A holiday party might seem like a simple-enough event to organize. However, those with experience planning a company-wide holiday party know it is no easy feat to host a successful yuletide gathering. For those new to holiday party planning, or those who are looking to make the process easier than years past, use this timeline and tips to put together a memorable, spectacular, and festive soiree.
Three Months Before the Party
Confirm Party Budget
Meet with key decision makers to set a budget for your event. Without knowing your budget, it’s impossible to make the necessary arrangements for this event.
Visit Potential Venues
Start exploring your venue options. This will help you ascertain the feel or mood for the party, thus allowing you to start planning the smaller details of the event.
Two Months Before the Party
Book the Venue
You’ve had some time to consider what this year’s holiday party will look and feel like, so now it’s time to commit to a party locale.
Compare Vendors
You’ve booked the party venue. It’s time to start researching caterers, decorators, and entertainers.
Develop the Holiday Party’s Theme
Share the information you’ve found along with the broad party details with the company’s decision makers to ensure you’re on track with this project.
6 Weeks Before the Party
Send “Save the Date” Notices
Make sure the entire staff has marked the date on their calendars for the company holiday party. It might seem like too far in advance to send a “Save the Date” for a holiday party but this season is one of the busiest of the year. Before you know it, people are booked solid during the month of December and because you sent out a late “Save the Date”, half the company’s workforce has other holiday events to attend instead of yours.
Tastings
Work with caterers or possible venues so you can decide who will create the food for the holiday party. Food=fun!
Consider Hotels Near the Venue
Contact nearby hotels about group rates so you can encourage staff members to really enjoy the evening without anyone finding themselves in a drunk driving situation.
Formally invite all staff members to the holiday party. Include RSVP, dress code, themes, who is invited (significant others, kids), location details, nearby hotel accommodations, and other relevant information.
Connect Vendors with Venue
It’s time to connect the dots for your holiday party. Make sure each vendor is in contact with the venue so they coordinate times and any necessary deliveries.
Confirm Details
Contact vendors and the venue to double check that everything is on track. From the appetizers to music, the servers to the holiday-themed decorations, you want to confirm that all of the arrangements you’ve worked so hard to put together are in order for the party.
Contact party invitees who have not yet responded to the invitation to confirm their plans.
Three Weeks Before the Party
Create Supply List
You want to make sure there are disposable cameras on all of the tables. Or maybe you’re handing out goody bags at the end of the event. Take the time to make a list of the odds and ends you are responsible for getting to the venue. You’ll find you are using this list up to the day of the event.
One Week Before the Party
Send Party Reminders
Include all of the information from the invitation, except for the RSVP details so everyone knows where to go and when.
Confirm Schedule with Vendors and Venue
This is the final pre-party check-in before the big day. Go over every detail with a fine-toothed comb to save yourself a headache on the day of the party.
The Day of the Party….
Have fun! You might need to connect with vendors and the venue for any last minute details but on the day of the party, it’s time for you to kick back and enjoy yourself with your co-workers.
Following the party, you want to share photos and send a feedback survey to see where your party succeeded and where it might have fallen short. This is also the time to reconcile the party budget. While it can be stressful to plan a holiday party for a business, your hard work will be appreciated by everyone in attendance.
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Targeting a local audience with your Small Business Saturday promotion ideas can definitely happen in person and in your shop. But it can also happen online. With a few keen strategies and a bit of advance planning, you can reach a wide audience of local folks with a few clicks of the mouse.
OK, online Small Business Saturday promotion ideas may take more than a few mouse clicks. But your online efforts can reap huge rewards if you do it right.
Social Media
If your business doesn’t have social media accounts on the top channels, create them now. Right now. Most businesses of any size frequent the most popular channels, with company pages or accounts on at least the big three:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
You can kick off your online Small Business Saturday promotion ideas by simply posting announcements that you’ll be participating in the event. List the exact date of the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the times your business will be open, and any details on the specials you’ll be running.
Joining like-minded groups on social media can also help advance your brand – and perhaps even drum up a few other local shops to join in the SBS celebration. Seek out groups based on location, or go for common services, products, interests or industries.
Boost awareness of the event even further with paid social media advertising, with ads that let you select the location of your target audience. Instead of setting up an ad that can be seen by everyone, you can choose who sees the ad by zip code or even by a select radius directly surrounding your business. Location-based targeting options are available for ads on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Email
Email is another way to drum up awareness and business with Small Business Saturday promotion ideas. Strategic SBS announcements, downloadablecoupons, alluring marketing messages, and even incentives to come on down can help bring business into your shop. But first, of course, you need to have a mailing list.
Having an opt-in form on your website and social media pages
Asking in-person shoppers to sign up when they’re at the register
Having a sign-up list in your shop
Your next step is to craft an email with a distinct goal, which would be driving folks to your shop on Small Business Saturday. Effective emails will speak directly to the customers you’re targeting with language they use, a hook that will grab them, and a delivery time when they’re most likely to open and read it.
Effective emails also contain:
Compelling subject line
Header with your brand
Personalized greeting
Short, easy-to-scan body copy that backs up subject line
Call to action that tells them what you want them to do
Social share buttons so they can easily share with their social media pals
Unsubscribe button so they can easily opt-out if desired
While you’re online revving up your emails and social media pages, don’t forget to write about your Small Business Saturday celebration on your blog – before and after the event. Taking photos at the event can also make for a fun post that showcases your business as well as locals who came by to support it on SBS.
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While Thanksgiving isn’t the most popular time to send a greeting card, it can be a great time to stand out among vendors or other businesses. Showing thanks and sending gratitude is easy; all you need is a simple card and a thoughtful message inside.
If you’re on the prowl for Thanksgiving holiday cards, let us assist you. Here are our favorite designs for 2016!
Each of the above designs comes with foil-lined or regular envelopes. You can also create a pre-printed message inside each card- saving your hand long hours of writing.
Stand out this holiday season and be top of mind come December. Sending a Thanksgiving card is the simplest way of doing just that!
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“American Psychologist published a study where researchers found that top performers experienced a positive to negative emotions ratio at a minimum 3:1 and as high as 11:1. In other words, for a person to “thrive” he/she needs to experience at least 3 positive interactions for every 1 negative.”
In other words, for a person to “thrive” he/she needs to experience at least 3 positive interactions for every 1 negative.
Every employee in your business plays an invaluable role, but the sales team is the engine that feeds your company and keeps everyone on the payroll. Recognizing the efforts of your sales team allows you to motivate and inspire these individuals so they continue to close deals and build new business. Use some of these fun awards to recognize the hard work of your sales team.
The Pioneer Award
Award this certificate to the salesperson who spent the month/quarter trailblazing a new territory for your company, whether it was industrial or geographical. Maybe this salesperson closed a deal with someone in the retail vertical, which is a new market for your business. Or possibly a salesperson found a way to partner with a new regional distributor, opening your business up to new clients. This salesperson packed up his/her wagon and successfully ventured into new territory for your company. That’s impressive work that should be rewarded.
The Cold Call Award
This salesperson is always following up on leads, cold calling potential customers, and knocking on doors to find the next big sale. They leave no stone unturned when seeking out a new opportunity to increase your business. Encourage this dedication by awarding this individual for their efforts. Reward this salesperson with a phone-related award, like a Crystal Cell Phone Holder.
The Closer Award
Regardless of season or economic shifts, this salesperson consistently makes sales. When everyone else has checked out during the holiday season, for example, this person is still closing deals. You can rely on this salesperson through thick and thin, so reward their hard work with The Closer Award.
The Alley-Oop Award
Some people have the gift of gab. They can schmooze just about anyone. Sometimes the hardest part of making a sale is getting in good with the potential lead, and this salesperson can always make a good impression and set a fellow sales colleague up to close the deal.
This is your sales team’s sixth max, the one you call in when you need to make in-roads with a possible new client. This individual greases the wheel so his peer can come in and score.
The Ahab Award
Once a month (or maybe once a quarter if that is more appropriate for your company), recognize the salesperson who landed the biggest whale. These big sales set the example for what your business wants its sales team to do on a regular basis– those white whales really bolster your bottom line.
Use any of the above ideas to reward your business’s outstanding sales teams. Start shopping for awards now.
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While Thanksgiving may be a notorious day for turkey and pumpkin pie, it’s definitely not a notorious holiday for marketing. Companies are quick to send out cards celebrating Christmas, Valentine’s and even their customers or clients’ birthdays, yet Thanksgiving cards are an oft-forgotten batch. In fact, they’re nearly in last place when it comes to greeting card sales in general. The only holiday cards less popular than Thanksgiving are those for St. Patrick’s Day.
Your company could certainly take this info to mean you’re on the right track by ignoring the holiday like most other folks. Or you could take it as a keen opportunity to stand out from the crowd by sending out Thanksgiving messages to customers and clients.
Whether you’re sending cards, emails or posting on your Facebook page, taking a small moment to honor Thanksgiving can be a big way to show your company cares. With that in mind, we’re sharing five short and sweet Thanksgiving messages you can use on your batch of greeting cards.
Thanksgiving Messages
May your Thanksgiving be filled with wonderful things
(like whipped cream and pumpkin pie!).
The only thing better than food on Thanksgiving
is having loyal customers like you.
Just wanted to say Thank You
for your business
your loyalty
being you.
We’re grateful for the opportunity
to serve sensational customers like you!
Customers like you make every day
a good day to give thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving.
While these Thanksgiving messages were created for use on the interior of Thanksgiving greeting cards, there’s nothing stopping you from using them on notecards, printed stationery or even as the text for a social media or email that also features a striking autumnal-themed visual.
You can never go wrong sending warm Thanksgiving wishes to people you appreciate. And as the people who keep you in business, customers and clients should be at the top of your list.
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Attention shoppers! We’ve got a fall paper giveaway starting today, celebrating the arrival of fall and the wonderful promotions your business or school can do with colorful paper. The contest runs from Now- September 30, 2016, and the winner receives $50 credit towards any fall paper purchase.
Here’s a quick preview of the fun products to choose from.
Has foot traffic dropped off for your business? Trying to engage new customers to shop with your company? Banners are a great way to increase foot traffic to your business but unless you know what to say, the effort might be wasted. Use these business banner ideas to inspire your next marketing campaign to reach new customers and re-engage existing ones.
Take X% Off
Who doesn’t love a discount? Sales are a great way to encourage foot traffic to your business. Make sure your sale is a worthwhile effort by marketing it to passersby with an eye-catching banner that advertises the deep discounts available inside your shop.
You can create urgency with shoppers by noting on your banner “One Day Only!” This will get people in the store in a more timely manner, so you can better grasp the effectiveness of your marketing project.
Follow Us Online
List your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or most pertinent social channels on your banner so new customers can immediately check out what you offer before visiting your store. This means you have to bolster your digital marketing efforts to really show off the merchandise and/or services your company sells. This banner will help you engage customers online while enticing them into your brick and mortar location.
Brand New for You
People are excited about new things, from cutting edge merchandise to additional services. Share the latest and greatest additions to your business with a banner that boasts about it. Shoppers are always looking for the next best thing, and they are more likely to step inside your business if they know there’s something new to see and purchase.
We Can Help You
Everyone needs help sometimes. Let your community know that your business is there to serve them, whether it’s helping parents find the best deal on back to school supplies or caring for dogs with daycare services. Reaching out a helping hand to your potential and existing customers demonstrates your commitment to them.
Get the Best
Whether your business sells organic produce or offers house cleaning services, let your audience know that you have the best products/services on the market. If you have a high Yelp or Google review score, include that in smaller text on the banner, for example, “Five out of five stars from Yelp users!”
For new customers, this banner will inform them of your company’s sterling reputation while reminding old clients about why they worked with your business previously.
Celebrate With Us
Take advantage of people’s interests. Host a special football season sale.
Hosting an in-store event? Opening a new store? Encourage everyone to attend with a banner inviting the community. Events entice curious shoppers, new and old, to peruse your business without feeling obligated to make a purchase, even though these individuals do end up buying during these in-store occasions.
PaperDirect carries pre-designed banners as well as blank canvases. Make your own banner and bring in more foot traffic this fall!
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Even in this age of one-click shopping from basically anywhere in the world, there’s a satisfaction that can’t be matched from buying local. That satisfaction applies to both local shoppers and local business owners, and you can encourage the practice with a Free Image Download (LINK)to print out and hang in your storefront window.
Just in case you need a little boost to urge folks to buy local, we’ve compiled five reasons business owners benefit from local consumers.
Avoid shipping hassles
Sick of packing, taping, calculating costs, finding boxes, printing labels, setting up pickups, tracking packages and otherwise engaging in the massive hassles of shipping your items? Sell your stuff to local walk-in customers and you can simply take the money, bag it up and watch them merrily walk out with the goods in hand.
Boost local economy
Local shoppers help boost the overall local economy. Think about it. When local walk-ins spend loads of money in your shop, you may generate enough business to expand your operations, hire more local staff to work there that now have their own money to spend on other local businesses and do the same.
Another economy boost comes from the services or goods you’re selling. Local bookshops may offer books by local authors. Art shops and galleries can do the same for local artists. And restaurants can have a heyday serving up meals prepped with locally grown produce.
Get to meet (and treat!) your neighbors
Emails and phone calls may be quick and easy ways to take orders, but they can never replace the friendly, face-to-face meetings you can enjoy with your in-person customers. Running a local business is about more than making money. It’s about contributing to the very fabric of the community.
Not only do you get the chance to become a community fixture, but you can offer your expertise, advice, and personalized service. You can also participate in community events, give back by volunteering at local organizations, and otherwise become an integral part of your business’s neighborhood.
Serve as example for others
Your own thriving local business can not only serve as a community hub, but it can serve as a model for other would-be local business owners to set up their own shops. Better yet, you may even get to act as a mentor or guide, sharing tips, tricks and regulations you followed on the path to your own success.
Offer something truly unique
Sure, millions of people can buy online. But in many cases, millions of people can also buy the exact same thing online. Your business can instead serve up unique, quirky or otherwise memorable services or items people can’t find anywhere else in the world.
So, Boss’s Day is right around the corner and you’re looking for just the right thing to celebrate the person who signs your paychecks. Before you scoff at the idea of actually showing appreciation to your superior, just consider everything your manager or supervisor does for you on a daily basis. A good boss is patient, keen to teach, and always understanding of the fact that your life isn’t completely about your job. When you run across a person who simply wants you to be honest and work hard, then it’s never a problem to celebrate their value.
One of the best ways to let your boss know you care is a tailored certificate of appreciation. Here are five examples that you can put together for your boss this October.
To Our Incredible Manager [Boss’ Name], Thanks For All the Cash!
And there you have it! These are just a few ideas amid the essentially infinite possibilities that are available. Everyone needs a little support and a little appreciation now and then, even the person directly above you on the totem pole. If you’re one of the people fortunate enough to have a manager or supervisor who’s one of the good ones, say a personal thank you with a certificate of appreciation this Boss’s Day.
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The back to school frenzy can be awesome for business, even if you don’t sell school supplies, children’s clothing or other items directly related to the upcoming school year. Companies of any sort can boost customers, revenue and their overall bottom line with a number of creative back to school sale ideas.
Last Chance Sales
Back to school season can be used to create a sense of urgency in any industry, as it’s the last chance for parents, kids and teachers to savor the last moments of summer. Last chance examples for back to school sales ideas include:
Hair salon: Offer a last chance to get that killer haircut before the school year for parents, teachers, and kids.
Toy store: Give kids the last to get the coolest toy they’ve had all summer with a massive merchandise sale.
Book shop: Serve up a last chance to grab fabulous fiction for people’s last trip to the beach.
Kids Not Home Sales
Instead of looking at back to school season as the end of summer, you can frame it as the beginning of a quieter, less rambunctious home environment. Here back to school sales ideas include:
Art gallery: Encourage customers to fill their now-empty house with new artwork.
Tool or home improvement shop: Help people inexpensively finish those home or yard projects without the kids under their feet.
Furniture store: Back to school is the perfect time to for folks to invest in a new couch, chair or bed now that the kids won’t be melting ice cream or popsicles all over the house.
Parent-Only Promotions
If your company sells products or services that can help parents adapt to the back to school schedule, now is prime time to cater to their needs.
Wine bar: Launch a wine tasting promotion for parents to celebrate their kids return to school.
Gyms and spas: Pump up membership numbers with special rates or two-for-one deals now that parents have time to hit the gym or spa.
Massage, reiki, personal care centers: Invite parents to take a breather now with the kids at school.
Teacher Celebrations
Other smart back to school sales ideas involve attracting teachers to your business with discounts or specials just for them.
Restaurants: Offer a discount once a week, such as with Teacher Tuesdays, where teachers get a reduced rate on meals.
Car dealerships: Rev up business with a special leasing or purchasing deal for teachers, giving them a new set of wheels for the new school year.
Bowling alley: Get groups of teachers into your lanes with discounts or buy-one-get-one free games on certain days of the week.
Even if your business doesn’t fit any of the back to school sales ideas noted above, simply slap on your thinking cap to find a creative link between what you sell and any aspect related to the back to school season.
Make sure to promote your sale with signs, mailers, and other promotional communications, starting your sale prior to the first day of school and extending it throughout the entire month of September.
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“Recognition is simple, and comes naturally outside of the workplace; it’s a habit that more workplaces need to adopt in order to continue to foster a competitive business,” Sasha Bricel wrote in an HR.com blog post.
“Today’s employees want to be acknowledged for successes affecting the company and are more inclined to drive results when their work is celebrated.”
There’s no denying the importance of both individual recognition and team recognition in the workplace. However, there’s a time to use individual recognition for specific employees and other times when team recognition is more suitable.
Learn the best times to use these different forms of employee recognition to improve morale and benefit your business.
Individual Recognition
Certain employees stand out from the crowd.
When these stellar staff members really go above and beyond, it’s crucial to recognize their hard work and dedication. For example, when a group is working on a major project, individually recognize those people who are acting as a driving force. Let’s say Sue composed all of the spreadsheets needed for the project over the weekend so that the team could hit the ground running on Monday morning.
Additionally, recognition initiatives such as an employee of the month program is a great method for acknowledging the work of individuals. Regularly taking time to call out the outstanding efforts of individual employees is an important component to effectively motivate and inspire others.
Boosting morale using these recognition methods will have positive effects on your business that you’ll sooner than you expect.
Team Recognition
While schoolchildren are taught the importance of teamwork, this skill can still be a challenging one for adults in the workplace. So when teams work together effectively and successfully to the benefit of your business, it’s of the utmost importance to recognize the group’s impressive efforts.
There’s plenty of perfect opportunities to recognize the work of effective teams in your company. For instance, upon delivering a successful pitch to a client, the team responsible should be recognized for their teamwork and drive. Maybe host a company-wide meeting to recognize the team’s top-notch presentation and the positive outcome, and present each team member with a certificate to commemorate their outstanding efforts. Other small awards, like lapel pins, sticky notes, and a handwritten Thank You card are wonderful gifts of your gratitude.
There’s a time and a place for everything, and that certainly applies to individual and team recognition in the workplace.
As a business leader, knowing when to recognize a person versus when to acknowledge a full team empowers you to galvanize your staff while improving the bottom line.
PaperDirect can be your one stop shop for all things recognition. Browse now.
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Most people grew up counting down the days until school ended and summer vacation began. A Captivate Network study found that workplace productivity drops 20 percent during the summer months. “Projects take 13 percent longer to complete and workers are 45 percent more distracted.”
Knowing that people are more distracted during the summertime, you can take preemptive steps to motivate employees when the weather heats up.
Communicate with Employees
Ask your staff what would make their summers better. Would flex time be more useful than having every other Friday off? What do they think about mandatory summer vacations? Begin a dialogue about what summer expectations are so managers can adjust accordingly for the season.
Flexible Scheduling
One of the most effective ways to motivate employees during the summer is to offer them opportunities to rearrange their schedules.
That could mean later start times on certain days, work from home shifts, or working four 10-hour days and taking Mondays/Fridays off.
Make it easier for your employees to spend extra time enjoying the summer weather with their friends and family.
Promote Volunteerism
Encourage teams to take some time away from the office to work together on a volunteer project. The sense of accomplishment that the team feels after they’ve completed a major task for a nonprofit organization will make a noticeable difference in the overall mood of these employees.
Eat Together
Eat lunch outside with your staff during the summer.
Set up some picnic tables and host a picnic potluck, encouraging employees to bring in fun foods for an outdoor lunch. Or once a week, everyone can bring in their own lunches to eat picnic-style with their colleagues and managers. Find creative ways to gather your staff together for meals throughout the summer to ensure everyone is well-fed for the work ahead.
Team Building Activities
When people are slogging to complete projects, get them out of their seats and actively working together in creative, non-work related ways. Use games and challenges to stimulate thinking, encourage communication, and strengthen team bonds.
Get Outside
If you can host a meeting sitting outside rather than in a conference room, do it.
While it might seem counterproductive, the fresh air will have a positive effective on unmotivated employees.
Allow people to bask in the warm summer sun while working together. Shaking things up by moving venues might encourage new ideas that could work to your benefit.
Launch Employee Recognition Programs
Your business has considered starting an employee recognition program, and there is no better time to launch it than during the summer.
It’s an excellent way to motivate employees to power through their work, regardless of the season. Be sure to reward them with certificates and other formal methods of recognition to make your program a successful motivational tool.
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“There’s one simple action that can dramatically increase any manager’s success in gaining the support and engagement of subordinates: recognize great work,” wrote David Sturt in the Harvard Business Review last year. “In two separate but recent studies involving nearly 3,500 employees, from startups to Fortune 100 companies, we found that recognition directly affects morale and engagement.”
Despite its importance, employee recognition ends up on the back burner for a number of reasons.
Why is this?
“Clients Come First”
Many companies are still in the mindset that the customer is always the top priority, but is that true?
There have been countless studies that support the claim that the customer isn’t always right, and putting their concerns over your employee’s can be damaging to morale.
Treat your employees well. Compensate them fairly. Trust them. This employee-first attitude can pay off in big ways.
Lacking Enthusiasm
You’ve tried to launch an employee recognition program but after a few months, enthusiasm dries up.
If your employee recognition efforts did not make an impression on or engage your staff, it might be due to a lack of real incentive to be recognized. For example, if you’re running an employee of the month program, award recipients with a custom certificate along with a gift or cash that speaks to their interests or personality.
You have to make official recognition a worthwhile proposition for employees if you want them to feel inspired to work their hardest.
Unscheduled Efforts
Time has a way of getting away from you.
The year begins with new business and projects to tend to and before you know it, it’s December and you’re organizing the holiday party.
However, if managers and executives know that every other week they should take 30 minutes to write a few personal notes to exceptional team members, and that time is blocked out on their calendars, then that employee recognition technique will become a regular part of their schedules.
You have to make the time to recognize employees, otherwise, you’ll let other tasks take priority.
Directionless
You want to put employee recognition practices into play but you don’t know where to start. From establishing clear criteria to developing a thorough recognition program with various levels, managers should work with the human resources department to create a solid employee recognition strategy.
Making clear cut guidelines provides you with a roadmap for successful employee recognition!
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Getting a paycheck is good, but being recognized for a job well done on top of the paycheck can be even better.
Regularly recognizing employee efforts and achievements can go a long way toward motivating top performance and maintaining a high morale. These employee recognition tools can help you do just that.
Online Employee Recognition Tools
Online employee recognition tools include tons of software apps that make it easy to provide, track and reward top performance. Teamphoria is one example of the handful of programs out there, with the platform serving as a veritable recognition factory, both internally and outside the company.
Live streaming showcases all the recognition sent to and from various managers, team members, peers, and employees, with four different award levels that let recipients rack up points. You can display the stream publicly while also allowing clients and guests to provide praise to employees when due.
Cash Award Programs
Cash is one of those employee recognition tools that never goes out of style. We’re not talking about a $20 here or there, either.
Take a cue from the University of California and spread the love with generously. The university’s Achievement Award rewards employees with $2,000 for exceptional contributions over an extended period. The Spot Award offers $500 for extraordinary contributions as they occur.
Certificate Programs
Doling out cash can severely limit the number of awards your company provides, but you can keep the love flowing less expensively with any combination of certificate programs.
Make sure you award the certificates during staff meetings or events so the honor can be witnessed by the entire company. Stock up on snazzy certificates you can print up as needed, then hand them out monthly, annually or as-earned for achievements such as:
Employee of the month
Beyond the call of duty
Top performer of the year
Best attitude (no matter what)
Most indispensable
Best problem fixer
Hall of Fame
Setting up a Hall of Fame in the reception area, employee break room or other highly visible location can provide ongoing recognition for employees that make it into the ranks. Here you can establish criteria that merits the honor, posting employees’ pictures and a small blurb that explains what they did to be included.
Combine the Hall of Fame with a monthly or quarterly Employee Honor Roll and you can recognize outstanding contributions of all sizes on an even more frequent basis.
Recognition Boxes
Recognition boxes can serve as stellar employee recognition tools, and you can set up as many or as few as you wish. Ideas can include:
Appreciation drop box: Employees can leave written praise and appreciation for fellow employees.
Grab-a-kudo box: Employees can randomly select a notecard from the box for a job well done, with pre-written note cards containing motivational quotes, rhyming praises or other fun messages.
You rock box: Managers can select cards that already contain the phrase “You rock because…” and then fill in the blank with the honor deserved.
While these employee recognition tools can be combined, adapted and customized to your specific office culture, they all serve to achieve the same goal. They let your employees know they’re appreciated for the outstanding work they do.
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While it’s been said that great leaders are born that way, others can certainly be made by developing and fine-tuning a number of must-have qualities. Here come the top 10 qualities to look for in your own team leaders to ensure they lead with conviction, determination and get the job done.
Communication
Whether your leaders are verbally outlining instructions for the team or writing up the agenda for the next project, nothing will get done correctly unless they can communicate effectively. Communication involves speaking, writing – and listening, taking others’ input into account.
Confidence
Slouchy, tentative leaders will produce slouchy, tentative teams. Confident leaders who truly believe in themselves and their team will end up with amazing results.
Creativity
Whether team leaders are forced to make an off-the-cuff decision, fix a problem or get a wayward project back on course, they’re going to need creativity to do it. Creativity also helps leaders think outside the norm to develop the most effective solutions.
Delegation
Delegation is a biggie for leaders, or they’ll end up doing all the work themselves. Not only do they need to delegate duties to the best-equipped team members, but they need to give members enough breathing room to succeed.
Decisiveness
Leaders need to make numerous decisions about numerous issues, and flipping a coin won’t cut it. You want leaders who collect all relevant information then make the wisest choice based on the data – then stick with their decision once it’s made.
Inspiration
Team leaders need to be inspiring enough for their team that the team never gives up no matter what. Leaders need to make their team see the vision of success, then help ensure each member is totally invested in it.
Generating enthusiasm and maintaining high morale is no easy feat, especially when the going is tough. Leaders will know when to use feedback, pep talks, praise, certificates of recognition and other tactics to help maintain high motivation.
Integrity
The package of integrity includes openness, honesty, fairness and treating others the same way you’d like to be treated. No team leader should leave home without it.
Interpersonal Skills
Regular interaction with other people is par for the course for team leaders, making exceptional interpersonal skills essential. Leaders who possess them will have a much easier time collaborating and developing positive relationships with their workforce.
Optimism
While a Pollyanna team leader may be a little much, especially early on a Monday morning, you do want leaders that possess and emit a positive attitude.
They can still be realistic while focusing on the positives, whether it’s a lesson learned from a mistake or with a team member who’s riddled with self-doubt.
Organization
From managing projects and delegating tasks to planning objectives and strategies, team leaders must possess keen organizational skills. Not only do they need to keep everything on track, but they need to prioritize tasks that deserve immediate attention.
Regardless of your type of company or industry, you’re going to need leaders who can help move others forward for the overall good of your organization. Look for leaders with these 10 traits and you’ll be on solid footing for success.
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Happy employees are productive employees, and one way to keep employees happy is with new gadgets, toys, and policies that align with the freshest office trends. Even if the trends seem way too far-fetched for the more traditional businesses, you’re better off giving them a go than listening to employees rave about perks they certainly wished they had.
Standing Desks
Instead of sitting at a desk all day, employees can instead stand at taller desks specifically designed to keep them on their feet. One study found the desks improved health as well as productivity, and think of all the money you’ll save on office chairs.
Balance Ball Chairs
If you still need to invest in chairs for workers who prefer to sit, go for balance ball chairs to improve posture, strengthen the back and add a dose of fun. Even the dullest task can be much more amusing when seated on a big, fat ball.
Groovy Snacks
“Groovy” in this instance translates to yummy and healthy. Forget the energy zapping candy and carbs in the office vending machines. Serve up delightfully healthy fare – free to all for the taking.Snacknation is one company that’s scoring big points in the healthy snack arena, delivering a rotating selection of good-for-you goodies to offices on a monthly basis.
Plenty of Play Time (in the Office)
Employee lounge areas, basketball courts, gyms and putting greens are popping up in companies like across the nation. Even if you don’t have the room or budget for a full-fledged exercise room, you can strategic place smaller equipment throughout the office and cushy couches and chairs in the break room. Encourage frequent breaks so employees can take advantage of it all.
Plenty of Play Time (outside the Office)
Extensive vacation time and flexible hours are two more office trends employees have been going gaga over.
The policy at Netflix’s California headquarters, for example, is not to track work hours or vacation days. The company instead measures how much work employees get done, allowing them to set their own hours and take vacations as long as their output is meeting or exceeding company expectations. You won’t see any slackers over here, either, as abusing the policy gets you kicked out the door.
Tangible Appreciation
If employees going wild with their own hours and vacation schedules simply won’t cut it in your company, you can still provide bonus time off, loads of praise and other tangible appreciation with customized certificates.
Have a slew of blank certificates on hand you can fill out as needed when employees go above and beyond the call of duty. Some can be traded in for time off, some can be used for a free lunch and still others can mark awesome achievements as they hang merrily near your new lineup of standing desks.
Happy employees are not only productive employees, they’re good for morale, company culture and your overall business.
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While a flash sale might seem like a quick way to unload excess merchandise, there are many solid reasons to hold one. A flash sale is an excellent method for re-engaging your digital audience and increasing foot traffic to your brick and mortar location. If your business opts to host one, these flash sale ideas will help you promote the event to loyal customers and new shoppers alike.
Social Media Promotion
Instantly update your shoppers about flash sales using social channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To further spread the word about your flash sale, allocate a portion of your marketing budget to paid promotion on these channels. Social media is an effective way to showcase merchandise on-sale and tease other specials. Create fun, engaging graphics with free programs like Canva and capture some photos to post on your company’s social media profiles.
Custom Banners
Promote your flash sale to your neighbors and community with banners. A banner might seem like an old-fashioned form of marketing, but hanging an asset like this outside of your business tells your audience more than what you printed. A banner sends a message that you’re connected with the local business community and value the patronage of in-person shoppers, as opposed to your digital buyers.
Email Campaign
Using a service like MailChimp or Constant Contact, inform and engage your mailing list with information about your flash sale. Share sale prices, discounted goods, and special coupons for subscribers. You don’t want your flash sale emails to seem like spam so add value to your messages with insider deals for your recipients. Also, make sure you use personalization techniques in your emails to reduce the amount of people who might delete your emails.
Flyers
Include a flash sale flyer with receipts on in-store purchases. Try to encourage repeat business by offering special discounts on these flyers that employees handout when someone makes a purchase prior to the flash sale. This is an easy way to encourage shoppers to visit again, plus a flyer is a reminder that they can share with other people who might be interested.
Website Updates
Tell website visitors about your flash sale with home page updates and blog posts. This will also support your email campaign as message recipients can click-through your email to your website to learn more details about the flash sale. Additionally, blogs and new website landing pages can be shared on your social media channels. Website updates are also important for SEO purposes, in case someone is searching online for a deal on a specific product and they just so happen to see that your company is hosting a flash sale on exactly what they are interested in buying.
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It always serves managers well to recognize the efforts of their employees. However, recognition gifts can add up quickly and break the bank if you’re not careful. Try these simple recognition gifts under $20 and print a certificate to accompany them. It’s a great way to treat your employees and show why you appreciate their hard work.
Clever Coffee Mugs: Everyone needs their caffeine fix to get the day off to a good start so give your dedicated staff members funny and thoughtful coffee mugs (and lapel pins) they can use in the office
Case of Cola Whether it’s Diet Coke or A&W Cream Soda, surprise an employee with a case of their favorite beverage as a useful, sweet recognition gift.
Travel Tumblers: Available for hot or cold beverages, people appreciate a high-quality tumbler they can take on-the-go.
Lunch Out: Treat an employee who has really been going the extra mile lately to a lunch out of the office. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just an hour away from their desk without having to pay for a good meal.
Cozy Cubicle: A cute desk lamp, a cuddly blanket, or even a foot hammock are inexpensive recognition gifts that make a staff member’s workspace feel more like home.
Water Bottles: The health benefits of staying hydrated throughout the day cannot be overemphasized so encourage your top talent to drink water with a nice water bottle they can keep at work.
Nifty Notebooks: For the employee who always takes notes and stays on the ball, a nice notebook is the perfect recognition gift.
Desk Toys: All work and no play makes for a dull work environment. Encourage employees to enjoy their time at work with fun and playful recognition gifts.
Stress Relievers: Even if a person loves their job, work can be stressful. Give a recognition gift that helps a person stay calm while at work. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Movie Ticket: Pick up a gift certificate for a movie ticket for one of your driven employees so s/he can escape reality at the cinema one evening.
Caffeine Rush: Whether it’s a bag of coffee or some loose tea, provide the energy boost your hardest worker needs to get through the day.
Gift Certificates: Whether it’s for Amazon, Starbucks, or anything else, $20 goes along way when making a purchase.
Sweet Treats: From candy to cookies, there’s always a sweet treat that can entice the most focused employee to take a break and appreciate the recognition from management.
Tech Accessories: Earbuds, chargers, and cases are just a few tech accessories everyone needs and loves.
Beloved Beverages: Depending on your work environment, a six-pack of local ale or a bottle of wine are wonderful recognition gifts to give.
Lunch Boxes: For the dedicated employee who loves to cook, give a lunch box so s/he can bring in their amazing food to enjoy at work.
Picture Frame: For those great pictures this employee got at their wedding, on vacation or of their loved ones, picture frames add life and love to an employee’s desk.
Coloring Books: Considered a wonderful way to unwind, check out the coloring books illustrated for adults that are currently available.
Best Sellers: Maybe one of your highest performers is a total bookworm. Pick up a copy of the latest bestseller as a recognition gift.
Pet Gear: Perfect for the employee who loves their pets, cute collars, handmade treats, and pet clothing are fun and generous recognition gifts to give.
No matter which ideas you use to recognize the efforts of their employees, these simple gifts will have a big impact on your employees. Combine any of the above ideas with a handwritten thank you note or greeting card as a finishing touch.
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One of the most highly regarded techniques for recognizing an employee’s dedication and hard work is with a promotion. Promotions demonstrate your company’s efforts to promote from within to the staff, while communicating to the promoted individual that his/her time and energy has been well spent. Use these methods to announce promotions to your entire staff so you can further cultivate a positive workplace.
Digital Announcements
From e-newsletters to social media channels, announce promotions online.
Snap a quick picture of the person and write a short blurb explaining the reason for the promotion to post/share. This not only helps to build your brand image (when posted on a public channel such as Facebook or LinkedIn) but also demonstrates your pride in your employees and all of their hard work.
Physical Awards
When the employee accepts the promotion you’ve offered him/her, have a certificate prepared to give to him/her. Rarely do people have something physical they can hold that represents the hours of work they’ve given to their job. As you award these certificates, watch as people start showing them off in their offices, hanging them for others to see. Sooner or later, other employees will start working towards their own promotion certificate.
Public Announcements
Call a company-wide meeting to publicly announce recent promotions. This is an opportunity to say a few words about the individuals who were promoted while recognizing their dedication. Their peers will applaud their accomplishments while thinking to themselves, “Maybe I can work hard enough to earn a promotion.” You’ll see productivity and morale increase after you’ve made a few of these announcements.
Personal Announcements
Whether it’s a thank you note or a lunch date, take some one-on-one time to personally announce the promotion to the employee. This personal effort to announce the promotion will make a lasting impact on the employee that s/he will share with workmates. A personal touch goes a very long way and makes a lasting impact on the individual but also reverberates throughout the staff as people hear about the time you allotted to recognizing the hard work and dedication of an employee.
Educational Opportunities
A staff member who is promoted has learned a thing or two about your business. Following his/her promotion, ask this person to host a brief seminar in the office to share their knowledge with the rest of the staff. For instance, if you recently promoted an individual from IT, ask them to teach a workshop about using smartphones for more than Angry Birds and Instagram.
Whether you choose one or more of the above promotion announcement ideas, PaperDirect is always here to help. Browse our blog to find a wide range of recognition ideas and more. Or start shopping our website to find the perfect recognition awards for all employees who have recently been promoted.
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Moving on is simply part of advancing in a career. But when your top talent makes a beeline for the exit without announcing plans to step into a dream job elsewhere, it can leave you wondering what the heck went wrong.
Take the resignation as a sign your company needs to do a little housekeeping. But first, learn as much as you can about why the star employee is leaving.
Schedule An Exit Interview
On the employee’s last day of work, set aside time to chat. Explain to them the benefits they brought to the company and find out where the company failed to meet their needs or expectations. An exit interview can truly be a gold mine of insight that a supervisor simply can’t see on a daily basis. Don’t be surprised to find out about employee turmoil or feelings of being unappreciated.
Here are a few questions to kick start the interview:
Do you feel like you had opportunities to advance within the company?
Do you feel like your talents and contributions to the company were recognized and appreciated?
Do you feel you were fairly compensated for the work that you did?
Do you feel you had coworkers and supervisors you could collaborate with when needed?
How can we make the work environment more positive for the staff moving forward?
Evaluate Your Employee Recognition
Once you’ve learned the key reasons the employee is saying adiós, you can target the weak spots in the company. One area that generally falls short is recognizing the staff for their hard work and especially when they go above and beyond without prompting.
It might time to consider naming an employee of the month and employee of the year to keep the staff motivated. Quarterly company picnics that recognize jobs well done on current projects boost team morale. And making an effort to put the spotlight on an employee who goes above and beyond on their own accord is a must-do.
Make the celebrations public and long-lasting. Give employees a shout out on the company social media feeds, host celebration lunches, present them small trophies or award certificates and make announcements at the office. Above all: Let your employees know how much they are valued by the company on a regular basis.
Re-Organize Internal Structure and Priorities
You may have learned some tough-to-swallow information during the employee’s exit interview. Take the insight and turn it into constructive criticism that can be applied to making the workplace even stronger and more inviting for the remaining staff.
Maybe it’s time to re-organize management and delegate tasks differently. Perhaps new departments need to be implemented to lighten some work loads. Or, it’s time to hire a consultant to help with the restructuring. After all, you don’t want any more exit interviews showing up on your calendar.
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