Top 10 Reasons to Send a Business Holiday Card

10) It's cheaper than a catalog, discount offer or coupon

9) People hang up their holiday cards and others look at them, so the word spreads, making your cost per viewer is really lower than the already low cost of a card

8) The season is ready-made for getting your company's name out without seeming salesy or pushy

7) Making a holiday card list creates a good opportunity to update mailing lists and make sure all info is current

6) Businesses that send holiday card are perceived of as "friendlier" than those who do not

5) Employees who receive company holiday cards and other business greeting cards report higher levels of engagement and loyalty than those who do not

4) Sending a company holiday card can become a company tradition. And companies with observable traditions last longer then companies without them

3) Selecting a company Christmas card encourages management to think about the company image and message. According to Stephan Covey, companies with a clear picture of their image and message are far more successful overall.

2) Sending a card to employees that says "thank you" results in a more employee-focused company culture, which promotes productivity, lower absenteeism, and lower turnover.

And most importantly,

1) People genuinely like getting holiday cards, even from businesses, so sending them makes customers happy. And above all, you want happy customers.

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.

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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

Got a couple of extra cards?

If you find yourself with a handful of extra company Christmas cards after you've written all you need to for your employees and customers, here are some ideas for putting those calorie-free leftovers to good use:

Send a card to a wounded soldier

Write a message of healing in those extra business holiday cards and send them to:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Send a card to a sick child

Check out the Hugs and Hope website for information about sending cards to kids who are facing frightening illnesses or injuries in the hospital this holiday season.

Reach out to the homeless

Send a message of hope to the homeless in your city with a holiday card. Write a seasonal message of hope in each, then enclose a gift card to a fast food restaurant, Wal-Mart or grocery store. Then take them to the local shelter or food kitchen and hand them out along with cookies and hot cider. If it's a family shelter, bring small wrapped toys along.

Cheer up local seniors

Many residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities have no family or friends. Brighten their day and their season with your leftover cards. Take small holiday decorations, CD's or small gifts like bright holiday socks. If you want to take food, check with the staff in advance to learn about special diets. Let employees take the cards and gifts to the facility and spend some time with the residents. That will boost employee morale, as well.

No matter how you decide to use those extra cards, you'll know you're making a difference in a life, instead of just filling a trash can. And isn't that what the holidays are all about?