Good employees are the lifeline of many small to medium-sized businesses. They can help secure a customer for life or give a bad impression of your products and services.
While it’s nice to reward your employees with bonuses and extra paid time off, sometimes those aren’t realistic options. So how can you show your appreciation on a budget? Here are some examples:
- Handwritten notes. Even in today’s e-mail culture, handwritten notes have a special appeal. Mail a note card to your employees’ home thanking them for their contributions and cite specific examples of things you noticed them do. Bonus points: Send a note to their spouse or children telling them what a great job their loved one is doing.
- Acknowledgement in front of others. Even shy people like to be acknowledged; they just don’t want to have to make a speech after being recognized. Recognize your top performers in meetings or via a company-wide e-mail.
- Celebration of life’s milestones. A birthday, anniversary, or reaching a life goal are great opportunities to celebrate. Offer a cake, send a card or just set aside time to stop by and visit with your employee and celebrate with them.
There are hundreds of ways to celebrate your top employees while staying within a budget. But never underestimate the power of your presence. Hearing your boss tell you that you did a great job can go a long way toward realizing that you are valuable to the team.
What are your favorite ways to reward your employees?
About Reace Smith
