Cold season bad for business

The cooler seasons can have a big impact on businesses of any size. The short hours of daylight, the miserable weather and - of course - the dreaded winter cold can reduce staff productivity and morale.

One way that managers can assist staff leadership development is by ensuring that they enjoy a good work-life balance.

Working 60 to 70 hours a week to finish a big project or land a sale may seem like a worthy task, but employees can end up paying for it with their health.

Getting plenty of nutritious vitamins and minerals in the wintertime can also assist workers in fighting off potential colds.

Managers may want to consider making a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables freely available to staff - a move that can also boost overall office morale.

Another move could be to try and engage with workers in positive ways - open encouragement and a positive attitude can help reduce anxiety and may improve workers disposition towards their coworkers.

Finally, encouraging people to take a small amount of time out in the open air - and away from their desk - can provide them with the opportunity to shake the cobwebs loose and refocus, improving productivity.