How do you make employees feel like an asset?

As we continue to face this unprecedented situation brought on by COVID-19, as employees worldwide, we are having to navigate a “new normal” in order to get our jobs done. Between learning how to work from home, implementing new safety issues, managing family needs and more, it’s a tough time for all of us. 

Even in the best of times, employee recognition is an important element in engagement and company culture. So, this is why it’s more important than ever now for companies to show their appreciation to their employees. 

One effective approach is consistently giving gifts. It is the perfect reminder that a company cares about their employees as human beings. That is exactly how to build great relationships with your employees.

Building a culture of appreciation isn’t an overnight process. So I wanted to highlight, some of the recent acts carried out by DriveNets as we all continue to manage under our present circumstances and begin the shift back into ‘business as usual”.

#1 Delight employee with an unexpected surprise.

Who doesn't love being surprised with a present? The unexpectedness of a gift definitely makes an employee's day (maybe even week or a month).

Recently, DriveNets went above and beyond to surprise employees working from home with a gift bag of an assortment of items for the whole family to enjoy.

#2 Develop And Strengthen Talents

No matter what budget you might have, there's definitely a gift that you can give. Your employees are the people who give their all, day in and day out.

This can be in the form of having an employee hosted yoga class, or organizing new projects that are aligned with their interests, or just entertainment that everyone can join in. Investing time in the personal interests of employees can reveal talents, innovative ideas and unexpected benefits. Employees feel valued when we’re appreciated and when we’re able to combine personal interests with our work.

Here are some of the great activities that DriveNets recently organized for employees working from home.

Stand-up comedy on Zoom

Minecraft server for employee kids

Cooking session on Zoom with a master chef

There are many more examples of engaging and supporting employees: fitness workouts on Zoom, pilates on Zoom, more cooking sessions, and providing fun physical activities for kids.

#3 Celebrate milestones and festive events.

Gifts to celebrate festive seasons, professional milestones, and birthdays are important. This is one of the easiest, low-effort ways to reinforce the relationship with employees.

Show your employees you value every second of time spent in the office. Life milestones such as a birth, personal or work anniversary, birthday or even completing a marathon are significant and momentous to each individual and shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Taking the time to acknowledge these personal and professional milestones of an individual makes them feel like a valued member of the team and company. 

At DriveNets, I received a grand reception for my birthday!  

Sometimes it’s the little things - the 'make someone's day things, the quirky things, the free things, the 'make someone smile' things that can be done to engage employees in delivering the best performance. Yes there can be a longer term strategy for this but sometimes the beauty of ‘surprise and delight’ is in its impulsiveness.

More than anything, employees want to be valued and appreciated for their contributions. Surprising employees for a job well done goes a long way.