As leaders, we have an abundance of resources at our disposal to ensure that no employee feels undervalued or demotivated. Creating an appreciative work culture requires commitment and focus, but it need not be overly complicated.
In fact, not only will it make you feel good, but there are also tangible business benefits such as increased staff loyalty and satisfaction, higher engagement levels, and improved productivity that lead to driving business performance.
Here are five impactful ways to show your employees that you appreciate them today:
1. Recognise the value of each team member.
All too often, businesses only celebrate their top performers or career-related milestones, but as leaders, we must find ways to extend recognition to the entire workforce. Be creative in your approach and look for opportunities to celebrate individuals, teams, or departments. Doing so will not only drive appreciation, but it will also foster stronger team bonds and deepen everyone’s commitment to the organisation and its cause.
2. Customise your gestures.
Research shows that 35% of employees prefer receiving rewards featuring their employer’s logo. This demonstrates that employees appreciate a personalised touch. To maximise the impact of your employee recognition tactics, consider tailoring them. An easy way to start is to simply incorporate your logo onto gift cards or personalise your digital reward offerings with customised messages or video recordings to make the gesture event more meaningful.
3. Embrace flexibility.
A recent study found from BHN, found that 32% of employees are looking for roles offering either fully remote work or a hybrid arrangement for improved work-life balance. Show your appreciation by accommodating their preferences, where possible. Offer options such as late starts, early departures, or extended lunch breaks, showing that you prioritise their well-being and value their individual needs.
4. Plan a team-building activity.
Treating employees to a company-sponsored activity creates stronger connections among team members and with the company itself. The beauty of this gesture lies in its versatility – there’s something for everyone! While tailoring activities to your team’s preferences is ideal, here are some inspiring ideas to kickstart your planning:
– Embark on an escape room challenge, combining teamwork and problem-solving.
– Reconnect with nature through outdoor adventures like hiking or zip-lining.
– Bond over a shared culinary experience with cooking classes.
– Or make a difference together with a charity day, volunteering at a local charity or project.
5. Address cost-of-living concerns.
With 95% of consumers feeling the pinch of rising costs, employers face mounting pressure to provide support. Consider offering appreciation rewards tailored to your employees’ needs. For instance, to aid the 70% of workers worried about grocery expenses, consider providing an eGift code that can be spent at grocery stores to help with their weekly food purchases.
BHN’s One4all multi-choice gift card can be spent in over 180 brands nationwide and online, so employees can choose to redeem the gift card value for a purpose that matters most to them.
This little gesture will go a long way when it comes to employee loyalty!
It’s important to note that the strategies outlined above should not be reserved for a quick fix when employees are already feeling low. Instead, they should be part of a clear strategy to keep morale high throughout the year.
Research underscores the significance of continuous recognition, with 35% of employees expressing a desire for monthly acknowledgment or rewards for their positive contributions. Consistent appreciation creates a positive workplace culture, enhancing morale, employee experience, and retention rates. Despite its evident benefits, our findings reveal that 43% of companies lack a formal reward and recognition program.
By implementing these simple but impactful strategies, you can create a culture of appreciation that will benefit both your employees and your business in the long run.
BHN champions flexibility and convenience with options like prepaid gift cards, incentive programmes and digital payments, enabling businesses and buyers access and ease when spending money.
By partnering with thousands of brands across hundreds of thousands of locations, including major retailers and the leading banks, BHN is able to reach and serve customers worldwide.
For more detailed information about BHN, please visit our official website.
