{"id":8097,"date":"2024-01-08T14:00:37","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T14:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sage-people-scraping-gb.local\/?p=1125"},"modified":"2025-05-07T14:54:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T13:54:33","slug":"6-ways-to-energize-and-engage-your-employees-this-january","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/6-ways-to-energize-and-engage-your-employees-this-january\/","title":{"rendered":"6 ways to energise and engage your employees in January"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/people-leadership\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">People &amp; Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t6 ways to energise and engage your employees in January\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-8 col-lg-4 entry-header__image\">\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"entry-header__thumbnail js-hero-section\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/01\/GettyImages-902210528-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"entry-header__thumbnail-image\" alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/01\/GettyImages-902210528-1064x810.jpg 1064w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/01\/GettyImages-902210528-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/01\/GettyImages-902210528-1536x1169.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/01\/GettyImages-902210528.jpg 1675w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1064px) 100vw, 1064px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2024-01-08T14:00:37+00:00\">8 January, 2024<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"6 ways to energise and engage your employees in January\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/6-ways-to-energize-and-engage-your-employees-this-january\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/charlottepenny\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/03\/charlotte-penny.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Headshot of Charlotte Penny, looking directly at the camera\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Charlotte Penny<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The post-Christmas slump. The January blues. The winter woes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever you call it, the first month back at work after the holiday season is when motivation can typically be seen to be lower than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees adjust to getting out of bed at a regular time again, or not spending time with their family, and that daily afternoon nap they\u2019ve been enjoying over the festive season is now just a distant memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So how can HR managers and leaders help energise the workforce and motivate your people during January?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Firstly, it\u2019s worth recognising that it might not just be the time of year that\u2019s demotivating your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now is a good time to reconnect with all employees and look at how you create <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/company-culture-expert-tips-experiences\/\">great workforce experiences<\/a> for your people at all times of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People aren\u2019t a resource. They\u2019re individuals with different motivations, interests and talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Companies need to understand these drivers so they can design positive workforce experiences that employees actually want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In our Why your workforce isn\u2019t working research report, for example, fringe benefits such as games in the office, free food and company outings were deemed less important to employees than managers originally thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, whether it\u2019s just the winter woes or something more underlying, here are our six tips for energising and engaging with your employees, and getting they year off to a strong start for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what we cover in this article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#ask\">1. Ask your employees what they want<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#break\">2. Break up work into bite-sized chunks<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#give\">3. Give recognition and rewards<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#get\">4. Get social<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#book\">5. Book in professional development<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#offer\">6. Offer later start times<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#dont\">Don\u2019t just think about engagement in January<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-9b785e67-28a4-4d3f-bd26-898968a630a5\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-9b785e67-28a4-4d3f-bd26-898968a630a5\"\n\t>Download your free copy of The changing face of HR in 2024 and discover what\u2019s keeping HR leaders up at night<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ask\"><strong>1. Ask your employees what they want<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This might seem obvious but in our \u2018Why your workforce isn\u2019t working\u2019 research report, almost half (47%) of respondents said that they have never been asked by their employer how they can improve their working experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And before you say \u2018annual survey\u2019, respondents were pretty scathing of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/annual-engagement-survey-dead\/\">annual employee survey<\/a> \u2013 with 20% saying it was of no benefit to them and neither was it seen as a catalyst for change in the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, banish the January Blues by improving communication and feedback between the workforce and management team, and let the employees voice their needs and preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quick fix&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Encourage team leaders and managers to speak with their teams during the first week back and get them to ask their staff what would motivate them or help them feel more engaged?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An employee might want more training, to refocus role tasks or goals, or to be involved in a different project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"break\"><strong>2. Break up work into bite-sized chunks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The back-to-work-blues are likely to increase procrastination for employees, particularly those prone to a lack of focus at the best of times, so encourage managers to help employees set attainable goals for the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have them break up larger tasks into smaller, more achievable goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quick fix&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get employees working on several smaller tasks rather than one large project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It will be much less daunting and will allow employees to cross off more on their to-do lists, which will boost productivity and increase motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-2c600a19-f15c-4231-9360-8413bf0d2240\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-2c600a19-f15c-4231-9360-8413bf0d2240\"\n\t>Download your free report, The changing face of HR, and discover why &#8216;HR&#8217; is changing to &#8216;People&#8217;<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"give\"><strong>3. Give recognition and rewards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees like to know that their work is making a difference and that managers value their contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your employees know they are appreciated, they are more likely to be committed to the company\u2019s goals and be more productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find a way to acknowledge and give recognition to employees early in the new year. Don\u2019t wait for the annual appraisal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acknowledging employees for a job they have done well that week or month, will make them feel valued and encourages them to continue doing what they do effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quick fix&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simply saying thank you can go a long way and have an overwhelming effect on employee engagement and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get\"><strong>4. Get social<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most people, both the run up to Christmas and the holiday break itself will have been full of social activities and get-togethers with colleagues, friends and family, so January can feel very empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To help generate some energy in the office, you need something for employees to look forward to that will be fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why not organise a social event in January, such as a virtual charity quiz night, or a team-building away day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quick fix&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An extended lunch break on a Friday afternoon will generate excitement among staff and create a feel-good factor across the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Individual managers can decide how they use the extended lunch break within their teams, asking for suggestions so employees feel engaged and valued.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-9b785e67-28a4-4d3f-bd26-898968a630a5\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-9b785e67-28a4-4d3f-bd26-898968a630a5\"\n\t>Download your free copy of The changing face of HR in 2024 and discover what\u2019s keeping HR leaders up at night<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"book\"><strong>5. Book in professional development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Discussing employees\u2019 training and learning opportunities after the holiday season will refocus their attention on their work and get them motivated after the Christmas excitement has died down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quick fix&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider offering a professional development day or online training course early on in the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"offer\"><strong>6. Offer later start times<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adjusting to the early mornings after the lovely lazy Christmas break can be a shock to the system for some employees, especially Gen Z.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So consider offering flexible start and finish times for the first week back for all staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just acknowledging that January is a tough month for staff to be back at work will make employees feel valued; and if they have the option to start a little later, it could make a big difference to their motivation and energy levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quick fix&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Allow staff to have a three-day weekend for the first fortnight back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dont\"><strong>Don\u2019t just think about engagement in January <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employee engagement and creating great workforce experiences which really drive your people isn\u2019t just a January-only issue, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re serious about driving your business, then you need to ask yourself: are you truly a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-a-people-company\/\">People Company<\/a>? This is an organisation which puts its people at the heart of what it does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People Companies know that nurturing their people is critical to growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They let their employees know how valued and important they are to success \u2013 in actions as well as in words. This is reflected in how their employees feel about the company, and the output of their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every month of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was first published in January 2021 and has been updated for relevance<\/em><\/p>\n \n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">The changing face of HR in 2024<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">From process to people, take a peek at the paradoxes facing HR leaders today by downloading this research report.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-9b785e67-28a4-4d3f-bd26-898968a630a5\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download the report<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"647\" height=\"647\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/changing-face-of-HR-cover.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"HR jigsaw\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/changing-face-of-HR-cover.jpg 647w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/employee-engagement\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmployee engagement\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/hr-processes-medium-businesses\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHR processes for medium businesses\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/midsized-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMidsized business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-32306 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-business-support tag-cloud tag-data-analytics tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-productivity tag-reporting business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T12:32:05+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">1 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/is-your-finance-system-holding-back-business-growth\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIs your finance system holding back business growth?\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tLonger close cycles. More spreadsheet workarounds. Reporting that takes longer every quarter, not less. These are the signs a finance system has stopped supporting growth and started limiting it. \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-32304 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-strategy-legal-operations tag-business-costs tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-business-support tag-data-analytics tag-digital-transformation tag-midsized-business tag-reporting tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/from-scorekeeper-to-strategist-how-the-cfo-role-is-evolving\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-4-header-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-4-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-4-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-4-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T12:19:55+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">5 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tFrom scorekeeper to strategist: How the CFO role is evolving\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-32302 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation category-trends-insights tag-business-performance tag-business-support tag-digital-transformation tag-international-trading tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-productivity tag-reporting tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/group-financial-reporting-moving-beyond-the-basic-p-and-l\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-1-header-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-1-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-1-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-1-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T12:10:28+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tGroup financial reporting: Moving beyond the basic P&amp;L\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-32298 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-business-support tag-cloud tag-data-analytics tag-digital-transformation tag-finance tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-reporting tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/group-consolidation-why-it-takes-so-long-and-how-to-fix-it\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-2-header-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-2-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-2-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-2-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T12:00:40+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tGroup consolidation: Why it takes so long and how to fix it\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-32256 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-trends-insights tag-employee-engagement tag-employee-retention tag-hr-processes-medium-businesses tag-hr-process tag-hr-payroll-benefits tag-looking-after-your-employees tag-midsized-business tag-small-business-saturday business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/manager-burnout-hr-support\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-684x384.jpeg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A man poses in front of the Sage glow line and a black background.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-684x384.jpeg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-1440x810.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-28T15:09:40+01:00\">28 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhy are managers under pressure and what can HR do about it?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Energise and engage your employees during the January Blues with our six tips to motivate them and boost productivity after the Christmas break.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1660,"featured_media":6001,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"10","sage_membership_post_content_type":"article","sage_membership_post_featured_video_id":"","sage_membership_post_video_type":"trailer","sage_membership_post_featured_video_duration":"","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[45,240,159],"business_type":[3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[69,71],"imagine_tag":[163,92,217],"coauthors":[406],"class_list":["post-8097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-leadership","tag-employee-engagement","tag-hr-processes-medium-businesses","tag-midsized-business","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Charlotte Penny","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/01\/GettyImages-902210528.jpg","imagine_tags":{"163":"Employee benefits","92":"HR and Payroll","217":"HR processes"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1660"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8097"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8097\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/6001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=8097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}