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21 Replies Last post: Dec 14, 2007 3:46 PM by CorpCons08

Low cost ideas for employee recognition?

Aug 7, 2007 10:57 AM

Click to view FashionGal's profile Founders FashionGal 29 posts since
Jul 29, 2007
I've got a great employee, but I don't have the funds right now to give a raise or bonus. Does anyone have any good ideas for ways to show employee recognition & appreciation without breaking the bank?
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Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 5,737 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
1. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Aug 7, 2007 2:28 PM
Yes I have a few suggestions. It would help if you told us more, like how long you have been in business
and how many employees you have.
One suggestion is TIME OFF . It is summer time, an extra day or week off.
Another is DINNER and a SHOW for two.
Can the employee work from HOME??
Let me know if you need more ideas
Luckiest
Click to view SCORE45's profile SCORE SCORE45 1 posts since
Aug 7, 2007
2. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Aug 7, 2007 3:01 PM
You can designate an 'Employee of the month' and provide special recognition such as a convenient parking space; an inexpensive framed certificate to hang on a wall; mention in a newsletter or intra office email communication; basic gift certificates to a show or restaurant; and many other things included those suggested earlier by others. If you have staff meetings, identify the employee publicly in a staff meeting.
Click to view gmonkey's profile Founders gmonkey 15 posts since
Jul 21, 2007
3. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Aug 8, 2007 1:20 AM
I tell you, sometimes just telling the employee that they are doing a great job goes a long way. People sometimes forget how important that can be.

I have also seen books available online that detail 101 things you can do for employee recognition (maybe it was 1001 things!).
Click to view BDS INC's profile Founders BDS INC 131 posts since
Jul 20, 2007
4. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Aug 9, 2007 12:28 PM
FashionGal

I assume you own a retail clothing store of some type. I use to own a retail store and was in the same boat you were in. What I did which if you can afford, is I took my best employee with me on supplier runs. Yes he enjoyed the day to day stuff, selling clothes, tagging, inventory, but when I took him to suppliers (I coughed up 600 bucks to take him to the Magic convention in Vegas) he worked even harder. Educating him on the buying process was more than he could have ever imagined when he took a job at a small retail store. My advice is to teach your great employee as much as you can about the business, he or she will fill more fulfilled about their job even without the raise.
Click to view FashionGal's profile Founders FashionGal 29 posts since
Jul 29, 2007
5. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Aug 9, 2007 12:49 PM
in response to: BDS INC
Thank you Community! These are all great ideas! I especially, like the idea from BDS Inc. Yes, I own a small clothing store, and I never thought of including my best employee for purchasing related matters. What a great idea!
Click to view GasisaRipoff's profile Professional GasisaRipoff 18 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
6. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 10, 2007 7:45 PM
A recent survey by Inc said time off and $ are the best by far according to employees. That is no surprise.

James J Moore, AIC, MBA, ChFC, ARM
http://www.cutcompcosts.com
Click to view idealtech's profile Professional idealtech 8 posts since
Oct 11, 2007
7. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 11, 2007 11:10 AM

Give an employee who works hard a day off with pay, unexpectedly. Make sure it is face to face and tell that person how much you appreciate them. Of course that means you would have to cover their shift, it only costs you your time!
Click to view WEBillions's profile Mogul WEBillions 154 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
8. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 11, 2007 11:27 AM
In addition to time off and a big thank you, you could also consider giving the employee a title boost. People find getting a better title a really great thing.
Click to view SR23455's profile Start-up SR23455 1 posts since
Oct 11, 2007
9. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 11, 2007 11:56 AM
How about posing the question to the employee...."I really think highly of you and appreciate what/how you" ...fill in the blank, elaborate on specifics - why do you think they're a great employee?... "and would like to reward you however finances are limited. How can I best show my appreciation to you?"
Click to view brkflwrs's profile Start-up brkflwrs 1 posts since
Oct 14, 2007
10. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 14, 2007 6:15 PM
I am glad you have this question. I am starting up a business that cater to businesses/people like yourself. I am looking to start relationships with businesses that would like to recognize their employees for "a job well done" and birthdays. I have a candle and basket business that could be given to women or men.
My plan is to create a database with names and birthdates (without the year) and track these myself. Relieving the managers from this duty. I will drop the gifts off or send ship them to the jobs on the employee's birthday or day of recognition.

My question is, how would you, as a business owner, like this idea? Would this help you in your operation? How much of a budget would you set aside for something like this?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Click to view david28078's profile Mogul david28078 64 posts since
Oct 11, 2007
11. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 14, 2007 6:25 PM
Hello Fashion - I have found in the past (previous businesses) that a simple and sincere Thank You works wonders - after that small gifts.

Right now I use Amazon gift cards emailed to the person directly.

I also never take my clients for granted and email them the same from Amazon
Click to view architect's profile Start-up architect 3 posts since
Oct 14, 2007
12. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 14, 2007 6:51 PM
Remember to say "Thank YOU" and show you mean it. Often, that goes a long way.
Gift, raise, money etc should realy depend on your exact situation. You don't wan to set precedents you wont be able to keep up with in the immediate or even distant future.

So if you have a realy small shop (less than 20 employee) a personal gift like a dinner etc could be appropriate, for a bigger organization, you may consider the Gift Card option or even a token monetry gift (bonus) during the holiday season.

But don't forget the thank you.
Click to view david28078's profile Mogul david28078 64 posts since
Oct 11, 2007
13. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 15, 2007 9:54 AM
in response to: SCORE45
In my corporate days I found that Emloyee of the Month seemed to alienate the person from the general team a little.

I actually bore the brunt of some this once as I was Manager of the Month with a certain company back in the early 90s 9 times in a row and I was left feeling a little "out of the loop with my peers"

I don't know about this one......

Say in San Francisco Employee of the Month gets a parking space - em - that's worth winning but.... well I didn't like it...
Click to view NatOnline's profile Mogul NatOnline 638 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
14. Re: Low cost ideas for employee recognition? Oct 29, 2007 10:35 AM
I will say, buying a few tickets for an event like a show, sport, etc...
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