Inexpensive Employee Appreciation Ideas
by KJ Henderson, Demand Media
Though a small business is the
manifestation of its founder’s dream, it could not be realized without the hard
work and dedication of loyal employees. These individuals perform each of the
day-to-day tasks required for the company to achieve success. There are a
variety of ways in which an entrepreneur can show his gratitude to his best
employee without breaking the bank.
Personalized Note
Words said from the heart are often
more valued than flashy and expensive tokens of appreciation. A business owner
can exhibit how much she values an employee by writing them a thoughtful,
personalized note. The note can be a thank-you message for going above and
beyond the call of duty. It can also be congratulatory, giving them praise upon
the successful completion of a major project. Whatever the reason, it is
important for the manager to detail the accomplishment the employee has
achieved, explaining how the triumph promotes the mission of the organization.
In addition, it should not be sent electronically. A handwritten letter is much
more personal, and it makes a greater impact.
Penny for Your Thoughts
The most creative of gestures often
have the most impact. Employee morale is boosted when employers offer tokens of
appreciation. When morale goes up, so does productivity. This leads to greater
revenue.
A simple way to improve employee morale
is to keep them engaged and reward them for their input. When a team member
contributes a brilliant idea during a meeting, a creative entrepreneur may
choose to privately bestow the inexpensive gift of a shiny new penny upon them.
Though small, offering a penny for an intelligent thought will warm the
employee’s heart and ensure that the ideas keep coming.
Celebratory Meal
A simple and inexpensive way a leader
can show appreciation for her employees is by catering a lunch. This can be
done in celebration of a specific event, such as the closing of a large
business deal, or simply out of the blue. In addition to providing the
employees with extra break time during the business day, this gesture also
offers her and her employees a chance to socialize and get to know each other
on a more personal level. Catering lunch does not have to be an expensive
endeavor. Pizza, for example, is a reasonably priced dish that feeds multiple
people.
Trading Places
Adapted from the human resources
practices at the University of Michigan, another innovative employee
appreciation idea is for a manager to swap tasks with an employee for a day.
This practice provides a couple of benefits. Primarily, it allows the boss to
experience life in the field, possibly leading to positive changes in company
policies and procedures. Secondly, the employee is afforded the opportunity to
take on more responsibility, gaining skills that may previously have been
unattainable for him.
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