Should we just close down for December?
Every year in the weeks building up to Christmas, things always quieten down as people head off for their holidays early or slip into drunken revelry and lethargy.
But this year, more than ever, December has felt an extremely slow and silent month. A lot of folks and businesses seem to be shutting up shop especially early and heading for their fireplaces, mince pies and tots of whisky.
A lot of people seem to be washing their hands of 2008 and waiting until 2009 begins to seem how best to progress.
Lying in bed the other night, where I do much of my best thinking!, I wondered whether there was any weight in the idea that France have adopted for their holiday month of August and just shutting up shop here for the entire month of December
Okay, it’s a crazy idea, but just think about it for minute. The UK goes mad for Xmas. Many people spend their entire year preparing for the silly season. From the start of December productivity begins to take a serious dive with people holding fire on projects until January or simply not being able to focus 100% on the task in hand as parties, hangovers, nativity plays and holiday excitement take hold.
Many people already head off for much of the month as is it. Their absence seriously impacts on projects being run within their respective teams.
So, why not draw the business year to a close on the 30th November, give everyone December off and see how this affects productivity and general good spirits throughout the rest of the year?
