Ways to Recognize Your Employees With Little Cost

I know, I know. I am supposed to be here to convince you to spend money to recognize your employees, so why would I write a blog about ways to recognize them with little cost?

Strategy.

I think that the ways that Bukoo offers to create recognition programs for your company are VITAL, but there are also ways that are just as important to show your employees you appreciate them that are free!

1) Say "thank you" to them when they finish a project or take on extra work. It's amazing how much more these words could be used and how far it will go!

2) Create a place to display photos and memos about people who managers and peers think do an excellent job.  Recognizing someone in front of others can be a huge boost!

3). Swap a task with an employee for a day- his/her choice. "Walk a mile in someone else's shoes".

4) Ask the employee to do a special assignment when they show initiative. Feeling like they are being given additional opportunities to perform will motivate them in all areas.

5) Keep board games on hand- Uno, Yahtzee, Go Fish! Anything that can be fun and can be used as a break or stress relief for your employees during a particularly busy time.

6) Give employees an extra long lunch break- just because.

7) Acknowledge employees' achievements and other events outside of the office to show you care. Give them a special small gift for buying a new home, having a baby, getting married, or finishing school.

8) Start a suggestion program- and actually try to implement the suggestions! Employees want to be acknowledged and heard and the best way to do this is by keeping yourself open to others' ideas. You can't think of everything and maybe they will come up with a great new idea that will change the office dynamic for the better.

10) Give your employees compliments. If you think they are working hard, doing a good job, or exceeding expectations, tell them. Make sure you give them this compliment on its own. Don't couple it with a criticism or suggestion. Make this the sole purpose of a conversation. It will mean much more!

All of these ways are easy to do and will mean a lot to the employees. Treat them with respect and recognize their hard work and you will see a difference in their motivation, attitude, and performance! 

Get recognizing!!!

Retirement Gifts- Make It Count

Generally when we think of retirement we think of this:

 Both = Happiness.

We should also think about ways to say "thank you" to those who have served the company for years. Many people that are starting to retire have been with the same company for upwards of 30 years. That's almost half of their lives devoted to one cause, authority, company.  Do the right thing by them and your company by making their retirement gift COUNT.

I won't sit here and tell you what to give or how to go about giving it, but please go by these few rules of thumb:

1.) No clocks. These people have been dealing with being on a schedule for their whole lives up until now, watching the clock. Now they don't have to. Don't give them a clock. Please.

2.) No money or gift cards. No need in stirring a pot of awkwardness when the retiree sees their service was only worth "x" dollars worth. Keep the price out of it!

3.) No items that say "retired" on them. It's funny for the day, but it won't be worn or used again. Ever.

Give them something to commemorate their years of service and also something that they will be able to use or experience going forward. When someone is retiring they are looking forward to the future but would also like to remember their years of service and be remembered in style.  Please consider these rules and make the retirement gift count! This person is (probably) only going to retire once!

Recognition in Healthcare

The healthcare industry is an ever-changing and booming industry that is creating, modifying, and developing positions on a daily basis. We have all heard about the need for more healthcare facilities due to the aging of the Baby Boomers, but are there enough people to fill the necessary positions?

Many businesses have started developing their plans for this situation years ago, gaining great employees along the way. It is up to the healthcare company to set themselves apart, not only to those using their services, but also to those providing the services. Engaging and recognizing the employees that do a great job, are friendly and knowledgeable will put your healthcare business head and shoulders above other companies when the job market becomes more competitive. If you think your employee is great, chances are someone else will hear how great they are too. Make it difficult for them to leave not only by providing a strong compensation plan but also a feeling that they are important, appreciated, and vital to your organization!