10 Creative Ideas for Showing Appreciation to Your Staff

The post 10 Creative Ideas for Showing Appreciation to Your Staff appeared first on The Founding Moms.

Since your staff is the backbone of your business, it makes sense to reward their hard work with a token of your appreciation. If you go about it in the right way, your workplace could receive all sorts of benefits.

Does Your Staff Feel Appreciated?

Enjoyable experiences in the office are essential. If you know how to create a happy work environment, you can make your staff feel more fulfilled and involved in their work. Sometimes, the only difference between a productive and a disengaged worker is recognition.

Although rewards are usually effective, employers must know how to use them correctly. A 2022 poll discovered only 26% of employees feel their bosses give out recognition fairly. Many believe their higher-ups experience favoritism and get shown a disproportionate level of appreciation.

Although most entrepreneurs have the advantage of smaller teams — meaning no unfair hierarchy — many still do not know how to properly show their staff appreciation. If they want to continue to succeed, change is vital.

How Can You Show Your Staff Appreciation?

There are plenty of ways to show your staff you appreciate their hard work without throwing a mundane pizza party. Here are some creative alternatives you can try out.

1.   Get Them Personalized Awards

Gifting a custom plaque or pedestal is one of the best ways to reward employees because it reminds them of their hard work. You can make the reward more personal by engraving a specific name, job title or achievement into it. If you want to honor multiple people, consider getting one for an ongoing employee-of-the-month program.

2.   Send Custom Word Clouds

Most people like to see the value of their hard work, making a word cloud the perfect way to show appreciation. Your staff will enjoy seeing every positive metric and comment they have ever received all in one place. If you want to add extra encouragement, include a personal message alongside the picture.

3.   Upgrade Their Workspaces

Upgrading your staff’s workspaces can mean anything you need it to. If you have the budget for new monitors, keyboards or desk speakers, your employees are sure to love them. However, they will also enjoy mousepads, wrist rests or organizers — whatever aligns with your budget and their needs is best.

4.   Host an Office Party

Sometimes, giving out rewards to some makes others feel underappreciated. To avoid leaving people out, show your appreciation to everyone at once. An office party is a collective bonding experience.

You could take your employees to a concert, karaoke or laser tag. If you are working with a smaller budget, offer to organize and cover indirect expenses like transportation and meals. Alternatively, you can host a potluck and have everyone bring their favorite food.

5.   Surprise Them With a Bonus

Every employee appreciates an extra unexpected addition to their paycheck. If you want to show your staff you appreciate their hard work, consider surprising them with a bonus. Even if you are on a budget, a small amount of cash tucked in a thoughtful card goes a long way.

6.   Treat Them With Lunch

Although office pizza parties are a well-known joke, you should not dismiss the concept entirely. After all, most people enjoy having a free treat at work to brighten their day. You can bring in snacks, provide lunch or give them vouchers to a nearby restaurant.

7.   Bring Everyone Caffeine

Most people start their day with a coffee or tea. If you want to show your staff your ongoing appreciation, consider bringing them all their favorite drink every Monday morning. It can excite them to come to work after the weekend and encourage them to arrive on time.

8.   Send Personalized Gifts

A personalized gift shows you care about your employees. Find something around $25 you think they will enjoy. Incorporate their favorite colors or activities if you can. If you know little of their hobbies or interests, treat them with something you can never have too much of — things like books, office supplies, candles or gift cards.

9.   Give Them Flexibility

If your staff is doing well, consider awarding them with work-from-home days, extra paid time off, mental health breaks or a long weekend. They will appreciate your flexibility and understanding. If you work in a fast-paced industry and cannot freely give time off that easily, try to schedule it around the holidays — clients and customers are more understanding then.

10.  Offer Professional Improvement

Most employees who work for startups and entrepreneurs would appreciate professional development courses. For example, you could sign them up for The Founding Moms membership to provide them with an extensive video learning library and a supportive community.

Why Should You Reward Your Employees?

Your employees are vital to your business, so making them feel valued and essential is crucial. While pats on the back and words of encouragement usually work, sometimes you need to put more effort in.

The productivity of your staff is foundational to your continuous growth. After all, sales are crucial to business success in the long term. Fortunately, giving them a small gift or thoughtful note now translates to a happier and more productive workplace in the future. Also, it can boost loyalty and retention rates.

When Should You Show Your Appreciation?

Usually, the best time to show your staff you appreciate their hard work is after you land a huge sale, accomplish something new or get through a challenging period. People are much more responsive to — and appreciative of — positive reinforcement in these scenarios. However, it is entirely up to your discretion. If you feel like rewarding them, go ahead and do so.

Show Your Employees You Care

A small effort on your part could improve your workplace morale, boost productivity and strengthen the ties between your workers. If you are wary about splurging or have a smaller budget, consider these gifts to be low-risk, high-reward investments. Ultimately, the returns will be worth it.

 

Eleanor Hecks is the founder and managing editor of Designerly Magazine. She’s also a web design consultant with a focus on customer experience and user interface. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dogs, Bear and Lucy. Connect with her about marketing, design and/or tea on LinkedIn!

The post 10 Creative Ideas for Showing Appreciation to Your Staff appeared first on The Founding Moms.