This is how a small business owners should celebrate the holiday season.
A catered party at a country club…very nice, very expensive.
A rented room at a function hall again with a catered dinner…very nice, very expensive.
Cocktails at an open bar event……nice, expensive, and dangerous.
No, none of the above, not that they do not work, they do as any gesture of goodwill and a willingness to spend money is perceived as respectful and yes, very nice. But is this the best you have to offer?
You are missing a golden opportunity to make a presentation that will last all year long and will positively affect your employees, meaningfully, dramatically, with great impact.
Simple, direct and inspirational….
Entertain your employees in your home. If possible cook the meal for them, yourself or with the help of your spouse. If impossible then have it catered, but the best of all is for you to cook, slice and serve…even with help but the vision is with rolled up sleeves and an apron on giving to your employees, meaningfully, respectfully and sincerely.
That works. That spells out I care, that says I respect you, I thank you and I care about you.
Inviting your workers into your home is a very symbolic representation of respect and personal giving, It is true a man’s home is his castle, is his fortress, is his most personal of all representations…it is your home.
Caring enough to invite your employees in represents a very meaningful and personal gesture. It is not about how much money you spend, it is about how sincere the demonstration of respect and thanks it is. If it’s just about a dinner at a restaurant, then it is really only about the fact you spent some money. If you bring your people into your home and cook for them it demonstrates how much you care about them and it will have enormous impact, long lasting enormous impact. You are opening up your personal life to them and bringing them in embracing them with your hospitality and personal effort…for them.
It is a huge demonstration of sincerity, and for one evening, the roles are reversed, the boss serves the employees.
It is beautiful gestures…..do it if you can.
