Everyone likes to feel loved and recognised for their hard work. Whether it be a big or small gift just to say thank you. It shows that you have taken the time to acknowledge their efforts and that they are truly appreciated. Gifting Owl has many gifts to show that the particular party is commended on their efforts.
Showing employee appreciation and recognition are two of the most effective ways to motivate, empower and encourage your employees. Acknowledging the hard work and effort your team is putting into their job is a great way to make them feel valued and respected AND is proven to increase business success. Studies show that companies with a solid strategy to recognise team members experience an increase of up to 50% in productivity levels and as much as 20% increase in business outcomes!
The benefits don’t stop there, companies that show employee recognition and appreciation also enjoy the following:
It’s a win for everyone. So, the question now is how can we recognise the hard work and effort our employees put in at work?
To help you out, we have compiled the top 8 staff appreciation gifts and ways to acknowledge your staff in the workplace.
Celebrate World Staff Appreciation Day
When talking about staff appreciation we can’t go past World Staff Appreciation Day. Occurring on the first Friday of March, this annually occurring event is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge and recognise the hard work, dedication, and commitment your team has shown to your company. Celebrate by booking a table at your team’s favourite restaurant and enjoy a laid-back, friendly lunch or after-work dinner with the crew. For a more extravagant affair, how about booking an exciting river cruise? Enjoy a delicious, chef-prepared meal and drinks as you sail the high seas and venture out into the crystal blue waters. This fun, exciting experience is a great opportunity to escape the confines of the office and enjoy some fresh air, sunshine, and one another’s company.
Celebrate work anniversaries
A work anniversary is a significant milestone for every company and a perfect reason to celebrate. This special day symbolises another year of business operation and recognises the contribution and hard work put in by your employees. They have built relationships, accomplished goals, and made an impact on your company and should be celebrated with purpose and gusto. And nothing says gusto like an action-packed adrenaline activity! Hit the water and jet off on a high-speed jet boat ride. Reaching speeds of up to 75km/hr this experience will literally take their breath away!
Keep the adrenaline pumping with an exhilarating bungee jump. Plummet from heights up to 20 feet over some of the world's most beautiful landscapes. Experiencing a thrill- seeking activity together is a great way to see a whole new side to your employees, create incredible memories and establish a fun, exciting corporate culture. If thrill seeking is a little too extreme, another great option for celebrating your work anniversary is an overnight city escape. Book a night for you and your team in the heart of the city and hit all the hottest locations in one night! Opt for a classy night of dinner and cocktails as a great way to celebrate and acknowledge your employees.
Flexible work arrangements
Providing flexible work arrangements is a great way to show employees that you trust and appreciate them. The flexibility to choose their start and finish times and/or regular work-from-home days are two great strategies that will empower and recognise your staff and their abilities. So long as they complete their allocated work hours and fulfil their assigned duties what’s wrong with allowing them that extra sleep in? Offering flexible working arrangements is a small change that will make instrumental impacts. The added autonomy given to staff is proven to increase motivation, productivity levels and employee satisfaction. Those extra minutes of sleep, the comfort of being at home and the ability to work in your PJ’s are small factors that make a world of difference.
Organise team-building experiences
A great way to boost morale, connect your team and show the staff you care about fostering a positive work environment is by organising a fun team-building experience. Team building is a great way to help your employees learn more about themselves, their fellow team members and allows you to recognise the importance of a cohesive workplace. Invite your team on an exciting outdoor adventure and enjoy the freedom, fresh air and challenges of nature. Activities such as kayaking, rock climbing or abseiling are fun yet challenging ways for your team to test and support one another. They will have to unite and encourage one another to complete the activity and can share the celebrations at the end. Another great option is to head off a team bushwalk or outdoor scavenger hunt. These activities will require them to work together and use their resources to navigate the unfamiliar outdoor terrain. This is a great way to develop their strengths both as individuals and as a team.
Track and acknowledge team wins
Think about a charity fundraiser. Often the charity tracks their progress using a visual chart like a thermometer. As they get closer to their goal the chart moves accordingly and of course, there is a big celebration when the goal is achieved. Use this same concept to motivate, incentivise and reward your employees. Clearly define your organisation or team target and once it has been achieved acknowledge your employees’ hard work with an awesome reward. When choosing the reward, the sky is your limit- literally. Experience gifts such as skydiving, bungee jumping and hot air ballooning are incredible, once-in-a-lifetime activities, guaranteed to excite, motivate, and empower your staff. Another great option is an enchanting swim with dolphins. This experience will see your staff frolicking in the crystal blue waters and swimming alongside wild dolphins. This activity is great for groups of all sizes and ages. Whether you choose to use a visual design like a thermometer or keep everyone updated via weekly meetings or emails, this is a great way to spur on your employees and celebrate their hard work.
Rewarding individual performance
Hard work and effort shouldn’t go unnoticed. If there is an individual going above and beyond, putting in 110% and smashing goals recognise them! Whether it’s a small token of your appreciation or a grand gesture of employee recognition, paying attention to stand out efforts is a great way to encourage, motivate, and empower your staff. Some great gift ideas include a fancy bottle of wine, homemade gift box or Gifting Owl gift voucher. Accompany this with a handwritten card thanking them for their contribution to add a meaningful, personalised touch. A relaxing massage or spa voucher is another great appreciation gift option. After putting in so much incredible work, they certainly deserve to relax and unwind with a bit of R & R. Or, take your gift to the next level- literally, by giving them an exciting helicopter tour. This awesome adventure will have them soaring over iconic locations such as Dubai, the US, Australia and New Zealand. This gift shows that hard work really does pay off!
Give a vacation day on their birthday
A paid day off to commemorate birthdays is an increasingly popular trend within business spaces and is a really great way to recognise the contribution and hard work they put into your organisation. A birthday is a time your employee should have the freedom to do whatever they like. Whether it’s relaxing at the spa, spending quality time dining with loved ones, embarking on an exhilarating, thrill-seeking adventure or taking an exciting day trip, Gifting Owl has the perfect birthday experience for your employee.
End of financial year celebration
The weeks and months leading up to the end of the financial year are filled with planning, preparing, submitting, and finalising documents and is a stressful time for all businesses and their employees. So, when July 1 rolls around, show your employees how much you appreciate all the hard work they have put in by hosting an EOFY celebration. A brewery tour is a great way for your employees to kick back, relax and enjoy some great beers in an environment away from the office. Get a unique, behind-the-scenes look into the brewing process, tour the iconic breweries and of course, sample the freshest craft brews on offer. If your team prefers wine to beer how about an exclusive winery tour? This incredible experience will see you and your team exploring rustic cellars, marvelling at breathtaking vineyards, and tasting the finest quality wines on offer. These tours are the best way to acknowledge your staff and cheers to a job well done!
