Well, we've made it into the post holiday slump.  You know, that time of year when the excitement of Christmas & New Year's have passed & we have to just survive until Spring Break & Memorial Day?  Because of our constant gray skies out here, this can be one of the most difficult times of the year to keep our residents engaged with us & to keep our team spirits up. 

To quell your apprehension, we offer timely ideas for retention! 

Let's start with next week's festivities involving the Superbowl.  If you have a property with a media or theatre room, this one is a no-brainer!  Break out the chips & chili cheese dip, or, if you're limited for funding after your winter gathering, make it a potluck event!  Even better would be to hold a "Kick-off Cook-off," having your residents enter the best thing that they make to fill a "Soup-er Bowl."  Someone on your site team must have a secret recipe for chili or chicken & noodles that they've been holding back.  What a great opportunity to find hidden talents in your team members & residents!  If you wanted to kick this idea up one more notch, why not open up the competition for the surrounding community?  It's a great way to increase some traffic numbers &  make more outside connections, both professional & personal.  Everyone loves a chance to be a shining star!

Secondly,we are about three weeks out from one of the greatest resident recognition opportunity days of the year: Valentine's Day! Are you planning a Valentine's Day reminder for your residents to tell them just how much you really love having them there?  It can be something as simple as a handwritten valentine to each home or taking a few hours to attach silk roses & a thank you card to the doors.  It could be something more complex, like holding a Valentine's Day tea in your clubhouse, or even a whole week of "We Love Our Residents!" based activities.  Endless possibilities means open doors for deep connections!

Remember, when we connect, we retain!

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