It’s important to let your clients and business associates know that you value the relationship you share. Businesses typically do this at Christmas, when 2 billion cards are sent. How do you compete, and do you even know whether your client celebrates Christmas or other winter holiday?

This Thanksgiving, stand out from those 2 billion by sending your clients the message that when you reflect on what you have to be thankful for, you think of them. If you’ll be including a gift with your well wishes, think about something that will have a lasting impact, such as something they will use for entertaining during all those holiday parties.

Tip: Cheese boards, serving trays, and gourmet goodies are sure to be appreciated during the holiday season.

According to human resources, finance executives, and marketing professionals, here’s what business and organizations can expect:

• Monday: most common day to call in sick (heard of the “Monday Blues?”), and for those that do show up, many don’t want to be there; yet as the “catch up” day after the weekend with e-mail and meetings, Monday is considered the 2nd most productive day of the week
• Tuesday: full of momentum, this is the busiest and most productive day of the week
• Wednesday: known as “hump day,” this mid-way point has employees looking forward to the weekend and has greater incidences of errors
• Thursday: can go either way
• Fridays: 2nd most common day for absenteeism and generally less productive as people are feeling TGIF and are anxious to begin the weekend, often leaving work early

Tip: Reduce absenteeism by making Mondays or Fridays a part of your employee incentive program, perhaps offering free lunch, hosting employee bbqs, allowing a casual dress day, or having a weekly zany shirt competition

A sharp mind!

As we get older our memory starts to decline, beginning in our thirties. Also, stress can affect our ability to store new memories. When we exercise we counter the natural effects of aging by increasing blood flow to the brain and reduce stress - so encourage it!

We all know things are tough all over and can be seen by the increase in home foreclosures and bankruptcies. Your employees may be facing some exceptional financial stresses at home, which can result in low morale, tension between coworkers, and reduced productivity.

How can an employer help without being taken advantage of?

• Offer financial & emotional counseling opportunities
• Allow the use of flex time to sort out problems
• Be flexible, yet fair
• Treat employees equally

Did you know that women are better at creating the buzz? According to Rick Segal, retail marketing guru, women are more likely to recommend a product or service they like than men - and do so 57% more frequently.

Verbal praise is a prime means of employee recognition, with a multitude of benefits.

1. Makes employees feel valued for their contribution and gives meaning to their work
2. Increases self-esteem, and stats show that those with high self-esteem tend to be the best employees
3. Fosters a positive attitude toward management
4. Quick - only takes a few seconds to a few minutes
5. It’s free, so be liberal (but genuine) with verbal praise

Tip: Praise has the most impact when it’s for a specific task or action rather than general performance, and is administered relatively close in time to the action.

When did your employer last praise you and how did that make you feel?

It’s not just about salary and benefits, but about recognizing employees as human beings, with needs and expectations, rather than as human capital. While needs are individualistic and complex, the basis is simple. It’s about recognition and reward.

In Bob Nelson’s article, “Ten Ironies of Motivation”, he explains, “More than anything else, employees want to be valued for a job well done by those they hold in high esteem.” As a result, you can expect high morale and motivated employees who feel inspired and loyal. When you create an environment in which an employee feels valued for their contribution they are more likely to want to stay.

How does your company recognize employee performance?

F-E-A-R

With a fairly new entrepreneurial endeavor, I’m finding that the time frame in which goals are being met is quite different than what I had planned…not an uncommon scenario. As I meet with other local business owners & entrepreneurs for brainstorming, masterminding, networking, and support, I find that this is a common topic and one that is surrounded with fear…”Will my business last long enough for me to get the ‘big break’?” “Will my customer base grow fast enough?” “Am I positioned appropriately for my target market?”

I just received this instruction in an email from Martha, a fellow entrepreneur and mentor:

We have to stop beating ourselves up…read this article: http://www.skininc.com/articles/14986171.html

In the article titled, There’s a Fortune in Failure, by Gary Bradt, PhD, he stresses the importance of altering our perception of failure from a negative to a positive and gives 5 ways to do so. I recommend you read the article for yourself, but until then, here’s a summary of them:

1. Realize that each failure is an opportunity to learn from our mistakes
2. Have realistic expectations (both you and your client)
3. Understand that while success doesn’t require perfection, it does require action
4. Don’t be dominated and crippled by fear (heard of Susan Jeffers’ book, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway?)
5. Concentrate more on the ‘here and now’ and worry less about the ‘what if’ scenarios

How have you enjoyed success by overcoming a fear?

It’s important for employers to be observant when it comes to the office climate.
Here are signs that the thermostat needs adjusting:

*There is a degree of irritability, defensiveness, anger, depression, and sluggishness

*Staff are making more mistakes and are having trouble concentrating

*Absenteeism and requests for sick leave are up, complaints of headaches

Simple ways to tweak the temp:

1. Be generous with praise – FYI: the number one complaint is lack of recognition
2. Treat your employees like they are your customer; you can be sure that if they feel treated well they will do likewise with your customers
3. Bring in a special treat such as pizza, coffee, or smoothies weekly or monthly
4. Recognize employees on birthdays, have a monthly staff celebration
5. Create an employee of the month program
6. Each month, let employees nominate a peer that they felt supported them

Remember, little changes can go a long way.

I have to agree with BuzzBop, MacWorld was disappointing. Other than the extremely thin notebook, there wasn’t much that caught my attention. And about the MacBook Air, sure it’s tiny and light, but as BuzzBop points out, how much durability has been sacrificed? I would expect, given its conveniently transportable size, I would want to take it everywhere…that’d make for an awful lot of abuse, don’t you think? Could it withstand it all?

I tried to question Quickbooks about whether or not they will be introducing a Mac version of Quickbooks Premier…they were unable to tell me much except that they aren’t able to talk about new products being worked on…or not being worked on…thanks for nothing.

What did catch my eye:

1. Vertus Fluid Mask 3, photo imaging software, makes cutting and blending images quick and easy; can be used as a plug-in or stand alone (this would make En Wrapture’s graphic design guru’s work much easier)
2. DataPilot software that allows you to backup and sync contacts, calender, music, photos, etc. between your computer, cell phone (not just for the iPhone), and iPod
3. iVolta Wireless Charging System which allows you to charge multiple devices at the same time on a charger plate without the usual tangled mess of wires
4. Hybrid Solar Charger - soon to be featured on the En Wrapture website as an option for an eco-friendly gift, this is the perfect gadget for travelers and the environmentally conscious and is able to power a GPS, mobile phone, mp3 player, PDA, digital camera, game console, etc. with the adapter tip system cable and USB tip
5. EcoSmart computer gear by Targus - line is priced from $50-130 and includes laptop slipcase, computer bag, messenger bag, and backpack, and are made of 100% recycled polyester, contains no PVC, metal hardware is nickel-free, plastic hardware is recyclable, and a portion of every sale is donated to the Conservation Fund to replant trees in Southern California in areas that have been destroyed by fires

Tip: If you aren’t going to hear the Keynote speaker, skip the first day and avoid the lines and crowds because you can get the skinny online and the following days are much more pleasant and more productive.