I’ve recently read several articles about the importance of good customer service to businesses that are trying to weather tough economic times.  The gist of these articles is that satisfied employees provide higher quality customer service, which is crucial to maintaining customer loyalty in tough times.

Makes perfect sense to me, but it got me thinking about what makes employees happy and satisfied enough so that they remain enthusiastic about their jobs and provide great customer service.  I Googled “what makes employees happy?” and came up with 25,400,000 results.  It only took a few minutes of scanning the first few pages of results to see a common theme emerge. What makes employees happy is not a big corner office, free parking, extra days off, or even a cool boss like me.  It’s APPRECIATION - that’s it, plain and simple.  Of course, employee happiness at work is an individual thing, but it seems that most employees just want to be noticed for a job well done, appreciated for their contributions, and occasionally given a thumbs up or thank you for their efforts.

As I was debating the consequences of praise vs. raise for my employees, it occurred to me just how simple it is for employers and managers to become chief happiness officers.  It takes no time and costs little or no money to write a simple thank you note or give a small gift of gratitude – and the payoff could be tremendous.  It’s something that all employers should be doing, yet from what I read, many workplaces still neglect to show appreciation to the ones who can actually make or break the bottom line.

So, if you’re looking to build your brand image to get through these tough times, start with your employees.  Stock up on some thank you notes and a few unique promotional products to have on hand just to say “you’re appreciated” to loyal employees.  Certificates and generic paperweights won’t spark much enthusiasm, but there are plenty of products that would fit the bill without breaking the budget, such as a Branded Bean Plant, Computer Picture Holder, Branded Gas Card, or Grab N’ Go Stuff Travel Bag.

You might even want to go an extra step and implement an employee appreciation program.  You could affordably offer stand-out employees anything from customized display pieces to catalogs that allow them to choose from some nice pre-determined merchandise.  We can help you put together a program suited to your employees and your goals – even if you’re just looking for some small gifts to hand out on occasion.  Remember, it doesn’t have to cost a lot and I’ll bet that any program you implement will pay for itself in increased productivity – and happy employees!

About the Author

Jordy Gamson is the president and CEO of The Icebox, an Atlanta-based full-service, one-stop shop for branded apparel and promotional products. Their capabilities include creative services, garment sourcing, garment and product decoration, and fulfillment programs. In addition to its unique line of promotional products and clothing, The Icebox also offers a line of eco-friendly apparel for environmentally conscious clients. For more information, visit http://www.iceboxonline.com