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Zachary Aldwin Milkshake in the Boardroom
“Get out! We are closing!” The words echoed in my head as much as the sound of the slamming door that accompanied them. That was the treatment I got as I tried to enter a respectable (well not any more) gift store in an upmarket mall, five minutes to closing time.

Perhaps they had just had a bad day? I do not really care – I am their worst nightmare right now – an angry client with a voice.

It is not that they have the monopoly on the card and gift market either; I could have, and probably will from now on, go elsewhere.

They have lost a lifetime of repeat sales from me over one 5 second interchange. What is more it is Christmas time – I really expected better! Or should I have?

This year I have noticed a strange hypocrisy around the Christmas season. There are gifts available, a better choice perhaps than many years past.

Decorations are up, the essential carols play in the background over the Tannoy, a couple of places are even doing mince pies as a bonus addition.

There is, however, this massive lack of goodwill and Christmas cheer. In many places we are playing lip service to a series of traditions with no real spirit behind it.

For a holiday that embodies a religious festival there is little to show for the idea of “love thy neighbour as thyself”.

But then many businesses, their staff, and their ethic are not Christian so I can hardly expect them to embrace something that they do not believe in.

Starbucks was the centre of controversy this year when they issued a plain red holiday cup devoid of holiday motifs.

They got accused of secularising Christmas and polarised America. The accusation was a little offside seeing as Starbucks have never put a Christian emblem on any of their cups in the past.

What then can we do about Christmas as businesses? Attitude is everything here. None of the décor and fancy products matter if you are going to slam the door in my face when I try to enter.

Christmas is a great time to recalibrate your attitude. It is easy to become jaded over a year.

It is easy to wear out your smile and energy levels to a snapping point. Christmas, with its message of love, joy, hope, and giving, is a poignant reminder of how far from ideal attitudes we have fallen.

It is a chance to reset broken souls before the New Year breaks upon us. Attitude is a choice.

Goodwill should last past the season. There is much duplicity in a man who is only nice one day a year and spends the rest of it snapping the heads off staff.

It’s like putting a small rock in a snowball and still expecting everyone to have fun during the snowball fight.

The story of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens that brings us the character Scrooge dwells on this.

If Scrooge was only generous once a year he would still be a hated villain rather than a redeemed figure.

Christmas specials and hype invoke a sense of drama that has a fixed end. When the decorations vanish back into the storeroom there is a tendency to pack with them the smiles and helpfulness that we showed throughout the season. Choose carefully what you put away this year.

Family is a big focus this season. We travel to be with them, have massive family gatherings over monster meals.

We put up with Auntie Evie’s gaudy, knitted jumper that she made for us (again) simply because it is Christmas.

Your staff and clients are part of an extended family of sorts – focus on them a little as well.

It is not too late to send out a well-crafted Christmas Eve email of gratitude or to arrange an impromptu Christmas party during the last few hours that you are open.

Like the goodwill this care should not die with the toll of the bell on December 25. Take this holiday to think about how you can connect better with your staff and clients in the coming year.

Have fun this festive season. Play with children, laugh with family, and let joy bubble out of you.

Bring those emotions to the table next year as you return to work rested and invigorated. At this point let me take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may all the doors you try to enter be open this coming year!

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