Sharing the Love With Your Employees in 2024

Employees are the lifeblood of any industry. Showing your workforce heartfelt thanks and appreciation throughout the year can nurture a wonderful office culture that yields a more positive experience for everyone. 

Let’s explore how you can rely on simple yet powerful employee appreciation strategies, particularly direct mail, to boost your staff's happiness, productivity and retention. 

Why Are Employee Appreciation Strategies Critical for Business Success in 2024?

In 2023, a Robert Half survey revealed (ironically right before Employee Appreciation Day) that almost half of all employees (48%) feel undervalued and unrecognized at work. In recent times, leaders have also had to contend with another issue: The Great Resignation. Starting in the spring of 2021, the U.S. workforce has experienced a sharp increase in workers resigning from their jobs, driven in part by the global pandemic.

The aftermath of The Great Resignation highlighted the importance of employee appreciation strategies. The new landscape requires businesses and leaders to focus more on employee well-being, with an emphasis on recognition and helping staff feel like they are a part of the family. 

Let’s be honest, this is not always easy. As work arrangements evolve, often into hybrid models where in-office and remote work are both present, leaders face challenges such as budget cuts, increased responsibilities and restructuring. Such elements can, if allowed, put more distance between you and your staff, so it’s crucial to maintain a supportive and positive work culture. But you are not alone.

Employees also experience challenges in the new landscape that spike their stress and threaten to disconnect them from a happy work environment, but appreciation can go a long way to helping both leaders and employees strengthen a bond that is respectful, loyal and satisfying. 

How Have Employee Appreciation Strategies Evolved Recently?

The methods of how to show employee appreciation have not remained static over the years. If you want your thanks to have a real impact, it helps to understand what works in modern office culture. Here are some of the best things to keep in mind when trying to formulate your own strategies. 

• Personalized Recognition Programs: A popular company focus is on tailor-made recognition that caters to individual employees' preferences, needs, unique strengths and contributions. This often involves personalized rewards and recognition.

• Real-Time Recognition: The traditional annual or quarterly recognition ceremonies are being replaced by real-time recognition platforms and tools that can instantly provide recognition. 

• Peer-to-Peer Recognition: This popular form of recognition allows employees to appreciate and acknowledge their colleagues' efforts. This fosters camaraderie and teamwork. 

• Social Recognition: It’s similar to peer-to-peer recognition, but in this case, companies provide social media-like platforms within the workplace to allow employees to publicly recognize and support their colleagues' achievements, thereby creating a positive work environment.

Why Direct Mail Should Be at the Center of Your Employee Appreciation Strategies

Direct mail can be a powerful tool for forging authentic connections and making your team feel deeply valued. Explore the points below to learn why direct mail can help you show genuine employee appreciation, no matter where your team is located.

1. Builds emotional connection.

Scientific studies indicate that direct mail can create a deeper emotional impression and is more likely to inspire action than digital media. This is crucial for employee appreciation, as it's not just about conveying a message but also about evoking a sense of value and gratitude. 

2. Increases consumer engagement.

During the pandemic, most people spent more time at home, leading to increased engagement with direct mail. A study in 2020 found that 34% of consumers were spending more time reading direct mail ads, and 31% were more excited to receive mail each day. These findings suggest that direct mail can be an effective medium for reaching employees in a way that is both engaging and meaningful.

3. Easy to read and memorable.

A study by TrueImpact for Canada Post found that direct mail requires 21% less cognitive effort to process compared to digital advertising and produces 70% higher brand recall. This ease of processing and memorability can be beneficial in employee appreciation, as it ensures that the message is easily understood and remembered by employees.

4. Fosters belonging and community.

Direct mail and e-gifting are often used by HR, People and Talent teams to celebrate employee milestones like birthdays, work anniversaries and onboarding new team members. This approach can foster a sense of belonging and appreciation among employees, which is especially important in remote or global work environments.

5. Enhances remote work.

For remote workers, direct mail can add excitement to otherwise mundane aspects of their day (like lunch times) by organizing team lunches with gift cards. It can also enhance the experience of work parties and team events by sending relevant items to remote workers, ultimately ensuring inclusivity and team spirit.

6. Values potential candidates and employees alike.

Sending gifts to candidates as a form of appreciation for their time and effort in interviewing can leave a positive impression of the company. This approach is beneficial not just for the current scenario but also for potential future opportunities, demonstrating that the company values its people and potential employees.

Final Pointers That Will Win Your Employees’ Hearts in 2024

Make recognition frequent, not just for major achievements but for everyday contributions. Celebrate personal milestones, too, like birthdays, a new baby and marriages. This shows you care for your staff beyond their professional contributions.

Not sure how to get started? Hallmark’s business capabilities can help. Our digital platforms and greeting cards make it easy for you to show care and appreciation for the people most important to your business. 

If you need something extra special, we also dispatch gifts and bouquets, and offer a special portal for your business where you can manage personalized products, discounts and more. Remember, the benefits of employee appreciation also include lower turnover, higher engagement and productivity, and decreased absenteeism, so it's important to start showing appreciation sooner rather than later.

Contact us to learn more about how our solutions just may be the missing puzzle piece you need for effective employee appreciation strategies in the new year.