The holiday season is a whirlwind for retail candy makers, with employees working hard to spread joy through sweet treats. Supporting your team is important for keeping spirits high, showing how much their work is valued and improving employee retention. Here are some ways to help your team feel appreciated during the holidays, with insights from RCI candy maker members.

Stock the Break Room

Long hours and demanding tasks can take a toll on employees' energy and health. Stocking the break room with snacks and drinks can help boost morale and energy levels during busy seasons. Jason Mootz of Michael Mootz Candies shares, “Before every major holiday, we put out 'Holiday Survival Kits' for our team. These kits include protein bars, Emergen-C packs, fresh fruit and homemade energy bites. We also like to hand out gift certificates so staff members can share our chocolates with their families. They are a huge part of our success, and we so appreciate them.”

Share a Meal Together

Sharing a meal together can help employees recharge and celebrate the season. RCI member Jennifer Crudden of Rosalind Candy Castle shares, “We like to have lunch or dinner parties as a thanks for their extra effort throughout the holidays.” RCI member Jamee Enstrom Simons of Enstrom Candies agrees, saying, “During the holidays, our management staff makes breakfast for all employees one morning. That’s always a hit!” 

If a meal for the whole team is not in the budget this year, work out a trade for lunch from a local restaurant or caterer in exchange for chocolates for their team. Another idea is to host a potluck and you supply the main dish.

Express Employee Recognition

Recognition in the form of a simple thank-you note or shout out in the company newsletter or on the white board in the breakroom can make employees feel appreciated. Jamee Simons highlights the value of celebrating milestones, saying, “At our holiday party, we celebrate years of service milestones, with some employees having been with us for over 40 years!”

Encourage Open Communication

A supportive work environment begins with listening. Rosalind Candy Castle practices an open-door policy, Jennifer Crudden states, “We welcome the team to come to us with any questions or share personal issues they may be experiencing.” Building trust and fostering open dialogue shows employees that their concerns are heard and addressed.

With nearly three-quarters of retail workers reporting holiday stress (Zipline), it’s important to support your team during this time. Providing energy-boosting snacks, hosting team meals, encouraging open communication and recognizing efforts are simple yet meaningful ways to ease stress and show your appreciation. A little effort goes a long way in creating a happy and motivated team during the busiest time of the year.

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• 67% of employees value praise and commendation from a direct manager over financial incentives.
• 78% of U.S. workers report that being recognized motivates them at their job.
• Companies with strategic recognition reported 23.4% less turnover than companies without any recognition program.

• One associate liked sunflower seeds so we purchased a five pound bag of sunflower seeds and placed them on her desk with a note of appreciation--she beamed for three days.
• A member of management said he loved a certain restaurant and would always eat there when he visited that city. We called the restaurant and asked to buy a menu. We had it framed and presented it to him with a gift certificate to the restaurant--his work attitude improved.
• One of our employees plays trumpet in a jazz band. At a hobby shop, I found a ceramic frog playing a trumpet and purchased it for her--she keeps it on her desk and gives a big smile every time I pass by.”

1. Empower employees to do the right thing – Develop a service culture where your employees feel they are brand ambassadors, who have as much confidence in your brand as your most loyal customers.
   
   
   How do I apply this to my business? To create your own brand personality, think about what cultural attributes are most important to you and your business. Offer 3-5 characteristics for your staff to focus on and share examples of how these attributes can help them address customer service in a way that best reflects your brand.
    
   Print reminder cards, like the one below, and post them in visible areas such as the break room, in the restroom and near the cash register. Provide extra copies for staff to place in their private workspaces.

1. Invest in training and communications – Never assume your team shares the same viewpoints on customer service as you do. Each member of your team brings their own unique personality and experience, which are like puzzle pieces that make up your company culture.
    
   How do I apply this to my business? Clear expectations for customer service should be a key element of your employee training, just as important as dress codes and safety policies.
   
   Additionally, ongoing communication is vital to remind staff of the company’s customer service policy. Share tips on how to achieve customer satisfaction through regular team huddles, a private Facebook group for staff or by printing newsletter-style handouts.

1. Let customers define “good service” –  According to L.L. Bean’s President and CEO, Chris McCormick, “you can’t tell customers, ‘you will be satisfied’ – they need to arrive at that conclusion on their own through the service experience itself.” 

1. Offer a consistent, high-quality experience before, during and after their purchase across all channels to show you’re engaged with them throughout their journey. 

1. Guarantee 100% customer satisfaction – Satisfied customers make repeat customers.