Christmas should be used to motivate

12-Nov-2008

The article cancelling Christmas (recruiter.co.uk, ‘Christmas cancelled’, 28 October) highlights a rather introverted view which seems to be shared by a number of organisations. While financial prudence is a key ingredient during a recession, far-sighted employers can use Christmas events to motivate, thank and recognise outstanding performance in the current financial year, and, at the same time, use the event to drive home the need for greater company performance in the following year and beyond.

Sure, it is good management to hone the costs but there is a need to look at a benefits analysis and potentially change the drivers for such events. In the case of organisations that have undertaken redundancy exercises, look towards the remaining employees and use the event as an entry point for 2009, to motivate the teams and introduce retention processes for key employees who will create future wealth.

• Stephen Hall, chief executive, Stephen M Hall & Associates