Christmas filled with the excitement of Christmases as a child, the company of good friends and loved ones and the hope of an even brighter 2010.
10 Ideas to Make the Most of the Christmas/New Year Wind-down
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Let's be honest here. Unless you are in retail or a postal worker, chances are the next few weeks are not the most productive in your business. You have been go go go all year, so this time of year many people want to kick back a bit and relax. So what can you do to help take the stress out, while still doing some useful tasks?
Here's a few ideas.
1. Clutter clear. During the year people often get so busy that they can't see the clutter building around them. I have a pre-Christmas ritual when I put a bottle of champagne on ice, wheel in the recycle bin, stock up on archive boxes, power up the shredder, put on Christmas music, and go through every piece of paper in my office. No drawer is untouched. No file unopened.
Once the paper is sorted, I move onto an electronic clearing day, sorting out my electronic files, deleting old sent emails that are no longer relevant, and reorganising and archiving my emails.
Sorting with a glass of bubbles and Xmas music seems to take the stress out of it. I can take my time and review the year that was. It also helps to start the New Year with a clean slate.
2. Update your software. If you are your company's "IT department" (along with everything else), it is likely that your computer software may be outdated. Go through each program on your system – from Adobe reader, through to photo software and check for updates. These often have improved security features, so it is worth staying on top of them all.
3. Run deep virus and malware scans, defrag your computer, and clear all temporary files. This helps to keep your system running in tiptop order and helps prevent problems occurring.
4. Back up everything. This is the time to back up every single piece of your system (including mobile phones and laptop data). Make sure you keep one back up off site during the break.
5. Change your passwords. Before you leave for the year, change your log-on passwords for your critical files. It helps to keep things secure for the holiday season.
6. Clean and dust everything that is not breathing. This is a great time to dust your computer, clean the screen, wipe down your desk, and clear out your drawers. Start 2010 on a clean and clear note.
7. Talk with your team. Xmas is the perfect time to reconnect with team members and colleagues. Enjoy phone calls, coffees and "pop in" visits. Allow unhurried connections to occur and build solid relationships for the future.
8. Check in on people to make sure they are OK. Christmas can be a lonely and sad time for many people. The simple act of asking RUOK to team members, colleagues, neighbours or clients who may have been going through a tough time may be the difference between their life and death. While we don't like to think about it, Xmas is a time of increased suicides, family disharmony and domestic violence. Taking time to care, listen and ask RUOK can make a difference.
9. Review your goals for 2009. How did you go in 2009? What did you learn? What lives did you touch? What difference did you make? What was the success you most enjoyed and why? These questions will often give you deep answers that will help you move into the future, rather than the traditional "Did I hit my quota" type questions. Go for depth in your reflections and take the time to learn.
10. Have some fun. Remember to allow time for fun and celebration. After all, Christmas is a time of celebration.
| HR Tip of the Week: Say Merry Christmas to Each and Every Employee |
 This is a little tip, but one that really means a lot to your employees. This Christmas stop and say thank you in person to each and every employee for all of their help, contribution and energy they have given throughout the year to make your company a success and in helping you grow. (Yes, even the "challenging" employees have helped to make you learn and grow)..
If you are a massive company - then thank your team and your colleague managers in other teams.
When you say "thank you" - stop and really think about it before you speak. Find one or two reasons why you enjoy having this person around, and why their contribution has been useful to the company. When you give them thanks, share that with them.
If the person is on leave, then consider leaving a handwritten note in their in-tray (suitably enveloped of course).
For extra credit - write a personal Christmas card in your own handwriting with the reasons why you are thankful each person is with you.
If you want to spread the thanks bring in a massive jar of Xmas cookies or lollies. Tie a label on it "Take one with thanks ... Now pass this jar to one person in the team who you want to thank for their help during the year. Tell them EXACTLY why you appreciate them and ask them to pass it on".
Hand the jar to one of your team and explain why you want to thank them. Give them specific details about what they do that is so great. Ask them to take a cookie/candy and then when they have thought about it, to pass it on to someone else in the team with their thanks. You will be amazed at the goodwill that will spread around the team from something as simple as cookies or candy.
Don't be a Scrooge with your thanks. Take the time to spread some goodwill with the people who have shared your journey throughout the year.
 If you are like most business owners or managers, you are always looking for ways to become more productive, to leverage your time (not just manage it) and still have a life.
You set New Years resolutions to "get more organised" and then the year just seems to drift by with you getting more and more snowed under. 2010 can be the year that this changes forever.
One of the Australian gurus on this area is Lorraine Pirihi. She has been teaching business owners and managers for years on how to improve their efficiency, boost customer service and retain great employees.
Many of my colleagues have found her program to be brilliant (and most tell me that they wish they had discovered it years ago).
Her "Productivity & Profit Homestudy Program" is full of super practical ideas, tips and strategies to free up your time and make 2010 the most effective one yet for your business.
And unlike many other programs on the market, it includes live coaching calls, Q&A calls and ongoing support - so it is worth checking out.
I admit it - I have a Christmas lights habit. It all started a few years back with one strand ... and then I couldn't help myself. We now have bus tours most evenings and hundreds stopping to look at our lights. In this post I share my Xmas lights journey (and why it is also great for marketing).
exuberantly yours
Ingrid
Heart Harmony
PS: Our Small Business Tips blog also included a post about "Xmas gifts for Geeks".
Legal stuff: This newsletter is intended only a general guideline for Australian businesses. You should seek specific advice for your situation rather than relying only on this newsletter
Earnings disclaimer. Some of the content may include advertarial information which means I may receive financial compensation for the products I recommend. But - unless I know and trust the product first I will not recommend it.
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