CHICAGO–The “Thanks” piece of Thanksgiving is often overlooked by both individuals and organizations. But in making it about more than just turkey and football—as well as more than one day—a company or credit union can have a profound effect on its culture and success.
Below are three different reports related to how gratitude and giving thanks can show real ROI.
It Pays To Give Thanks
From The Wall Street Journal: It Pays To Give Thanks at the Office
Google’s Larry Page recently received the highest approval ratings of any chief executive on the job review site Glassdoor.com. His likable, low-key style accounts for much of his popularity—but so does his willingness to express gratitude to the people who work for him, The Wall Street Journal reported. The company’s own “Reasons to Work at Google” reflect his way of doing things, declaring: “We love our employees and we want them to know it” and “Appreciation is the best motivation.”
Google and a few other companies are setting a new trend—because expressions of gratitude around the workplace tend to be scarce. In a 2013 survey of 2,000 Americans on gratitude sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation, some 80% agreed that receiving gratitude makes them work harder, but only 10% managed to express gratitude to others every day. “Thanks”—whether sent up, down or sideways—was rarely heard, the Journal noted.
The Journal further reported that being appreciated is one of the great motivators on the job, even better than money. Researchers at the London School of Economics analyzed more than 50 studies for a 2011 paper that looked at what gets people charged up at work. They concluded that we give our best effort if the work gets us interested and excited, if we feel that it’s providing meaning and purpose, and if others appreciate what we’re doing.
Five ways to Show Thanks
From Entrepreneur Magazine: 5 Ways to Show Thanks
Author and entrepreneur Stacy Alcorn says there's no better time of year than the approaching holiday season for company owners to roll up their sleeves and spread gratitude to the people who have contributed to the business all year long: the amazing employees who embody the culture, vision and soul of an organization.
According to Alcorn, five simple ways to show appreciation for employees include:
1. Give thanks. “For the past seven years, my partner and I compose a long "we give thanks" email to our entire company,” Alcorn wrote. “In that email we list every single person in our organization and explain why that individual is special to us in just one sentence. Some of the remarks are funny, many are serious and all are heartfelt.”
2. Stage appreciation events.
One great way to show your people you love them is to having parties said Alcorn. “Throughout the year, we host parties for our team members. The best ones include their spouses and children. This sends a message that we love not just the employees but their entire families for the contribution that they collectively make to our organization. It takes a village to run an awesome company.”
3. Plan an excursion. “Organize a day off for your team,” suggested Alcorn. “This year at the advice of my employees, I organized a holiday shopping trip to New York City (a three-and-a-half-hour drive). This simply involved organizing a charter bus and negotiating discounted pricing for the team.
4. Send personal notes. “Sending love and appreciation to a team member can be as simple as sending a note,” said Alcorn. “I try to write five notes a day to my people. This gives me an excuse to sit down and think about who in my company deserves a pat on the back.”
5. Help your staff show appreciation to others. Alcorn wrote that “One way I show appreciation is by helping members of my team express appreciation to their clients. For the past five years we have organized a Thanksgiving-time event with a pie giveaway for the agents…Make it very easy for your staffers appreciate their clients -- and extend the circle of gratitude way beyond the doors of the company.”
For the full article, go here.
‘All The Rage’–For a Reason
“Gratitude is all the rage now,” noted Phaedra Hise, writer and editor, Virginia Living, Washington Post, as published on AmericanExpress.com. “It can also improve your business, according to small-business owners who've found ways to incorporate gratitude into their operations. Expressing thanks to employees, customers, the community and other stakeholders pays off for all parties, boosting both happiness quotients and ROI.
Hise noted that numerous studies have shown that people who express gratitude are 25% happier, more optimistic and better sleepers, according to research from Robert Emmons, author of Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier. That has obvious benefits for co-workers who spend the bulk of their days together, particularly so because these verbally grateful people are also more likely to offer emotional support to others or to help someone solve a problem, Hise added.
Hise’s report goes on to document how various companies have put policies and practices related to gratitude into place. She also noted that practicing appreciation and giving back is very appealing to Millennials, 92% of whom
want to work at a company that's making a positive impact on the world, and 55% of whom are influenced to take a job after learning of a company’s cause work. “That cause work is the third most important factor for millennials when considering a job offer,” Hise wrote.
Moreover, added, Hise, “In the constant push to win new business, it’s easy to take current customers for granted—after all, they’re already spending with you so they must be happy. But as in any relationship, they want to know you really care, or they’ll bolt. Of those who stop doing business with you, 68% of customers say they switch because they feel ignored, unappreciated or taken for granted, according to research from marketing expert and author Dan Kennedy.”
For the complete story, go here.