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Getting back to work is a daunting task after a relaxing holiday with friends and family that makes even the most enthusiastic employees wish the vacation would never end.
After everyone returns from the holidays, the entire team should meet for a new year meeting.
New year meetings remove new year nerves, reacquaint coworkers, and align the entire team with the company mission and goals.
But where to begin? This blog will cover some new year meeting ideas for your team to get the year started off right.
Staff meeting ideas for the new year
1. Icebreakers
It has been a while since the entire team has been together. At the beginning of the meeting, devote a small amount of time to icebreakers. The importance of this can be especially felt by remote teams who may not have many opportunities to connect with their co-workers. Prior to entering another year of hard work that will require team members to collaborate and communicate effectively, it's important to recognize and celebrate the fact that you are a team and not a group of strangers.
It might be tempting to begin by asking how team members spent their holidays, however, this way of opening the meeting may intimidate those who are more introverted and allow those with more extroverted tendencies to dominate. A good icebreaker, however, puts everyone on an equal footing and allows them to express themselves freely. For new hires, icebreakers provide a warm, low-stress environment in which to introduce themselves.
The icebreaker can be anything that provides a little fun and gets the team to open up, such as two truths and a lie, pancakes vs. waffles, etc.
2. Introductions and updates
Are there any new members on the team? Did anyone not receive a proper introduction at the end of the year? Has anyone on the team yet had a chance to work together? Regardless of the familiarity of your team, a new year's meeting is a great time to introduce everyone and explain their roles within the company.
Is there anything the team should know right away, such as new clients, changes to company procedures, or new technology?
It is important to remember that the team appreciates and values transparency. Any upcoming changes should be discussed directly with your team rather than kept in the dark. Your team's trust and morale suffer when you hide important developments from them.
Make your new year staff meeting a time to introduce new team members and to let them know what's to come.
3. Reflect on the previous year
The new year's meeting is also an opportunity for the team to reflect on the previous year. What were some of the team's successes, losses, and curveballs? Was there anything that worked well? Is there anything that could have been done differently? Are there any lessons you can learn from last year that you can apply this year?
The hard times must be acknowledged, wins must be celebrated, and the previous year must be bid farewell.
4. Gather feedback and assess
A new year's staff meeting is also an opportunity for continuous feedback. Engage the team in the meeting, and ensure two-way communication. Generate ideas for the new year based on the team's reflections on the past year. Is there anything you need from your team? Is there anything you need to do to support your team?
Each team member must have the opportunity to express their opinions, ideas, and voices for real improvements to take place.
However, a free-for-all of ideas and feedback can overwhelm a meeting without proper organization. It is essential to engage the audience and communicate openly, but the ideas expressed must translate into action items.
5. Align on your mission and vision
Everyone has the opportunity to re-evaluate what's most important to them at the beginning of the new year. This is a time of introspection and reflection. As your team members are likely doing some soul searching, use the new year's meeting to remind them why they do what they do and reignite their passion.
Keep your employees inspired by reiterating your company's mission and values. What role does your business play in the lives of the people it serves? How do you solve problems for your clients and customers? What makes your business unique? In what ways does each team member contribute to that?
Taking the year in a different direction is important for your team. Encourage everyone on your team to put their best foot forward by reminding them of their contributions and how vital they are to the organization.
6. Set clear and actionable goals
How do you envision the upcoming year? Assist the team in setting realistic, attainable, and yet challenging goals.
This is an opportunity to set yearly goals and targets for each individual and the various business teams. How do the goals of each business team align with those of the business as a whole?
Early in the new year, it is also important to schedule one-on-one meetings with each member of your team. During a one-on-one meeting, re-establish or build rapport, offer and receive feedback, and align on the employee's professional development goals.
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