Everyone loves a little recognition, but it's more important than ever when it comes to the workplace. Employee appreciation is an art that creates tangible value for your business. And it's an investment that strengthens team performance and continually enhances your professional relationships.
In the book "The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace," co-author Paul White states that 88% of employees leave their company not for money but due to a lack of appreciation. In the age of remote work, companies need to say and do more than a simple thank you.
As employees struggle with burnout and low morale and feel disconnected in an increasingly remote-first workplace, employee recognition and appreciation are integral parts of the new world of work.
If your organization keeps recognition at a minimum, you may be missing out on an opportunity to boost your bottom line. Here are three ways that employee appreciation will benefit you:
Increased Engagement, Decreased Turnover
An engaged workforce feels connected to your organization, performs better, stays with you longer, and motivates others to do the same.
But what exactly is employee engagement? At Saul Good Gift Co., we measure it as the strength of your team's emotional and mental connection toward the work they deliver, the people they work with, and the organization they serve. Engaged employees continually outperform those who rank low in engagement, which directly impacts your bottom line.
Enter appreciation and recognition as clever tools to boost these links further. Employees who feel appreciated consistently rank higher in engagement scores. According to Gallup, the number one reason most people leave their jobs is a lack of recognition.
Making real-time recognition an important priority is an ongoing investment in your company's success and demonstrates your continued support of your team's success and growth.
Improved Satisfaction & Team Culture
In recent years, company culture has become a high priority for organizations, employees, and those on the job market. As the great resignation continues to shape the post-COVID world of work, company culture remains a top component that attracts and retains top talent.
It should come as no surprise that a sophisticated or consistent recognition program is essential for creating a positive work culture.
Recognition at work remains one of the top drivers in attracting candidates (Willis Towers Watson). But employer-to-employee appreciation isn't the only type of recognition important to your team. Employee-to-employee appreciation is a vital component of excellent company culture too. Peer-to-peer recognition improves colleague relationships, builds team confidence and trust, and fosters a greater sense of purpose and meaning.
And with wellbeing at the forefront of the workplace now, more than ever, employee appreciation and recognition also contribute to lower stress levels at work.
Higher Loyalty & Satisfaction Scores from Customers
Employee appreciation doesn't just affect your team–your customers will feel it too! Employees who feel appreciated and purpose-led at work go above and beyond for their customers.
They will notice an improvement in customer service, experience, and satisfaction when your team feels valued. The benefits reverberate outward, and your customers will most definitely hear, see and feel the good vibes.
Employee Appreciation 101 - 3 Tips On How To Appreciate
Consider Their Personality Type
Every employee welcomes appreciation differently. While some prefer to be appreciated publicly, other, more introverted employees would much rather be valued with more subtlety. Identifying the employee's personality type is the first step in making the appreciation process personal and long-lasting.
When it comes to teams, appreciation is best done publicly. A lot can shift when you set time aside and make appreciation a priority for your business. It encourages this type of behaviour, so that your team is more likely to echo gratitude amongst themselves. It can also help dissolve office politics and prevent turnover.
Variety Is The Spice of Life
Employee recognition is often linked to big metrics or achievements. But acclaim can easily be shared for smaller moments where employees put in extra hours, go above and beyond, or simply succeed at planning a small event. Recognizing effort, big or small, contributes to a culture of appreciation that permeates throughout the organization. Knowing that your employer is grateful for you displays just how much intrinsic value you bring to the team.
Make It Specific & Personal
An extraordinary corporate gift is more than an obligatory gesture. It is an opportunity to nurture meaningful and memorable connections. Make the gift experience all about the recipient and get specific about why you are recognizing them. If you are appreciating your hard-working team, it is great to focus on what they specifically did and how this created value for you.
Personalize the message by using the recipient's name and by using "I" statements. This creates a sense of direct personal connection. You can further personalize your message by referencing a shared experience or a specific attribute of the recipient.
For example: Joe - Thank you for your excellent design work on our latest project. Your creativity and attention to detail helped me build rapport with our clients. I am grateful that you're part of our team, and I look forward to working together on some other great projects.
The value of employee appreciation is powerful. Whether you're starting small or expanding your appreciation strategy, more is always more in this part of your corporate strategy. If you need help developing your employee gifting strategy, feel free to reach out to a member of our team at info@itsaulgood.com or 1 (800) 848-6102 for additional guidance and information.