“All I Want for Christmas Is….”

That Mariah Carey song seems to be stuck in our heads from Thanksgiving to New Year’s! But it is something to think about. You may wish to ponder what you want to receive as a result of a few movies you watch over the holidays. When we as employers and employees step back and think about what gift we really want or need, we focus on those factors that truly matter—and spoiler alert, we don’t ask for a lot. However, to ensure we are truly honest about what we want and need in a gift, we must first: 

1. Acknowledge that we are going “Fast and Furious!

At the end of the year, there is so much “closure” required. Payroll, W-2 filings, paid time off, scheduling year-end actions, tax considerations/preparations—just to name a few.  As you close out the year, consider your needs:

• Your year-end priorities.
• How to finish strong, shine and smile, and let your employees do the same.
• When and how you will take a moment to breathe in and exhale.

2. Note that even if you are going “88 miles per hour,” there is still time to plan ahead.

Ensure that you think about your plan and engage your employees in the process to properly position you for the new year. As you make time to set plans and make strategic decisions, you lay the groundwork for a great future that takes you and your employees where you want to go.

3. Remember what you did in the past. Particularly, “Know What You Did Last Summer.”

That is, remember what happened at mid-year and prior. This includes thinking about the results of performance reviews, strategic metrics, business pivots you’ve had to make, and more. Knowing is half the battle as you look to the future. With that knowledge of how the year has gone, make note of what you want to do differently; and how you should be positioned, financially, operationally, and talent-wise to make sure you are in a great spot for 2024. 

Commit now to taking these three actions between now and the start of the new year:

• Acknowledge your current status/performance.
• Commit to and act on a plan.
• Ensure that your plan uses information and events from the past to create clear and strategic direction.  

Once you take these three steps, you and your employees will be well positioned to help your clients and customers receive the gift of your very best service to them, both now and in 2024. 

When you think about what you want, remember, it should be 1-2 items. Make your top priority clear to yourself—and your employees. We at Who’s Your HR? would love to know more about your top priorities. Feel free to contact maria.gresham@hrraw.com to discuss how you would like to accomplish your goals. While we are not Santa Claus, we can help you achieve success. Enjoy your end of year. Cheers!