Sales make the business world go around.

The month of December can be extremely busy for some people and companies, and for others, it is a time to kick back, close off for the holidays and tie up some loose ends. Even though the recession had slowed spending, the stores, restaurants, and parking lots are now showing something very different.

I try to read the economic reports about Canadian statistics concerning our GDP, stock markets and debt, but most of them confuse me. Truthfully, I was never really a great student, I got bored pretty easily, and now I seem to glaze over when I try to read these reports! Not very patriotic of me I guess, but I am a very proud Canadian nonetheless. What I have learned is that our economy is driven by our confidence in our ability to spend.

I do feel we are improving as a society if we feel comfortable at the malls during the holiday season, or having lunches, expensive coffees, or dinners out with friends and family. Maybe we have been awakened slightly over the past couple of years, making sure we have the cash to spend before we spend it. I see the labour reports and clearly most of our population is working, and for those who are not, there is help, we are Canadian. The numbers may not be in yet for the Christmas spending season but we can clearly see that people are buying! That is good for all of us because companies stay in business if we support them.

Money goes around and around, which keeps our economy moving along in the right direction. I am one of those crazy people who are happy to see the gas prices go up, because I know that means oil and gas companies can grow and expand, hire more people, pay big wages, and pay all the service companies that rely on them. I love to see the stores packed, long lineups, and no parking spaces, because that also means great things for our economy! Remember the days when we complained about all the stores and restaurants with help wanted signs up, and no one around to serve us? Don’t we miss those days?

I look forward to each Christmas season to see how many sales are happening, how many lineups there are, and how much cash we have to spend. A true testament to the direction our economy is going is to open your eyes and watch what is happening right in front of us.

Company holiday parties are in full swing!

Company holiday parties are underway for another year! The decorating, potlucks, gift exchanges, dinners and dancing are all scheduled for the coming weeks. For some socialite employees, especially the ones who love wearing fuzzy snowflake sweaters and candy cane earrings, these weeks are glorious! Some people count on this time of year to party with their fellow staff members. Some true extraverts just love the idea of being the life of the party or the one who knows every piece of holiday trivia. While some other employees are dreading the idea of having to hang out and visit with the same coworkers they can’t wait to get away from every workday.

Why oh why do bosses make employees and supervisors hang out together during the holiday season? Everyone is so tired and it is cold outside, and who wants to buy a stupid gift under ten dollars anyway, right? Bah, humbug. Okay, so the weather is frightful, but most people do feel better when the workplace gathering is over and they get to go home for the holidays.

Some parties are too darn extravagant - can we say Oil and Gas city? Weekends away in total luxury and formal attire events are still taking place. I wonder if such extravagance continues because it has become an expectation. I also wonder if some employees feel that they are forced to attend company events so that they are not treated like outcasts in January. Maybe some employees do get excited about being at the hottest parties, with the best food and coolest bands. But maybe others would rather have a lunch potluck, then go home to their families and warm beds after work, and take a bonus cheque instead? I guess as long as the party is safe and no one gets into too much trouble saying or doing the wrong things to the wrong people, the party can be a good idea. The holiday season and year end are great reasons to celebrate the good things about working for a company. Hopefully there are benefits to reap, co-workers to get to know, and bosses to thank at the company party. And let’s hope no one will get offended by the purpose, cost, location, time, or details of the party!

I think everyone should wear a Santa hat, enjoy a maximum of two alcoholic beverages if they choose to indulge, play some type of silly game, dance the night away, and eat like there won’t be another holiday party next year!