Your employees work hard for you, and employee recognition gifts are the perfect way to show them that you appreciate their efforts. Giving a gift to an employee encourages loyalty and lets them know that their work is respected. It helps boost morality, and can help employees work harder, and with more confidence.
It's not always easy, though, to pick an employee recognition gift. In fact, many employers neglect the employee recognition gift as an extra-added expense. You already pay a wage and possibly benefits, what more do they need?
It's true; you'll be spending a little money on something they probably don't need. The thing is, employees go through tough times too, and sometimes need a boost. They might be working on one of the more difficult projects for your company. They might be traveling on long business trips. They make your business run smoothly. Making them feel appreciated gives them reason to keep going, to keep working. Some small, simple gift can give them the reason to stick with you, when there are lean times. Loyalty is important in business.
Budgeting for Recognition Gifts For Employees
For a small or medium business, it might be hard to imagine spending more money on a gift for employees now and again. Gifts don't have to be expensive at all. You can create or buy a memorable, inexpensive gift that means something and it would be worth more to the receiver than if you buy something at random.
For example, if you know that June in accounting loves to read, maybe you can find a really nice gift certificate to a bookshop, or give a bookmark as a gift. This simple, inexpensive item could mean a lot to your employee. It simply shows that you care enough about them to pay attention.
So the recognition gifts for employees don't have to be expensive to be perfect. Something as simple as a card saying, "Thank You" can mean a lot. That card just shows you mean well and that you certainly hope for more good work from them in the future, and the employee will most likely continue and try harder.
So set aside an amount for each employee throughout the year. It doesn't have to be much. Again, it's not how much you spend; it's the thought behind the gift. So you can keep to your budget, as long as you set it, and set something aside.
You can probably keep a few extra gifts lying around on hand; general ones that someone might enjoy, like gift baskets, and you can give when they need it. Maybe there's a big project coming up, and a strict deadline. You can have something on hand to give an employee that boost to keep working hard.
Remember Who You Are Giving It To
With the above example, you'll probably know that not every employee loves books. In fact, you might not know what everyone will like. There are generic gifts that can be personalized as well. However, get to know your employees, when you have time.
You can find out the simple details in every day conversations with your employees. Notice the music they listen to while they are working, where they suggest they might go on vacation, or what the might do after work. Pay attention, write notes if you need to. These tips of information can help when you are picking out gifts.
Understanding your employees helps you to encourage them with just the right gift. When someone needs a little extra recognition for their efforts, let them have it. Some might need more pep than others, but don't neglect everyone else in your group too. Everyone on your team that works hard deserves to be part of the spotlight on occasion.
If you use more generic gifts, you can still personalize it. A keychain with the employee's name inscribed, or a monogrammed pen set can be just as treasured as anything. That touch of customization shows you went out of your way to make them something they will like.
Awards Are Remembered And Treasured
There are certain programs that many companies participate in, like employee of the month, year, or other types of awards. These can benefit your company, because some people will work harder knowing they might be selected for an award and recognition. It can create some friendly competition, when it is run well.
This is a great opportunity to provide a nice gift for employees, and to have them work for it. Awards can be given out for highest sales numbers by an employee, for good work and dedication throughout the year, even something as simple as not having had to call in sick all year. That's commitment and it should be recognized.
Trophies can be made inexpensively and employees treasure them. It is nice to give them something they can take home and keep and to show to family. They can be customized and made unique for an individual.
You can also hang plaques or keep awards at the workplace. Create an awards case or wall. This help encourages other workers, boosts those who were given awards as well. It's a little thing that can make a big difference in confidence in employees.
Award ceremonies are a great way to hand out awards to employees, and can be a great bonding experience for the group. One evening's dinner and a few awards to the right people makes everyone feel like it isn't just about the work, and that as the boss, you care more about them.
With all the available ideas on how to give some appreciation and respect to an employee in the symbol of an award, it is easier these days to shop for a gift. Giving an employee recognition award for a job well done not only encourages the receiver, but those around the receiver as well.
Just don't forget to recognize all of your employees, eventually, for something. You don't want to neglect anyone and make them feel unwanted from the bunch. Sometimes even an employee not doing as well needs a boost of confidence, too. Make it personal, make it unforgettable, but most of all, make it meaningful.
In a busy work world, where deadlines seem tighter, resources are less each day, and the bottom line appears to take priority over people, we put aside the fact that those very same individuals we forget to acknowledge are the ones who make things happen. Oftentimes, perhaps more frequently than I would like to see on a regular basis, I have observed organizations brag about their people and how much they value them. Yet when walking through the door, one could cut the tension with a knife! They do appear to have one thing right, though, at least in theory: without “their people" there is no organization.
However, without necessarily having the intention of hypocrisy, the leaders in these companies keep on pushing the envelope and only recognizing in pompous ways… with “big carrots" during company-wide meetings for those very few fortunate who qualify to even participate in the race for them. Or, in non-profit and government organizations, the fight for status and getting to a higher position becomes the only way they can be recognized for their efforts… but only if they know the right people in high places. “Interesting approaches," I have thought to myself oftentimes, since experts in the field have shown that productivity and outcomes are hugely affected by the daily work environment. And, just like your car and mine, people can go so far without refueling. And where does that fuel come from? Actually, it is much simpler that most of us believe!
Without taking away any merit from involved recognition programs or advancement opportunities because they serve different purposes, remember that employees get jazzed by the simple things that their managers do for them or notice on a daily basis. They also get recharged by the kudos from their peers for a job well done. It is true that different personality styles prefer to be recognized in different ways. Some like public displays and celebrations while others prefer a specific private note or conversation. No matter in what way it happens, humans have one thing in common: we all like to be told that we have done a job well and, preferably, be told why.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines recognition as “to acknowledge or take notice of in some definite way" or “to acknowledge with a show of appreciation." In my experience, as long as it is sincere, timely, and consistent, it does not matter what one does to recognize the work and efforts of others.
Be Sincere and Specific. People can tell a mile away if you have just taken a management course and have been taught that good managers recognize their employees. When (notice I did not write “if") you recognize a staff member, make sure to pick a specific situation. “You did a great job" is typically meaningless for the average worker. So, here is the formula: state what his specific action or contribution was, explain the impact, thank the person for what they have done, and encourage them to continue to share their talents.
Do Not Use the “I don’t have time or money" Excuse. I invite you to think about recognition in a new way: you cannot afford not to do it! First, there are hundreds of books in the market that can give you inexpensive or free ideas of how to say “thank you" to your staff, such as an email with a copy to the “big boss" or a coffee voucher for a cup of java at the local store. Second, every second you invest in your people will yield an unbelievable return that, if done well and from the heart, could produce results off the charts. Think about the best boss you ever had… I bet you that he or she took the time to let you know what you were doing well. And, not only you probably wanted to do an even better job, but, when things did not go quite that right, he or she could afford to deal with the issues openly to make you an even better employee. Follow my win-win in this proposal?
Create a Work Environment Where Recognition is Part of the Culture. Not only this approach will take the weight off you doing all the praising but also will give your employees many more opportunities to be noticed. You cannot be everywhere and there is only one of you! Additionally, by creating a place where everyone feels comfortable telling each other what they are doing right, you are promoting collaboration. People are more likely to help each other when things are not going exactly as they would have expected and are less inclined to use blame and finger pointing by redirecting their energy to solving their problems as a team.
I know that not all of us are “people people," and I have seen my share of managers who were outstanding in their technical field but should have never been promoted into supervisory positions. However, if you do take on the responsibility of supervising, remember that you are dealing with individuals who need a source of motivation, inspiration, and a role model. At the end of the day, we all like to take a paycheck home… Why not do it in a way that makes a difference and makes your employees want to work for you rather than have to?
Article written by Eugenia Tripputi, founder of Global Career Solutions International. For affordable recognition item ideas, visit our website at www.gcsonlinestore.com
Both Dave Davies & Eugenia Tripputi are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dave Davies has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health Insurance, Alternative Medicine and Marriage. Able Trophies is a leader in online awards including and employee recognition gifts. Visit us online for a large line of difference choices to fit any oc. Dave Davies's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Eugenia Tripputi has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interest, Karaoke Music and Hunting. For almost 20 years, Eugenia has held several leadership and managerial positions creating and heading training, professional development, and human resources programs as well as has consulted for Fortune 500 corporations and non-profit agencies in the Un. Eugenia Tripputi's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.