4 ways to show appreciation for your employees

When it comes to rewarding your employees, finding the perfect recognition is no easy feat. While a giftcard is usually a safe bet, consider finding a way to express admiration for your employees through a less generic and more meaningful approach. The reward for showing appreciation for your employees (aside from simply showing it) is that it often boosts company morale, which empowers everyone to work more diligently toward the tasks at hand.

Here are four ways to let your employees know that their contributions are greatly appreciated:

1. Write a thank-you note
With today's technological advancements, handwritten letters are hard to come by. Bring this long-lost art form back to life by giving employee appreciation cards to your hardworking team. The ultimate key here is to personalize each letter – this will truly show your appreciation because you're showing you put in the time as opposed to writing a generic message.

2. Throw a fiesta
Lunch with your colleagues is great for many reasons. It breaks up the day and gives employees the opportunity to truly catch up instead of exchange a quick "hello" in the breakroom. Unlike the traditional pizza party, switch it up and create a taco bar. Set up a buffet and place shredded chicken, steak, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo in large serving bowls. Arrange both hard and soft shell tacos on separate platters to cater to both preferences. This way, everyone can pick and choose their own toppings (and even come back for seconds!).

3. Plan a team outing
A refreshing way to break up the monotony of the everyday work life is to reward your employees with a team outing. Whether it is whirly ball, a scavenger hunt or softball, team outings are great a way to get everyone out of the office to have some fun. It promotes team bonding, and encourages collaboration and teamwork. Additionally, it allows people to connect in a different setting and see their colleagues in a different environment.

4. Call them out in the company newsletter
The company newsletter is something every single employee sees – so it's the perfect place to showcase your admiration to a dedicated team member! Every week put the spotlight on a handful of employees, tailoring each message specific to an individual who is shining in their respective role. It's a great way to show that you value each person's contributions.