Time to celebrate

The 200th article was posted on this blog today. This calls for a small celebration and a BIG thank you to all my readers!

Over the last few months, I’ve been working with a number of corporate clients who wanted to set up an employee recognition scheme and say thank you to their employees. Like many, they wanted to get the biggest bang for their buck. You’d be surprised how easy it can be to say thank you. Money doesn’t need to be involved and there are great ways of saying thank you.

When recognising a colleague or an employee of yours, showing that appreciation is the key. Often, it’s not about receiving a financial reward but the recognition in itself. Here are some wonderful and effective ways of saying thank you at work:

1. A hand-written thank you note. Never underestimate the impact this simple deed has.
2. Arrange a basket of fresh fruits and healthy snacks.
3. Host an ice cream party. Much appreciated especially during these hot temperatures.
4. Let them leave early on the last day of the working week.
5. Award the employee with a walking office trophy, which circulates from one recognised employee to the next one.

Earlier this year, I was working with a mother of 3 who felt more like a maid to her family than an appreciated individual. While she loved doing what she could for her children, there were moments when she wished they actually recognised what she had done for them. This may be a very familiar feeling for some, if not all of us, at times. To say thank you to your loved ones, you don’t need to buy big diamond rings or fancy rugby tickets. Create a thank you that they’ll remember like one of these:

1. Cook their favourite dish for them. They love pancake for breakfast? Get up a few minutes earlier and surprise them. What a great way to start the day!
2. Take the kids out for an afternoon and let your loved ones have some quiet time in your own house.
3. Give them a back rub or neck massage while watching TV.
4. Book a session at the spa where they can relax and forget the world.
5. Give them your undivided attention for half an hour, an hour or a full evening. Put your phone away, actively listen to what they have to say and focus on them.

You can create a list of thank yous for your loved ones based on what they value and appreciate. It may not be what you want for yourself but that doesn’t matter. It’s all about them and saying thank you to them.

As such, I’d like to say thank you, my readers, and am asking you what would like as a thank you? Can’t wait to hear what it is and, if it’s a particular topic you’d like me to write about, let me know which one.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Until next time,
Agni