Thank You! Two simple words. “You often don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” This is a quote that I have heard over and over through the years not only as I was a teenager going through the growing pains, but also as I have experienced losses of loved ones in my adult life. Being a business owner I make a conscious effort to make time to appreciate the people I have in my life, my family, the people I work with, the business relationships I have and all of those that have helped to grow my company.
It is also important to show that appreciation to your employees. It’s often hard to take the time and appreciate the work employees do when you’re up to your eyeballs working away on your own tasks. Taking the time to appreciate those around you goes a long way to help to keep the moral in your workplace high.
I, as most business owners, at one point was an employee. I had a boss and they had a boss. As I have worked for companies over the years I have found one thing that sadly has started to become the norm, the under appreciation of company employees. The companies that have got it right are those named in the Top 100 companies to work for in 2015. These companies include Google, The Boston Consulting Group, Acuity and the list goes on. The reasons they have made it to the top of the 100 best companies to work for in 2015 is their appreciation and dedication to taking care of their employees.
While every company has its good and bad employees, they are the reason that you are where you are. As I have written about before, you as a business owner CANNOT successfully do everything for your business and do it well. Building a strong team to help you run your business and to accomplish tasks in a timely manner is key to your company’s success.
I have found throughout my working career it’s the little things that mean so much. You don’t necessarily have to give money incentives. Sometimes a simple thank you for all you do goes along way.
Below are some ways you can show your appreciation to your employees:
- Give a gift card to a popular restaurant.
- Have an employee appreciation day one Friday a month and allow employees to dress down.
- Give special recognition in newsletters and/or gifts when employees go above and beyond.
- Take the time to make sure employees know they are a valuable asset to your company.
- Provide lunch for staff periodically.
When you take the time to praise your employees don’t forget about your business relationships. These alliances in many cases have worked just as hard as you in cross marketing each other’s products and services. Often times these alliances are the bonds that are needed to make smaller companies competitive in projects where larger corporations often dominate the field.
By showing your appreciation for your employees, alliances, and partnerships you help to improve moral and company loyalty. Remember that small things such a simple good job or thank you for your hard work go a long way. Take care of those around you and they will do the same in return! To all those who are a part of my team….let me say THANK YOU!
About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis. Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.