Make November an Employee Appreciation Month
As a small business owner, you know how hard your employees work every single day to keep the company thriving. From the front desk to the sales team, the success of your business depends on the efforts of your team. Especially during these trying times, it’s more important than ever to show your appreciation and gratitude for their hard work. November is the perfect month to express your gratitude and make employee appreciation a priority. In this blog post, we’ll explore ways on how you can make November an employee appreciation month.
1. Distribute Personalized Gifts
Personalized gifts add a personal touch and show that you appreciate the individual. You can consider souvenirs such as coffee mugs, water bottles, pens, etc. Personalize these gifts with their names, job titles, and more. The team at VistaPrint can provide you with some great options for this.
2. Celebrate Individual Achievements
Recognize the individual’s effort that goes into completing a project or making a particularly big sale. Acknowledging a job well done in a team meeting or a one-on-one session can boost morale. You can also consider giving out special bonuses, certificates, plaques, and other awards that acknowledge their exceptional work and dedication.
3. Host a Special Event
Host an event in November where team members can get together and have a little fun outside the work environment. This doesn’t have to be an elaborate event. A simple pizza party or happy hour can be a great way to show your appreciation for your employees. It’s important to let loose and just have fun once in a while.
4. Provide Flexibility
Some employees work tirelessly, and their work-life balance is out of order. As a boss, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your employees’ mental health is taken care of. Consider offering some flexibility around work hours. You can consider implementing flexible work hours or a work from home policy.
5. Empower Their Growth
One great way to reward your employees is to invest in their profession and personal growth. Offer them opportunities to acquire new skills through training and educational programs. It’s crucial to show your employees that you care about their growth and that you’re invested in their career. Providing them with the tools to succeed can also benefit your company.
Don’t Be That Guy
Everyone knows the juggernaut that Panera Bread has become since their launch. Their team has won awards and set the standard for high end fast food. However, a leaked internal memo has revealed that Panera Bread will be implementing a series of corporate staff layoffs. Approximately 300 out of 1,800 office employees, constituting 17% of its workforce, will be affected. These changes are part of a larger reorganization effort in preparations for their planned IPO, which was initially announced in May. Panera Brands CEO, José Alberto Dueñas, stated that despite the difficulty of this decision, the layoffs will ultimately streamline the company’s operations and enhance store-level efficiency in time for their IPO. Great idea on paper when preparing for an IPO but what an awful thing to do to this amazing team right before the holidays.
As business owners, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations and forget about the people who make it all happen. November is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation and gratitude to your staff. It’s essential to encourage employees to give their best effort while also valuing their engagement and loyalty. By implementing the above practices, you can make November an employee appreciation month and show your team that you appreciate them. Small acts of kindness go a long way in building a positive, motivated team.