Did you appreciate at least one employee today?  And if you did, was it a dismissive “thanks” or something more genuine, heartfelt, or dare we say unique?

If the team here at YES! Your Human Resources Solution has told you one thing, it’s that your company’s greatest resource is its human resource: its employees.  So by now you should know that your employees work hard, they make your company run, and they want to feel valued for their efforts.  Recurring recognition makes employees feel more satisfied with their jobs, and if employees don’t feel properly appreciated, they’re going to look for that appreciation somewhere else.  So if you want to keep your employees on board, stop before you dribble out that perfunctory “thanks” (or worse, offer no recognition at all).  Really sit and think about ways you can make your employees feel special.  We’ll get you started on some ideas.

• Send a thank-you note.  In this electronic age, something as simple as a handwritten thank-you note can really catch an employee off guard, in a good way.  An employee can proudly pin this personalized effort to a bulletin board or a cubicle wall, look at it, and feel good about a job well done, long after receiving the note.  For an added element of surprise, mail the note to the employee’s home address.
• Give praise at the staff meeting.  Most companies have all-staff or division meetings on a regular basis, whether weekly or monthly.  Take this time to publicly recognize those team members who have done an excellent job that week (or month).  You can even solicit “nominations” from fellow team members about who deserves special praise.  That makes everyone feel like part of the process, gives those people you’re recognizing a special ego boost, and offers motivation across the board.
• Offer tangible recognition.  Restaurant and coffee gift cards make great recognition gifts, but what could you do that’s beyond the typical tangible gift?  Think about personalized recognition.  A plaque or a small trophy specifically designed to recognize an employee or a department for their hard work will be the gift that keeps on giving.  This is like an amped-up version of the handwritten thank-you note, in that employees can proudly display their plaque/trophy and be reminded of their appreciation whenever they look at it.  You could even consider a Stanley Cup sort of trophy—a grander affair that’s inscribed with the names of top performers each month or quarter.  Think “employee of the month” photo with a twist.
• Hold a wrap-up celebration.  At the end of the year or the end of a large project, a wrap-up celebration is a great way to recognize a group of employees for a job well done.  Try thanking employees with a catered breakfast or lunch.  Offer special recognition for major contributors or employees who went out of their way to get the job done.  For an extra bit of fun, try working a theme into the event—retro, international, on the farm—and decorate accordingly.

Have we gotten your wheels turning on creative ways to recognize your employees?  If you ever get stuck in the creativity phase, just remember one thing: be sure to recognize your employees genuinely and often.  Trust us, they won’t need their minds blown over the uniqueness behind the recognition—they just want to be appreciated for the hard work they do.  A simple heartfelt “thank you” is always a powerful phrase and could work wonders to keep your top performers loyal and happy.

If employee recognition or employee retention is a struggle for your company, let the HR consultants at YES! Your Human Resources Solution lend a hand.  Backed by over 20 years of Human Resources experience, we can assist with innovative ways to keep your employees satisfied and on board.  So when you’re ready to discover the power of saying “YES!”, visit our website or contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can help your business thrive into the future!