Employee Appreciation Day is Mar. 3 in the United States providing a great opportunity for the nation's employers to show their staff members that they are valued. Employee engagement has reached historic lows - with research firm Gallup estimating that 87% of workforce members are not “engaged” in their current positions. Any and all opportunities to flip the script should be taken with gusto.
Recognition and rewards can have a significant, positive impact on employee engagement, which in turn boosts productivity, efficiency and retention. Let's take a look at some of the ways in which the biggest companies, that possess the most-engaged employees, approach employee appreciation. Then we’ll look at some ideas you can consider incorporating into your small business on the day of the event or another time.
Google's workforce management
Google is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in the country. While there are many reasons behind this distinction - including its highly flexible and work-life-policies - Google's employee recognition programs are a great template for small business owners to follow. Next Level Performance, a workforce management solutions provider, explains that Google covers key recommended elements, including;
Bain & Company's focus on development
Business Insider, an international publication, recently ranked Bain & Company as the best place to work in 2017. One of the reasons behind its attractiveness to professionals today is its highly customized, tailored, and comprehensive employee training and development programs. According to Business Insider, one Bain associate consultant pointed to the firm's commitment to developing its employees both professionally and personally at every point in their tenures. This includes everything from onboarding-related training to executive development and beyond.
Workforce management giant Robert Half published an article which revealed that professional development yields a happier, more satisfied staff that has an overall better understanding of the business. Half also stated that providing employees with training opportunities and challenging them to grow within the company can increase employee retention. A case can be made that Bain’s commitment to developing staff is what earned it this prestigious position.
Putting it to work
This National Employee Appreciation Day, make sure you are showing your employees you care. To incorporate the lessons from the above companies, which have some of the most-engaged employees in the world, consider doing the following:
Recognition and rewards can have a significant, positive impact on employee engagement, which in turn boosts productivity, efficiency and retention. Let's take a look at some of the ways in which the biggest companies, that possess the most-engaged employees, approach employee appreciation. Then we’ll look at some ideas you can consider incorporating into your small business on the day of the event or another time.
Google's workforce management
Google is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in the country. While there are many reasons behind this distinction - including its highly flexible and work-life-policies - Google's employee recognition programs are a great template for small business owners to follow. Next Level Performance, a workforce management solutions provider, explains that Google covers key recommended elements, including;
- Substance in positions: Millennials have been found to be especially driven toward jobs in which they feel valued and valuable. The firm notes that Google has one of the best rankings when it comes to employees feeling like they are doing meaningful work, providing substance that boosts retention and satisfaction.
- Incorporating wellness: Google also has extensive programs related to workplace health and wellness, Next Level Performance adds, and this further improves workforce performance consistency.
Bain & Company's focus on development
Business Insider, an international publication, recently ranked Bain & Company as the best place to work in 2017. One of the reasons behind its attractiveness to professionals today is its highly customized, tailored, and comprehensive employee training and development programs. According to Business Insider, one Bain associate consultant pointed to the firm's commitment to developing its employees both professionally and personally at every point in their tenures. This includes everything from onboarding-related training to executive development and beyond.
Workforce management giant Robert Half published an article which revealed that professional development yields a happier, more satisfied staff that has an overall better understanding of the business. Half also stated that providing employees with training opportunities and challenging them to grow within the company can increase employee retention. A case can be made that Bain’s commitment to developing staff is what earned it this prestigious position.
Putting it to work
This National Employee Appreciation Day, make sure you are showing your employees you care. To incorporate the lessons from the above companies, which have some of the most-engaged employees in the world, consider doing the following:
- Launch a plan to further employee training and development.
- Highlight exceptional performances of your top staff members.
- Take the time to have one-on-one meetings with your employees to give them a voice.
