The Holiday Effect

As the holiday season approaches, businesses around the world gear up for a unique period that can significantly impact their operations and cultures. This pivotal time in the business cycle offers opportunities for team building, employee well-being, and even economic growth.

The holiday season presents a golden opportunity for businesses to enhance their company spirit with holiday-themed events and activities. These events encourage employees to come together in a relaxed setting, fostering bonds that can improve teamwork and collaboration long after the season ends.

The festive atmosphere tends to elevate optimism among staff. This positive mood can translate into increased motivation and job satisfaction, potentially leading to higher productivity. Many organizations use this season to show appreciation for their employees' hard work. Whether through bonuses, extra time off, or thoughtful gifts, these gestures can significantly contribute to employee well-being and loyalty.

The holiday effect also has a measurable impact on business cycles and economic patterns. For many retailers, this time of the year accounts for a substantial portion of their annual profits. In the United States, retailers can expect to make up to $1 trillion from holiday sales, representing about a quarter of their yearly profits. With marketed events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the holiday spending period has expanded, stretching into November and creating a prolonged period of increased economic activity.

Holiday parties often serve as a time for leadership to reflect on the past year with employees and share goals for the upcoming year. This can help ensure everyone is aligned with the company's direction.

To harness the positive aspects of the holiday season, businesses can consider the following strategies:

· Organizing themed holiday events can engage employees and maintain high energy levels. Popular themes include "ugly Christmas sweaters" or "giving back" initiatives.

·???Decorations and themed activities can stimulate creativity and innovation within the workplace. Encouraging employees to brainstorm unique celebration ideas can lead to innovative thinking that extends to other aspects of the organization's operations.

·???Sponsoring charitable activities during this season can enhance an organization's reputation and demonstrate commitment to social responsibility.

For example, at CenTrak, where I serve as Chief People Officer, a year-end push for performance initiative was implemented where each goal achievement earned employees a half-day off. This initiative not only motivated employees for extra time off during the holiday season but also ensured that operational goals were met without impacting customer satisfaction.

?The Philadelphia Society of People & Strategy (PSPS) hosted a successful winter social on December 4th that not only celebrated the season but also provided opportunities for networking and building stronger professional relationships. This event was highly valued by members and guests and contributed to positive member engagement.

Food and beverage companies like Starbucks and Coca-Cola leverage the holiday season to introduce limited-time products and festive packaging. Starbucks' holiday-themed beverages and Coca-Cola's iconic holiday advertisements create a sense of nostalgia and excitement, boosting sales and brand loyalty.

While the holidays are traditionally seen as a time for family celebration, their impact on economic growth and culture should not be underestimated. By thoughtfully integrating the holiday spirit into the culture, businesses can boost morale, enhance team cohesion, and potentially improve the bottom line. As we approach another festive season, consider how best to leverage the holiday effect to create a more engaging and fulfilling work environment that benefits both employees and the business as a whole.

Wishing You the Happiest of Holidays!

Gratefully,????

Nancy Adams, CPC

Please feel free to reach out with questions or feedback.

Networking in a Winter Wonderland

Thank you to all who came out for our recent PSPS: Philadelphia Society of People & Strategy Winter Social!

It was a great evening filled with holiday cheer, networking, thoughtful discussions, and celebrations.? A big shout-out to our event sponsor, including Top Stack (featured in our Sponsor Spotlight below). Our event also featured team members of Life Science Cares Philadelphia , an organization committed to activating the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry to disrupt the cycle of poverty and inequality in our communities.

To add a little merriment to the event, we had gift basket giveaways sponsored by Toni Thomas of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Christine Treski from DoubleStar, Inc. and Amy Badovick of Performance Development Group were our big winners.

During the evening, PSPS Board Member Emma Petersen of Berkadia took the opportunity to recognize some of our phenomenal committee members and celebrate their accomplishments:

Marketing Committee –

Savannah Gregory - Thank you for doing an epic job bringing ideas and capabilities to the Marketing Committee, including our fantastic new pop-up banner!

Kevin Davis – Kevin has done a great job bringing some perspective to our committee and bridging his non-PSPS connections into new opportunities and membership for PSPS. We appreciate his energy and commitment to PSPS.

Melissa Carson – For her commitment to crafting the monthly newsletter for PSPS. Your efforts keep everyone informed and connected. Her time and care in curating content and presenting it in an engaging format demonstrates a passion for sharing information with her colleagues. Thanks for the outstanding contribution – and for bringing in a successor.

Programming -

Anthony Matejczyk - Tony is a truly inspirational member and leader, always available to step in and support PSPS programming efforts. He was a crucial member of the Q1 event and was actively involved on all fronts to make that delivery successful. Tony is now back to support the 2025 programming, and our members will be delighted by the passion, energy, and high quality of Tony's work. Tony led our Q1 Thought Leadership panel and really set the standard for how to prep and present an outstanding panel discussion.? It was a terrific start to the year. He is both an excellent strategist and a tactician.

Mary Mavis - By organizing the role-based roundtables, Mary has created a vital space for professionals to come together, share insights, and navigate the complexities of their evolving roles. This initiative not only enhances individual performance but also strengthens the entire community, allowing members to adapt and thrive in a dynamic landscape. Her commitment to facilitating these meaningful groups is a testament to her leadership and vision, making a lasting impact on the professional development of all participants.

Sponsorship -

Dean Becker and Paul Marion - They are stalwarts and have been consistent in their support. Both Dean and Paul have brought in sponsors this year. Thank you, Paul, for Paycor, and thank you, Dean, for FirstTrust Bank.

Membership -

Eden S. Braun, SPHR, SHRM-CP - Eden's selfless dedication as a last-minute hero is genuinely remarkable. She has repeatedly stepped up to the plate when we needed her most, proving that she is not just a volunteer but a genuine lifesaver. We're incredibly fortunate to have someone like her on our team – a dependable force of nature who always rises to the occasion. Eden is our go-to MVP, consistently knocking it out of the park with her generosity and spirit.

Toni Thomas - Toni's dedication as a volunteer creates a beautiful ripple effect, like a pebble cast into still waters.? Her kindness and compassion spread outward, inspiring others to follow her example. Her unwavering commitment to making a difference in someone's career, through supporting a charity or simply by being there to lend a hand or an ear, not only transforms the lives of those she helps but also ignites a spark of goodwill in everyone she encounters. Her impact multiplies exponentially, creating a legacy of positive change that will continue to resonate for generations to come.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for an amazing year!

Sponsor Spotlight: Top Stack & PSPS: Looking Ahead Together

At the Winter Social, Top Stack's "Future of Work" wall sparked insightful conversation about?what lies ahead for 2025 and beyond! Your workplace predictions had common themes across topics such as AI, pay equity, remote work, mental health, and agile leadership. Some of these trends are emerging and have yet to stand the test of time, while others are more established but appear to be shifting in practice. Regardless of where your organization currently stands, incorporating these trends into practice, it's critical for HR leaders to stay on top of workplace shifts to be prepared to quickly pivot when needed.

Top Stack's leadership team analyzed your predictions and, with their collective 90 years of experience in the human capital industry, came up with actionable strategies that HR professionals can start using today to take steps to future-proof their organization. Get the exclusive tips in our latest blog, 5 Trends for 2025: Shaping HR Strategies for the Modern Workplace.

Top Stack takes pride in building long-term relationships—we are strategic partners invested in your success. By leveraging our deep industry expertise and extensive talent network, we help HR professionals achieve their goals with confidence by building custom staffing and recruitment solutions tailored to meet individual needs.

Top Stack excels at filling permanent and contract roles for Finance & Accounting, Technology, Marketing, Human Resources, and Supply Chain positions. Our top priority is to be people-focused with consistent, transparent, and timely communication.?This more personal approach is how we select top candidates, simplify decisions, and save everyone’s time.

Contact us now, and let’s get to work!

Volunteer Spotlight

Thanks to Aubrie Nooney for her volunteer contributions to PSPS. Here's a bit more about her:

• Professional role and organization: Director of Learning and Development at Spring EQ, a home equity mortgage company based in Conshohocken, PA. SpringEQ.com
• PSPS Volunteer role: Marketing Committee Member
• Why she decided to volunteer: “My friend and mentor Toni Thomas talked me into it - haha.? But honestly, PSPS is a great organization, and many of the members are just so unbelievably kind and go out of their way to help others.? After joining last year, I found that I wanted to see if I could get further involved in the organization, make deeper connections with other local leaders, learn, and be of service. As a learning and development professional, it’s great to take in ideas from all sorts of people leadership professionals to understand their challenges, trends, and solutions that I can keep in mind for my own work.
• What’s been most rewarding about being a PSPS volunteer: “Getting to know some of my new favorite humans on the Marketing Committee ( Melissa Kosmin Winkelman , Karine K. , Emma Petersen , Kevin Davis , Savannah Gregory , Alison Lenox ).? This is an amazing think tank of thought leaders, and we get to learn from each other and work together to help the organization evolve and thrive.”
• One thing you’re looking forward to in 2025: “I’m always looking forward to learning something new. I also like to meet and connect with people and help others where I can. 2025 PSPS networking events and other opportunities will be a way to refill my cup throughout the year for sure.”
• Fun facts: “This is one of my favorite times of the year since I’m a little obsessed with Christmas decorating and have 5 decorated trees throughout my home. There is just something about the warm glow of holiday lights and the sparkle and story behind a Christmas ornament that makes me smile.? I also just love musical theater and golfing (badly)."

Thank you, Aubrie for all you do to support PSPS!

Did You Know?

For our PSPS members only...

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Thank you to all of our annual sponsors.