8 Simple, inexpensive ways to Recognize, Appreciate & Reward employees to help them feel good – which will also be a Motivation for them.

“People become quite remarkable when you’ve motivate them and they start thinking that they can do almost anything. When they believe in themselves, your business is sure to succeed”

Topics: Flex-Time, Extra Time-off, Not Sick, “Well” days, Birthdays off, Free Food, Employee of that Week, Small Gifts, A simple saying “Thank You”.

Why? Employees are at the heart & soul of your small business. They make your product or provide your services, fill and process orders, serve the customers. Without good employees, it’s tough to build a successful, profitable company. But in small businesses, money can often be tight. What motivation can you use, to recognize & reward good employees without breaking the bank?

What works. Over the years as a business owner, I’ve found a number of inexpensive ways for motivation & retention of employees. Of course, you need to provide a fair & competitive wage, + employees should get deserved raises or bonuses. But you can’t give a extra $$$ every day, and small businesses & startups have limited resources. Fortunately, there are a number of meaningful and fun ways to recognize, appreciate & reward employees that don’t cost much:

Flex-Time. One of the most valued perks for an employee is having a little bit of flexibility in their work schedule, whether it’s a regular, later start time to enable a parent to get their child to school or occasionally letting them leave a little early to take care of a pressing need. That kind of understanding increases motivation and builds employee loyalty. If you can consider a 4-day week (if it works for them). Having that extra day in the week is a blessing + enables them to take more 3 & 4 day weekends – which renews their mind for more creativity – when they come back.
Extra Time-off. If money is really tight this year and profits are low in your small business, you may not be able to afford raises or bonuses. Consider giving employees an extra days (ie, a 4 day week) or a week of vacation. This shows your commitment to keeping your team intact – even when the budget is tight.
Not Sick, “Well” days. I’m not proud of this, but once or twice when I was a young employee and needed a day off, but didn’t have vacation time, I called in “sick.” The guilt from lying, made me actually feel sick, and I couldn’t enjoy the day. I decided that when I became a boss, I wouldn’t make my employees lie. Instead, in my company, I established “well days.” If something is going really right in your life — you’ve fallen in love, it’s your anniversary, your child is getting an award or your best friend is visiting from out of town — an employee can call in for a “Well Day”. I havent had anyone abuse this.
Birthdays off. Everybody thinks of their own birthday as special, so each of my employees gets their birthday as a “paid” day off. If their birthday falls on a weekend or a busy time when I just can’t afford to have them out of the office, they can take their own “birthday” on another day.
Employee of that Week. We’ve got a very small staff, so when I named someone “Employee of the Week” many years ago, it seemed humorous. But my employee was really proud of the honor, so the idea caught on. We don’t do this every week — not even every month — but once in a while, an employee will do something special, and I’ll name them (or another employee will nominate them) as “Employee of the Week” at an “all-hands” meeting. They get public recognition, serve as as a “role model”, an email to there most significant other’s + Dinner out. All this little recognition can make someone feel very special and leads to more motivation.
Free Food. People love “free” food. Well, most people like “free” anything. You can’t compete with companies like Google or Facebook that provide free breakfasts, lunches & dinners, but a little bit of free food, like pastry, bagels & donuts on Monday mornings or occasionally having a “catered” lunch for staff, is appreciated and a real motivation. When anything special has happened, (ie, a big order) food is an easy, inexpensive way to celebrate..
Small Gifts. People appreciate thoughtful, small gifts that don’t have to cost you a whole lot. Movie tickets, membership in a warehouse club, a gift card to a restaurant, or an iTunes card can cost very little. Tailor the gift to the recipient, so they get something they like and feel is of value, so they know some thought went into it.
A simple saying “Thank You”. Everyone wants to be appreciated. Although it is often overlooked, a simple “thank you,” or “nice job” can help in the motivation of an employee and shows that you notice and value their contributions. And when someone has done something particularly good, give praise quickly and publicly.

Quotes on Motivation

“A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts”. ~ Richard Branson

“Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition – in having put forth the best within you”. ~ Henry J. Kaiser [Hospitals]

“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, & expect to win”. ~ Zig Ziglar, Motivator

“To succeed , you need to find something to motivate you, something to inspire you”. ~ Tony Dorsett, Square

“Success in business requires knowledge, discipline & hard work. The opportunities are just as great today as they ever were”. ~ David Rockefeller

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, & liking how you do it”. ~ Maya Angelou

Comments: Do you know any other Simple, Inexpensive ways to Recognize, Appreciate & Reward employees?

from USA Today on Mon 12 June 17 enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz

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