Who doesn’t enjoy or crave a pat on the back from your boss or manager, to say that you have done well? But many of these events are planned and considered – Employee of the month, the summer office barbeque, the Christmas party paid for by the boss. These acts can also be expensive for a small business owner just starting a company, and how much do these events, though large become something the staff expect? Then the spontaneous and generous nature of the act is lost, especially as it is something everyone knew was due to happen.
For an act to lodge in an employee’s mind it must be something out of the blue – not something which is pre-planned, like the boss donning an apron and cooking the food at the company barbeque. I know of two lovely small acts of recognition; the first from the Managing Director of an egg packing and distribution company, and the second from the MD of a local building company. With the first, one of the ladies in the accounts department had become engaged late in life after caring for her mother. When he found out John, the MD, come down to the office and hugged the lady as he congratulated her – that was not the kind of emotional display he usually gave.
The second was Mark, the MD of Elivate a local building company with three teams working on different projects. Mark often popped into projects to make sure everything was ok, but this day was a very hot day so what did he decide to do? He bought ice lollies and bottles of chilled water and took them round to his workers. Everyone was appreciative and it showed that he cared, these acts can have a lasting impression, and impressions that are positive are the best.
Why is this important to you as someone who runs a small company? The people who work for you, are your ambassadors, when they are onsite the impression that they give about the company and you, could be what sparks that customer to give you more work or recommend you. That includes the atmosphere when you arrive on site if there is tension and unease that can be felt by everybody around. When you come to look for more staff, they may well have friends they could recommend – if they fit the bill, it is cheaper than a recruitment agency and you know they will fit in with the team.
What you need to remember is these are spontaneous acts, positive things that you do because it seems right at that moment in time. These are the acts that will stay with people, and can sometimes mean more than the more expected events. Don’t say to yourself “I wonder if I did this” try it and you may be surprised at the positive reaction you get.
