The Holidays, The Downturn, and Employee Engagement

[Terrence Seamon]

What are you doing to keep your spirits up? The spirits of others?

For many people, this is a very special time of year. It always has been so for me. And even having been downsized three weeks ago, I still eagerly anticipate Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year's.

Articles have appeared in the past week about the fate of holiday office parties. Some are being cut back to a more modest scale; some are being cut out all together.

I sent an email to several of my former colleagues who were downsized with me, suggesting we throw our own holiday party.

Times are tough now due to the economy. Yes, gas prices have dropped (Hurrah!), but who can afford to go anywhere?

So, the choice is ours. I will choose to enjoy the holidays and do whatever I can to spread good cheer.

What are you doing to keep your spirits up? The spirits of others?

[Derek Irvine]

This is a very interesting question, Terrence. In our business (strategic employee recognition), we typically see a "holiday upswing" in recognition and reward through our system in December. Of course we're glad to show our colleagues we appreciate them during the season of thanksgiving and holiday happiness. However, we were encouraged to see a dramatic upswing in the amount of recognitions passing through our systems in November. In fact, our Recognition Index is moving, steeply, in the OPPOSITE direction of the Dow and Consumer Confidence Indices. (Index available here: http://globoforce.blogspot.com/2008/12/employee-recognition-sores-as-dow-jones.html)

As our CEO, Eric Mosley said about this phenomenon: "While no one can control this highly volatile global economy, many found a way to reach out and support their fellow co-workers within their own smaller worlds. Caring and concerned people turned to their company’s peer-to-peer recognition program as a way to make a connection and appreciate someone around them for their efforts. It’s an example of human nature at its best – recognizing and rewarding the good in others and creating powerful and personally meaningful thank-you moments while the world around them seems to be caving in. In fact, it’s a pattern we’ve seen before: during times of crises and uncertainty, recognition, appreciation and support for friends and colleagues increases dramatically and unlocks something inside us that wants to give and be thankful for each other.”

It's heartening to me to see this kind of activity among our clients. I wish you well in your job search and hope you land at such a company that will truly appreciate your talents and contributions.

[David Zinger]

Terrence:
I appreciate your recognition of choices...we can dwell in uncertainty and get frozen in fear or we move ahead (with cheaper gas) and connect. I vote connection.
David