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Employee Appreciation Day: Why Not Celebrate All Year?

March 3, 2023/Company Culture, Employee Engagement, Employee Happiness, Employee Recognition, Employee Well-Being, Podcast, Podcast Recap, Podcast Recaps /by Meghan M. Biro

Sponsored by Workhuman

How often does your organization acknowledge team members who deserve recognition? Certainly, Employee Appreciation Day is an ideal opportunity to thank everyone. But an annual pat on the back isn’t nearly enough to move the meter on employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention.

So, what does effective recognition actually look like, and how can Employee Appreciation Day help? According to today’s #WorkTrends podcast guest, companies that get recognition right treat it as an ongoing conversation where everyone is invited to participate.

Makes sense. But what kind of impact can employers expect? The numbers are impressive. For example, research shows that when we regularly acknowledge employees, they’re 90% more likely to be happier at work. They’re also 70% less likely to burn out. And they’re 60% more likely to stay onboard. To find out more about what’s driving these outcomes, tune in now…

Meet Our Guest: Derek Irvine

Had a blast discussing this topic with Derek Irvine, SVP of Strategy and Consulting Services at Workhuman! Derek is a foremost expert on recognition and the human side of business. I can’t think of anyone who’s better qualified to help us understand how to make each day feel like Employee Appreciation Day. So please join us as we dig deeper:

Why Appreciation Matters

Welcome, Derek! You’ve studied employee appreciation for years. What does science tell us about its value?

Actually, appreciation is like a natural medicine. When someone sincerely thanks us at work, it releases happy hormones. It boosts our health and wellbeing. So in a way, Employee Appreciation Day is like a wellness day.

Unfortunately, however, research says 80% of people aren’t appreciated enough. This means they’re more likely to become disengaged or quit. So this is important. But it’s something we can fix.

Factors That Support Appreciation
How does Workhuman honor Employee Appreciation Day?

Of course, we acknowledge all of our employees and celebrate as a team. But for us, every day is Employee Appreciation Day. So we’re committed to a continuous dialogue. And our reward strategy is built on three foundational blocks:

Fair Pay: People need to feel appropriately compensated for their contribution.

Ownership: We aren’t a public company, but everyone has a real stake in the company’s success.

Recognition: These are the spontaneous moments when we acknowledge people for reaching a milestone or supporting our values.

Appreciation as a Cultural Priority

Spontaneous. I love that word. What other steps can companies take to build a culture of recognition?

In addition to being spontaneous, it’s also important to be intentional. Because most people I talk to agree that they should show more appreciation. And then, other priorities take over, so taking the time to say “thank you” constantly falls from the top of their to-do list.

You’ll want to put a drumbeat in place to be sure this intention won’t slip off of your agenda.

Getting Started

What would you say organizations should do to make Employee Appreciation Day more meaningful for everyone?

Well, it could be a great day to launch your all-year initiatives. So maybe you could recognize people at a special gathering. But then also announce your commitment to change your organization’s habits and explain how you intend to create a culture based on ongoing recognition.

That’s my top recommendation because it will help your organization pivot in a more positive trajectory, and it will have a lasting impact.

Tools That Enhance Appreciation

How can technology help employers make recognition work better?

Using technology to thank people may seem odd. But it can help in several ways.

It can provide a nudge that reminds managers to reach out to people at specific times. But beyond that, with a platform like ours, you’ll create a fantastic repository of all the human connection stories that are happening in your organization.

You also have a huge data pool you can use to understand your culture better. For example, you can ask: What words are people using? What skills are being celebrated? Are particular leaders being recognized for skills we hadn’t seen? Are there dark spots in the organization where people aren’t being thanked at all?

Insights like these can be a powerful way to enhance your work culture with more intention…

For more insights from Derek about why and how to make every day feel like Employee Appreciation Day, listen to this full podcast episode. And be sure to subscribe to the #WorkTrends Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

Also, to continue this conversation on social media anytime, follow our #WorkTrends hashtag on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Why Great Leaders Express Gratitude at Work

November 8, 2022/Company Culture, Employee Engagement, Employee Experience, Employee Recognition, Leadership /by Mike Szczesny

As social beings, many of our relationships are based on reciprocity. At work, we’re often involved in transactional behavior, where we expect to receive at least as much value as we give. But our deepest relationships are usually driven by higher motives like gratitude. A thankful mindset benefits our relationships with others, even if we don’t expect anything in return. That’s why it’s so important for leaders to express gratitude at work.

Research shows that people who practice workplace gratitude help foster more compassion and consideration among their colleagues. For example, the University of Central Florida recently conducted a study among employees from various professions, asking them to journal about work gratitude for 10 days.

This simple act led participants to demonstrate more respect, politeness, and self-discipline. And this is only one of many studies underscoring the power of thankfulness. Bottom line ⁠— if you want to improve your company culture, it’s wise to focus on gratitude.

How Workplace Gratitude Works

Practicing gratitude at work is easy. It’s about recognizing good things that happen throughout the course of a given day. You can focus on an employee’s notable achievement, a coworker’s warm response to a challenging customer, or the arrival of a new coffee machine in the break room. The possibilities are endless.

Here are three types of work gratitude that directly influence employee experience:

1. Episodic Gratitude

This is tied to specific positive events you’ve encountered. For instance, you may be offered a new assignment you’ve been eyeing for a while. Or colleagues may jump in to help you meet a tight deadline. Or your employer gives you time off to deal with a serious illness in your family.

There is a strong correlation between expressions of gratitude in specific situations and positive organizational behavior. In other words, by practicing episodic gratitude over time, you can form a healthy habit that benefits you and your colleagues, alike. And ultimately, it can elevate your company culture as well.

2. Persistent Gratitude

When you consistently tend to feel thankful in a particular context, that is persistent gratitude. People with persistent gratitude are more likely to notice the good in other people’s actions and be thankful for them.

For instance, say your colleague fixes some basic errors in a document you’ve drafted so you don’t have to spend more time revising it. Some people may expect this as a normal part of a colleague’s job. But if you embrace persistent gratitude, you’ll be thankful for that effort to improve your document.

So, why is persistent gratitude important at work? When people feel good about what they do for a living, it leads to better overall well-being. Persistent gratitude leads to positive work-related emotions like enthusiasm and happiness. It also helps form stronger relationships, which in turn can strengthen your organizational culture.

3. Collective Gratitude

This is a feeling of thankfulness that stretches across an organization. It means you have a culture where people openly appreciate each other. With collective gratitude, employees feel free to express gratitude to colleagues, superiors, and clients.

A work environment where you’re appreciated and your efforts are celebrated sounds like a dream. As mentioned previously, persistent gratitude nurtures happiness and stronger relationships, so imagine what this ethic can accomplish when organizations fully embrace it. That’s why highly effective leaders foster a sense of collective gratitude.

Building a Culture of Gratitude

How can you help employees feel valued, recognized, and appreciated at work? Here are some proven ways you can encourage more gratitude throughout your organization:

Respect employees and colleagues by consistently seeking their input and listening to their ideas.
Take time to celebrate individual and team successes.
Believe that even a simple verbal or written “thank you” can go a long way.
Tell people exactly how they make a difference to you and others, so they believe your comments are genuine.
Don’t hold back. Share positive feedback whenever you see an opportunity.
Ask people how you can help them grow or rise to a new work challenge.
Be available to help when others are struggling through difficult times.
Hold periodic recognition ceremonies where employees nominate colleagues for awards like custom trophies, personalized keepsakes, or other customized items that strike a meaningful chord.
Publicly thank those who’ve helped you at work so people will be encouraged to offer assistance to others, as well.
Reward your team with fun group events that can also strengthen bonds. For example, you could host informal offsite trips, game nights, picnics, happy hours, and team lunches.

The Many Benefits of Gratitude at Work

When you express gratitude as a natural habit, you’ll begin to notice that it improves your attitude about work. And eventually, that genuine sense of gratitude will spread to others around you and benefit your culture in multiple ways. For example, in organizations where gratitude is a priority you’ll find:

Less job stress and more satisfaction
Better coworker relationships and friendships
A happier, more collaborative atmosphere
Heightened morale
Better employee self-esteem, mental health, and confidence
More energy and enthusiasm
And even improved physical health

A spirit of genuine appreciation can fill work environments with positivity. And when employees feel good about their work experience, a better customer experience and increased sales are likely to follow. It’s an all-around win-win.

Final Thoughts

Leaders typically don’t express gratitude as often as employees wish they would. But if you’re a leader, it’s your responsibility to keep your workforce engaged, connected, and optimistic. Consistently acknowledging others can showcase your professionalism, improve your business relationships, help you stand out as a true team player, and lift your workplace culture.

It may not cost anything to be outwardly appreciative, but developing a habit of thankfulness can make a massive difference. You have nothing to lose. So why not give it a try?

Stop Overthinking a Culture of Gratitude. Show It Instead!

November 18, 2021/Company Culture /by Cyndy Trivella

As we enter the season of gratitude, I have contemplated the importance of employers, managers, and leaders expressing thanks to their hardworking team members. We have collectively weathered a storm, and we’re not in the clear yet. No matter what the industry, things have been challenging. But how should we show our gratitude? What is authentic? What works?

With “The Great Resignation” and “The Great Discontent” affecting our organizations, retention is top-of-mind. Here is my gentle reminder: a little gratitude goes a long way in keeping employees happy and feeling valued.

Why gratitude is great

Gratitude in the workplace is often underrated. While some leaders are quick with a “thank you,” others are still under the impression that thanks are given with a paycheck. Research clearly illustrates that the right amount of gratitude can drastically impact the productivity, positivity, morale, employee retention, and success of a business.

The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, is at the heart of understanding gratitude. In his 2010 essay, Robert Emmons, the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, reveals why gratitude is good for our bodies, our minds, and our relationships.

“[Gratitude] has two components. First, it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts, and benefits we’ve received. This doesn’t mean that life is perfect; it doesn’t ignore complaints, burdens, and hassles. But when we look at life as a whole, gratitude encourages us to identify some amount of goodness in our life,” Robert says. “The second part of gratitude is figuring out where that goodness comes from. We recognize the sources of this goodness as being outside of ourselves. It didn’t stem from anything we necessarily did ourselves in which we might take pride. We can appreciate positive traits in ourselves, but I think true gratitude involves a humble dependence on others: We acknowledge that other people—or even higher powers, if you’re of a spiritual mindset—gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”

Gratitude is transcendent.

The act of gratitude clearly transcends any one part of our lives. It’s holistic in nature. Those who are grateful at home are likely to be grateful at work. But people aren’t inherently grateful or not. Like many things, it can be–and I would argue should be– practiced.

My thoughts have landed here: stop overthinking a culture of gratitude. Show it instead! It sure seems silly as a line item on an executive agenda: “Express thanks to employees.” Instead, be naturally grateful for the employees who have stuck through trying times. Show them gratitude–and not just one night at the fancy holiday party. Say “thank you.” Drop a note. Make eye contact and actively show appreciation for a job well done.

A recent Gallup analysis found that “48 percent of America’s working population is actively job searching or watching for opportunities. Businesses are facing a staggeringly high quit rate–3.6 million Americans resigned in May alone–and a record-high number of unfilled positions. And Gallup discovered that workers in all job categories, from customer-facing service roles to highly professional positions, are actively or passively job hunting at roughly the same rate.”

It is no secret that keeping employees happy is the name of the game right now. Retention has always been a hot topic among leaders, but it’s never been more important to engage employees and entice them to stay through authentic actions.

Get back to basics.

Say things like: Thank you! We appreciate you. We are glad you’re here. You offer great value to our team. Nice job on that project. Sound too easy or trite? It’s not.

Ask questions like: How would you like to be recognized? What makes a happy, productive workplace? A misstep is often to assume you know what resonates with people. Don’t be afraid to ask: take surveys or have open conversations about what feels good to hear or experience.

Ask people about their experiences alone and in groups. Also, find out how people are feeling. Are they scared? Tired? Upbeat? Hopeful? What general trends come to light from truly ASKING?

Create an environment that fosters gratitude.

According to HBR’s piece, “Building a Better Workplace Starts with Saying ‘Thanks’”: “Make time and space for gratitude. Many employees may feel ambivalent about expressing gratitude or appreciation publicly, so don’t force it. Instead, managers should make (physical or virtual) space and time for gratitude. For example, managers can create an appreciation wall or a dedicated Slack channel for employees to recognize others and give kudos. Managers might also start meetings with gratitude ‘check-ins,’ during which team members can express one thing they’re thankful for. When employees pin notes to the wall or participate in check-ins, they create social proof that encourages their ambivalent colleagues to do the same.”

Stop thinking about gratitude as an “initiative.”

Gratitude in the workplace doesn’t have to be expensive or overwrought with logistics. There are many ways to show appreciation and employee recognition that aren’t overtaxing or unrealistic.

Our friends at gThankYou publish an ongoing blog related to employee appreciation, recognition, and gratitude. One post that spoke to me was “The Magic of On-the-Spot Recognition.” It outlines many reasons to simply show gratitude “in the moment”–and it is simple, appreciated and, frankly, expected by younger generations.

“A culture of gratitude begins with a genuine heart and true feelings of thanks for those who make your business work every day,” shares Liz King, co-founder and CMO of gThankYou. “We have committed to sharing free resources to help leaders incorporate appreciation, recognition and thanks into the workplace all year long. It’s a wise business decision that also feels great.”

Other considerations for maintaining a culture of gratitude

Define happiness.

As with all goal-setting, the clearer the picture, the more likely you will succeed. Take the time to understand what happiness means in your organization, industry, and area of the world. This alone can put a damper on the “Great Resignation” or “Great Discontent.” Picture a happy workplace: what does it really look like?

Understand how to align the organization’s foundational purpose with daily actions.

This piggybacks on defining happiness. There should also be a deep-rooted connection between what the organization stands for and how it treats employees. What is this company all about? If it is focused on providing goods or services to better their customers or the world, are we treating employees just as well (or better)? If we thank our customers and partners, shouldn’t we extend the same courtesy to our employees?

The bottom line

Organizations, specifically leaders, MUST set an example of gratitude. We encourage you to not only take the time to say, “thank you” regularly but build tangible, effective ways to keep a gratitude culture thriving.

How do you foster a culture of gratitude? I’d love to hear your ideas–and so would your peers! Please feel free to contact me at ctrivella@talentculture.com.

Cottonbro

#WorkTrends: The Power of Workplace Gratitude with Liz King

September 18, 2020/Employee Experience, Podcast Recaps /by Meghan M. Biro

How do we best show workplace gratitude? How do we help employees and coworkers feel valued and appreciated?

There’s no doubt: In 2020, the world seems pretty serious. All around me here in Oregon, and up and down the west coast, we’re dealing with unprecedented firestorms. A series of tropical storms seems ready to hit the southeastern US. And we’re all still grappling with a pandemic that has dramatically changed the workplace. With all this going on, many of us seek solace. We covet a moment of relaxation. And for the many of us working solo at home, we crave human connection.

You don’t want to miss a single episode of #WorkTrends… subscribe to the podcast now!

So there’s no better time to be deliberately human. To reach out to a friend to say hello. Or, perhaps to make an employee or coworker smile by just saying thank you. But how do we show gratitude in a meaningful way while we’re socially distancing?

Liz King on Workplace Gratitude

To answer that question, and because I truly believe sharing gratitude with employees and peers may be the special sauce of workplace culture and engagement, I asked Liz King, CMO of gThankYou, to join me on this week’s #WorkTrends podcast. We talked about the real science behind gratitude, and how it can transform any workplace — whether co-located, remote, or both. Of course, the holidays are coming. So we also took a look at great ideas on how to use gratitude to make everyone smile, even if we can’t be together.

In the first few moments with Liz, I confirmed how important it is to create a culture of workplace gratitude. “Because of what we’re seeing as a result of the pandemic — increased worker stress, loneliness, anxiety, the pressure of juggling family and work commitments — it is so important employers are there to help employees take on these new world challenges through sincere gestures of kindness and appreciation,” Liz said. She emphasized that while one-time expressions of gratitude are meaningful, consistency is important. “Building a culture of gratitude needs to come from the top down. Ultimately, it must be part of the fabric of a workplace culture. You just can’t say a one and done thank you and think you’ve done enough.”

Appreciation is Personal

When talking about that human connection, Liz shared another great piece of advice: “We are so short on personal engagement right now. If you can, pick up the phone. Check in on your employees. People need to know they’re valued and not alone.” Liz smartly added: “Don’t forget a heartfelt, personal thank you note always makes somebody’s day.”

Since Liz and gThankYou are experts at showing gratitude to employees and coworkers, I couldn’t let Liz get away without about the best way to show sincere gratitude now — and for the upcoming holidays: “To help show appreciation year-round, we have a day-to-day employee celebration calendar full of actionable appreciation and engagement ideas. Of course, we started our business in 2007 based on the tradition of giving a turkey to employees for Thanksgiving. We then started creating certificates of gratitude for practical employee and customer food gifts. Not just a Thanksgiving turkey, but a Christmas ham and fruit and vegetables, ice cream, and groceries anytime.”

Walking the Thankful Talk

During our conversation, it became clear Liz, her husband Rick, and their entire team walk the thankful talk: “We are incredibly grateful to work with companies who care about appreciating employees. It is such a joy to get them on the phone! They’re excited to order again, every year. And they talk about why showing gratitude is so important to them — just as it is to us.”

I’m grateful gThankYou sponsored this meaningful episode of #WorkTrends℠. I really appreciate their simple, flexible approach to helping brands show they care about their employees. I can’t thank them enough.

Be sure to listen in… then go say thank you to someone making a difference in your life!

And please join us on Wednesday, September 23rd at 1:30pm ET with a special Twitter chat featuring Liz King. Here are the questions we’ll be asking:

Q1: Why do organizations struggle with expressing gratitude? #WorkTrends

Q2: What strategies can promote a culture of gratitude? #WorkTrends

Q3: How can leaders show gratitude over the holidays? #WorkTrends

Find Liz on Linkedin and Twitter. Also check out gThankYou on LinkedIn.

Editor’s note: #WorkTrends podcasts and Twitter chats are changing to better meet your needs! For details, check the new FAQ page. And to see upcoming event topics and guests, check the calendar listing on the #WorkTrends Podcast page.

Photo: Anete Lūsiņa

Five Takeaways During COVID-19 As a Working-Mom-CEO 

August 14, 2020/HR Strategy /by Mikaela Kiner

I’m the founder and CEO of a 40+ person HR consulting business. My husband is a preschool teacher, and I have two kids — one going into her sophomore year of high school and my son who’s leaving for college soon. With offices and schools still closed, we’re doing all we can to navigate the uncertainty and make the most of our time together.

Keeping Kids Engaged

My daughter recently learned that her high school is going completely virtual. When her school moved online in March, she loved day one, and was exhausted by day two. Then my husband and son’s schools both closed. Suddenly our family of four was all working from home. We’re fortunate that we have plenty of space. When I’m upstairs my daughter takes over the living room. Sometimes we trade for a change of scenery.

My son’s school struggled to organize online classes, and he ended up with little to do from the time COVID-19 hit until he graduated in June. Friends made up for the lack of a formal graduation by hosting a socially distant ceremony in their backyard. With no school work, we found chores to keep him busy and got him volunteering at our neighborhood food bank.

Feeding a family of four — all of their meals from home has been a new experience since we used to leave the house at different times, and grab lunch at work or school. I’m keeping lots of healthy food and snacks in the pantry. We’re also cooking together more. Yesterday I made granola bars, while my daughter experimented with funfetti cake pops. Teenagers may disagree, but I’ve enjoyed slowing down and spending more time together.

Self-Care Helps Manage Uncertainty

In order to be there for your family, you’ve got to take care of yourself. Think about the instructions you get when you fly: put on your oxygen mask first, before helping others. I started 2020 with a new year’s resolution to do morning meditation and have experimented with affirmations too. Some mornings, I take a brisk walk to clear my head.

A big part of my business is leadership development. When the pandemic hit, I had no idea if or when people would invest in training. Would this part of the business fail? Obviously no one was going to join a live workshop anytime soon. Fortunately, virtual workshops quickly became the norm. My worst case scenario did not come true. Nonetheless, periods of worry and uncertainty combined with constant change are exhausting.

Routines keep us grounded, and no routines are more basic than eating, sleeping, and exercise. My number of steps dropped when I stopped commuting so now I’m intentionally walking once or twice a day. I’ve also given myself permission to be more flexible and less productive than usual. You can’t expect as much from yourself or others while the world is in turmoil, so give everyone some grace.

Gratitude Makes You Feel Better

There’s research that gratitude can actually change your brain over time. Practicing gratitude makes us more appreciative of what we have. Start small by making a list of things you’re grateful for each night before bed. Or have each family member share what one thing they’re thankful for when you sit down for dinner. It can be as simple as fresh air, a new puppy, or your health. There are many ways to practice gratitude.

My colleague from Milan and his wife were quarantined in different Italian cities during lockdown. All non-essential businesses were shut down, and there was no social life whatsoever. I commiserated with how hard that must be. He responded by saying that his grandfather had a much more difficult life during the war, so he never feels unlucky. What an amazing example of gratitude.

Wait! I’m Still a CEO

With my family continuously readjusting to new routines, I’ve had to think creatively about what my team clients need right now. They’re looking for guidance on remote work and virtual meetings, clear communications, and tips to stay connected and engaged. People are also grappling with how to engage in anti-racist work following the killing of George Floyd. Leaders want to be empathetic while struggling to manage their own anxiety. Working parents need strategies to function while keeping kids safe and occupied.

As a leader, I know it’s important to stay resilient and provide my team a sense of safety. We’re talking more often, checking in with each other. We’re inviting our kids and pets to online meetings, and hosting a Zoom celebration in place of our summer picnic.

Perspective Taking

I’m staying focused on how I can help myself, my family, my team, clients, and community stay strong and get through this. I’m grateful that my loved ones are healthy and my company has so far weathered the storm. I’m encouraged because everyday I see people taking care of those in need ranging from small businesses to kids who won’t have meals while schools are closed. I know eventually this will pass and I think about how it’s going to make us stronger, more flexible, and more appreciative.

#WorkTrends Recap: Gratitude and Giving Back

December 23, 2016/Archives /by Meghan M. Biro

One tenant of a positive workplace culture is appreciation. Employees who receive recognition and appreciation are more likely to be engaged and work harder. A little kudos from a manager goes a long way.

This week I discussed the importance of leaders showing gratitude and giving back to employees, partners and customers with special guest Elisabeth Vezzani, Co-founder of Sugarwish, a corporate gifting organization.

Elisabeth shared why non-cash incentives work best for employee motivation and creating happiness throughout the office.

Here are a few other key points Elisabeth shared:

80% of employees are motivated to work hard when employees feel appreciation from their bosses
People stay longer and work harder for non-cash incentives
A gesture of appreciation does not need to cost a lot

Did you miss the show? You can listen to the #WorkTrends podcast on our BlogTalk Radio channel here: http://bit.ly/2hGNTbt

You can also check out the highlights of the conversation from our Storify here:

View the story “#WorkTrends Storify: Gratitude and Giving Back ” on Storify

Didn’t make it to this week’s #WorkTrends show? Don’t worry, you can tune in and participate in the podcast and chat with us every Wednesday from 1-2pm ET (10-11am PT). Join me on Jan 4 for our first chat of 2017. I will be joined by sales advocate and best-selling author Anthony Iannarino to discuss how to sell yourself.

Remember, the TalentCulture #WorkTrends conversation continues every day across several social media channels. Stay up-to-date by following our #WorkTrends Twitter stream; pop into our LinkedIn group to interact with other members; or check out our Google+ community. Engage with us any time on our social networks, or stay current with trending World of Work topics on our website or through our weekly email newsletter.

#WorkTrends Preview: Gratitude and Giving Back

December 19, 2016/Archives /by Meghan M. Biro

On last week’s #WorkTrends, Meghan M. Biro and her special guest Kevin W. Grossman discussed the importance of companies showing respect and professionalism to job candidates.

This week Meghan will be discussing the importance of companies showing gratitude and giving back to employees, partners and customers. She’s will be joined by her special guest Elisabeth Vezzani, Co-founder of Sugarwish, a corporate gifting organization.

Join Meghan and Elisabeth on Wednesday, December 21 at 1pm EST for a fun and lively discussion around this timely topic.

Gratitude and Giving Back

Join Elisabeth and me on our LIVE online podcast Wednesday, Dec 21 — 1 pm ET / 10 am PT.

Immediately following the podcast, the team invites the TalentCulture community over to the #WorkTrends Twitter stream to continue the discussion. We encourage everyone with a Twitter account to participate as we gather for a live chat, focused on these related questions:

Q1: What’s the value of giving gratitude in the workplace? #WorkTrends (Tweet this question)

Q2: How can corporate gifting programs empower and engage employees?#WorkTrends (Tweet this question)

Q3: How does corporate gratitude dovetail into an employer brand? #WorkTrends (Tweet this question)

Don’t want to wait until next Wednesday to join the conversation? You don’t have to. I invite you to check out the #WorkTrends Twitter feed, our TalentCulture World of Work Community LinkedIn group, and our TalentCulture G+ community. Share your questions, ideas and opinions with our awesome community any time. See you there!

Join Our Social Community & Stay Up-to-Date!

Photo Credit: newpennmarketing Flickr via Compfight cc

Use Your Time Wisely — You Don’t Have As Much Of It As You Think!

March 13, 2015/2 Comments/Archives /by Deidre Paknad

As management guru Peter Drucker once said, “Time is the scarcest resource, and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed.”

Time is the greatest lever we have to achieve business goals, yet most leaders don’t measure how it’s spent or manage it as scarce capacity. When time is viewed as an infinite resource, it sets up employee engagement challenges and fatigued thinking. This week, give closer attention and intention to how you leverage time with these 3 practices:

Recognize time is a finite resource and plan accordingly.
Create a time allocation plan for yourself and your team this morning to use your limited capacity wisely for the next 90 days. Include target percentages for making decisions, motivating people, addressing issues, assessing goal achievement, and engaging customers. As with any budget, ruthlessly prioritize so the time you plan to spend isn’t greater than the time you actually have — if it’s not in the budget, delegate it or drop it.

Align time used directly to goal achievement.
Be as systematic aligning time to goal achievement week over week as you are setting goals at the start of the year and measuring performance at the end. Chasing status reactively and consuming time on work that doesn’t contribute to goals waste precious time. Define 1-3 streams of work that support achievement of each goal, and ask your team to do a short weekly report on action item progression by stream. Put the goals and streams into the report template to ensure week over week linkage between the team’s work, everyone’s time and your business goals.

Take some time to experience gratitude.
Complement more intentional use of time and better time-goal alignment with 10 minutes a day to identify and acknowledge great work or effort – ideally the 10 minutes before you leave the office. It’s renewing and energizing for you and others. This habit will strengthen your empathy skills and remind others why they’re investing their time to help achieve your business goals!

Put these practices to work this week to increase your productivity and satisfaction; join the conversation on this and other topics to share what works best for you.

P.S. Consider using Workboard for easy, effective status reporting. You define goals and workstreams, your team tracks action items by stream and reports from their list; Workboard automatically distills their reports so you know how to focus your time and theirs.

#TChat Preview: Employee Engagement And Putting Thanks In The Bank

April 19, 2014/Archives /by TalentCulture Team + Guests

The TalentCulture #TChat Show is back live on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. #TChat Radio starts at 6:30 pm ET (3:30 pm PT) and the convo continues on #TChat Twitter chat from 7-8 pm ET. Last week we talked about building a cultural advantage, and this week we are talking again about creating a high-engagement climate and culture.

We know why employee engagement matters, and that’s why we keep talking about it on our show; the importance of creating a climate of support and encouragement in the workplace cannot be over-stated. By creating a climate and culture of appreciation with a few simple strategies, you and your organization will receive huge payoffs in your employee retention, satisfaction, and performance.

Our guests will share six ways you can take your T.H.A.N.K.S. to the bank, and this will be an acronym to remember. Join #TChat co-creators and hosts Meghan M. Biro and Kevin W. Grossman as we learn more about creating an high-engagement culture with this week’s guests: Lisa Ryan, MBA, Founder and Chief Appreciation Strategist at Grategy and author of The Upside of Down Times and Teresa Andreani, Executive Life Coach at Work In Progress Consulting Group and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Cleveland State University.

Sneak Peek: Employee Engagement and Gratitude

We spoke briefly with Lisa in a G+ Hangout to learn a little about how employee engagement can be as simple as “Thank You”.

#TChat Events: How can showing gratitude increase employee engagement?

#TChat Radio — Wed, April 23 — 6:30pmET / 3:30pmPT Tune-in to the #TChat Radio show Our hosts, Meghan M. Biro and Kevin W. Grossman talk with guests Lisa Ryan and Teresa Andreani!

Tune-in LIVE online this Wednesday!

#TChat Twitter Chat — Wed, April 23 — 7pmET / 4pmPT Immediately following the radio show, Meghan, Kevin and our guests will move to the #TChat Twitter stream, where we’ll continue the discussion with the entire TalentCulture community. Everyone with a Twitter account is invited to participate, as we gather for a dynamic live chat, focused on these related questions:

Q1: Why do we struggle to implement the simplest engagement strategies? (Tweet this Question)

Q2: How do we create a climate of appreciation with the remote workforce? (Tweet this Question)

Q3: What are some economical ways to creatively engage employees? (Tweet this Question)

Q4: How can business leaders increase performance through engagement? (Tweet this Question)

Q5: In what ways can employees personally gain from showing gratitude to leadership and co-workers? (Tweet this Question)

Throughout the week, we’ll keep the discussion going on the #TChat Twitter feed, and in our new TalentCulture G+ community. So feel free to drop by anytime and share your questions, ideas and opinions. See you there!!

TalentCulture World of Work was created for HR professionals, leadership executives, and the global workforce. Our community delves into subjects like HR technology, leadership, employee engagement, and corporate culture everyday.

To get more World of Work goodness, please sign up for our newsletter, listen to our #TChat Radio Channel or sign up for our RSS feed.

photo credit: *Lie … on & off … ! via photopin cc

#TChatHoliday: Sharing Warm Wishes, Community-Style!

December 19, 2013/Archives /by Tim McDonald

The holidays are a perfect time to reflect upon the past year’s experiences, and look ahead to new opportunities — something the TalentCulture community does continuously.

But earlier this week, Kevin W. Grossman joined me for a brief hangout to compare notes about what it has meant to connect with all of you this year, what our holiday plans are, and best of all, why we’re so excited for 2014!

Of course, we’re not the only ones with ideas, plans and goodwill to share with the community. We’d love to hear from you, too!

Just leave a comment below — or post a tweet, photo or video from Vine or Instagram, and include the hashtag #TChatHoliday. As we roll into the New Year, we’ll curate and share your greetings, memories and aspirations for all to see.

THANK YOU for being part of our growing, thriving, continuous world of work conversation! We appreciate everyone who is helping us explore this new form of community building.

We hope that you enjoyed Hanukkah and Thanksgiving holidays. And we wish you a Merry Christmas, Heri za Kwanzaa and Happy New Year!

Looking forward to our next #TChat on January 8 — but until then, make the most of this time to catch-up with those who matter most to you. Stay safe, and be merry!

Image credit: Kirkland’s

Business and the Spirit of Sharing: #TChat Recap

December 13, 2012/Archives /by Kathleen Kruse

Good vibrations. Could you feel them all around yesterday? It’s not just because the holidays are upon us, but because it was 12-12-12 – a day of harmonic convergence. Astrologers proclaimed peace across the universe. The Concert for Sandy Relief rocked Madison Square Garden. And the TalentCulture “world of work” community joined virtual hands around the Twitter stream to align the social responsibility stars.

Live from New York, #TChat moderator Meghan M. Biro, and community manager, Tim McDonald, steered the flow of conversation while sharing holiday cheer with the innovative folks at NYC’s Internet Media Labs. It was a great capstone in a week at TalentCulture that focused on corporate responsibility, social impact and the spirit of the holiday season.

SUN 12/9
Meghan’s Forbes.com post: “5 Traits of Leaders Who are Ready for Social Good”

MON 12/10
#TChat weekly preview post: “The Grinch & The World of Work”

TUE 12/11
Google+ Hangout video: Meghan Peters, Community Manager at Mashable, talked with Tim McDonald about simple ways that companies can make a difference.

#TChat Radio program: Meghan Peters and Brian Sirgutz, SVP of Social Impact at The Huffington Post, discussed issues and opportunities in social responsibility with hosts Meghan M. Biro and Kevin W. Grossman.

WED 12/12
#TChat: The Wednesday night chat crew took the Twitter stream by storm for a spirited discussion about organizational giving and the greater good.

Listen to the recorded show now…

So, what have we learned from all this interaction? Did we discover more about why and how business should give back to employees and the community at large? Were we inspired to do more in our organizations and communities?

As I mentioned during last night’s chat wrap, the energy was fun and inspiring, quirky and cynical. Just like a slice of society – all in one happy fruitcake. That’s #TChat! Here are a few takeaways to review and pass along. (Remember – sharing is caring!)

To see full highlights from yesterday’s #TChat session, watch the Storify slideshow at the end of this post.

On the meaning and value of corporate responsibility:

“I almost hate the term ‘social good.’ Just do good. Always. To everyone.” jocelynaucoin

“#Socialgood has become far too trendy + hip leaving it as an obligation for most orgs” MillennialTweet

“I want someone’s definition of #socialgood? A holiday party, Christmas cards, community giving?” megburkett

On commitment to giving:

“Giving at Christmas shows you have the holiday spirit. Giving year around shows you have a giving spirit.” Beverly_Davis

“If you feel like you *have* to give thanks during the holiday season, you’re doing it wrong.” brentskinner

“In many cases the need is greater outside the holiday season, when people aren’t thinking about it as much.” pamelamaeross

On demonstrating gratitude to employees:

“Here’s a thought: integrate gratitude into everything you do every day with everyone.” DawnRasmussen

“Are we making this too complicated? I received a box of Christmas cookies today… and I’ve been smiling all day.” YouTernMark

“Homemade baked goods open hearts!” ReCenterMoment

“Gratitude: Send a email to employee and cc in your +1 – thanking them for specific accomplishments” levyrecruits

“Recognize that 1 size does not fit all. Know ur folks- u’ll know how to express gratitude that does them justice.” MillennialTweet

On leading by example in the community:

“No one should wait for permission, or a title on a business card, to lead/inspire others to do to good.” YouTernMark

“Projecting an image is called marketing…doing is called being a professional…” levyrecruits

“Leaders fall short when they promote #socialgood activities but only on employees own time” AlliPolin

“Matching contributions to charitable organizations of ees choice is a way to encourage good and it is not forced.” TomBolt

“Gr8 examples of enterprise contribution yr rnd: gatesfoundation & many offshoots, initiatives by dell, ge & many others” justcoachit

Click to hear this week’s #TChat Radio interview

For me, the top takeaway this week came from The Huffington Post’s Brian Sirgutz. He asked a simple question that is essential to socially conscious individuals and organizations, alike:

“How do people ‘catch’ empathy?”

If we understand how to reach individuals in ways that move them to change themselves for the better, then we can plant a seed that will eventually change the world. And someday perhaps the old phrase, “I already gave at the office” will slip into oblivion – for good.

# # #

NOTE: To see specific highlights from yesterday’s “work life balance” #TChat session, watch the Storify slideshow at the end of this post.

# # #

Closing Notes & Highlights Slideshow

SPECIAL THANKS from TalentCulture to Meghan Peters, Community Manager at Mashable and Brian Sirgutz, SVP of Social Impact at The Huffington Post – guests of this week’s Google+ Hangout and BlogTalkRadio shows. Your depth of knowledge and community leadership is inspiring.

NOTE TO BLOGGERS: If this #TChat session inspired you to write about corporate responsibility and social good, we’re happy to share your thoughts. Just post a link on Twitter (at #TChat or @TalentCulture), or insert a comment below, and we’ll add it to our archives. There are many voices in this community, with many ideas worth sharing. Let’s capture as many of them as possible.

WHAT’S AHEAD: Join us next week, as we look ahead to the New Year by looking “Back to the Future.” Specifically, we’ll look at last year’s predictions about human capital management, hr and learning technologies to determine how far we’ve come. And then we’ll peek at the road ahead! Tune in to #TChat Radio on Tuesday, Dec 18 at 7:30pm ET. Then join the #TChat Twitter discussion on Wednesday, Dec 19, 7-8pm ET to share your ideas and opinions. Look for a full preview early next week via @TalentCulture and #TChat. Thanks!

Image Credit: Niklas Wikstrom

#TChat INSIGHTS Slide Show: Business and the Season of Sharing

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The Grinch & The World of Work: #TChat Preview

December 10, 2012/Archives /by Meghan M. Biro

The holidays have us fired up here at the TalentCulture World of Work Community. And that means we’re tapping into some high-powered friends – social business leaders at Mashable and HuffingtonPost/AOL for a super-spirited #TChat Radio program this Tuesday – followed by a dynamic #TChat Twitter convo on Wednesday. (See questions and other details at the end of this post.)

What’s the dust-up about? Well, we’re venturing into territory that lives on the edge of political correctness – a sensitive area for some. But workplace culture has implications for an organization’s contribution to the greater good. So in the interest of understanding the important relationship between corporate culture, community engagement and responsible leadership, we’re exploring holiday traditions, social behaviors, and business goals.

Consider this. I visited a friend’s workplace recently. It’s a really awesome space — open and airy, very hip — all mod cons, as they say. And it was oh-so-politically correct — green, Leeds-certified, the whole nine yards. That’s all OK, but here’s where it gets weird: Everyone is accepting and open, right? Culturally aware, they’re friendly and respectful. However, they’re so very culturally aware that holiday displays are strictly forbidden — no lights, no plants, nothing that might upset someone who’s not a fan of lights and plants in a holiday context. No expressions of wonder, affection or hope represented in association with (insert your favorite holiday here).

Click here to learn more about #TChat Radio with community leaders from Mashable and The Huffington Post

We’re not being political or religious. We’re just putting it out there: What if we said, “Enough, already!” with intolerance in the name of political correctness? What would happen? Would heads spin? Would the earth stop spinning? Would it really be that bad?

In the fearless tradition of #TChat, we’re taking this on. We’re setting up for an open, honest and spirited discussion that’s timely. Here’s the primary challenge:

Can we acknowledge holidays in the work setting any more, or has that ship sailed on the tide of progressiveness and political correctness?

Against this backdrop, we’re going to look at how organizations can show gratitude and thanks all year long, not just in…oh, all right, we’ll call them “holiday greetings.” For this week’s questions, we have our flameproof, thermal long johns at the ready, and so should you. Bring your passion and let’s talk – both on #TChat Radio (Tuesday night at 7:30-8:00pm ET) and then on the #TChat twitter stream (Wednesday at 7:00-8:00pm ET).

#TChat Discussion Guide – The Season of Sharing

Q1: Devil’s advocate: Does it even matter to stakeholders for an org to express the season’s sharing spirit? Why?

Q2: Where do orgs fall short in projecting an image of doing social good – during the season or at any time?

Q3: What can leaders do year ‘round to give credibility to end-of-year, seasonal shows of social good & sharing?

Q4: What are some traditional vs. new, innovative ways for orgs to express gratitude? What’s a good mix?

Q5: How is technology helping orgs to express gratitude? What are the pros and cons?

Don’t Miss The Discussion! Detail Here…

Bring on your inner Scrooge or heartfelt George Bailey!

First, tune into #TChat Radio, Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7:30-8:00pm ET / 4:30pm PT, when we tackle the topic of holiday correctness with guests Meghan Peters, community manager from Mashable, and Brian Sirgutz, senior vice president of social impact at The Huffington Post/AOL.

Then join us for a free-wheeling open forum on Twitter: #TChat– Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7-8pm ET / 4-5pm PT. We look forward to your thoughts and reactions. No fear here, just an interest in learning and sharing, in the spirit of the season! See you Tuesday and Wednesday…!

Image Credit: Mister Grinch

#Nifty50 & Showing #Gratitude Social Media Best Practice

September 18, 2012/Archives /by Meghan M. Biro

Today, I have two amazing reasons to be grateful: Cheryl K. Burgess (@ckburgess) and Pam Ross (@pamelamaeross) have nominated me for the “#Nifty50 Women in Technology on Twitter for 2012” and “The Five HR People You Meet on Twitter,” respectively.

Social media is fast and always changing. The pace of it all can be distracting. But it is essential to take a step back and take time to express gratitude — better yet, #gratitude. Showing #gratitude is a best-practice in social media. Here’s why:

It humanizes the business and separates the business aspect from the person behind the business.
Stronger relationships are built through appreciation and positivity toward one another.
#Gratitude is one of the reasons why social media business is developing rapidly as people connect with each other at different levels!

I’m just as much a mentee as a passionate mentor, I am learning much, much, much from all the generations every day — this whole business of social media works on the foundation of “Reverse Mentoring.” It is an honor to be nominated to these lists and recognized by other mentors in the same business. I heart Social! I’m very grateful to the amazing friendships, weekly inspiration and connections I have gained along the way.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I never take my valued relationships for granted. This made my week!

Image Credit: WoodleyWonderWorks on Flickr

Our Upcoming Year of Work-Life Gratitude

January 3, 2011/4 Comments/Archives /by TalentCulture Team + Guests

Written by Kirsten Taggart

Every year as the holiday season ends and the New Year becomes the present year, we all seem to be filled with renewed hope and excitement in anticipation of what the incoming year may bring: new opportunities, experiences, jobs, relationships. Whether we make resolutions or not, the calendar change represents a fresh start we are only given once a year.

I recently saw a video of a young boy receiving an Xbox for Christmas and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so grateful (seriously, watch it. I dare you not to cry). He is so appreciative of the generous gesture from his parents and it got me thinking, what if everyone was that gratuitous?

The more I thought about this video the more I became inspired to thank those close to me for their constant support and kindness. Without them I would not be who or where I am today.

But in fear of sounding like a self-help book, I’m going to skip spilling my inner-most, holiday-triggered emotions and cut to the chase.

Let’s make 2011 the year of gratitude in both the workplace and your social communities.

You may think that simple things such as saying “thank you” several times a day seem trivial. However, I’m asking you to not only participate in these acts of kindness but also to appreciate the day-to-day experiences that you, unlike so many, are fortunate enough to have. We live in a go, go, go, world, but sometimes it’s worth it to take a minute and smell the roses. This is extremely important during the job search, as the smallest gesture of kindness can set you apart from the crowd.

Doing so doesn’t take more than a few minutes out of your day either.

Were you recently interviewed for a job? Send a thank you note.
Receive great advice from a colleague? Do something for them in return.
Did someone do you a favor? Give them a call.

Showing appreciation doesn’t have to come in the form of gifts. A simple gesture can make a world of difference and strengthen even the most informal of relationships. This can strengthen a work relationship, especially after one starts to appreciate and cherish these small acts.

Additionally, thank yourself once in a while. I know so many people who work themselves into the ground and barely take the time to breathe. Where’s the fun in that? Live a little! Treat yourself to a massage or a weekend camping trip. After a long week at work, it is important to rejuvenate and remind us of the beauty of life. We all deserve a break from time to time.

Whatever resolutions you may make for yourselves this year, remember to think about those who care for you most, whether it be our families or our work community. Life without kindness is no life at all. In the hustle and bustle of the New Year, remember to take some time to truly appreciate the little things in life. I wish all of you a very happy, healthy, successful, and grateful 2011.