In this season of giving thanks, ask yourself, when’s the last time you thanked an employee? When you think about all the things you’re grateful for, the people who have helped you grow a business should be somewhere on that list. Showing employee appreciation is not only kind, it makes a difference and could improve your bottom line. Here are a few ways to show you care this season and beyond.

Why Employee Appreciation is Important

If you’re a manager or own your own business, you play an integral role in the productivity of your team. Increasing productivity could drastically improve your business. There are many ways to do this, some more involved than others. But one of the easiest ways to engage and motivate your team is to show appreciation.

There are many benefits of positive recognition, including:

• Raising confidence and morale
• Reducing burnout and turnover
• Encouraging continued success
• Increasing engagement and satisfaction in day-to-day experiences
• Improving customer service
• Making a positive impact

How you show appreciation can be as simple or grand as you want it to be. The most important part is that it’s done on a regular basis.

How to Show Appreciation

Employee appreciation is so important that some companies dedicate an entire day to celebrate it. Other companies plan retreats, parties, and offer work perks such as gym memberships. But there are other ways to show appreciation that doesn’t take a lot of planning or funds. These ideas can easily integrate into everyday work processes to keep the productivity flowing. It doesn’t matter if you have a team or two or two hundred, it’s easy to show appreciation with two simple words: thank you. Here are some ways to show you care.

1. Thanks. It doesn’t get much easier than this. A simple “thank you” can make a big difference. You can go the extra mile by sending a personal email, handwritten letter, social media shout-out, or message on the company board. A public show of thanks makes it more special. Call out specific accomplishments and how each team member made an impact. Compile these examples into a presentation to share with the organization and show how everyone is making a difference.
2. Vacation. Even though appreciation is supposed to increase productivity, another way to show you care is by giving your employees time off. Show them you think their time is precious. Give them an extra break during the holiday or after a busy time of year. Encourage them to get out of the office and focus on their family or wellbeing.
3. Education. Show your employees you care about their continuing education by offering free workshops, fun training sessions, tuition reimbursement, or a field trip to a relevant location. These experiences could be virtual or in-person and work or wellness related.
4. Volunteer. Sometimes the best way to help yourself is to help others. Organize volunteer opportunities to give back to your local or global community. It’s another way to bring your team together for the greater good, boost morale, and improve culture. If you can’t get together in person, participate in a virtual event or donate to a specific charity online.

Talk to your team about other ways they would like to feel appreciated. However, the key is in the follow through. You can collect surveys and feedback, but not taking their suggestions into consideration could have the opposite effect.

Keep the Gratitude Going

Improving company culture doesn’t happen overnight, and one day won’t completely transform a team. Implementing a recurring activity brings about more long-term benefits. Even if it’s simply celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other important events. However you celebrate, make it meaningful, heartfelt, and about the people more than the process. Your employees will be able to tell if the celebration is forced or a ploy only to get them to work harder.

When most of the workday is focused on business goals, customer issues, and the daily grind, it’s refreshing to take a step back and recognize those on the front lines making a difference every day. Take some time to focus on those who are responsible for making your business run smoothly and see how it makes your business run better.

Veterans and Military family members are familiar with being thanked for their service to our country. With the opportunity to own a JDog Brands franchise, this gratitude can be passed on to your community and fellow service members. Not only will you be a part of a proven business model, but you can also offer the same benefits to other Veterans. Call 484-324-6444 to find out how easy it to start. You can thank us later.