Looking for a simple and inexpensive way to increase employee engagement?
One of the most difficult parts about running a successful business is finding a way to keep employees happy and engaged. It's easy to get caught up in chasing numbers and growth.
But those achievements mean nothing if you don't have employees who are passionate about their work and helping your company succeed.
So what's the solution?
The answer is in employee recognition and appreciation. The more effort you put into recognizing your employees' hard work, the more they'll be motivated to give you their best in return.
The problem:
Standard employee engagement practices are costly and don't always yield the results companies are looking for. For any real employee loyalty and engagement, businesses need something that both feels personal and provides practical value.
Employees who don't feel appreciated won't be inclined to stay with your company.
In recent years, corporate gift certificates have emerged as one of the most effective ways to drive employee engagement. In fact, internal gifting programs increase employee satisfaction by a full 31%.
Businesses like Perfect Feast Corporate Gifts have made it easier than ever for companies to show their employees the appreciation they deserve with turkey, ham, and grocery gift certificates.
Corporate gift certificates are more than just another line item in your HR budget…
They're an investment that can actually produce tangible results. When executed correctly, gift certificate programs create a positive ripple effect throughout your company.
Here's how they work so well:
Gift certificates allow employees to choose what they want and when they want it. In contrast to branded swag that may never be used or appreciated, companies can explore quality options that provide real value employees can actually enjoy with their families.
Think about it…
Instead of a meaningless trinket, a grocery gift certificate is a valuable resource for an employee's family. It's a simple way to say, "Thank you for your hard work."
You can visit https://www.pfrcorporategifts.com/gift-certificates/turkey-ham-fruit-veggies/ to find these types of certificates.
Did you know this?
54% of employees view gifts as a sign or token of appreciation from their employer. This means more than half of your staff is actively looking for recognition through tokens of appreciation.
The most successful corporate gift certificates share these four traits: practical value, choice and autonomy, quality presentation, and timely delivery. Gift certificates check all of these boxes while also being budget-friendly for your company.
Employee loyalty isn't created overnight. It's built over time through a series of positive experiences that make your staff feel like valued members of your company.
Gift certificates are so effective because they provide frequent positive touchpoints that can be used for employee recognition at any time. Work anniversaries, achievements, or high-stress seasons are just some of the occasions you can use to show appreciation with gifts.
The cool part? These positive touchpoints compound over time. The more consistently employees feel genuinely appreciated, the more likely they are to stay with your company long-term, recommend your business to others, go above and beyond in their roles, and create a positive workplace culture.
Why do some corporate gifts seem to resonate while others get forgotten?
The key is in psychology. Understanding what drives your employees will help you to provide gifts that truly speak to them.
Here's the thing about gifts like grocery gift certificates…
Practical gifts provide value that your employees can use to improve their everyday lives. In contrast to another logoed mug or sweater, gift certificates for food and other essentials are something they actually need and will appreciate.
When your employees use a turkey or ham gift certificate to provide their family with a meal, they're reminded of your appreciation every time they sit down to eat. This positive emotional reinforcement is impossible with branded items.
Nobody likes being told what they want or need.
That's why gift certificates work better than preselected options. When you give an employee a certificate for quality food, you're providing them with real value while also allowing them the autonomy to choose what they prefer.
The other big advantage of certificates is that they avoid the issue of unwanted or unneeded gifts. Nobody appreciates receiving a gift that feels irrelevant or out of touch with their interests.
Creating an effective corporate gift certificate program is easier said than done. Follow these tips to get the most bang for your buck:
Timing is just as important as what you give.
Strategic timing can turn a nice gift into a positive experience that strengthens the employee-company relationship.
For corporate gift certificates, the best times include:
The goal is to be strategic with your timing. Gifts that feel unexpected and more meaningful than if they're handed out on schedule.
Not all recognition moments are created equal. Smart companies will scale the value of their gift certificates according to the significance of the occasion.
Smaller wins and everyday recognition can be recognized with grocery gift certificates in the $25-50 range. Major achievements might warrant a premium food certificate in the $75-100 range, and annual recognition could be an exclusive $100+ gift bundle.
This is where many corporate gift programs miss the mark…
Treating employees as interchangeable is the fastest way to lose the personal touch of your gifting program. Gift certificates are flexible and can be adapted to better show employees you see them as individuals.
Personalization factors include dietary preferences, family size, individual interests, and cultural sensitivities. The more you get to know your employees and show you care, the better.
All smart business owners know the importance of tracking the ROI on their investments. Your company's gift certificate program is no exception.
The easiest way to measure success is through the voices of your employees. Periodic surveys can help you understand how your gifting program is affecting workplace morale and employee satisfaction.
Monitor areas like employees' sense of being valued, satisfaction with the recognition program, and their likelihood to recommend your company to others.
Corporate gifts increase customer retention by up to 43%, and the same concept holds true for employee retention. Watch your employee turnover rates, absenteeism, performance metrics, and internal referrals after you kick off your gift program.
Want to justify your employee gift program to senior leadership? Give them some numbers.
Balance the cost of your gift certificate program against savings on recruitment and onboarding from improved retention, productivity improvements from engaged and motivated staff, reduced absenteeism, and lower customer service complaints due to happier employees.
You'll quickly find that the benefits of a well-executed employee recognition program more than pay for themselves in indirect cost savings.
Corporate gift certificates are one of the best ways to drive employee engagement without a massive budget or unwieldy programs. Grocery gift certificates and other high-quality food items are especially useful because they provide real value that your employees are sure to appreciate.
However, the key to a successful employee recognition program is treating it strategically, not randomly. Understand what matters to your employees, time gifts for maximum impact, and track your results to create a program that yields measurable results.
Companies that focus on meaningful employee recognition through thoughtful gifts are rewarded with higher levels of employee satisfaction, better employee retention rates, and more positive workplace cultures. In today's competitive job market, that kind of advantage can make all the difference between success and failure.
Ready to upgrade employee engagement strategies? Start small with a pilot program and watch the difference quality gifts can make for companies.