Gal Morale's Blog

Gal Morale: Quick Appreciation Tip

I just spoke for the Space Coast HR Association in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Great group, great time! After my presentation an audience member approached me with a tip that was too good not to share.

She said that her boss emails her once a week - at the end of the week - specifically thanking her for something great she did that week. Every week! My audience member said, "I have to tell you how good that makes me feel. It's not just generic praise. He actually notices what I do and makes a point to acknowledge it."

Simple. Easy. Quick. But so effective!

Question: What are you doing today to let your employees know that you notice their good work?

Gal Morale, Private Eye

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Gal Morale: It's not about the Pins or the Plaques!

Twice in the past week, I've heard stories about employees receiving their anniversary pins in the mail. No note, no personal thank you - just a pin in the mail. Check!

And here lies the problem with many structured recognition programs. They focus on the pins. The plaques. The parties. Did we send so and so her anniversary pin? Check! Did we hold the annual employee appreciation luncheon? Check! There - we don't have to worry about appreciating them for another year.

This kind of recognition does not work! Don't get me wrong - I'm all for the pins, and the plaques, and the parties. But there has to be MEANING behind them. The best recognition doesn't cost a cent!

Stopping someone in the hall and giving them specific praise TRUMPS a pin in the mail any day.

Picking up the phone to tell someone how they inspire you TRUMPS a plaque any day.

Taking someone to lunch to talk about their professional goals TRUMPS the annual employee appreciation luncheon any day!

I've worked with a company that had a perfect recognition plan on paper. They had the parties. They had a state of the art gym for the employees. They had free tickets to sporting events. They had the pins and the plaques.

They also had managers with no interpersonal skills and some who even yelled at their employees in front of others.

They also had a major problem with employee turnover.

When it comes to effective employee recognition, it has to come from the heart. People need to feel cared about. Must you? I mean, some people wonder why they need to care about their employees - "we give them a paycheck, right." Sure. And that's enough. Unless you want to attract enthusiastic employees who are highly productive and evangelists for your company. Then you need to care.

And when it comes to the pins - by all means, give them. But remember - presentation is everything!

Gal Morale, Private Eye

Gal Morale: The Rock Star Treatment

Recently, I read a fabulous book called Can We Do That? by marketing expert and adventurer Peter Shankman. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to think more creatively and outrageously when it comes to your marketing efforts.

As a new fan of Peter's I checked out his blog! There I found this post detailing how one of the companies who hired him to speak made him feel like a Rock Star!

It's what I call "Giving 'Em Their Chicken Soup" in my forthcoming book The Celebrity Experience. It's the tangible way that you show someone you're paying attention. As you take a look at Peter's post, think about how it applies to employee recognition.

A gift certificate from your boss as a thank you is very nice. But...a gift certificate to your FAVORITE store...priceless.

Gal Morale, Private Eye

Gal Morale: Recognition Ideas

Looking for some cool recognition ideas?  I just found a list compiled by the "Young Non-Profits Professionals Network" on the University of California, Berkley website.

Check it out.  They've got some innovative tips!  A couple of my favorites were the "transit passes" and "SPICE Committee."

Question: What are your favorite employee recognition ideas?

Gal Morale, Private Eye

P.S. Looking for a FUN and content-rich program for your next staff training event or conference.  Look no further!  Gal Morale may be just what your attendees ordered.  Check out my website and give me a call.

Gal Morale: Recognition for Women

Ok Gals, I've given the guys a chance - now the platform is yours.  In my recent post entitled Recognition for Men, I asked my male informants for their take on employee recognition and fun in the workplace. Their were many insightful comments that this detective took note of - you may want to check them out.

Now it's your turn.  My two questions for you are:

1. What's the most meaningful way that you have ever been recognized by an employer or a co-worker?

2. What would you consider to be "FUN" at work?

Thanks for your help!

Gal Morale, Private Eye

Gal Morale: Recognition for Men

Gal Morale here, calling upon all my male informants.  I've got to give the low-down on employee recognition and appreciation to an audience that is 95% male.  These are managers and supervisors of beer delivery drivers and sales people.  It is my observation that we ALL appreciate being appreciated. I also feel as though recognition preferences are very individual - not necessarily male and female.

However, I tend to suspect that there are SOME gender differences when it comes to how one likes to be recognized and what one percieves as "fun" at work!

So....to all my male informants....I ask you the following:

1. What has been the  most meaningful way that YOU have ever been recognized by an employer or co-worker?

2. What would you consider to be "FUN" at work? 

Thanks for your help!

Gal Morale, Private Eye

GAL MORALE: Write Them Up!

Once you SEE that employee or co-worker doing something fantastic, and you SAY it aloud - praising them specifically for what they've done....why not Write Them Up?  We spend so much time writing people up for the negative stuff....what if we wrote them up for the positive stuff?

To read more about why we should be "writing each other up", check out my article This is Going in Your File!  on the Baudville product site.

While you're there, check out the cool resources Baudville has for recognizing your employees.  (Note: I don't work for them, nor do they give me a commission.  I just think they've got great products and wanted to share them with you!)

Until next time,

Gal Morale, Private Eye

Gal Morale: How To Say Thank You!

Be Specific - An audience member once told me that her former boss (former being the operative word) came back from a seminar on boosting employee morale, knocked on her office door, looked in and said: "You're doing a great job!  I don't know what you do around here, but you're doing a great job!"  She said she felt worse than if he hadn't said anything at all.  What did he mean he didn't know what she did around there?? 

Be specific about what you are thanking and praising the person for.  The praise is that much more meaningful when you do.

Be Sincere - The truth is that it doesn't matter how many parties, pins or plaques you give them....if you don't sincerely RESPECT your team members, and truly care about their morale, they know it.  Be sincere in your praise.

Do It Soon - "When You See It - Say It!"  The  moment you notice someone doing something you'd like to praise them for....do it!  Right then!  Don't let the moment pass without making that person's day by verbalizing the admiration you're feeling.

Question:  What's the most meaningful way YOU'VE been recognized or appreciated by a boss or co-worker?