Ashok Paudel, MBA, PMP, CSM’s Post

After the holiday festivities, the grand "circling back after the New Year" can feel like a mix of excitement and chaos. It’s easy to get distracted by shiny new projects or feel overwhelmed by the workload ahead. I’ve enjoyed sharing holiday stories and well wishes with my customers and co-workers, but it always takes a few days to regain focus and settle into a productive routine. Right now, I’m using Chat-GPT to timebox my tasks and initiatives, which helps me pace my efforts while allocating time for reflection and planning. As we step into 2025, I’m excited about the big goals and challenges that await us, particularly a year of anticipated growth and change in the Asia Pacific Market. I firmly believe in the mantra: “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast.” To me, this means slowing the pace enough to solidify our plans before executing them with purpose. I plan to stay thoughtful and intentional as we navigate this year, embracing the opportunities and challenges that come our way. What strategies or tools do you use to refocus after the holidays?

Have you had your festive party yet? 🎄 We all love a good holiday party—who doesn’t enjoy the chance to relax, celebrate, and connect with teammates over some festive treats?  But while a great end-of-year bash is fun, there are other things that truly make a lasting impact on your staff. ✨Recognition and Appreciation Taking the time to thank each team member for their hard work, resilience, and contributions throughout the year is worth more than any gift or party favour. Simple acts of recognition can fuel motivation and remind everyone why they’re valued. ✨ Flexibility and Time Off The holidays are a busy season for everyone. Granting flexibility in schedules and supporting well-deserved time off shows employees that their well-being matters and encourages a healthier work-life balance. ✨ Career Development Opportunities Investing in growth opportunities, whether through training, mentorship, or goal-setting, demonstrates that the company is committed to employees’ futures, not just their current roles. ✨ Transparent Communication With the new year around the corner, sharing plans, goals, and updates helps everyone feel involved and aligned with the direction of the company. So while we’ll raise a glass and enjoy the holiday spirit, let’s also remember what really matters: creating an environment where each team member feels appreciated, empowered, and inspired for the year ahead. 🍾🌟 Happy holidays, and here’s to a brighter, more fulfilling year together! (Image Source - Canva Pro, by LuckyBusiness)

🎄🐾Officially Promoted !!! 🐾🎅🏻 Christmas 2024: My puppy, Coffee, has officially been promoted to Chief Holiday Officer (CHO), and he’s already implemented a foolproof strategy for maximum festive success: 1️⃣ Bark at the Tree Every tree needs a robust security system, and Coffee’s constant barking ensures no squirrel, delivery driver, or rogue ornament gets too close. Lesson: Stay vigilant, and your efforts will get noticed (and rewarded with treats). 2️⃣ Guard the Presents Forget motion sensors—Coffee ensures every gift under the tree remains intact… unless, of course, it smells like bacon. His motto? ‘Protect with loyalty, but inspect for snacks.’ Lesson: Sometimes you need to unwrap opportunities to find hidden value. 3️⃣ Pose for Photos Coffee knows that looking cute in holiday photos guarantees extra cuddles and social media fame. Lesson: Presentation is everything—especially when angling for bonus belly rubs. 4️⃣ Strategic Naps The hustle of the holidays requires rest. Coffee’s well-timed snoozes under the tree remind us all that even top performers need to recharge. Lesson: Work hard, nap harder. Here’s to learning from Coffee’s paw-fect holiday playbook as we head into 2025. May your holidays be merry, bright, and filled with as much joy as a dog chasing wrapping paper! 🐾 Wishing you a tail-wagging Christmas and a pawsperous New Year! 😗Just continuing my quest of flooding your Linkedin feed periodically with portraits of my dogs

As we juggle year-end goals, holiday festivities, and the joy (and chaos) that comes with it all, finding harmony can feel like a magic trick. But at WORK Lakes Region, we’re here to help you finish the year strong and smoothly, offering inspiring solutions to keep you focused, productive, and balanced through it all. Here’s a quick peek at what’s waiting for you: Finding Harmony in the Holiday Hustle - https://lnkd.in/gx9SVra8

Wrapping Up the Year While Staying on Duty As the year winds down and most of you prepare for festive holidays, I find myself embracing a different rhythm. One that doesn't pause for the season. As a matter of fact, I will be among the people that makes it possible for the majority to create a memorable festive season. As a customer support enthusiast, the holiday season is my time to shine. While others take a break, I gear up, ensuring guests I interact with experience the magic of the #season, whether they're celebrating far from home or taking a much-needed getaway. It’s a privilege to be part of those memorable moments. They include organizing special requests, handling last-minute changes, and being the calm in the midst of holiday hustle and bustle. This role teaches resilience, adaptability, and the joy of delivering excellence, no matter the time of year. So, to my fellow #professionals working through the festivities: thank you for your dedication. And to everyone else enjoying their time off: know that behind the scenes, someone is always ready to make your moments unforgettable. Wishing you all a season filled with warmth, cheer, and a renewed sense of purpose as we step into the new year! Your LinkedIn buddy, Peris Wangui . #CustomerSupport #Customercareexecutive #customersuccess #HolidaySeason #EndOfYearReflection #CustomerExperience #customercare #customerservice

Agility & Christmas: A Perfect Holiday Harmony... In case you are among the people who think that "agile is something I can never relate to or apply in my daily life", check out the shared themes below and think twice: 🚚 Preparation and Flexibility: 🔀 Just like agility requires quick thinking and adaptability, preparing for Christmas often involves being flexible with plans and ready to handle unexpected changes. Planning menus, booking flights and getting presents ahead… or stocking up on popular items, extending store hours, promotions and having a contingency plan for supply chain disruptions - these are all things to consider as an individual or a business, trying to battle the holiday rush. 🤼 Teamwork: ☃️ Both agility in a work environment and Christmas celebrations often involve collaboration and teamwork to achieve the best results. Encourage collaboration among your relatives or employees to ensure smooth operations. This could include team-building activities, clear communication channels, and recognizing the efforts of staff who go above and beyond during the busy season. ☃️ Joy and Celebration: 🎉 Agility can bring a sense of accomplishment and joy when goals are met efficiently, much like the joy and celebration that come with the Christmas season. Create a festive atmosphere for your family, employees and customers. Decorate, play holiday music, offer special promotions or events that spread holiday cheer. This can boost morale and enhance the everyone's experience and happiness.  🔍 Continuous Improvement: 💡 Just as agility focuses on iterative progress and continuous improvement, each Christmas season often brings new ideas and traditions, enhancing the celebration year after year. Whether it's refining your holiday recipes or finding better ways to decorate, there's always room for growth and innovation. Use the holiday season as an opportunity to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement - this could be a refined marketing strategy, improved customer service, or optimizations in logistics - there's always room to grow and innovate. By applying these themes, everyone can not only navigate the holiday season more effectively but also create a positive and memorable experience for each person involved. 🎄🏢✨ What do you think? Do you see any other connections between the two? 👀

🎄 December: A Month of Reflection and Resolution.. As we step into the final month of the year, December becomes more than just a festive season—it’s a time for us to reflect on the year gone by and prepare for what lies ahead. 🌟 In the workplace, it’s the perfect moment to: Wrap up pending projects and tie up loose ends. Set goals for the upcoming year, ensuring a clear and strategic start to January. 1). Celebrate achievements—big or small—and express gratitude to the team for their hard work and dedication. 2). Plan for growth, focusing on professional development and opportunities to innovate. 3). End-of-Year Celebrations Don’t forget to make time for some festive fun! Celebrate accomplishments together and foster a culture of mutual trust and friendship. December reminds us that every end is also a new beginning. Let's use these last weeks to finish strong, and recharge for an even better year ahead. How are you wrapping up your work year? Share your tips or reflections in the comments! ✨ #DecemberGoals #YearEndReflections #WorkplaceMotivation #TeamSuccess

🎉✨ Holiday Party Dos and Don’ts!🎄🥳 The holiday season is a wonderful time to celebrate with colleagues, but let’s make sure your office party is a hit! Here are some key dos and don’ts to keep in mind: 🎊 Do: 1. Be Inclusive: Consider everyone’s preferences and backgrounds when planning activities and menu options. 2. Dress Code: Communicate a clear dress code to set the tone—whether it's festive, casual, or formal! 3. Engage Everyone: Plan activities that encourage participation and interaction among all team members. 4. Express Gratitude: Take a moment to acknowledge your team’s hard work and contributions throughout the year. 🚫 Don’t: 1. Overindulge: Keep alcohol consumption in moderation. Remember, it’s a professional setting! 2. Exclude Anyone: Avoid cliques and ensure everyone feels welcome to join in the festivities. 3. Get Too Personal: Maintain professionalism in conversations; steer clear of sensitive topics. 4. Forget Follow-Up: After the party, share a recap or photos to keep the holiday spirit alive! Let’s celebrate the season together while keeping it fun and professional. Happy holidays! 🎁❤️ #HolidayParty #OfficeCelebration #TeamSpirit #WorkplaceFun #DosAndDonts

Coming out of Thanksgiving, it's time to get back into the groove and make the most of our workdays. Especially Mondays. When we're our freshest. The last few years have taught me a few key practices that keep me focused and productive: → Start with a clear plan → Prioritize high-impact tasks → Take regular breaks → Maintain a clutter-free workspace → Stay hydrated and nourished → Set boundaries for screen time and collaboration And end each day with reflection. Simple, but it works. After all the holiday festivities, getting back to basics is what helps me regain my momentum and move toward my goals. What are some of your go-to strategies for getting back on track after a break? 💫

Today, I had the joy of hosting a Christmas party for my team at home. It was incredible to see everyone make the effort to drive a long way, not for a meeting or a deadline, but simply to connect. As we laughed, reminisced about our team's history, and reflected on how far we’ve come, it struck me: in the whirlwind of everyday tasks and deadlines, we rarely go beyond a quick “Hi, how’s it going?” Moments like these remind me why our work matters—not just the what we do but the who we do it with. These are the people who make long days feel lighter, who collaborate selflessly, and who embody the “no jerk policy” that has helped our culture thrive, even as we grow exponentially. Seeing smiles across the room instead of heads buried in laptops was a refreshing change. It reaffirmed that it’s people and connections that turn hard work into something fulfilling. So, this holiday season, I encourage everyone to pause. Take time to celebrate your wins, reflect on your journey, and connect with your teams—not just as colleagues, but as humans. Because at the end of the day, there’s no “I” in team, and the success of any organization is built on the strength of its people working together. Happy Holidays, everyone! Let’s keep the spirit of connection alive. 🎉✨