Tip Eight: Be Involved

As the group's manager, you don't want to disappear on this important day. Circulate and check in with your employees to get the benefit of the ideas that will start flowing when the production clock stops ticking for eight hours. If your budget can manage it, bring in lunch for the team to keep the momentum going and provide some group chat time.

Be a role model by clearing out your own messes and creating a new list of priorities for '09. As you make the rounds, get your team's input on your list. If you forgot something important, they'll get you back on track.