The holiday season is just around the corner. Christmas decorations line the streets, and Starbucks has brought back everybody's favorite Red Cups. Sales teams are in full swing, channeling their energy into closing those final deals of the year. December can feel like a sprint—a race to achieve targets while soaking in the festive spirit.
But it's not all hustle. The holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate wins, inject a sense of play, and create moments your team will talk about well into the new year. With some thoughtful planning (and a sprinkle of SalesScreen magic), you can turn this busy season into something your team will genuinely look forward to. Here's how you can make that happen.
Here Are 9 Ways to Keep Your Sales Team Motivated Through the Holidays
#1 Introduce the Gift Swap Competition
Ready to inject some holiday drama into your sales floor? The Gift Swap Competition is a thrilling way to keep energy high while encouraging participation.
- How it works: Each sales milestone earns a rep the chance to choose a gift—or steal one from a teammate. The gifts can range from small prizes like coffee vouchers to high-value items like a day off or a holiday dinner.
- The fun factor: Add tension with SalesScreen's live leaderboard and animations that mimic the suspense of "catching a Pokémon" (think shaky gift boxes!). Watching a teammate "steal" a coveted gift leaves the room with cheers and groans.
- Make it dynamic: To keep everyone engaged, include twists, like double-point days or wildcard gifts that can't be stolen.
Why it works: This competition blends playful tension with the spirit of giving, turning every milestone into a moment of excitement.
#2 Craft a North Pole Sales Adventure
Why settle for a plain leaderboard when you can transform your sales goals into a holiday-themed journey?
- How it works: Create a visual map with milestones that align with festive destinations, such as "Snowflake Village," "Reindeer Station," and "Santa's Sleigh Depot." Each closed deal or achieved KPI moves the team closer to its final goal.
- Gamify the experience: Add playful milestones to spice up the game—like a leader facing an avalanche delay, singing a carol, wearing elf ears, or opening a bonus-point gift—to keep things fun and competitive.surprise rewards to achieve key targets.
- Celebrate the finish line: When the team reaches the final milestone, "Save Christmas," reward them with a group prize like a holiday feast or an extended lunch hour.
Why it works: This approach combines collaboration with individual recognition, creating a festive, goal-driven adventure that feels personal and fun.
#3 Bring the Spirit of Giving into Sales
The holidays are a time for giving, so let your sales goals make a real-world impact.
- Charity goals: Tie sales milestones to donations. For instance, every deal closed could contribute $5 to a local food bank.
- Team-driven giving: Create a competition where the winner chooses a charity for a company donation.
- Volunteer together: Reward team members who participate in volunteer initiatives, like wrapping gifts for a local shelter or running a holiday fundraiser.
Why it works: Connecting achievements to giving fosters a more profound sense of purpose.
#4 Unwrap the Rewards Advent Calendar
Who doesn't love a surprise? A Rewards Advent Calendar transforms December into a month-long celebration of progress.
- Set the pace: Assign daily or weekly goals, such as "Schedule 5 demos today" or "Close three deals this week." Each achievement unlocks a door in the calendar.
- Surprise rewards: Behind each door, include prizes like extra SalesScreen coins, holiday treats, or even quirky perks like "Choose the next office playlist."
- Encourage consistency: Offer a grand prize for those who hit every goal for the week or the month—building momentum throughout December.
Why it works: The element of surprise keeps motivation high, while the structure encourages steady effort.
#5 Host a Holiday Sales Showdown
There's nothing like a little friendly competition to ignite the holiday spirit.
- You can try the themes: "8 Days of Deals," where daily progress earns points, or "Snowball Sales Sprint," which focuses on calls, emails, or demos.
- Spice up the prizes: Offer a mix of festive rewards, such as gift cards, holiday baskets, or donations to the winner's favorite charity.
- Build camaraderie: Include team-based challenges, pitting "Santa's Helpers" against "Reindeer Wranglers" to spark collaboration and fun.
Why it works: Contests tap into natural competitiveness while fostering camaraderie, making sales a shared experience.
#6 Fuel Festive Spirit with Video Celebrations
Celebrating wins is even more special during the holidays. Use SalesScreen to create personalized, holiday-themed video shoutouts.
- Add festive flair: Encourage your team to update their celebration videos with holiday-themed songs! Bring the seasonal spirit by swapping out the usual tunes for something festive. Let's spread holiday cheer with music that captures the vibe of the season in every celebration!
- Curate motivation: Share holiday-themed motivational videos during team meetings or huddles. Think about clips from classic holiday movies or inspiring speeches.
- Highlight the year: Compile a montage of the team's achievements and play it during an end-of-year celebration.
Why it works: These videos make achievements feel personal and festive, adding an emotional touch to recognition.
#7 Add Holiday Flair to KPIs
Small details can make a significant impact. To inject some cheer into everyday tracking, give your metrics a festive twist.
- Examples:
- Deals Closed = “Presents Delivered”
- Revenue = “Holiday Cheer Generated”
- Calls Made = “Snowballs Thrown”
Why it works: Creative touches make routine tasks fun and engaging.
#8 Run an End-of-Year Awards Show
Close the year with a bang by hosting a Holiday Awards Ceremony.
- Plan your categories: From "Top Performer" to "Holiday Hustler," include awards that celebrate various contributions.
- Go all out: Use themed trophies, holiday music, and festive snacks to create a memorable experience.
- Pair it with fun: Add lighthearted categories like "Best Holiday Sweater" to keep the mood festive.
Why it works: Recognition and celebration boost morale and create lasting memories.
#9 Boost Collaboration with Team Challenges
Bring your team together with group-based competitions.
- Ideas to try: Assign teams to winter-themed challenges like "Blizzard Brigade vs. Frost Force" or "Ice Breakers vs. Polar Pioneers," where they collaborate to hit sales goals. For a skiing twist, consider names like "Frozen Flyers" or "Northern Lights Crew" to keep the theme fresh and fun!
- Celebrate together: Reward winning teams with shared prizes, like lunch outings or holiday-themed swag.
Why it works: Team-based activities encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective wins.
The Gift of Engagement to Motivate Sales Team
With creativity and the right tools, you can turn December into a time of connection, celebration, and success. The Gift Swap Competition, in particular, captures the joy and suspense of the season, ensuring that your team ends the year on a high note.
🎁 Happy Holidays from SalesScreen!
