Ah yes, the “Holiday Season” is upon us.  And while some would love to pretend the pandemic is over and done with, most of us realize that it is not.  This year, just like last year, will be a unique holiday season.  That doesn’t mean that it can’t be successful for a business, but it may require a new approach.

Instead of a season of selling, see it as a season of giving.  Not in a “giving away the store for free” sense, but in a “giving back” sense – to your customers, to your employees and to your community.  Even though we’d all hoped that 2021 would be a return to normal, it hasn’t been and as a business owner, you’re not the only one who has had to deal with it.

So think about this, this holiday season – what do you customers really want?  What do they want from your products?  What do they want from your business?  Are you giving it to them?  Have you been giving it to them?  Can you do more? 

What do your employees really want from their jobs?  What do they truly want from your organization?  Are you giving it to them?  Have you been giving it to them?  Can you do more?

What does your community really want from your business?  Are you giving it?  Can you do more?

What does anyone who needs something from you want from you?  Are you giving it?  Can you do more?

If you’re an employee for someone else – what does your organization want from you?  Are you giving it?  Can you do more?

And then also, what do you want?  From whom?  From what?  Are you getting it?  If not, why is that?  Is there something more you can do?  Communicate more, communicate more clearly, or be more honest?  We all can do better in everything and anything that we do.  Take this time to uncover what action steps you can take to be that better version, of yourself, of your organization, etc.

Make it a season of giving, but not just randomly giving.  Instead, give others what they really want.  Don’t give a pair of socks if they don’t want socks.  (I love socks and would always be happy with a new pair, but I’m not everyone.)

How do you know what others want?  How do you know what they will be happy with?  It’s like gift giving with anyone in your life – in order to give a good present, you have to know them well to know what they want and what they need.  You need to pay attention, listen, observe and take notes.  If so and so said that they’d love to learn how to ice skate but that skate rental fees add up, buy them some ice skates.  Do the same thing with your customers and your employees.  Pay attention to such an extent that it doesn’t take much thought to say the equivalent of, “ah yes, ice skates would be the perfect gift.”

With both your employees and your customers, have conversations, listen, pay attention to not only the answers but what they are saying between the lines, take mental notes, take physical notes, know them well enough to know if some comment is an off the cuff remark or some important insight.  

Make this a season of giving, but giving wisely and effectively.