Is your company Christmas party something employees anticipate or dread? If your company's holiday gathering has turned into a clichéd assembly of bored workers who show up just to get out of work, it may be time for a change. Games and incentives can make for a merry atmosphere, but bringing in motivational speakers can inject energy into a company event and turn it into a positive team-building opportunity.

What do Motivational Speakers Add to Parties?

Many event planners express frustration with the difficulty of improving employee morale during the holidays. This is especially true now when many companies have had dismal years and the staff may not feel like celebrating. You can't force party guests to have fun, so how do you make the festivities festive?

Motivational speakers are all about raising spirits. They know how to get the most stubborn and impassive audience laughing and energetic. Kicking your party off with some rousing entertainment gets the event started on the right footing. Your guests relax and have fun, and your party is a hit.

But motivational speakers are not mere stage entertainers. Their job is not just to evoke cheer, but also to deliver a powerful message. Whether the previous year has been one of record profits, dismal revenues or something in between, a holiday party is a great way to let employees know they are valued and to get them excited about the future.

Is This the Right Time to Throw a Party?

Many organizations are struggling with the decision to hold holiday events this year. With recent outcry against struggling corporations throwing lavish affairs while accepting government bailouts, even small businesses are questioning whether a party is a waste of scarce company resources. Should we have a good time when company finances are shaky?

In fact, this is the ideal time to have a celebration. It is an opportunity to remember the positive things about your organization and the terrific people who work for it. That doesn't mean your party has to be about champagne and caviar. Simple gatherings with punch and cookies, hosted by invigorating motivational speakers, are not company expenses. They are investments in the organization's future.

Celebrations Build Morale

It seems like every month, major business magazines profile an up-and-coming company that is leading their industry. Upon taking a closer look into these companies a common thread emerges -- these companies have systems in place to motivate and honor their employees.

Organizations rise and fall based on the people who work there. It's easy to get distracted by the latest technology or executive strategies or accounting details, but in the end it's about the people. Holiday parties are an opportunity for everyone to get together and remember everyone is part of a team.

Every member of that team is important, and at a holiday event each employee is simply a guest at a party. It's a wonderful chance to strengthen the team, build morale, and remind everyone what the company is all about.

Whether your company's holiday party is a potluck lunch in the conference room or an extravagant soiree at a banquet hall, it is an event that should not be skipped.