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December is the busiest, most demanding month for cleaning teams—long days, high client expectations, and burnout everywhere. In this episode, Shannon and Jamie break down why staff appreciation is a year-round business strategy, not just a holiday gesture.

Learn low-cost ways to help your cleaners feel seen, valued, and motivated without breaking your budget. We cover burnout, the “glitter policy,” simple recognition ideas, holiday bonus pitfalls, and how to build a structured appreciation plan for 2026.

Whether you have W-2s, 1099s, or both, this episode gives you practical, budget-friendly tools to improve retention, reduce drama, and strengthen your company culture.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why appreciation increases retention and quality
• December burnout + emotional load on cleaners
• The famous “glitter policy”
• Easy, low-cost appreciation ideas ($5 cards, notes, shout-outs, voice memos)
• Public vs private recognition
• Simple bonus structure ideas
• Appreciation pitfalls to avoid (favoritism, one-off big bonuses)
• Building a year-round appreciation calendar for 2026
• How structure creates a stronger company culture

Quick Takeaways:

• Appreciation is a strategy, not a season
• Keep it simple, consistent, and fair
• Low-budget ideas still make a big impact
• Clear expectations prevent resentment and confusion

If you love this episode, please leave a 5-star review—it helps Cleaning Business Life reach more owners.
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Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out.

Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around.

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Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...