January starts with fireworks and confetti as we ring in the new year, but after the confetti falls and is swept away, the holidays are over and we head back to work, all we're left with is a gloomy winter month. Here at The Cupcake Bar we are proud to promote Joyful January! As strong believers in celebrating everything we are fully equipped to help combat any seasonal sadness that may sneak up.
Check out our top 10 morale boosters to bring joy to your team.
1. Surprise & Delight 👍
Everyone likes the unexpected boost in their day. When employers surprise their teams with something unexpected, it can really help boost morale (don't just take it from us, there's plenty of studies supporting this). Something as simple and small as a “thank you,” sharing a funny meme, mixing up something that has become routine or mundane all lead to more motivated and engaged employees.
2. Express gratitude with a handwritten notecard ✍️
When was the last time you wrote someone a handwritten note? In this digital age we use technology for everything - emails, texts, even emojis. Take the time to write a handwritten note. This can be to congratulate your employees on a "job well done," a gesture of appreciation to have them as a "part of the team," or "thank you" for all of their hard work. Knowing you took the time to write them a note will surely brighten their day.
3. Send a treat (or two!) 🧁
They say that the way to someone's heart is through their stomach. Bring in a catered breakfast, lunch, or sweet treats. Treat your team to doughnuts or bagels for breakfast, sandwiches or pizza for lunch, or cupcakes or cookies for a midday pick-me-up. Have snacks available for those busy days so folks can grab-and-go, host an event to get folks away from their desks for a little while, or make it memorable by bringing in something interactive like a food truck or dessert bar. There are so many options when it comes to food and it is easy to scale based on your team.
4. Arrange a virtual team builder 💻
Take a mental break with a virtual team builder. Learn a new recipe or skill, explore a museum or country, test your trivia knowledge or play themed bingo - there are a variety of virtual team builders available that are sure to boost employee motivation. Whether you're hosting internally or outsourcing the logistics, virtual activities let employees everywhere join in the fun.
5. Volunteer Together 🤝
Giving back to your community is a great employee morale booster. Identify an organization that aligns with your company's mission and values and see how you can best support them. Volunteer to walk dogs at the ASPCA, cook a meal for families at Ronald McDonald House, host a food drive to support your local food bank (FYI - food banks usually run dry in January). Volunteering is a great way to bring employees together and add another level of fulfillment to their role.
6. Shake things up with a team outing 🌳
Get employees together for something besides work. A team outing can be anything you want it to be - bowling or mini golf, food tour or after work happy hour, escape room or nature walk. This is a great way to get to know the people you work with on a personal level. The options are endless, and you can choose something your employees would look forward to doing.
7. Give some unexpected time off ⏰
Time is a precious gift that everyone wants more of, including employees. Give extra time off, be it a few hours, a half day, or even a full day. Wrap up a couple hours early on a Friday to kick-off the weekend. Make it a half day before a holiday or celebrate the company's anniversary with an extra day off. This is a definite employee morale booster that will have folks feeling grateful.
8. Gift them their "Favorite Things" 💛
It really is the thought that counts. Ask employees about their favorite things - favorite soda, favorite Starbucks beverage, favorite candy, etc. - and keep a log of their responses on file. An easy way to do this is to use a custom online form or survey (easy to make and manage through Google or Microsoft) to send to employees to fill out so you can collect and store their responses in one place. Use the information to treat employees to something small throughout the year (particularly great when birthdays come around). The thought and personalization behind the gift often matter more than the cost.
9. Give them public recognition 🏆
Publicly recognize team members for accomplishments. This can be done in a big or small way. Shoutout a team member at an all-hands meeting, mention their achievement in a newsletter, congratulate their performance in an email to their boss. It gives everyone warm fuzzies to know their hard work is recognized and appreciated.
10. Encourage Breaks ☕
We know days get busy, meetings upon endless meetings, calls and emails to respond to, and before you know it it's time to go home for the day. Breaks are essential to avoid burnout and increase productivity. Encourage employees to take their lunch break, fuel the body and take their eyeballs off of the screen. If the weather is nice, advocate for a walking break to get some fresh air and a chance to get away from the desk. In need of a pick me up, recommend a coffee break. Employees will appreciate the reprieve and come back reenergized.
