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Companies that have a recognition program in place are doing something right. These programs increase employee satisfaction and reduce turnover rate substantially.

However, a study conducted by Bersin by Deloitte found that 87 percent of recognition programs focus on tenure rather than performance.

This type of recognition is a holdover from the days when people stayed with a company for 20 or 30 years. These days, though, most employees stay with an employer for an average of 4.4 years. And that is expected to decrease as more and more millennials enter the workforce.

If companies want to retain good employees, their recognition programs need to change with the times.

When revising tired old recognition programs, implementing peer-to-peer recognition is a smart place to start.

Why? Because the same study mentioned above also found that employees feel “much better when recognized by their peers.”

Top-down recognition programs can come across as political. The employees who are in the trenches may feel that they will never catch the attention of top management. So for them, there is no real incentive to work harder if they don’t think they have a chance be recognized.

However, peer-to-peer recognition programs open up the field for anyone to nominate and recognize anyone else within the company. And when someone receives such an award from one’s peers, it also holds more meaning and carries more weight.

Ready to implement a peer-to-peer recognition program? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Get input from employees

This is an essential first step. Ask employees what they’d like to see in a recognition program. What kinds of achievements would they like to recognize? What type of awards would they like to receive themselves? You may not be able to do everything they suggest, but it will give you a good idea of what they find motivating and valuable.

Put together a diverse committee

Make sure all levels in your company are represented on the selection committee. It defeats the purpose if employees nominate but the final selection is made by management.

Get creative with awards

First, always make sure that the employee receives a certificate and other award that they can display in their work spaces. These can then be supplemented with other creative, out-of-the-box incentives. For example, maybe the employee gets a special parking place or a month’s worth of java at the local coffee shop or a gift certificate for a well-deserved massage.

As always, the more thought your company puts into recognition, the more appreciated and powerful it will be. And the more happy and productive your employees will become.

As the new year gets underway, many people take a moment for self-reflection.

• Does my career fulfill my professional goals?

• Do I see a future with my employer?

• Will I be happier if I change jobs?

So, it’s no surprise that many job changes occur during the first of the year. Plus, it’s when most companies post job openings. A new year brings a new financial schedule and untapped budgets, which translates into funding for new hires, according to a Forbes article online.  So, if you love your staff, show it. If not, they might look for greener pastures long before summer. Here’s why according to Inc. Magazine and CBS Moneywatch.

The Top 5 Reasons Employees are Leaving Your Company

1. There’s no advancement opportunities

When someone is hired for a position, they generally hope and strive to improve and move into a more senior position within their department or the company as a whole.

If you’re skipping annual reviews and fail to promote from within when a position becomes available, you’re at risk of losing some of your best talent.

Suggestion: Announce open positions within the company to staff a week before making it public. Let them know how much you value their dedication to the company and that they will be given the opportunity to apply first.

2. It’s difficult to balance work and family life.

Some employees turn in a resignation letter because it’s simply too difficult to afford childcare or care for an aging parent while holding down a job.

Although it’s difficult for employers to know about these issues at home, they can take a proactive approach to making their employees’ lives outside the office a bit easier.

Suggestion: Offer company perks such as a discounted rate a local daycare or with an in-home nursing care provider. Many companies negotiate group and corporate rates with businesses. All you have to do is ask!

3. There’s no pay increase in sight

For most employees, the paycheck is what brought them to the door and keeps them at their desk. We all need money to live, but when you see friends and family members getting raises or annual salary adjustments to keep up with inflation from their employers, it can be tough to stay at the same job

Suggestion: Putting a pay raise freeze in effect during tough economic times or when a company is struggling might be a reality. If you simply can’t offer pay raises right now, keep your employees content with other small gestures of gratitude.

An annual monetary bonus just before the holidays or a friendly quarterly contest with the chance to win some cash can keep employees happy.

4. The co-workers don’t get along

Unfortunately some office settings become as catty as the halls of a local high school.

When making new hires, think about the dynamic of the office culture and whether or not possible new employee will fit in. If there’s existing turmoil, take action ASAP to diffuse any future situations. Not surprisingly, the biggest rifts exist between bosses and the people they supervise.

Suggestion: Plan a monthly team-building activity. This can be as simple as a long, catered lunch with a guided exercise at the office, or a full day outing.

The goal for employees is to get to know more about one another, open up about their concerns and learn how to work through their feelings with the guidance of a professional workplace psychologist in a non-clinical setting.

5. You’re never recognized for a job well done

It’s incredibly easy to get wrapped up in weekly goals, which turn into monthly quotas and then quarterly reports. Sometimes as a business owner, you need to step back and celebrate the small steps that it takes to make the business run as a whole. Your employees will appreciate that you’re taking notice of their day-to-day dedication and extra efforts.

Suggestion: Make it a priority to celebrate both big and small accomplishments around the office. Send a congratulations out to the staff by email when a department lands a new account or place an award on the office door of someone who just finished a huge project that laid the groundwork for company success. There’s always something going on worth commending.

Is your employee turnover rate getting a little high? Maybe it’s time to conduct an anonymous staff survey to learn what employees love (and dislike) about their jobs.

In the meantime, plan a simple employee appreciation party on a Friday afternoon, complete with delicious catered snacks and humorous awards, to make the staff feel appreciated.

Paper Direct can help you get started. Browse the company’s online collection of certificates, awards, plaques and trophies to make your employees feel appreciated.

Let’s face it. Most of us would rather by lying on a beach somewhere instead of cooped up in an office cubicle. Why? Because it’s FUN!

For some reason, the word “fun” isn’t usually associated with work. Far too often, words like stress, boredom and drudgery spring to mind instead.

But why shouldn’t work be fun? More and more studies are showing that encouraging employees to have fun and play during work is a smart business move. According to the nonprofit, HelpGuide.org, play can relieve stress, improve brain function, boost creativity and improve relationships. All things that can help companies grow and prosper!

If you’re not quite ready to pass out hula hoops or build a playground in the breakroom, start slow by celebrating National Fun at Work Day on January 28th.

Start preparing for the day by asking employees what they think would be fun. If people are stumped (because how often do we get asked about fun at work?), here are a few ideas to get you started.

Plan a potluck

All too often, employees work through lunch or eat at their desks. A potluck will encourage your staff to step away from their computers and connect with their coworkers.

Set it up in a large communal area or outside if you live in a warm area of the country.

Provide a few simple games like a bean bag toss or a dart board to loosen people up and get them laughing.

Set up celebration stations

Arrange to have different tables throughout the office with an assortment of fun activities. For example, one might have sketchbooks or coloring books while another might have chess or checkers. Allow employees to access these stations throughout the day as they wish.

Have a “decorate the cubicle” contest

If your employees work in the dreaded “cubicle farm,” they may find it less than inspiring. Why not encourage them to have a little fun and decorate their spaces any way they like? You can either stick with a central theme (i.e., tropical paradise) or allow them to come up with their own.

Bring in supplies like streamers, confetti, balloons or anything else that makes sense. End the event by handing out awards in categories like “most creative” or “best use of materials.”

Dress down or dress up

For a change of pace, shake up the dress code. If your office is typically a buttoned-up, suit-and-tie environment, let employees know that, for one day only, they can wear jeans! If you really want to go crazy, tell them to haul out the flip flops. If your office is already casual, declare a “crazy costume” day. Or you could even go in the opposite direction and encourage employees to put on the ritz by donning formal or cocktail attire.

Have a garage sale

Okay, since it’ll be held in your office, it won’t be a garage sale exactly. Instead, maybe call it “desktop deals” or “cubicle close-out.” But the idea is the same.

Encourage employees to bring in items from home to sell. These items can include knick knacks, clothing or even their own crafts. Allow everyone to “shop” at each other’s desks or set up your business bazaar in a conference room or break room. To keep it simple, make sure that everyone brings and accepts cash only.

These are just a few suggestions but the possibilities are endless. And don’t stress too much about it! After all, that defeats the purpose of a “have fun at work day,” doesn’t it?

With the new year comes new opportunities for your business. No doubt, gearing up with fresh ideas, promotions and marketing tactics. So why not include a brand new program to recognize and reward your most valuable asset: your employees!

Keeping employees happy is an important part creating and running a successful business. In fact, research conducted by the University of Warwick found that happiness increased productivity by 12 percent.

Professor Andrew Oswald, one of the lead researchers on the study, noted that, “Companies like Google have invested more in employee support, and employee satisfaction has risen as a result. For Google, it rose by 37%.”

In other words, says Professor Oswald, “Making workers happier really pays off.”

And the best news? Just a little bit of effort on the part of the employer goes a long way. Even small gestures can reap big rewards.

Wondering where to begin? Consider implementing an Employee of the Month program. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Form a committee

While this is not an absolute necessity, it’s helpful to have more than one person in charge of selection. Ask for volunteers and make sure they’re from different levels and departments (managers, administrative, creative, etc.).

Decide on selection criteria

What types of traits, attributes or accomplishments will the committee consider? Some ideas are teamwork, outstanding customer service, innovation, money or time-saving ideas, etc. Ask the committee to discuss and decide upon the criteria that makes the most sense for your company.

Establish eligibility

It’s important to make it clear who is eligible for the award and how often. Will every employee be eligible for the award every month? Or will winners be excluded from winning again for a period of time? Will managers and executive staff be considered or is it just for those “in the trenches”?

Define the nomination process

Decide how nominations will be determined and/or accepted. Will the selection committee come up with the nominees? Or will the names be submitted by managers only or open to the entire staff? Establish a monthly or quarterly deadline and create a short nomination form.

Determine what the winner will receive

Depending on your budget and resources, the options are almost limitless. You could reward your Employee of the Month with a gift certificate to a local restaurant, paid time off or a parking place close to the door. And of course, an elegant award certificate that they can display in their work space is always appreciated.

Feel free to get creative and have fun. An employee recognition program doesn’t require a lot of time or money to have a big impact on your staff and your bottom line!

Shop PaperDirect today for all your certificate, trophy and plaque needs and show your employees how much they matter to your

For some companies, the holidays are a quiet and peaceful period. For others, especially those in the retail sector, it’s one of the busiest, most hectic times of the year.

This can mean extra stress for employees, who may be working long hours and dealing with frazzled, harried customers. Tensions can rise, making for a less-than-merry work environment.

So how do you keep the stress low and the jolly high? Here are five suggestions:

Set an Example

Employees often take their cues from their superiors. If you or your management team is stressed and grumpy, chances are your employees will be, too. On the other hand, if you maintain a sunny disposition, your staff will follow your lead.

You don’t have to be over the top. The smallest things can have the greatest effect Simply smiling at employees (and customers) and remembering to say “please” and “thank you” will create a positive atmosphere.

Plan Stress-relieving Activities

There’s no better stress-buster than having a little fun.

Schedule a quick all-employee break to walk around the block. Order in lunch. Encourage employees to talk about their favorite holiday memory. Organize a Christmas carol contest.

Make time for laughter and your employees will respond.

Recognize and Reward

Feeling appreciated is a terrific motivator and morale booster. So whether it’s helping a customer find the perfect gift or staying late to do inventory, take note when your employees go above and beyond.

Feel free to get creative with your recognition. Give a gift certificate for one hour of paid time off. Or present them with an award for “Patience with the World’s Most Obnoxious Customer” or “Jolliest Elf of the Day.”

Be Flexible

Sure, you may not be able to work around all your employees’ holiday schedule requests. And most understand this. But if a staff member needs time to go to her daughter’s Christmas play, do your best to accommodate her.

If you’re in an office environment, consider granting comp time for extra hours worked. This will allow employees to take care of shopping and family demands while still fulfilling their work duties.

Give a Gift

If it’s financially and logistically feasible, give a gift to each of your employees as your way of saying thanks for all their hard work. Anything from delicious baked goods to a grocery certificate for a Christmas ham to cash (of course!) lets employees know that they’re valued and appreciated year-round.

Happy Boss’s Day!

If you enjoy working for your boss, why not show it with a gift this October 16th?

After all, being the boss can be tough. Here are some simple ideas that won’t blow anyone’s budget, but are nice enough to show you put some thought into it:

Personalized Gifts

A personalized gift could include a small clock, business card holder or paper weight engraved with your boss’s name. You could also have a certificate printed that shows how many years your boss has been with the company, praises a milestone or just says Happy Boss’s Day.

Bluetooth Mini Keyboard

This is the ideal gift for the diligent professional who is always working, even after hours and on weekends. The Bluetooth keyboard connects to any late-model Android or Apple devices. The keyboard makes it easier for your boss to send emails, without hurting their thumbs. The best part about this gift choice is it’s not personal or too expensive, nor does not appear cheap.

Food or Drink

If your boss has a coffee obsession, get their favorite brand. Same goes with soda or beer. Better yet, if your boss is always munching on a certain snack, get a Costo-sized tub of it and gift it with a big bow.

Something Fun

There are many games you can get your boss that are ideal for an office setting. A few ideas of this type of game is a dart board and darts, a desktop skee ball machine, a mini plinko game, or any other appropriately sized game that will fit nicely in an office. This gift will show your boss that it’s okay for them to have fun too, and it gives them a great way to wind down after a stressful day.

Office Decor 

If your boss’s office is drab and dreary, spruce it up with some sleek office decor. Some ideas:

• Modern Clock
• Potted Plant
• Framed Photo of Boss+Employees
• Sports team memorabilia
• Clever sign

For all your motivational certificates, gifts, and invitation needs, be sure to shop online at PaperDirect. We offer a wide variety to gifts that will fit every holiday and event, ensuring you can find something perfect for any occasion.

One of the most effective ways to make employees and volunteers feel appreciated is by presenting them with an elegant award in recognition of their service.

Awards in and of themselves are always welcomed by recipients. But why not go the extra mile and present the award in front of others along with a short, heartfelt speech about their contributions?

Don’t know where to begin? Here are a few tips, along with a sample script, that should help get you started.

The Opener

First, start with a funny or touching anecdote about the person if possible. This sets up the framework for what makes the employee, teacher, volunteer, student, or essential worker special. However, make sure it’s not too personal or potentially embarrassing.

Talk about Why

Describe some of the recipient’s accomplishments and relate it to why they’re receiving the award. Although they may have a long list of achievements, try to keep it relatively brief and play up the ones that are most significant.

Look Outside of Work

Give a quick, general description of the recipient as a person outside of their accomplishments. Are they funny or warm? Do they have other significant interests or hobbies? Are there particular quirks they’re known for?

Finish it Up

Wrap it up with the presentation itself and lead the applause.

Try This Sample Script

Feel free to use this as a template for your own presentation.

The first day Joan Henry volunteered at the Southview SPCA, she performed a miracle. In one dog run was a little scared poodle named Gigi. Gigi had cowered from everyone who tried to approach her and refused to eat, and the staff was getting concerned. Joan asked if she could try. The staff agreed but told her not to get her hopes up. Joan entered the run, sat down and remained perfectly still for the longest time. Finally, Gigi crept out of the corner, sniffed Joan and then, to our amazement, curled up in Joan’s lap and fell asleep. It was one of the most remarkable things any of us had ever seen.

Since that day 10 years ago, Joan has become an invaluable and beloved member of the Southview family. During that time, by some estimates, she has walked 10,000 dogs and scooped 25,000 litter boxes. She has helped organize fundraising events, assisted at vaccination clinics and got Southview set up on social media. And she’s done all this without ever being paid a dime.

Joan is passionate and compassionate, determined and soft-hearted. She has boundless energy, is quick to laugh and, as all of us here know, is completely obsessed with pistachio ice cream. Countless animals owe her their thanks and we here at Southview owe her even more.

Ladies and gentleman, the Southview SPCA’s volunteer of the year — Joan Henry!

We wish you luck in creating your own speeches for recognition! If you’re looking for a high-quality award to present, look no further than PaperDirect’s selection of awards and certificates. Browse our selection today!

Harnessing the energy and effort of your employees is one of the best ways to increase your profits without adding to your costs. You should always be looking to develop an office culture where employees feel recognized and rewarded for their efforts. This will often boost overall productivity and improve morale in the office. Learn how to start employee of the month awards that will motivate and celebrate hard workers in your office.

Set criteria for evaluating employees

Although you could arbitrarily choose your employee of the month, everyone will be much more motivated if they see that the award consistently goes to the hardest working employee who has contributed the most to the company that month. Therefore, you’ll want to set some objective criteria to evaluate people. These could include special projects completed, value of innovative ideas, overall positive attitude in the workplace, supervisor recommendations, or peer nominations.

Create compelling incentives

Your employees will be much more likely to change their work habits as a result of the program if you offer incentives that they view as worthwhile. For example, you may offer a free lunch out with the boss, a “sleep in” day where the employee can come to work an hour late but get paid for a normal day, casual dress days, or a gift card. Once you have the incentives, announce the program, evaluation criteria, and incentives to employees.

Celebrate your first employee of the month

You’ll want to announce your winner at an all-office meeting so everybody can celebrate together. Build anticipation by describing the employee’s accomplishments before announcing the name so people will be on the edge of their seats trying to figure out who will win. Present the employee with a certificate in an elegant frame that can be displayed in the employee’s office or cubicle. In addition, consider creating a plaque or other permanent award to display centrally with the name of each month’s winner engraved on it.

You will know you have created a successful employee of the month program if you hear people talking about it throughout the month. Having a goal in mind provides motivation for employees to go above and beyond expectations. Get ready to launch your program right away by shopping at PaperDirect for fun awards for your workplace!

A high employee turnover hurts your company’s bottom line. It’s also not great for morale, as employees seem to come and go, and staff members aren’t able to form strong working relationships. Keeping your employees happy is a key part of lowering your turnover rate. If you aren’t sure how to improve employee turnover, try implementing one or more of these ideas to make your workplace a desirable place to be.

Hire with Care

One great way to reduce turnover is to hire the right person for the job. Being right for a position means not only having the ability to perform the job, but also to get along with people in the office. When you interview candidates, get a feel for their personalities. You might also want to find out why they want the job. You want an employee who really wants the job, not someone who’ll take the position only until something better comes along.

Recognize Employees

Everyone wants to be recognized for their hard work. Make your employees feel like they are part of the team by regularly offering awards certificates and recognition to the hardest workers. Consider starting an employee of the month program, which recognizes a person who has gone above and beyond.

Make Sure Pay is Right

Pay is a big issues for both employees and employers. People are likely to jump ship if their pay isn’t in line with their position or if they haven’t received a raise in a long while. Do some research to find out if what you’re offering employees is in line with similar positions at other companies.

You might also want to consider boosting benefits to convince people to stay. For example, you can begin to offer flexible work schedules to staff or offer bonuses for employees who perform especially well over the quarter or year.

Remember That Your Employees are People

Along with being paid fairly and receiving recognition for their efforts, most employees want to be treated like human beings. You’ll reduce turnover if you remember that sometimes your workers need a day off or that sometimes a team member will have to work from home as he or she cares for a sick child or spouse.

When thinking of ways to lower your company’s turnover rate, think of the things you’d want from an employer. Odds are likely that the things you’d hope for in a job are similar to the very things your team members want.

Sometimes small businesses need more than just competitive compensation to keep employees happy. If you’re looking for some creative perks, consider one or more of the following. They will certainly keep employees working hard!

Creative Perks:

Bring Your Dog to Work day.

It’s all in the name. Dogs have been known to calm the stressed while boosting moods. Plus, many people dislike leaving their dogs alone all day. Have a weekly or monthly day where dogs are welcome in the office.

Weekly Breakfasts.

How often do your employees show up late because they’ve been waiting at the drive thru? Supply breakfast every once in a while- your employees will show up on time, focused and ready to work.

Summer Hours.

There are many ways to offer summer hours. You could give employees Friday flex schedules; offer extra summer vacation days, shorter work hours, or anything else. Since summer is such a popular time for travel, parties and family gatherings, your employees will definitely appreciate this!

Surprise! You’re off.

Plan a secret day off- announced the day before.

Fun and Games.

Bring a ping pong table or other game into the office. Have a Wednesday playing session or allow employees to use it every time they finish a project.

Happy Hour.

Hosting a happy hour is an easy one. Whether you decide to sponsor it or not, employees enjoy creating relationships outside of work.

Casual dress code.

Employees appreciate having a casual workplace. Whether its one day or all week, consider this simple perk!

Fantasy Football, March Madness, Etc.

Have a little office competition by supporting efforts to organize a league or team.

Office Gym/ Discounted Membership.

If you don’t have an office gym, consider paying for a portion of your employee’s gym memberships. It has been proven that healthy employees are happier and produce better work.

Fitness Incentives.

If gym memberships aren’t in your budget, offer fitness incentives to your employees. This can look something like “The Office” weight loss competition or giving one extra personal day to every employee that has a membership on their own.

Birthday Off.

Happy Birthday! When it’s your employee’s birthday, they get a holiday!

Free Spotify/ Rdio account

If your employees are working at their computers and listening to music, offer to pay for their Spotify or other music accounts. Most of these services run about $10/ month and help your workers get in the groove.

Summer sports tournament.

Get together once a week after work and play kickball, softball or volleyball.

Monthly raffles

Give away simple prizes like baseball tickets, business SWAG or Starbucks gift cards.

Applause award

Every month, recognize a hardworking employee by honoring them in front of the company. Hand them an award certificate and see them glow.

Hopefully one of these creative perks sparks some action. Keeping your employees happy and fulfilled is important and can reduce turnover while improving company reputation. For more ideas on employee recognition, visit PaperDirect.