In any business your staff play a critical role and there is no doubt that a happy camp with little turnover of staff is a productive business.
We cannot afford to take staff for granted and when things are going well there is a danger that you don’t think of how to reward or recognise your staff.
So here are some ideas that might help – and they don’t cost a load of money!
- Make a point of saying thank you in person: it costs nothing and means a lot.
- Send a ‘hero-gram’ – As well as thanking the individual in person, follow up with an email to the rest of the staff, placing your thanks on record.
- Offer little extras – an early finish on a Friday, or a day off on a birthday maybe.
- Open-door policy – Staff need to know that the boss is approachable and that someone senior will listen to their concerns.
- Have a laugh – A dose of light relief that makes staff feel glad they have come to work, like dress-down days for charity, an office quiz night, or a sweepstake on the Grand National.
- Company award scheme – it shows faith in the staff, and gets them to remember the great work they have done so far
- Lead by example – Managers need to get stuck in and get their hands dirty. It sends a message to the staff that they are not alone and someone at the top appreciates that they are going the extra mile.
- Don’t be mean with expenses – Overtime pay may not be possible, but offering staff a free lunch on expenses when they are working through their lunch hour is a good way of saying thank you.
- Wine and dine – Take the staff out for a pub lunch to mark a significant milestone.
- Keep the information rolling – Being kept in the dark is the best way of spreading negativity, so keep everyone informed about company performance – and remember to highlight the positives.