5 Ways HubSpot Managers Keep Teams Motivated Before the Holidays

The vacation season generally is a time of yr when individuals are surrounded by household, mates, good meals, and traditions. As a supervisor, you could be excited to get some much-needed relaxation and leisure whereas additionally questioning the way you’ll wrap up end-of-year tasks alongside ideas of celebrations. 

You don’t wish to lose your stride with a number of days off, however you could be apprehensive that getting too aggressive about deadlines can go away you seeming just like the Grinch. 

At HubSpot, an organization that makes work culture a priority, our folks managers are recognized for creatively and strategically hitting seasonal targets whereas nonetheless constructing team morale — particularly through the vacation season.

To assist forestall your group from hitting the vacation hunch, we’ve compiled recommendation from HubSpotters on how one can preserve groups on observe whereas nonetheless embracing the vacations. 

Tips on how to Keep away from a Vacation Hunch

1. Break down targets into achievable targets, phases, or quotas.

Individuals can have rather a lot on their minds through the holidays, and having to realize a sure variety of targets by the top of the yr can appear daunting and overwhelming. 

To alleviate some stress that may come up throughout an end-of-year rush, cut up targets up into phases or steps. Your groups can examine off smaller duties that can contribute to attaining the bigger purpose, and as every step is accomplished, they’ll really feel like they’ve succeeded and stay motivated to overcome the subsequent part.

“All of us have end-of-year deadlines or targets — and at occasions — they will look very daunting. We’ve discovered it useful to interrupt them down into smaller targets,” says Tara Ryan, former Senior Gross sales Supervisor at HubSpot. 

Along with her gross sales group, Ryan says she makes use of month-to-month and weekly quotas to interrupt down main targets: “Quotas are simpler to digest after we break them down into ‘25% attainment by the top of week one,’ ‘50% attainment by the top of week two,’ ‘75% by week three’, after which ‘100%+ by the top of the month.'”

“The method of breaking down targets permits us to measure our progress on a weekly foundation and extra probabilities for us to have fun group wins,” Ryan provides.

If you do set targets, contain your group. Their enter will let you understand what they’re hoping to perform, so you possibly can set real looking targets as a bunch and talk about how one can sort out attainable roadblocks. 

“If I do know we’re about to enter right into a time the place it’s simple to decelerate, just like the summer time or holidays, I attempt to get my group collectively to brainstorm what we wish to accomplish as a bunch and vote on one purpose,” says Caroline Ostrander, a Senior Supervisor on the Buyer Onboarding group.

Like Ryan, Ostrander additionally embraces the concept of aiming for a restricted variety of reachable targets fairly than making an attempt to realize every thing suddenly.

“One purpose helps the group focus and prioritize after we would possibly really feel unmotivated. [After the vote], I search for one or two volunteers to steer the cost on the purpose and discover enjoyable and inventive methods to maintain it prime of thoughts,” Ostrander explains.

2. Put together for winter climate hurdles with work-from-home protocols.

At HubSpot’s Cambridge, MA headquarters, winter climate is acquainted, and we perceive how one massive snowstorm can actually knock us off our schedule. In case you reside in an space the place winter climate can affect your workflow, staying forward of this hurdle is important. A good way to do that is to plan a winter protocol in your group. 

Larry Rodman, former Buyer Assist Supervisor, suggests asking your group members to take their laptops and work units house with them if there is a chance that your workplace would possibly shut throughout a storm.

“All the time carry every thing it’s good to work house [at the end of the work day; you never know what the weather will be on any given day,” Rodman says.

If you live where winter weather isn’t an issue, it can still be beneficial to consider a work-from-home or hybrid model for the holiday season. It would give your employees more flexibility in how they work during a time when they may want to spend more time with loved ones, even if they do so while working.

The rise in popularity of remote work means that some of your employees might already be working from home or a hybrid model, so you can offer in-office employees the opportunity to take new flexibility during the holidays.

3. Encourage team members to take time off for the holidays.

Your employees have a life outside of work, so aim to encourage your team members to take time off for themselves during the holidays when they don’t work at all. 

“Be transparent and empathetic with your team. Make sure they are comfortable taking time off at the holidays,” says Senior Director of Marketing Amanda Sibley. She encourages her team to share their off days on a shared calendar, but also clearly communicates expectations to ensure people don’t lose steam.

“I ask for 100% effort until they are off,” Sibley says. “I often will say something like, ‘It’s really important to take time off, so I’m glad you all have chosen a week during the holidays! — Until then, in order for us all to relax and enjoy family time, we need to be at 100%, so please focus until that time!”

Encouraging your employees to take time off also has proven psychological benefits. Studies show that it can make people more productive, and when people are removed from environments that they may associate with anxiety, their stress levels can lower. Employees who feel refreshed and less stressed are more likely to come back to work with a clear head, ready to start the year off on a positive note. 

4. Give employees a day or even a few hours for holiday errands.

Even with upcoming time off, people’s minds can wander with thoughts of holiday errands and planning before upcoming celebrations. To help employees remain focused while at work, you can offer additional hours off to prep for the holidays ahead of time. 

“Give time for those who need it to handle the crazy stuff needed for the holidays,” suggests Sibley. “What about a half-day in the middle of the week or in early December to do all their holiday shopping when the crowds are less?”

This tip can be helpful when paired with offering remote work options, as team members can take breaks from work while accomplishing separate tasks. For example, if employees prepare for an at-home celebration, they can take breaks to cross off items on their to-do lists and return to work with a clear head. 

5. Celebrate the holidays — and your team’s accomplishments.

Lastly, embrace the holiday season, celebrate, and end your year on a high note. After all, you and your team have worked hard to achieve your annual goals. 

“Don’t pretend like the holidays aren’t happening. Celebrate with your team,” encourages Senior Social Media Manager Kelly Hendrickson; “Knowing there is a specific time for fun, helps focus that holiday spirit.”

End-of-year celebrations allow teams to bond, review the year’s accomplishments, and show gratitude for one another. The holidays can also be challenging for some people, so creating space to celebrate and spread cheer at work can be a welcome opportunity that boosts morale. 

Aside from general celebration, the most important goal of these events is to have fun and reward your teammates for a year of hard work. When planning an end-of-year meeting, Ryan suggests asking each of your team members to note one individual or group accomplishment that they’re most proud of from the past year. “This is a great chance to remind the team of all the wins you had together over the last 12 months,” says Ryan.

Rodman also says he emphasizes team accomplishments at end-of-year celebrations, explaining that rewarding accomplishments can help to motivate your team even after they return from the holidays.

Get in the Holiday Spirit

It can be easy to forget how fun the holidays are when thinking about end-of-year deadlines. But, as we’ve seen from HubSpot managers above, getting in the holiday spirit will benefit your mood and your team. Don’t be afraid to embrace the pleasantries of this time of year.