Employees are the lifeblood of any company, regardless of its size or industry. While a competitive salary and benefits package may be enough to lure talented individuals to your business, it’s essential to let them know that you also appreciate them. Research shows that employees who feel appreciated are more productive and engaged in their work.
Employees have a higher chance of staying in a company where they feel valued by their colleagues and employers, not even considering their salary. Furthermore, feeling loved by colleagues and employers is essential for job satisfaction. Therefore, it is evident that companies who make an effort to appreciate their employees are more likely to retain them. Your company will experience continuity with resounding success with employee retention skying high.
However, it would help if you mastered the art of providing small tokens of appreciation now and then. Here are a few strategies to help you.
Small Personalized Gifts
A little something goes a long way, especially when it is personalized. Something as simple as a coffee mug with the employee’s name or a keychain with the company logo can make someone feel appreciated. If you want to make more of an effort, you can have rodeo belt buckles customized with their names and job positions to ensure they feel more valued in the workplace.
However, there is a chance they might not find a use for the personalized gifts you offer them. While the thought counts, you might want to ensure that your tokens of appreciation can help them out. As a result, you can provide monetary incentives to let them purchase what they want.
If you want to get a bit more creative, try giving employees gift cards to their favorite restaurant or bookstore so they can avail their desires themselves. However, deliberately asking them about what they want might be your best solution.
Words of Affirmation
Words of affirmation are kind and encouraging words spoken to another person. You can say them in person, write them in a note, or even send an email. A few examples include thanking an employee for a job well done, complimenting them on their professional achievements, or expressing how much you appreciate their contributions to the company.
No matter how you choose to do it, make sure your words are sincere and your tone is genuine. Also, be specific about what you’re complimenting them on so that they know that you’re genuinely paying attention to their work.
Moreover, resist the urge to offer criticism along with your compliments. If you must give criticism, make sure to sandwich it between two compliments, so the employee knows that you still appreciate them despite their shortcomings.
Time Off
Time is a precious commodity, and employees are always looking for more of it. One way to show your appreciation is by giving them extra time off, whether in additional vacation days or half-days on Fridays.
If you can’t afford to give them more time off, you can try to be flexible with their schedules. For instance, you can let them start work a bit later or leave early on certain days. Alternatively, you can offer them the opportunity to work from home one day a week, to have more time.
Either way, you should ensure that they don’t feel like they’re being taken advantage of. Their extra time off should be in addition to their regular vacation days, not instead of them.
Recognition
In today’s competitive world, everyone is looking for recognition. And employees are no different. They want to know that their hard work is being noticed and that their efforts are appreciated.
One way to show your appreciation is by publicly acknowledging their achievements, whether at a company-wide meeting or departmental email. You can also give them a shout-out on social media or write a positive review about them on Glassdoor.
Even something as simple as a handwritten note can go a long way in making an employee feel appreciated. So take the time to write one and let them know how much you value their contributions to the company.
Celebrations
Another way to show your appreciation is by celebrating their big and small successes. Whether it’s an employee’s birthday, work anniversary, or they’ve achieved a significant milestone, take the time to celebrate with them.
You can do this by throwing a party, taking them out for lunch, or even bringing a cake. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something they’ll enjoy, and show them how much you appreciate their work. Of course, you will have to consider if you have the budget for those celebrations.
These are just a few of the many things you can do to show your employees appreciation. You’ll make them feel good about themselves and motivate them to do their best work. So go ahead and start showing your appreciation today!
