Should your company send Thanksgiving cards this year?

The experts agree - sending business holiday cards improves customer perception of a company, increases the likelihood that a given customer will select your company over a non card-sending competitor and reduces the likelihood that your company will be seen as financially unstable, even in troubled economic times.

Okay, so we know that sending a business holiday card is good. Now the question is, what kind? A traditional company Christmas card with a wintery view? A modern Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays? Maybe a New Year's card with a calendar?

What about a Thanksgiving card?

A Thanksgiving card offers several advantages:

1) It gives your company a head start on competitors who send out their cards only in December

2) It allows you to sidestep the "which holiday" issue associated with the winter celebrations

3) The holiday naturally lends itself to expressing gratitude, which is a perfect message for customers and employees alike

4) You can still send company Christmas cards or other holiday cards in mid December, for a double-dose of contact and name recognition.

It's not too late to add a Thanksgiving card to your company's holiday marketing plan. And the results may leave you expressing thanks of your own.

Business holiday cards are critical this year!

A few organizations are claiming that the recession is over and recovery is right around the corner.

I would love to believe them. But the fact is, none of us really knows when the day will come when we can all take a collect sigh of relief and go on with our businesses and lives without worrying about the rising foreclosure rates or the latest round of layoffs.

So until we know for sure that all is well, companies cannot afford to neglect the little things that keep their name in front of customers.

Business holiday cards, company Christmas cards or whatever you want to call them, are one of those things companies cannot afford to let slide. For very little cost (around $1-2 each), business holiday cards make a major impact on customer perceptions about your business.

Studies have shown that the majority of customers feel more positively about businesses which send holiday cards. They are perceived as more stable, more reliable and more accessible.

Always sent company Christmas cards in the past, but thinking of cutting back this year? Thank again! Another researcher found that companies who stopped sending cards were perceived as less financially successful and less of a safe place to shop, because they may not be around down the road.

Is that really the message you want to send?

Time to pull out that holiday card list! Winter is almost here!

Business holiday card tips, Part II

And some more bits of wisdom and etiquette from previous posts....

Match your message to your business.

When deciding on your signature line, consider matching the message to the services you offer. For instance, an insurance agent could wish clients a “Happy and safe New Year,” while a medical practice might elect to offer wishes for a “Healthy and happy holiday season.” Those greetings work as mini-marketing messages, reminding recipients about the services you offer.

Not sure who celebrates which holidays?

Go with a Thanksgiving or New Year’s card. You can convey the same message without worrying about religious issues.

Hand signed cards work twice as well.

Have a signature line professionally imprinted for a crisp, business look. But add a personal signature to each card to double the impact. Hand-signed cards are twice as likely to result in a sale as cards with only an imprint.

Never use printed address labels on holiday cards.

Printed labels are great for catalogs and invoices, but when it comes to holiday cards, those with a handwritten address are far more likely to be opened and read.

Go for quality when choosing holiday cards.

Saving a few pennies per card by choosing a cheaper cardstock or lower quality printing reflects badly on your company’s image. Let your clients and customers know that you value quality in everything you do, including your choice of holiday cards.

Check with the post office for mailing deadlines.

Make sure your business holiday cards are in the mail well before the post office deadlines, especially if some of your cards are being sent to military or overseas recipients, or are oddly shaped and require special handling.

Consider ordering different cards for different people.

Selecting one design for employees, one for existing clients and one for prospectives allows you to customize the look and the message for maximum impact.

Include a personal message if possible.

Taking the time to add a line or two to each card can significantly improve business relationships. Letting star performers or valued customers know that they’re important to your business can yield great results in the coming year.

Mail employees’ cards to their homes.

Simply dropping cards on desks isn’t nearly as meaningful as receiving a card in the mail. As simple as it seems, that little extra effort tells employees a lot about their value to the company.

Getting in the mood for business holiday card shopping

It's mid-September. In much of the country, temperatures are still in the 70's or even 80's. The sun is shining. So how do you get in the mood for ordering company Christmas cards...or signing them? You know it's the right time...the deals are great, and you need time to address and sign all of those cards for employees and customers...

But it's tough!

Fear not!

If you're responsible for selecting your company's holiday cards this year, here are some suggestions to help you get in the right frame of mind for dealing with business holiday cards....

• Crank up the a/c and pull on your favorite cozy winter sweater or soft hoodie. A little bit of shivering will distract you from the sunshine and sultry temps outside your door.
  
  
• Pour some cooking oil or even better, spray some silicon, onto your front steps. That frantic grab for the handrail will help bring back memories of winter's glory. A bonus -- a sprained ankle or twisted knee will give you plenty of time to sit and card shop online!
  
  
• Start working on your family holiday newsletter. It could take a couple of months to reframe last year's losing football season into a "wonderful family lesson in accepting the ups and downs of life" or sort through disasterous family vacation memories to find those few tidbits worthy of inspiring envy in friends as they read of your "exciting summer get-away." You'll have the holiday spirit in no time!
  
  
• Pull out the November and December calendars, and start working on scheduling everyone who wants the same 10 days off during your busiest season. Suddenly selecting and holiday cards will seem like a delightful alternative!

Ready to shop for those cards yet? We thought so!

And the countdown begins

Well, it's official now. I went into my neighborhood Target and there were Christmas decorations on the shelves. Yup, there amid the Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving table cloths were the first of this year's Christmas decorations.

The holiday season has arrived! So now it's time to decide...Thanksgiving cards for your employees and customers? A good way to jump-start seasonal sales, and remind people of what you have to offer before their shopping is done. A good way to get your name in front of potential customers before your competitors send out their business holiday cards...

Hmmmmm... Not a bad idea, right? And a pretty card with a colorful autumn scene...I can tell you I would welcome it, especially since Florida for all its charms, lacks autumn colors. Ditto for much of California, the southwest, and Hawaii. And by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, the north will have left autumn colors in the past...you could give them one last look at nature's finest display -- and get your name out there!! Clearly a win-win!

Other reasons for sending a Thanksgiving card?

It avoids the whole Christmas versus Hanukkah versus Winter Solstice versus Diwali etc. dilemma...it's a national holiday!

How about this...Thanksgiving cards first, to remind customers how much you have to offer them, and to say thanks to overstressed and overtired employees who really need acknowledgment. And then a Christmas or holiday company card in December to follow up. That double dose of holiday greetings will go far towards reminding customers exactly who you are and what you represent.

Good marketing, cheap marketing, effective marketing!

What's your company style? A quiz to help you pick the right business holiday or Christmas cards

The cards you choose to send as your company holiday cards say a lot about how you see your company, and what you want to say to your customers. Now there's a quiz to help your find the right card style for your company's personality. It's only 8 questions and it's free! You just might learn something! :-)

Who should get a business holiday card, the second tier

My last post was about who MUST get a holiday card from your company this year.

Now it's time for the SHOULDS.

1) Prospective customers who really fit your target demographic, whether that is lifestyle, income, age or ideally, all of the above. The more closely they resemble your target group, the higher they should be on your priority list. Remember, these are not the current or recent customers -- those folks were on the "Must Send" list. This is prospecting.

2) The geographical matches. These are the people who live so close to your business, that they might choose you if they needed your products/services simply because you're close (and the gas prices are still over $2.50 a gallon)

3) The broader demographics. This might be groups of people who hit only one target, but just might become a customer. If you're lucky. REALLY lucky! Save this group for last. This is the target if and only if you still have cards left over after sending them to everyone in the last post AND the first two groups above.

Make sure your must-have are well cared for with a quality holiday card and a personal signature. Then step into these groups, with nice business holiday cards and imprinted signatures. Different groups, different rules. Learn the right order, and your holiday cards could be just what your business ordered.

Who gets a business holiday card?

Step one in the business holiday card process is to make a holiday card list. So who's on it? Who should be, who would be nice and who absolutely better be there?

Let's start with the who better be on the list.

1) Your employees.

Every last one of them, from the Board Members to the kid in the back who started last week as a floor sweeper.

Each and every person who works for you should get a card from you, come holidays, birthdays or employment anniversaries. It's a cheap but effective way to say that they matter, and as silly as a seems, it makes a big difference in a feeling of being part of the team.

Before customers or vendors or clients or prospects, make a card list that includes every employee, and then send a company Christmas card or holiday card to their home. Trust me on this. Yeah, I know it's easier to drop them on desks, but don't. I'll write a post soon on why this matters, but for now, just do it.

2) Your loyal customers.

It's often said that your most important prospects are the customers you already have. It's often said, but seldom followed, however.

But think about it...these are the people who have already handed over their precious dollars to you. They know you. You don't have to get them to come in -- they already do. You just need to get them to buy MORE. Much easier to do than to acquire and convert a new customer. So put these people on your must-send list.

3) Your vendors and suppliers.

How far would your manufacturing line get without raw materials? Or your restaurant without food or beverages? A hotel lacking linens would be in a terrible mess. Imagine a law firm without paper or a hospital without medication. It's your vendors and suppliers who get you the things you need to turn your business into...well...a business.

Make sure each and every vendor and supplier gets a company holiday card thanking them for all they contribute to your business. Even if you've had problems with them...or especially if you've had problems with them...send them a nice card, on time.

TOMORROW,the "should send" list....

Don't fence yourself in with holiday cards

If yours is like most U.S. businesses, times are rough. Customers are hard to come by, and harder to keep. Sales are down and costs are up. The last thing you want is to spend more money!

But before you deep six your traditional business holiday cards, spend some time brainstorming about all the ways those little messengers of holiday cheer could help your business thrive in the coming year. Step out of the box and soar into the wide open spaces of new possibilities. (Thus the lovely video today!)

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started on new ways to use your company Christmas cards to generate business.

Run a contest. The entries are your company holiday cards "remade" into something else. It could become anything...a gift box, a fan, a hat or a paper airplane (reason number two for my film choice!) Give prizes for the most original, funniest, etc., and make the day of judging a party.

Glue "golden tickets" or other prize certificates into the cards. Make it clear that the reveal has to happen in the store to qualify (that gets them in the door!) Add another layer by making the tickets 3-D so shoppers must don paper glasses in the store to see their prizes.

Send cards that do not match your region and then give away a trip as a prize. If your business is in a sunny warm clime, choose cards with icy, snowy images. Those in the north would send cards with scenes of tropical beaches. Customers can bring in their cards as an entry into the drawing for a trip. Floridians might win a trip to Minnesota, while those in New England would find themselves relaxing on a beach.

Ready to come up with your own? Who says a business holiday card is limited to putting it in the envelope and mailing it?

Picking out the right business holiday cards for your company style

Business holiday cards are a wonderful marketing tool. And employee holiday cards are a great way to create a team spirit and boost morale.

Or at least...they can be. IF you pick the right cards for the right people.

Earlier in this blog, I told you about paying attention to the recipients' religions. And we discussed using Thanksgiving or New Year's cards to sidestep that with some customers or employees.

But there are other factors that affect the card you choose for your company. Before you place that card order, here are some things to consider:

1) The quality of the card. I've said it before and I'll say it again, when it comes to using business Christmas or holiday cards as marketing tools, the quality of the holiday cards and even the envelopes MATTERS! A LOT! Sending a cheap card doesn't tell the recipient that you are cautious with expenses. It says:

a) I'm cheap -- too cheap to buy a good card, so expect cheap service

or

b) Our business is not doing well, so find someone more stable to hire/buy from because we probably won't be around next year

Is that really the message you want to send with each and every card? Spend the extra few cents a card and send a message of quality and stability instead. The ROI will be worth it.

2) The match between your company style and your card. The holiday cards your business sends out should be a reflection of your company's overall image and style. If there is a significant disconnect between your company image and the card you choose, you could end up hurting rather than helping business. For example, a very casual and lighthearted card from a very traditional oak-desk style law firm, or a heavily foiled card from a green business.

3) The timing of your card's message. If your holiday cards arrive far too early, or even one day too late for the holiday, the message will be that you are not an organized company. Make sure you allow enough time for mailing -- the post office publishes schedules for domestic and overseas holiday mailing each year, so take a look before you plan your card schedule.

If you want to get in the first word with potential or existing customers this holiday season, do not mail out your Christmas cards in November. You will just look as though you cannot read a calendar. If early is important, send out cards with a Thanksgiving message, too. That will take your business to the front of the holiday season.

Choosing the right cards makes all the difference in the world to your marketing and PR efforts. Spend the time up front to find the right card for your business and for the time you will be sending it. The results later will be worth the time now.

Business Christmas card special!

G.Neil is running some pretty cool specials on their company Christmas cards and other business holiday cards. From now until 8/14 (next Friday), you can choose to save 50% on your card order (minimum 200 cards) or you can get cool premiums with your order like digital picture frames or DVD players!

You know I like G.Neil's cards, but this is even better than just getting the cards!

Just go to their website and start shopping! The key codes are Z3666 for the 50% off deal, or Z3668 for the gifts. Share those codes! Anyone can use them!

Off to shop!

The Halloween stuff is in the stores...time to buy Thanksgiving holiday cards!

I always know when it's time to pick out our company Thanksgiving cards.

The day I see the Halloween stuff on the shelves at my local Target (pronounced Tar je', of course!) is the day I need to get my act together and pick out some Thanksgiving cards to send to clients, customers, vendors and employees.

Why do I start so soon? After all, Thanksgiving is still a couple of months away. I start now, because between now and early November when I mail the cards out, I have to:

• Pick out a card
  
• Double check our address lists
  
• Come up with a total for the number of cards to order (and the extras to order for all those last minute changes and additions to the list!)
  
• Deal with employee schedule changes because of kids going back to school
  
• Decide on the signature for the cards
  
• Decide on the changed signature for the cards (no, these things never get done in one step...you know it's true!)
  
• Continue to do my regular job here at work
  
• Order the cards
  
• Pick out Halloween costumes for the kids (work/life balance, remember?)
  
• Address all the cards
  
• Make sure everyone's annual performance evaluations are on schedule (life at work goes on!)
  
• Add personal signatures to most of the cards (remember, signing by hand makes a big difference, especially to customers!)
  
• Mail the cards
  
• Deal with any card returns, including looking up new addresses and send out a fresh card (no re-sends, people!)
  
• Plan a Thanksgiving feast for 20 picky relatives (back to that work/life balance issue -- one brain, lots of tasks!)
  
• Send out the three or four dozen last minute Thanksgiving cards managers, salespeople and others forgot to request.

And all of this has to be done by a week before Thanksgiving AT THE LATEST!! Doesn't seem too early to start now, does it?

Gobble, gobble! Off to get started!

The new holidays cards are in!

I was just browsing at G. Neil and saw that the new holiday cards are up!

There are some really nice choices this year. If you like something classic and elegant, I saw a rich burgundy and gold one that would be perfect for clients or even employees.

Another reminded me of the deep winter snow I had at my farmhouse in Pennsylvania. Such a peaceful scene, especially on a 90+ degree summer day!

They had cards with flamingos and cards with penguins. Tradition Christmas tree Cards and abstract images of ribbons and lights.

I guess the point of this is that it's that time of year. So I'm going to be updating my posts on business holiday card ROI, etiquette, best practices and best choices. I'm going to be prodding you to get that Christmas card list done, and card order in. And I'll be reminding you why we send them.

So here, in the heat of mid-July, I wish you a very sincere, but very early, Happy Holidays!

PS..I'm getting the farmhouse one!

Saying it with chocolate

There are a few of them out there...people who don't like chocolate.

But for most of us, the rich flavor of a good chocolate makes any occasion better. Odds are, most of your employees and customers feel that way, too. So it only makes sense to treat them to the sweet stuff whenever you want to send a special message.

As a confirmed and unrepentant chocoholic, I am here to offer you some tips for slipping some chocolates into your thanks, congrats or invitations.

A gift of chocolate is perfect for:

• Saying thanks for a job well done
  
• Welcoming a new employee or team member
  
• Reminding employees about special events, such as Safety Month or a Customer Service initiative
  
• Rewarding new customers for their business
  
• Creating a memorable token for attendees to take home from conventions, meetings, grand openings or other significant events

In these days of tight budgets and vanishing perks, the sweet taste of a chocolate candy bar might be the sweetest way to tell employees or customers they matter to your business.

Creating a motivational tool bag

Motivation in the workplace is the art of finding out what works for the employees you have, to help them become the employees you need.

The tricky part is finding out what tools it will take to get from Point A to Point B. Despite what the advocates of the trendiest motivational theories will tell you, when it comes to employee motivation, there isn't just one magic bullet that will work for every employee -- or every organization.

So where do you start?

1) Start by reading about the nature of employee motivation, or just motivation in general. Get a feel for the different types of morale builders and motivational tools they recommend. Just remember that motivational theories are just that -- theories, so don't limit yourself to just one

2) Look closely at the corporate culture. With the theories and tools you've read about in mind, consider which would work best to encourage performance within the existing culture. Yes, some aspects of the company may be due for a change, but start with where you are.

3) Think about the people you need to motivate. What do they want? Need? Not just at work, but in their lives. Is money an issue? How about time off? Acknowledgment? Are there complaints of boredom or being stuck in a rut? Are they what you would call a "fun" group, or are they more serious-minded?

4) With your new-found collection of information, and a good sense for who your employees and company are, it's time to start building your motivational tool bag. Somethings you might want to consider are:

• Ice-breaker games to improve communication and aid in team building
  
  
  
• Relevant motivational stories to illustrate your goals
  
  
  
• Financial rewards you personnally manage, whether they are bonuses, reward cards or other perks that appear in money form. Make sure you have the final say in these -- promised rewards denied further up the line are a powerful demotivator! Not what you want!
  
  
  
• Small rewards. Little things like chocolates, gift cards to local restaurants, event tickets or desk accessories like pens are good things to keep on hand for spur of the moment rewards and morale boosters.
  
  
  
• Cards for saying thank you, good job, welcome or congratulations. Keep a supply of employee appropriate cards on hand to use for a quick note or a special pat on ethe back. Studies continue to show that Employee motivation and morale are significantly affected by written messages from managers and supervisors.
  
  
  
• Look for opportunities for growth. Whether it's a seminar an employee asks to attend, or a chance for each team member to cross train and learn new skills, find out what kind of enrichment works for your employees. Then make it happen.

The bad news is killing morale

Unemployment is up, gas prices are up.

Hiring is down, and so are wages.

British Airways is asking employees to work for free or loose their jobs.

No matter where you look, the news is scary if you're an employee. The economy, despite hype to the contrary, stills seems to be in freefall.

Have you thought about what that's doing to your company's bottom line? All this doom and gloom isn't inspiring people to work harder. It's making it harder to work.

Across the country and across the board, productivity is down. Accidents on the job are up. Employee commitment is down. Error rates are up.

American businesses have a big problem to deal with.

Yes, this blog is about using cards and other inexpensive gifts to boost morale and help with marketing efforts. But I am not going to tell you that a card is going to solve your business woes. That would be stupid.

But I will tell you that communicating openly and honestly with your employees is absolutely and undeniably essential if your business is going to survive. The same goes for having a dialog with your customers.

You can do it in person, you can do it with cards and notes or you can do it via the web. The point is to do it.

And keep it real. Don't send an employee a "Thanks for the great job" card on Monday and lay them off on Friday. Word will get back to the rest of your staff, and your communication will go from being valuable to destructive.

Same goes for customers. Don't promise deals you can't (or won't) deliver just to get them in the door or on your website. Forget the cheerful birthday card if you're planning on play a "bait and switch" game.

Use your words...written or spoken to describe your actions. So if you've got great employees and plan on hanging on to them, reward them as best you can. Thank them with a card or note or small employee gift. Then hang on to them with both hands.

The word about that will get out, too. And maybe, just maybe, that productivity will edge up a bit, those error rates will drop. It's certainly worth the price of a card and a commitment to find out.

So what's it gonna be? Thanksgiving, Christmas, Happy Holidays or all Three?

It's almost time to pick out your company's holiday cards.

Oh, don't give me that look! Yes, I know it's June and it's 90 degrees outside. But I'm serious! The holidays are 6 months away (or less, if you include Thanksgiving) and it's time to get cranking on those company Christmas cards...or whatever kind you're sending this year.

So in honor of it being THAT time of year (again, with the looks?!), here are some links to the info you need to get started on your holiday card season:

What holiday to choose?

Sign them or print them?

Making a business holiday card list

Why the cards you choose matter

Employee holiday cards

When to send them out

Fa-la-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la...making my list, checking it twice....

Can I send a funny employee birthday card?

Even after you see the impact sending employee birthday cards can have, there are still questions.

Should they be signed or printed?
Should they be mailed or handed out?

One common question is about whether a funny card is appropriate to give an employee for their birthday.

Most of us like giving and receiving funny birthday cards when it's between family or friends. But when you're looking for an employee birthday card, the rules are different. Why?

• A funny card that mocks the recipient's age, marital status, religion, ethnic group or sexual orientation could be used as proof of discrimination should that employee be dismissed or passed over for a promotion
  
  
  
  
• A card with sexual humor could come back to haunt the giver as evidence of sexual harassment or the creation of a hostile or sexually charged workplace
  
  
  
  
• A birthday card that could be construed to make light of a physical or mental challenge could be used in an ADA claim.
  
  

While there are probably some workplaces, or some individuals within the workplace, who would genuinely appreciate a funny birthday card, as a business it's far safer to choose a less edgy card for your employees' birthdays.

A casual. lighthearted greeting from the group or from the manager will be just as effective and meaningful, but will by-pass some of the risks.

You can't fake employee praise

You've read all about the latest cheap employee motivational techniques. You memorized the exact phrases that will spur your staff onto new and higher levels of productivity, reduce accidents and virtually eliminate absenteeism and turnover. You have the proper token in hand...a thank you pin, a gift card or whatever little doo-dad is supposed to convey your "gratitude for all their hard work."

There's only one problem...you don't mean a word of it! You are using a technique to try and manipulate your employees into working harder, complaining less or staying in jobs they may have outgrown. You know it's true. And you know what? Your employees know it, too.

Let's start over. If you really want to motivate your employees, there are a few things you need to do.

1) Really mean it.

Are you really grateful to your team members for the work they do? Or do you believe that they should be grateful to have jobs? Any jobs. If you're operating from the latter view, nothing you do will really inspire them. The change has to come from you. Start looking for the extra effort, the new ideas, the commitment to doing a job well, and make that your focus. Start with sincere thanks for those and you'll find your attitude....and your employees' performance changing together.

2) Find rewards that matter to employees.

Rewards don't have to be expensive to make a difference, but they do have to matter to your employees. Budget tight? Reward employees with some light-hearted fun, a cake for the team to share or an unexpected afternoon off (paid, of course!)

There are books filled with simple, inexpensive ideas for getting employees excited about work. Look through them, and find a few ideas that match your employees' interests and personalities. Those same little gifts or thank you cards that failed when they were being "used" may work wonders when they are given with sincerity!

3) Make recognition a team value.

Encourage your staff to pay attention to the good things each of them does, and to offer their own thanks. Use team building exercises to overcome competitiveness and build a solid, collaborative team.

4)Maintain open communication.

Keep the lines of communication open. A manager who swoops in once in awhile to hand out an award certificate will not have the impact of one who is present and accessible on a daily basis. Your presence allows you to see and act on the good things your employees are doing. And good communication is a motivator, too. Employees who feel heard perform better.

Our new Twitter!

Today, we'd like to invite you to join our brand new Twitter! Follow us, add us, talk to us at @MotivatePeople. We want to hear your motivational ideas and questions, so we can learn and share!

Won't you join in the conversation?

Motivating with humor...why a giggle may work better than a pat on the back

When you're trying to keep your employees motivated and engaged at work, but budgets are tight, consider the immortal words of Samuel J. Snodgrass, as he was about to be led to the guillotine, Make 'em laugh!

(Okay, so it was actually the late great Donald O'Connor in Singing in the Rain, but you get the message...)

The same message Snodgrass, via O'Connor directed towards actors and movie-makers applies to managers and supervisors. When times are tough and stress is high, when it comes to employee motivation, "Make 'em laugh!"

Example:

Someone has done a great job and you want to give them an award certificate. You could choose a standard "wow, you did an outstanding job certificate" Yawn. One more paper to file (or deep six.)

Or you could choose a ready-to-print certificate and have someone creative compose a funny award name and maybe a verse or limerick to convey your gratitude or admiration for what they've accomplished. THAT will make 'em laugh, AND get hung on the wall. Simple twist, big difference in the impact!

Another example

It's an employee anniversary or some other milestone, and you want to give them a small gift to let them know you appreciate their contribution. You could give them a pin or other token that proudly proclaims the number of years worked (does ANYONE actually wear those???)

Or, you could give them a pen that talks back to them, a silly desk toy or a Magic Eight Ball Desktop Advisor that will help with all those "tough decisions."

Which one will be used and looked at...the pin or the toy? Which one will actually motivate? It's simple...which one will Make 'em laugh??

It doesn't cost a lot to keep your employees happy. Just a giggle and a chuckle, a funny card, a silly toy -- and the sincere thank you behind it.

Motivating when the money isn't there

You'd love to giver your best employees a raise. They are pouring their hearts and souls into the company, working extra hours, skipping lunches. And you know they need the money, but for now, it's just not there to offer.

So how do you keep these employees motivated until the purse strings loosen up a bit? Study after study shows that being acknowledged and appreciated is one of the most powerful motivators an employee can offer. Knowing that the extra hours and extra effort are noticed and appreciated goes a long way towards keeping employees happy.

Here are a few ideas for letting employees know you see exactly what they do for your company. Some are cheap, some are inexpensive, and some are actually free!

1) Say thank you. A sincere, on-the-spot thank you in the midst of battling the stresses of the day can go a long way towards motivating an employee to work a little harder, try a little harder.

2) Put it in writing. Take that thank you, and write it in a thank you card and you will double the impact of your message. If the thank you is sincere, that card will go up on their wall, or travel home to be shared with family. Either way, your gratitude will make a big difference.

3) Make it personal. Today at work, I ws asked to create a personal message to go on an award certificate for someone who has been doing everything and more for her department. It came down to three, somewhat lighthearted lines that describe what she does. But when she gets that certificate in front of her teammates, she will feel the appreciation because the certificate's wording is personal. Not just good work -- the specifics make an ordinary award certificate truly meaningful.

4) Feed them. Whether it's lunch, a cappuccino at the corner coffee shop or a jar of candy for their desk, food is a great low-cost motivator. Give them a gift card in the thank you note, leave the candy jar on their desk with a note of thanks or give them an extra hour off one afternoon and prepay for a coffee or other treat. Little cost. Big results!

The message behind green business holiday cards

No, not green as in "red and green" and Christmas colors. Green as in recycled and soy inks and certified paper... all that ecolabeling.

If your company is claiming to be green or earth-minded, the company Christmas cards you send need to be green, too.

Choosing an earth-friendly greeting card says several things to your customers, including:

• Your actions match what you say, so you are a company with integrity.
  
  
• You understand the concept of limited resources and are doing your part to conserve, so you are a company with heart.


• You have taken the time to reach out and share a message with your clients/customers/employees while at the same time not adding to the waste stream, so you are a company that thinks ahead.

Whether you choose a clearly eco-friendly card like the one above (100% recycled and certified) with a green message, or opt for something more subtle, make sure the cards you choose are genuinely green. The positive power of green is nothing compared to the destructive image a greenwashing label will create!

Hitting the target: know your audience before you send

You've decided to try using business greeting cards as a way to keep in touch with your customers, contact prospects or motivate your employees. That's awesome!

But before you send a single card...before you sign them, address them or even buy them. take time to consider your audience. Who will read these cards? What are their ages, occupations, interests? How are they connected to your business? What do you know about them? Have they shopped with you or used your services? Or are they employees with company histories? Or are they just people or businesses you're targeting based on mailing lists, geography or industry?

Before you send out your business holiday cards or thank you cards or welcome cards, take a few minutes and list everything you know about your target audience. You may find you have more than one. They could be segregated by location, previous contact with the business, age, gender, lifestyle, marital status, etc. Whatever differences seem important to you, in terms of your business, are the demographics you should examine.

Once you have your groups (and most businesses find they have between three and six distinct groups), select a greeting card for each group. Or choose the same card, but use different sentiments in each group's cards.

Order cards that match each group. Here are some things to consider:

• Images -- if there are people in the card's image, do they match the demographics of your target audience? Images of young families may not resonate with senior citizens. Also consider what the image says about your company. A serious law firm may not be best represented by something too cartoon-y or informal.
  
  
• Message/sentiment -- Make sure the words you choose to have printed in your cards convey the right image for your company. Tailor your message to your industry. For example, a medical practice might wish their recipients good health, while a car dealership might offer their prospects a message of safety or adventure on the road.
  
  
• Holidays -- If you're using holiday greeting cards, make sure the holiday they mention is one your target audience celebrates. Remember, this isn't about what you or the people you work with celebrate -- it's all about the recipient.
  
  Once you've selected your cards, it's a good idea to also keep an assortment of all-occasion cards on hand, too. That way if an unexpected event comes up, you're ready to send a card out on the spot.

Maintaining contacts with cards

The economy is tanking, and with it, your business contacts and prospects are getting thinner than ice on a springtime pond (forgive me..I'm a Southerner...phrases like that just sneak out when I least expect it.)

Colorful images aside, it's rough out there. And you're looking for any way you can to catch customers' attention. You've tried Facebook and Twitter and blogs and networking and still....

It's time to give an oldie but goodie. A card.

Yup. A paper with words and a picture all stuffed into an envelope card.

Why a card? Because people are tired of electronic messages. They're bored with wading through 200 updates about what someone had for breakfast.

Because an old-fashioned card is new again.

Send them a card for their birthday. For an anniversary. As a thank you for business or a follow up to a chance encounter or a meeting at a conference.

There are as many reasons to send a card as there are potential customers. Look around. Look for a reason. Keep some card assortments and a supply of stamps on hand for moments when inspiration strikes.

Ready, set, surprise them with a card!

It's time to start thinking about Christmas cards

Okay, okay, it's not even summer and I'm telling you it's time to start thinking about your company Christmas cards! Enough already, right?

Give me a minute and I'll tell you why now is EXACTLY the right time.

Now is the time to start building your holiday card list

Start with the cards that came back last year and correct those names and addresses. Make phone calls, look up addresses in databases and online. Make sure you have the right names for cards that are sent to other businesses...receiving a card addressed to your predecessor is not likely to inspire confidence.

Create a list of new contacts, prospectives and customers to add to this year's list. Brainstorm groups or individuals you want to add to your list this year based on your business and marketing plans.

Check your lists for duplicates, misspellings and incomplete addresses and make necessary corrections.

Now is the time to select your cards

The card you choose says a lot about your company and how you feel about your customers and employees. Review your card choices and select designs that convey the message you choose.

Now is the time to compose your message

The sentiment and the signature printed in your cards will also say a lot about your company, too. Take your time, and make sure the message your customers and employees read is the one you want them to see. This is too important to be left for the last minute.

It takes awhile to sign all those cards

If you were reading this blog last year, you'll probably remember all the posts talking about how important it is to sign each card, in addition to the printed signature. If you have many cards to send, it's never too soon to start signing all those holiday cards!

Keeping the good ones - employees, I mean

Even when the budget is at a bare minimum, there are just some employees you will do anything to keep. They are your stars, your core, your always-there-in-a-pinch.

And they'll understand why you can't give them a raise right now, right. Maybe.

And they'll understand why you've stopped giving out gift certificates and gift cards and awards and toys, right? They'll stay through thick and thin...

Ummm... Excuse me. Is that your star employee heading out the door, résumé in hand? Yup. Guess they didn't understand after all...

A lot of employers are making the mistake of assuming two things:

1)Their star employees are 100% loyal and will understand all the cut backs

2)No one leaves a steady job in a bad economy

Both assumptions could not be further from the truth. The best will leave if they are not properly acknowledged and rewarded, and they will do it either as soon as the economy improves, or right now if a better offer comes in.

So what is an employer to do? Here's the quick and dirty answer: reward them!

What???? Spend money? Yes.

Odds are. you've reduced your workforce and your stars are carrying a heavier load. Why not give them a small percentage of the previous employees' salaries? Give them 10% and you're still saving 90% of what it used to cost!

If the money just isn't there, consider other options to let them know how much you value their expertise and hard work. For instance:

Recognition -- A thank you card, an award plaque with a small gift, a personal note from you expressing your appreciation, an announcement about a their accomplishments in the company newsletter... Let your employees know you notice what they do and that you appreciate what they do.

Fun -- Who says work has to be dull and boring? Make it fun. Start an impromptu game of catch with a squishy ball at your next team meeting. Treat everyone to a Starbucks drink, complete with whipped cream. Start a "Cartoon of the Day" e-mail. Fun creates a feeling of belonging, and that can go a long way towards improving employee morale and commitment.

Learning and growth -- Let your employees try new things, enroll them in classes that interest them, encourage new ideas and new ways of doing things. Instead of closing down and keeping to the tried-and-true, use this economic slump to start some new projects, try some innovative ways of reaching customers or experiment with new work processes and schedules. Odds are, you'll find a few things that will serve you well when the economy picks up, and you'll also be improving employee engagement.

How about a summer employee picnic?

Summertime, and the living is easy....

Yup, it's almost summer! So throw a party! Sure money is tight...yes, I know your budget is screaming in pain! But an employee picnic could be just the thing to cheer everyone up, improve employee morale and release tension and stress.

• Plan your picnic on a work day, if at all possible. Coming to spend time with coworkers on a Saturday or Sunday might actually add to many employees' stress. Some employees may be Sabbath observant and unable to attend. Others may have kids sports or family events planned, and yet feel obligated to attend. Having it on a work day makes it extra special..time off AND a picnic!
  
  
• Make it a potluck. Randomly assign employees to main course, appetizer, side dish or dessert by alphabet or date of hire or department. If employees are worried about costs, assign more to the main course category so each can bring a smaller dish.
  
  
• Invite families. It's summer so kids are off school and many spouses are home, too.
  
  
• Have your company provide the drinks (no alcohol!) and disposables.
  
  
• Make it fun. Have games, toys and music to add to the celebration.
  
  
• After the picnic, send them home! You'll score huge points with employees when they get to leave early on a workday, especially after a picnic!

Why employee anniversaries matter

Bethany has been with your company for three years this month. Aiden started six years ago, and Phyllis just passed her ten year anniversary. Lisa's only been here a year...actually, it's a year this month. And what are you doing to celebrate and honor these milestones? Giving them a performance review? Letting them earn an extra hour of PTO each month?

Your employees are the backbone of your company. Odds are, they spend more hours there, in their offices and cubicles and workstations than they do with their kids or even in their own houses. And yet, year after year, their anniversary comes and goes without a word.

Let me ask you something...do you actually WANT them to care about your company? About the team and the projects and the goals and the deadlines? Not just do it for the paycheck, but CARE.

If the answer is yes, it's time you let them know that you could not have a company without them. No employees means no expertise and no customer service and no products made or sold...face it, they are your company.

Instead of acting as though they're lucky to have a job, start acting as though you're lucky to have employees.

Start with their anniversary. Even if you've never mentioned it to them before, look up the dates and make a big deal about each and every one. Give them employee anniversary cards and SIGN THEM! Have a once a week announcement of who is celebrating and how many years they've served your company. Print up colorful lists for each month and hang them in break rooms and lunch areas. Give long-term employees a small gift or award.

Make it a big deal that these people spend most of their waking hours at your company! The rewards your company will reap will far outweight the cost of a few trinkets and a package of anniversary cards.

More work SHOULD mean more rewards!

Everything has been crazy at our company, just like it probably is at yours. In the face of the recession, everyone is working harder than ever. It seems like no one has just one area of responsibility any more...all of us are wearing so many different hats.

Now for the big question...are you rewarding your employees for all they're doing? Are you even saying thank you, or is it more of a "Consider yourself lucky you have a job" find of thing? Be honest. Because you're not fooling anyone, least of all your employees. And the wrong choice will come back to bite you, sooner than you might think!

Here's the bottom line, 'cause I know you're busy.

1) People (read: employees, but it's nice to be reminded once in awhile that they ARE people!) work better and harder and more effectively when they feel

• Appreciated
  
• Needed
  
• Noticed

It's that simple. So what about your employees? Are they being told how essential they are to your company's success -- even its survival? Are they being told how much their hard work is appreciated? Or even more to the point,

ARE THEY APPRECIATED???????

Here are a few more simple facts:

• Unappreciated employees have more accidents, take more sick days, work less effectively and are less creative. These are the people who are most likely have a resume at the ready at all times. In other words, given a half decent opportunity, they, and their expertise and contacts and information will be out the door. Woosh! Gone!
  
  
• Employees who feel unneeded, especially in this economy, are spending far more hours worrying about that pink slip than they are worrying about your bottom line.
  
  
• Employees who come to the conclusion, correctly or incorrectly, that they are not noticed...that their work is not noticed...stop trying and start coasting. And if the differential rewards are nil, who can blame them?

So what do you have to do?

Thank you for asking, because the answers are just as simple as the facts!

• Know where real productivity lies. Realize, deep down in your managerial heart that as much as you would like to believe that it all depends on you, that it REALLY all depends on those sales associates and telephone help desk people and order processors and everyone else who handles the day to day making, selling, services and explaining your product or service. THEY ARE YOUR COMPANY'S LIFEBLOOD!
  
  
• Pay attention to what they do every day. Instead of focusing on yet another tool to catch and bash people for being 10 minutes late, start looking at what good stuff they are doing every single day. Helping that annoying customer calmly. Getting that order out the door against all odds. Getting another 100 people to look at your website today. It all counts, so start acknowledging it.
  
  
• Figure out ways to say thank you. And don't tell me you can't afford to say thank you. A simple "Hey, great job!" card or jar of candy for their desk or SOMETHING will be a HUGE leap from nothing! And it's cheap! REALLY, REALLY cheap, especially when you consider that your company depends on every employee doing their stuff in harmony and well and consistently.

Don't let Employee Appreciation Day pass without employee appreciation!

March 6th is comin' up fast, people...do your employees feel appreciated?

Let's be honest. Are they feeling like essential members of the team, critical factors in your company's success?

Or are they living under the constant threat of layoffs, wondering when their name will come up on the pink slip list? Or worse yet, under constant scrutiny lest they make a mistake and the discipline notices begin?

Countless studies have proven that employees who feel under appreciated and under the gun perform more poorly, have more accidents and provide lower quality customer service. And yet some companies never learn.

How is your company doing on employee appreciation? Could your company culture stand some improvement? Here are some tips for making real and lasting changes in the way your employees feel at work...and Employee Appreciation Day is the perfect day to start!

Here are some ideas for Employee Appreciation Day, and then some more for the rest of the year:

For March 6th, if you haven't already planned something, it's not too late to put together a little celebration:

Celebrate together. Order a cake, decorate the lunch rooms or break rooms and say thank you to everyone with an impromptu party.

Give everyone a thank you card with a small gift card inside. Do not give a gift card to your company's business -- go for a local grocery store, gas station or fast food restaurant. Make sure the card tells employees that they are most important asset your company has. And mean it.

Use March 6th to announce a new employee appreciation policy. Make each employee's birthday a paid holiday for them. Or make some days a "Bring-Your-Dog-To-Work-Day. Whatever your new policy is, the cost will be small compared to the value you'll gain from committed employees.

And from March 6th onward, make some real changes to show your staff that employee appreciation isn't just a day, it's a policy.

Send each employee a personally signed birthday card. And an employment anniversary card. Let them know that they are recognized and appreciated as individuals

Share information instead of letting them drown in rumors. Coming to work every day afraid of being RIF'd is no way to work. Let employees know exactly what's going on, and provide on-going feedback about their job security. If they're in line to be let go, let them know a month in advance so they can start a job search.

Provide training and job enrichment. One way to let employees know you appreciate them is to provide them with training and new ways to use their skills, talents and interests. Training is a powerful way to keep your employees motivated and add to the quality of your company at the same time.

Make saying thank you a company policy. A sincere thank you for a job well done, a heroic effort or just a helping hand goes a long way towards building employee satisfaction. make it a company policy to reward employees with a genuine thank you, in writing if possible. And let encourage supervisors and managers to file a copy in the employee's file, too. Knowing that those thank you's will be remembered at review time is an employee appreciation tool everyone will love.

Happy birthday to your employees

Do you have time to recognize your employees' birthday? Really, the question should be...do you have time NOT to?



Productivity is directly tied to employee commitment to the organization and its goals.

And commitment comes from employee engagement and feeling of being a significant and essential part of the organization. A valued member of the group or "tribe."

Right now, there's not a lot of money for creating that "belonging" through raises, cash rewards, training trips or other expensive perks. But there is money for a very simple yet very effective tool for drawing employees into the group...honoring each employee's birthday.

Here are some ideas for recognizing an employee birthday;

Send them a card already! (Hey, you knew I would say that! It's in the title, right?) But serious, a personally signed birthday card does a lot to make an employee feel like part of the group! Go funny or serious, but make sure the card is signed by at least the manager or group supervisor. For an even more effective result, pass around the cards for everyone in the work group to sign.

Create and share birthday lists. Create a company-wide birthday list and share it each month. Post it on bulletin boards or e-mail it to all employees. If you have weekly announcements, mention that week's birthday celebrants as part of the announcements.

Allow little celebrations. Allow and even encourage teams to celebrate employee birthdays with cake and beverages. Having your team members sings (albeit off key) Happy Birthday may be slightly embarrassing, yet it goes a long way towards creating a team feeling in each employee.

Business gifts -- little gift, big results

In the August 2008 issue of PPB magazine, Richard Nelson and Rick Ebel reported that U.S. businesses (including nonprofits) spend an amazing $5.59 BILLION a year on promotional gifts.

Of that figure, the overwhelming majority were to thank customers or build goodwill, with new customer prospecting and employee recognition tying for third. Why are businesses spending so much on gifts?

The answer is simple. It works.

Whether it's a coffee mug, a calculator or a water bottle, customers and prospectives like receiving tokens from merchants, don't mind merchant logos or slogans on the gifts and tend to favor businesses who give gifts over those who do not, even if service or quality is equal or better in the non-gifting business!

Employees follow the same pattern. Companies which reward employees with gifts, including desk accessories report higher employee loyalty and higher overall productivity than non-gifting employers.

In the current recession, it may be tempting to jettison the gifts. But research indicates that along with those gifts may go your customers and employees.

Coffee mug anyone?

Employee Appreciation Day is March 6

It's less than a month until Employee Appreciation Day. How are you going to thank the people who keep your company running every day of year?

Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to reward your most precious and irreplaceable resource...your employees!

Send them a card already!

Yes, I know, you knew that was coming. But it's true! For the price of a thank you card or a job well done card, you could inspire your employees to work just a bit harder, to cut the break just a little shorter or to write one less personal e-mail. If they know your message is sincere (and trust me, they WILL know!) you'll be amazed at the effect of that simple message of appreciation.

How about a little gift?

Yes, I know the budget is tight! But without hardworking employees, nothing is going to come in to fill those depleted coffers. So part with a tiny bit of cash and give them a symbol of your thanks and respect for all they do.

Make it fun, too. How about a "Way to go" slinky? For a couple of bucks, each employee will get a piece of their childhood AND a much-needed message of thanks from you! How's that for cheap and effective employee motivation?

Or if chocolate is a better motivator, how about a chocolate bar wrapped in a motivational message? Studies have confirmed that chocolate gives people good feelings similar to falling in love...perfect for increasing good feelings towards the company, too!

Create a crazy awards ceremony

Laughter is a wonderful way to increase employee loyalty, deal with stress and improve morale, so why not throw a wacky awards ceremony on Employee Appreciation Day? Order a package of serious looking award certificates and invite employees to a special ceremony. Keep the silly part under wraps, until the awards are announced, then watch the fun. Appreciation, team building and a cheap morale booster besides? What more could you want?

Using greeting cards to retain customers

There are two ways to build your business:

• Find new customers to buy your products
  
  
• Retain your customers and increase their level of buying

Most business owners lean toward the first, and pour all of their efforts and advertising dollars into finding new customers. Unfortunately, that's probably not your best use of money.

Existing customers can be a goldmine, but one that most businesses ignore! Why? They are viewed as "already on-board." And now it's time to get some more. But in reality, the existing customer is your best resource for new business, especially in tight economic times. Again, why?

1. Existing customers know you and your business. You are a known quantity.
   
   
2. Existing customers are interested in what you sell or offer. The proof? They've already bought some of it!
   
   
3. Existing customers have a history. That means you can look at past sales, buying patterns and product groups. You can also review complaints and returns to see where your existing customers may be having issues with your products or services.

Using existing buyer info to increase sales

Review their buying patterns. Look for seasonal trends, recent increases, decreases or changes in buying. Look for ways to promote add-ons or related products, or to reinforce a positive trends. Look over sales for ways to correct a negative trend. Are they overdue for a tire change or a financial review? Do they always buy travel gear at a certain time of the year, but not related items or services?

Have they had problems with your services or products? Have those issues been resolved to the customer's satisfaction? If not, can you address that now? If yes, can you communicate your appreciation for their loyalty and patience?

Is there an upcoming event or season that fits in with their buying interests? Can you tie a product or service to that event or time period?

Once you've gathered all that information, it's time to use a very simple tool to communicate with these customers...send them a card already!

A simple, inexpensive but well made card. A thank you card. An apology. Or even, if you have the data, a birthday card. Printed with your company's name. But with a handwritten note inside reinforcing the message.

"Sorry about the problems you had with the washer. I'm so glad we were able to fix it for you."

"We're glad to have Fido as part of our pet patient family. Hope to see him in our new state-of-the-art pet spa sometime soon!"

Include a custom advertisement just for them. If your customer has a Ford Mustang, don't send a sale flyer for Chevy Truck parts. Existing customers are people who know you and your business -- and they expect that you know them. Show them they're right with targeted messages.

These customers can be the key to not only staying afloat, but riding on a bigger yacht. Show them you notice them, appreciate them.

Greeting cards for the women at work

It started with very separate roles for men and women. By and large, men inhabited the workplace and women worked at home.

Then it moved towards an ideal of androgyny. Men and women as not only equals, but essentially identical. Gender differences like temperament, management style, pregnancy and childbirth were swept under the proverbial rug of "things we don't want to deal with or even admit are there."

Times have changed. Equality is taken for granted (although it's not a complete reality.) And people are beginning to address the differences, not as good or bad but as unique and potentially valuable. For the very first time, perhaps ever, women are able to succeed without having to pretend they're men in skirts and pantyhose.

So what does this have to do with cards? A lot.

Whether it's a woman choosing the cards, or a woman receiving a card, it's no longer necessary to choose a gender-neutral (or even masculine) card in order to appear "professional."

Does that mean that business greeting card companies need to start making cards embellished with Victorian lace and teddy bears. Not necessarily. But maybe.

It is now okay for women to decorate their offices with decidedly feminine accessories. To admit that working while pregnant is NOT the same as anything the men in the office will ever experience or understand. And that a pretty card is a nice thing to receive.

Another revolution! And one to keep in mind when you're choosing cards for the women at work.

The power of Happy Birthday

These are scary days for employees.

Profits are down, wages are frozen and jobs are vanishing, all while gas prices, food prices and foreclosures are rising.

Every business is looking for ways to save money. But have you considered the value of spending just a little on your employees?

There may not be money in the budget for raises or promotions, but how about something small and simple like a birthday card?

Sending an employee a birthday card does several things.

• First, it lets the employee know that they are noticed as an individual. Unlike company Christmas cards, which are a powerful tool as well, a birthday card is a more personal experience. After all, it's not everyone in the company's birthday on the same day or even in the same month.
  
  
• A simple birthday card, imprinted from the company, then signed by a manager or the whole department, can boost employee morale and team loyalty. The message that we are celebrating your birthday makes an employee know they belong, and that is one of the most powerful tools for increasing morale.
  
  
• A birthday card mailed to the employee's home makes an even greater impact. That extra bit of effort and a postage stamp pays off in huge attitude dividends.
  
  
• Sending a birthday card to an employee's spouse or partner and children costs very little, but can help even further in boosting the feeling of belonging. And when people feel like they belong, they work harder and have fewer accidents -- both benefits that far outweigh the price of a card.

Acknowledging employees can boost your bottom line

In an article published in the Summer 2008 edition of Motivational Strategies, researchers found that businesses with higher levels of employee engagement had more satisfied customers, more sales per square foot of store space, lower turnover and less accidents and injuries than businesses where employees felt unrecognized, unappreciated or replaceable.

So how do you create engagement? Here are some ideas:

Training -- Make sure your employees feel confident in their ability to do their jobs. Lack of training is listed as one of the primary reasons people feel disengaged at work.

Support -- Do your employees have the tools and materials they need to do their job well? Are they comfortable taking risks and trying new things, knowing they have the support of their managers and the company?

Acknowledgment -- Are employee successes taken for granted as "part of their job" or acknowledged with gratitude? If success is celebrated, even if the celebration is as small as a thank you card or a desk award, employees are more likely to put in their full effort and remain engaged in the company.

Variety -- Do employees get to experience a variety of projects, challenges and opportunities? When employees get to stretch their abilities in different tasks and roles, they are more likely to rate their company as a good or excellent place to work. Bored employees perform poorly, have more accidents and treat customers with less respect and enthusiasm.

Congratulations cards and chocolate

What could be better than getting a congratulations card for a job well done? Getting a card and some chocolate! Adding the sweet treat to a "Good job" card significantly raises the employee's perceived value of the message.

But before you add that chocolate bar to the envelope, consider this tidbit:

Telling the employee too much about the chocolate will devalue the effectiveness of the entire reward!

A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people who were given detailed information about the nutritional value and ingredients in a chocolate bar reported a much lower level of satisfaction with the candy than someone who was given only vague or minimal information about the same brand and style of candy.

So what is a manager to do get the maximum impact from giving an employee a motivational card and a chocolate?

• Choose a chocolate bar with minimal information on the package, or at least, minimal information on the front label. Chocolates with banners describing their fat content would probably not spark the same reaction as those offering only the brand name.
  
  
• Or even better, choose a chocolate bar with a novelty wrapper that conveys your message of thanks in a clear way. Many companies offer chocolate bars wrapped in a label reading "Congratulations" or "You make the difference." That way, you'll double the message AND avoid the negative effects of too much information.

Since both congratulations cards and motivational chocolates are inexpensive, it's easy to always have some of each on hand to catch that moment when a sweet reward is right.

Honor employees with anniversary cards

Does anyone at your company know exactly how long the person in the next cubicle has been with the company? Do you remember the date you started? Wouldn't it be nice to have the anniversary of your start with the company noticed each year?

As a society, we celebrate anniversaries of good things. Weddings. Births. First dates. Graduations (that's what class reunions are all about.)

So if we really value the employees at our company, shouldn't we be celebrating the anniversary of their employment?

An employee anniversary card is a great way to acknowledge that special day. It's inexpensive, personal and says "We care that you're here!" What better message could there be in these days of layoffs and cutbacks than to say "Thank you for working with us."

You can order a selection of employee anniversary cards imprinted with the company name and logo for a professional touch. But before you send it, be sure to add a personal note and a real signature. Even a simple line like

"Glad to have you in accounting!" or "Thanks for all your hard work on the catalogs!"

can turn an impersonal card into something special.

Christmas is over, but the value of cards continues

It's January and you thought the time for business greeting cards was over for another year. You are free from the need to order anything until next fall, right? Well, you could look at it that way.

But that would mean you'd be missing one of the least expensive and significantly powerful motivational tools you have for recognizing and honoring your employees!

A simple birthday greeting or business anniversary card sent to an employee can help to reinforce those bonds of loyalty and instill a sense of belonging. A congratulations card for a job well done, or a way to go for a project completed says more than the words on the card...it says that their work has been noticed and is being acknowledged as important to their manager, supervisor or even the whole company.

A get well card or a sympathy card tells an employee that they are recognized as a person, instead of just a worker who counts only when they're being productive and useful.

For the next little while, this blog will address the value of business greeting cards; how, when and where to send them; and the impact a simple card can have on an employee's motivation and attitude.