As a business owner, it’s important to you that your staff members enjoy their jobs and being part of your organization. Not only does harmony and contentment within the workplace make for a more pleasant working environment but it also keeps morale high and boosts on-the-job productivity. But how do you keep your team happy day in and day out? A number of business owners and managers find employee gifts and incentives to be the ideal way to ensure satisfaction and motivation among their staff.
Even an employee who loves his or her job can sometimes need a reprieve from the daily grind. This is especially true during slower sales periods when it can be difficult to find the right level of motivation. By incentivizing employees with little “spiffs,” such as gift cards to a popular store or restaurant, you can be sure your team will keep trying its best even when business is slow.
Small tokens of appreciation for your staff don’t have to be solely performance-based, either: business owners can certainly brighten the day of an employee who is celebrating a special milestone, such as a birthday or a work anniversary, by giving a small gift. These little things go a long way when it comes to employee retention, which can help reduce your onboarding and training expenses for new staff, as well as bring a “family” atmosphere to your organization and create a close-knit community of employees. It’s no surprise that employees who enjoy their job and feel as though they are valued tend to want to stay at their current company rather than look elsewhere for employment.
When looking at gift card incentives for employees, keep in mind that they don’t have to be extravagant to make an impact. Even a small $5 gift card to a coffee shop can brighten the day of a staff member. Everyone loves getting recognized for a job well done or celebrated on a special occasion. By giving employees little incentives along the way, you’re helping to motivate them to bring their “A” game to work every day.
Need ideas? Here are some of the top ways managers and business owners use employee gifts and incentives to motivate their staff:
* Holding contests to see which employee can log the most outbound calls or close the most deals in a given period of time.
* Recognizing a specific staff member as Employee of the Month for exemplary service and commitment to his or her job
* Showing appreciation for achieving work-related milestones, such as a company anniversary or hitting record numbers for the quarter
If you haven’t looked into employee gifts and incentives, it’s time to start. Your staff members are the lifeblood of your organization. By treating them well and keeping them motivated, you’ll ensure greater success for your company and your staff in the long run.
