When it comes to acts of appreciation, they can be shouted from the rooftops for all to hear or even jotted down a sticky note next to the computer. The important thing is, no matter how large or small your appreciation ideas for employees, the more you show gratitude, the more your company culture will improve as a result.
Everyone wants to feel recognized for the work they do. And studies have shown that employee turnover rates can be reduced by more than 30% when a company fosters an environment of team appreciation. By showcasing your gratitude on a regular basis, you keep your company culture strong and productive.
But what’s the best way to show your employees how much they mean to you and your organization?
You might be surprised that you don’t have to take everyone to Disney. Appreciation ideas for employees can be small, grand, creative, and budget-friendly. All it takes is a little creativity and a keen understanding of the people that make up your team.
Who likes to be acknowledged publicly with the whole team? Who prefers a simple gift card? Whose work has gone so above and beyond that it warrants a party? It all boils down to the individuals that make your company tick.
So since November is Gratitude Month, let’s show your employees just how much they mean by choosing unique appreciation ideas for employees that everyone will love.
Keep It Simple with Thank You Notes
Take the idea of “One Size Fits All” and throw it out the window. Because as all strong managers know, some of the most productive teams are actually the most diverse.
That means there are individuals who might not like to be singled out with a big display of appreciation. Instead, having an excellent interpersonal relationship with those employees is key to successfully appreciating them.
For example, you may have a teammate who has mentioned they don’t like surprises. Perhaps you’ve noticed they shy away from company events or only stay for a short time. For team members who don’t care to be in the spotlight, an office-wide shindig is not the way to go. Instead, do something smaller and more personal.
Thank-you notes may seem cliché but they work. Providing thanks is more than just saying a set of words. True thanks is fueled by appreciation for an employees’ talent and team spirit.
Choose simple thank-you stationary that’s blank on the inside. Short, handwritten sentiments mean a lot more than signing your name in a card with a pre-written message. Use classic phrases like:
“Thank you for all your hard work!”
“Your work and dedication are appreciated more than you know.”
“You. Are. Great!”
It’s even better when you can get more specific:
“Your efficiency this quarter has resulted in more packages delivered on time than any previous year! Well done!”
Of course, only you are going to know what to say and how to say it. So tap into the relationships you’ve built and make it count.
Add a Little Extra
While being acknowledged means a lot, getting a perk like a gift card can sweeten the moment. To support other local businesses in your community, we suggest selecting a gift card from a favorite shop, cafe, restaurant, or even your local grocer. (Who doesn’t like to splurge on a fresh baguette or some decadent dark chocolate every once in a while?)
You don’t have to spend big bucks; even a small amount gifted to each individual says a lot. And you’ll find this budget-friendly approach may be just right for your quieter or more introverted employees. They’ll appreciate that you knew their preferred way to be recognized.
Appreciation Doesn’t Have to be Costly
If you’re looking to appreciation ideas for employees on a larger scale, know that it doesn’t need to cost you an arm and a leg. On the contrary, some of these ideas don’t cost any money at all.
You can add to the company culture of appreciate by:
- Offering free coffee or juices
- Giving opportunities to log off early on holidays
- Or even just having an informal sit down to hash out suggestions.
These small acts really go a long way towards making your team, and their opinions, feel appreciated 24/7.
If your team likes to gather together, consider a company-wide meeting to call out employee wins. It gets everyone involved in the appreciation and in providing a well-earned round of applause. Just be sure to signal that every team member’s work is important to the organization and employees being specifically recognized have gone above and beyond.
Potlucks Over Pizza Parties
There’s nothing like a good party to help keep your team development on track. Whether it’s celebrating a birthday, career milestone, company goal, or holiday, a good party is the ticket. And if you want to make it really special, consider going with a potluck.
While it puts the responsibility on your team to bring in dishes, you’ll likely be surprised by the excitement. Everyone has a signature dish they like to make. It could be Buffalo chicken dip, meatballs, baked ziti, fresh salsa, homemade bread, smoked salmon, hummus, who knows! The point is, if you can name it, someone can make it.
What you get is a smorgasbord of delicious foods everyone can share. Instead of buying thirty pizzas, having a potluck saves money and allows your team to showcase aspects of themselves you might not even know about. It’s a chance to share recipes, stories, and appreciation while enjoying delicious food they’ve made for one another.
Pay it Forward
Want a similar effect without having everyone in the same room? Create a small, employee appreciation gift bag filled with swag, local goodies, or even specialty candy. Send it around the office, having each team member pass it along to another until the bag is empty. Employees can even get in on the fun by helping to fill the bag beforehand.
If this feels like a success, try integrating a weekly treat into the schedule. No one likes coming in on Mondays? Change that by dropping in with yogurt, pastries, and coffee available to your team once they walk in the door. Maybe you could buy some waffle machines and make Waffle Wednesdays a thing. It’s really up to you, your budget, and your imagination.
But these types of consistent, weekly treats can help employees feel a stronger sense of belonging (and fun!) that translates into their work. Building up a connected culture also makes your employees your best ambassadors when it comes to recruiting more talent in the future. When your company is a great place to work, people want to work for you!
Over the last 40 years, Masiello’s talented team of matchmakers has been working hard to match exceptional candidates with awesome organizations, like yours, in Southern Vermont, the Monadnock Region, and Western Massachusetts. If you’re looking to grow your team, call us at 603-358-1000 or visit our offices on Elm Street in Keene on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. We can’t wait to talk more!
