Show your employees you value the hard work they put in with one of these employee recognition ideas. Just a little effort can make a big difference.

When it comes to Employee engagement, teams that are engaged and connected with one another show 21% greater profitability. This is a no-brainer for business owners: when you praise and acknowledge your employees for their work, it boosts both morale and profit.

But how can you recognize your employees in a unique way? And what can you do for them that’s not basic or cliché?

Whether you’re preparing for a company party, annual review, or just browsing for tips, here are five Employee Recognition Ideas to show your team members you value them and their hard work.

1. Use the Element of Surprise

Surprises are fun—whether you’re five or sixty-five—when appropriate, of course. If one of your employees makes a huge sale or lands a large deal, then celebrate his or her success in the old fashioned way: with a surprise.

Whether this is a party, formal get together, or on-the-spot announcement, this will ensure that employee (or group of employees) are recognized individually and in front of other team members.

2. Take Them to Lunch

Lunch breaks are crucial for getting through the day (especially if the workload is tough). One way to ease this stress and honor your employee for his/her contributions is to get that individual out of the office.

This is a great idea for someone who’s more shy or reserved, and who a party or surprise might not fit. The intimacy of this special lunch date will make them feel both noticed and valued.

3. Create an Individualized Certificate

One of the best employee Recognition Ideas is to do something that’s both personal and requires a little effort. Beyond a typical presentation of your employee’s accolades and accomplishments, you can create personalized certificates for your employees.

Adobe Spark’s certificates are free and completely customizable—from logo to colors to text. In minutes, you can create something that fits your company’s vibe and feels unique.

4. Reward them Monetarily

This might sound basic, but everyone values a little monetary incentive. If your employees have done something extremely well, perhaps you can offer a bonus or a small raise. Or, if your company policy includes vacation time, perhaps you can consider adding a few PTO days.

Not every company has the budget for a raise or monetary compensation for every good thing, though. If that doesn’t make sense for you, consider a shopping spree instead. What about a prepaid gift card for office supplies, lunch, or coffee? This gesture can be as big or small as you prefer; the idea is to offer recognition in a new and genuine way.

5. Plan a Team-Building Event

Team-building activities help to boost company morale and collaboration. If your team member(s) are doing well, reward them with a trip or activity that will be fun, but also continue to encourage hard work and working together.

Although something like this is entertaining, it serves a professional purpose, too. (Think professional development!)

Take Away: Employee Recognition Ideas Matter

If you run a business or corporation, a simple email or in-meeting shout-out for the employees that are doing well simply isn’t enough. If you want to both boost company morale and profit (among creating a positive work environment), then finding positive employee recognition ideas is important.

Your employees need to be recognized for their work—but doing this is smart and unique ways is important. Hopefully, this list has helped you, and if you’re looking for other ideas and business-related tips, feel free to browse our website.

The post 5 Employee Recognition Ideas to Show Your Team You Value Them appeared first on ItsMyOwnWay.