For many organizations and companies, the winter months are the busiest. With holiday shopping and budgets resetting, this is a great time to add new employees and hire seasonal help, but there is one common problem many face: winter slow down. It can be incredibly difficult for anyone to stay productive in the winter, but keeping your employees productive can be just as difficult.

The winter can be cold and dreary, which makes staying focused at work difficult for anyone. As a manager or owner, it’s your job to keep employees motivated and productive during those cold days at the office. Here are a few tips:

Offer Incentives

Keeping employees motivated can be difficult. Depending on your organization, you may be able to offer special incentives to employees who maintain production levels or even increase them during the winter months. Think outside the box and more creatively than just a bonus (though that is a good option). Consider gift cards, paid time off, or a paid lunch. These incentives don’t need to be huge in order to be effective.

Increase Engagement

Many employees want to work at a company that supports and fosters a culture of employee engagement. What does that mean or look like? It’s different for every workplace, but you can start by talking to your employees and getting to know them. What do they like about their jobs? What do they do in their free time? A simple conversation can perk a person up on one of those cloudy and gray winter days.

Recognition

Along the lines of employee engagement, most employees like to be recognized for the work they accomplish. This recognition doesn’t need to be for something that is impossible to achieve. Rather, look at your organizations overall goals and make smaller attainable goals for your employees. When they reach those goals, give them recognition in the form of a certificate, their name on a plaque, or even a small gift.

Office Perks

Office perks are a nice way to give employees something to look for and serve as motivation to get their work done and done well. Perks can range from a catered lunch, to a half day, to casual attire days. These types of perks may not seem like a huge deal, but when you challenge employees to meet goals in order to receive these perks, you’re most likely to see an increase in productivity.

How do you keep employees motivated and productive during the winter months? We’d love to hear your stories and suggestions in comments below!