After a holiday refresh on what was certainly a challenging year, it is time to start things off on a new foot. Everybody needs time to relax and recharge now and then, the holiday season provides a much-needed winter respite, especially after a rollercoaster of a year like 2020.
There is no doubt that the odd break is a good thing in terms of mental health. A well-rested workforce is also a happier, more productive and more focused workforce, so a little vacation thing is rarely a bad thing. However, after a festive season filled with eating, drinking and all-around merriment, it can be hard to shift gears and get back into the swing of things. The post-holiday slump is real, and this effect can easily be magnified now that many workplaces have changed the way they do business. There are a lot more employees working from home these days, and most office environments are hardly bustling.
Essentially, the unique challenges that Coronavirus poses might make it even more challenging than usual to really get everybody back into the swing of things, and this is hardly a great way to kick off a brand new year that is bound to be transformative in terms of the way that the world does business.
So, the question becomes, what is the best way to help jump-start productivity after a holiday break? Here are some helpful tips that will help make those ambitious resolutions a reality.
1. Think Up Some Creative Team Building Activities
Okay, so the usual lunch outings and after-hours get-togethers might be out of the question depending on the types of social distancing measures that are in place, but that doesn’t mean that getting back on the job has to feel like all work and no play.
Rather than opting for the usual team-building excursions and activities, make use of digital means to bring everybody together and help a diverse workforce recruited by immigration labor advertising feel at home. Think interactive online games, virtual holiday recaps, or throwing in some fun competitions and incentives to get the ball rolling.
When it comes to getting everybody feeling good about coming to work after a refreshing pause, it’s all about reminding them that work can be fun. The few hours lost to team-building fun will make up for themselves if employees feel like they actually want to be there. There is no need to make the shift more jarring than it has to be.
2. Think Up Some Positive Resolutions, Together
The New Year is all about cashing in on motivation and including everybody in the process of setting some concrete workplace goals is a great way to make sure that your employees really feel like their input is valued, not to mention driving home some of the most positive aspects of the workplace.
These types of activities can be especially valuable in workplaces that hire staff using immigration ads. The more diverse a workplace, the more diverse the cultural perspectives at the table, and taking the time to listen to and integrate these perspectives will not only foster better relationships and understanding but can also give smartly-run businesses an undeniably competitive edge in an increasingly global marketplace.
So set up a zoom meeting, get everybody involved and try drafting up at least 10 concrete objectives to meet in 2020. Not only will this bring people together on a shared project that everybody will benefit from, but it will also fuel a drive to make things happen.
3. Work to Make Every Member Feel Valued
One of the best ways to make employees feel right at home and settle back into the flow is to make sure that they feel valued, respected and important. People have a natural human need to feel important, and taking the time to point out and highlight the unique attributes that they bring to the team will satisfy a vital itch that so many workplaces neglect to scratch.
Of course, the New Year tends to also be a time to fill new openings, and this means that there are often a few members on staff who will want to highlight what they bring to the table. Immigration advertising can be a great way to bring in new members from all parts of the globe, and it is especially important that foreign national employees get the positive validation that they deserve for the unique contributions they offer.
4. Lead By Example
Those who want to encourage their employees to be more productive after the holidays also have to prepare to walk the walk. If the team leader is likewise falling into the same post-holiday slump as everybody else, there is hardly any reason for anybody to feel like they need to step up their game. In fact, even one member of the team dropping the ball will encourage others to do the same, and this is especially true of anybody who is in a leadership position.
The good news is that the flip side also holds true here, a motivated, productive and focused attitude is likewise contagious. This means that anybody who wants to ensure that their team shows up to the plate even after a holiday break has to be ready to set the tone. Of course, the pandemic only magnifies the need to set a positive example. With many employees working from home and a, not of offices more empty than usual, it is important to ignore the temptation to slack off.
The Takeaway
January might be the month of resolution-setting, but there is no denying that feeling motivated after a long, replenishing rest period is easier said than done.
That said, there are plenty of fun, creative ways that employers can use to get their staff back on track without coming off like a grinch in the process, even in the midst of a pandemic. Keep in mind that these positive suggestions can be especially helpful in the context of a workplace that makes use of immigration ads to diversify their workplace and attract the highest quality global-caliber workforce.
If there is one big takeaway from this all, it’s easier to attract bees with honey, and going the extra mile to ease the transition period will really set the year off right.
