End of the Year Appreciation: 6 People to Remember

The Office Christmas Party is Right Around the Corner … so Prepare Awards Early!

When it comes to the end of the year appreciating things can become hectic; trying to figure out who deserves what. It’s important not to leave anyone out that is worthy of recognition.  The obvious top-performers will always seem like the most important of the list of award recipients in a corporate environment.

However, what about those loyal employees that deserve recognition for the behind-the-scenes tasks so often overlooked?  Like the assistant who made sure all of your appointments were on time and who made sure every paper you needed for an important business trip was intact; along with your passport, airline ticket, itinerary, etc.?  Or what about that new guy – the one you hired a couple of years ago – who has never missed a day of work or called in sick, ever?

We have come up with some ideas for you to think of some special people who deserve to hear a “Thank You” or “Congratulations.” First, you need to get a list of all of those deserving employees and begin to place them next to a list of categories, such as:

1. The Overachiever

This is one of my personal favorites, because this individual is usually the one putting in the extra work even when nobody has asked them to. These are the types of individuals that will ultimately make your company money, so this is a biggie.

2. Perfect Attendance

It’s hard enough these days to organize a full schedule. People have family commitments, like sick kids or appointments which can hinder an ability to get to work sometimes.  No one likes those employees that abuse their “sick day” privileges, either.  Especially when a valuable deadline is missed or when another employee has to work double to cover the excuse-maker. That’s why it’s important to let the individuals who never miss a day know, how much you appreciate their dedication.

3. Top Producers

Your company is growing at a rapid pace, but it’s likely that you didn’t do it all alone.  Make sure to award individuals of outstanding sales, top producers, etc. This is the award that should be at the top of the list and needs to be one of the most elaborate awards that you pass out, partly because it will make the other employees green with envy and they will strive harder to become next year’s recipient.

4. Leaders

Every team has a General.  That someone is there to motivate, inspire and teach the individuals on the team.  Make sure to give proper accolades to the organizers and leaders who excel.  They are ultimately the right-hand of your business.

5. Retirees

No matter how long an employee has been with your company, it is a nice gesture to recognize someone even after they decide to move on.  Especially if the employee has been a loyal and dedicated member of the crew who has contributed to the structure of the organization.

6. Dirty Deeds

Someone has to do the dirty work, so they say.  The janitor who changes the trash can and vacuums the office every night; the messenger who delivers packages in the hot sun all day; the gal who changes the sheets at a hospital or nursing home; these are just a short list of suggestions to get you thinking… who have I forgotten?  These people are valuable contributors to your organization and deserve to be noticed for all the dirty deeds they do that no one else wants to do!

Come and browse through hundreds of crystal awards, plaques and acrylic trophies at trophies2go.com, for virtually every occasion. If a trophy or plaque is not appropriate, make sure to acknowledge them in a special way.  Be thoughtful and creative with your recognition as small gestures can bring great things.

Before you know it, the champagne will be flowing and the New Year will be upon us.  Don’t let another year go by without saying thank you to those people who we hold near and who keep the company flowing smoothly.