Ronn Torossian shares several key strategies – to help increase your brands value this Holiday Season.

The holidays are upon us, and everyone is thinking about ANYTHING but work. While those who actually succeed are hard at work trying to balance family, fun, and work, others are unknowingly preparing for a post New Years career slide they never manage to see coming. Don’t let this be you. Avoid the career pitfalls that come from making holiday mistakes. Instead, look to these career tips to advance yourself not in spite of – but because of – the festive season.

Get Stuff Done

Every fourth quarter something falls through the cracks. Then everyone just shrugs and blames Santa Claus. Instead of being one of those guys, look at ways you can be more efficient and creative. There is nothing quite as inspiring as beating your projections AND getting some good holiday fun in. You can be that person if you take the time to plan your work properly and look for ways to shine. Then … deliver.

Know What Suffers and Fix It

If you don’t work retail, chances are your business suffers in Q4. Avoid that end of the year letdown by looking at ways to avoid it. Instead of just accepting the status quo and becoming part of the problem, look for ways to advance a solution. Then bring other people in on the plan. Share the glory but keep the initiative. Your superiors, clients and coworkers will love you and your career will look nothing but up in Q1 of next year.

See also  How to Challenge Stereotypes Through Multicultural Marketing

Take Part and Take Time

No one appreciates workaholics, particularly at the holidays. Some people think it raises their stock to Scrooge it out through December. Don’t be that guy. Instead, be the person who is so on their game they can embrace the holidays like Will Ferrell in Elf and still take the lead in getting things done. Don’t succumb to the largesse, but don’t eschew the frivolity. The keys here are ingenuity and balance. You are going to have to take time to figure this all out, but that investment will pay big dividends next year.

Work it at Parties

Everyone loves gossiping about the lampshade idiots at holiday parties. But everyone also remembers the people who make an awesome impression. Here are several ways to do exactly that. First, if your office does Secret Santa, skip the gift card and get something unique and interesting. Second, learn some jokes and fun, mostly tasteful (and relatively short) stories. You know all those conversation lulls that end up getting filled by some drunk sales guy? Head him off at the pass and steal the show with your oratory and conversation skills.

Sure, these aren’t foolproof steps. Alcohol and frivolity changes all the dynamics across the board, but employ these tips and you increase your chances to remain both gainfully and optimistically employed come January.

SHARE
Previous articleWhat the Electric Golf can teach you about Innovation
Next articleBlackberry Continues to Struggle
Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently owned PR firms in the United States. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth and vision, with the agency earning accolades including being named a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, a top three NYC PR agency by O'Dwyers, one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces and being awarded multiple American Business Awards, including a Stevie Award for PR Agency of the Year. With over 25 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected public relations executives. Throughout his career he has advised leading and high-growth businesses, organizations, leaders and boards across corporate, technology and consumer industries. Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications. He has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly in the media and has authored two editions of his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations," which is an industry best-seller. Torossian's strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, a Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, Metropolitan Magazine's Most Influential New Yorker, and a recipient of Crain's New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Outside of 5W, Torossian serves as a business advisor to and investor in multiple early stage businesses across the media, B2B and B2C landscape. Torossian is the proud father of two daughters. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of multiple not for profit organizations.