By Doug Kaufman

You’ve heard it from us for years – don’t forget to let your customers how much they mean to you. Many of you have made regular customer appreciation events or activities an integral part of your employee training procedures. 

Unfortunately, forgetting to tell your employees how much you appreciate THEM can go a long way to undermining the goodwill you work so hard to build up with your customers.

There’s no doubt that in the crazy, day-to-day grind of running a business, you may often find yourself too busy or simply too distracted to just stop and say “thanks” or “congratulations.”

But let’s face it, there’s a demonstrated shortage of quality talent out there – can you afford not to implement an employee-retention program that’s based on recognition? 

According to a recent survey of employees, eight out of 10 respondents said they’re motivated to work harder when their boss shows appreciation for their work, and more than half said they’d be more likely to stick around longer if they felt more appreciation from their bosses.

Motivated workers generate more revenue and, frankly, the cost of replacing an employee is typically equal to or greater than their annual salary. Simple recognition is one of the simplest – and most effective – things you can do to boost morale and motivate your employees.

It doesn’t have to be complex, just sincere. What’s worth acknowledging?

• Professional certifications, such as gaining another level of ASE certification;

• Personal accomplishments, such as completing an adult education class;

• Meeting individual and team production goals;

• No workdays missed;

• Random acts of kindness shown toward a customer or fellow employee;

• Personal and team benchmarks achieved or exceeded, including productivity or safety milestones; and

• Work anniversaries – Celebrate a new hire’s one-month, 90-day or one-year anniversary; acknowledge a seasoned employee’s annual hire date, or five-, 10- or 20-year anniversary. When the days sometimes feel like years and the years feel like days, special consideration should be given to work anniversaries. 

How to recognize someone may be more challenging than WHAT to celebrate – but be sure to make whatever you do authentic and heartfelt. Make an honest effort to understand and recognize what each individual on your team values. Just because you love something, doesn’t mean everyone does. Remember, everyone on your team may have a spouse or significant other who, by extension, is a part of your company. Reach out to their family and you’ll not only make a positive impact at work but also at their home, thereby multiplying your gratitude.

Former President John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” 

Show your employees that they’re important to you and they’ll repay you by proving how important you are to them. 

This article was originally posted on Brake & Front End.