Great ways to reward your staff
The importance of employee engagement programmes.
If you look after your staff, they will look after your customers.
This philosophy seems obvious, however while most businesses have a robust strategy to ensure their customers remain content, the same does not always apply for their staff. For a company to survive and thrive, we truly believe that it’s essential for management to recognise the importance of an employee engagement programme, especially because 69% of employees would work harder if they felt their efforts were better appreciated (Source: SOCIALCAST).
This can be showcased in a multitude of ways, from offering staff additional paid leave and promotions to organising company away days and incentive trips. Some would argue, however, that cash incentives aren’t always the best way to go, with 65% of employees saying they prefer non-cash incentives (Source: Incentive Marketing Association). We’ve organised countless non-cash incentives for our clients; here are a couple we think work particularly well.
CORPORATE EVENTS AND AWAY DAYS
Corporate events or away days are a tried and tested method in generating camaraderie among employees in a controlled, relaxed and fun environment. We’ve designed and produced multiple away days for clients, so we see first-hand and hear from our clients post-event the invaluable benefits that fun-filled days away from the office can have on staff. This includes greater productivity, increased efficiency and staff retention within the workplace, as employees have a new sense of belonging and respect for their colleagues.
They are also a great way for businesses to showcase a different side of its corporate personality, while delivering their key message to their employees. Corporate events need to be imaginative and thought-provoking, yet reflective of a company’s core values. Gone are the days of sitting in a vast conference hall gazing at endless PowerPoint presentations; a corporate away day usually includes team bonding activities such as go-karting, quad biking, ten-pin bowling and group cooking lessons. Offering employees a life-enhancing experience can truly reap rewards for a company, so it goes without saying that these types of endeavours should be championed from the top down.
INCENTIVE TRIPS ABROAD
We’ve found that forcing your employees to take some well-deserved time off truly shows your appreciation of their hard work and simultaneously demonstrates to the rest of the team that those who work hard really do play hard. Last summer, we took 45 delegates on a ‘once in a lifetime’ incentive trip to Ischia, Italy, with the primary purpose to reward and thank them for their hard work. We organised guest logistics including flights and transfers, and arranged all venues, catering and live entertainment. Each incentive brought people together, enabling them to feel relaxed and part of a company that genuinely appreciates them.
In today’s 24/7, always-on world, corporate events can provide the opportunity for people to get away from the stresses of the office and absorb a new experience in an immersive, informative and engaging environment. The R.O.E (return on events) far outweighs the cost implications associated with an event, as staff will most likely leave invigorated and inspired. You can’t put a price on that!
