Showing expressions of gratitude doesn’t have to be grand or elaborate. It’s often small gestures that can have a significant impact with positive results.
When you’re trying to grow a business of any size, particularly if it’s small, kindness can help you retain quality employees.
These representatives of your company play an important role in customer interactions and retention and influence how much customers choose to spend.
Understanding the Importance of Tokens of Appreciation
Tokens of appreciation are expressions of gratitude to one or more recipients.
A small token of appreciation or appreciation gift can help employees feel more committed to doing their jobs efficiently and effectively without being stressed about working in a negative environment.
Give employees reasons to show up and do exceptional work (beyond the paycheck), and they may value their position even more.
The gestures can also encourage a culture of appreciation at work, not just bosses to employees but between employees as well.
Benefits of Implementing Tokens of Appreciation in Businesses
Boosting Employee Morale and Satisfaction
Employees want to feel valued and appreciated when they go to work, and small tokens of appreciation can help.
Verbal praise, a handwritten note, or gestures like candy, gift cards, and additional vacation days are excellent options to consider.
A positive work environment starts with colleagues who work together to make it happen.
Employees who feel seen and heard in the workplace are more likely to be motivated and inspired to be productive. In turn, that means better results for your business.
This recognition and appreciation isn’t just beneficial for your current employees. People talk, and when word gets out via word of mouth or online that your company has an established culture of appreciation, it can encourage high-quality prospective employees to apply to work with you. A
positive reputation can also go a long way with customers. People often hold companies in high regard and want to do business with them when they know they treat their employees with respect.
Strengthening Employee Engagement and Retention
Many people want recognition from their bosses for a job well done. It makes them feel good that their hard work was noticed and effort appreciated.
People tend to stay where they feel respected and walk away from situations and environments where they don’t.
Tokens of appreciation can reduce turnover rates and foster commitment and loyalty.
When employees feel part of a team and work in a positive, non-toxic work environment, they’re more likely to do what they can to remain in such a fantastic atmosphere.
Fostering Team Collaboration and Camaraderie
It can often be easy to determine who’s in a miserable mood at work and who doesn’t want to be there. The signs, like sporting a perpetual scowl, are evident.
It’s also typically easy to pinpoint who the happy people are and who truly enjoys their job. Big smiles and a warm vibe are the usual signs.
Small tokens of appreciation can help employees feel happier and more likely to enjoy their jobs.
This can make them more likable to coworkers and encourage people to want to be around them, opening space for outstanding communication and tighter bonds.
It also aids in encouraging teamwork. Happy, positive employees draw people in and inspire others to want to work with them.
When employees look forward to collaborative work, and there’s mutual respect and camaraderie, it can foster creativity and fresh perspectives.
Practical Strategies for Implementing Tokens of Appreciation
Make Recognition a Regular Routine
If you want to encourage a positive work environment through means of tokens of appreciation, it can’t be a one-and-done deal.
There needs to be consistent effort and frequent evaluations to determine if what you’re doing is working.
Implementing regular rituals can help you stay on track with routine appreciation efforts while allowing employees to feel happier and more content in their work environment.
Consider giving gift cards to employees who reach a certain number of days being on time, writing handwritten letters for employees who went above and beyond, ensuring there are always delicious snacks up for grabs, or even buying lunch or dinner for your team once a month.
Create Customized Appreciation Programs
A generalized appreciation program isn’t ideal for every company. It needs to align with your company's budget, values, and culture.
A customizable approach is the way to go. One of the best ways to go about this is to ask employees what they want in terms of recognition, appreciation, and corresponding gestures.
However, there are popular appreciation programs that can work in various settings and industries.
Half days on Fridays, remote work options, birthday celebrations, retirement extravaganzas, and employee of the month are some of the many approaches that could resonate well with your employees.
Appreciation in a Nutshell (or a Candy Bar)
As important as a water cooler is, a candy bowl in the workplace is a much more mouth-watering meeting spot.
It encourages communication among employees and allows them to network with each other.
Fantastic candy, such as Starburst, Peanut M&Ms, and Rolos, tends to bring people together for a sweet break to interact and get to know one another.
How Deskgoodies Can Help Foster an Atmosphere of Appreciation
It’s time to boost your level of employee appreciation in the workplace. Check out our variety of subscription plans where delicious candies from all the popular brands are delivered on schedule to your business.
We already stock the goodies you know and love and deliver them right to you.
View our tiered packages on our easy-to-use website to determine which candy options and quantities are ideal for you so you can cater to everyone in your workspace.
It’s an easy way to start changing the vibe of the office while letting your employees know how much you value them.
Contact us today for more information about our cost-effective candy and reliable services that can help bring people together. We offer fast responses and excellent customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it important to express gratitude to employees?
Employees who feel appreciated through micro-appreciations at work are likelier to want to remain at the company and work harder to stay there.
Most importantly, it helps employees feel heard and seen as a person and not just an employee ID.
What are some creative ways to show appreciation to employees?
There is no shortage of creative ways to revolutionize your HR strategy and help employees feel more appreciated.
Options like offering wellness days, giving surprise treats, and allowing remote work options are only a few choices many employees would love to have.