If "Thank You" notes are such a wonderful motivator for employees, why does the mainstream, like the ....

Question

Capital One commercial, laugh at the idea?
Does anyone find these employee engagement tactics to be useless?

Answer 1

I like a thank you, but not in the form of a card.

It's not like your company gives you a "get well soon" card when they lay you off.

The last company I worked for had the best thank you incentive plan. I dont think I paid for a movie at all in 2003 b/c I kept getting "thank you" cards that year (well the kind of thank you card that I like ie..one worth $$$$ and not just the pat on the back)..

I believe in investing in the human resource, if you have an exemplary employee, reward him w/ money, not a pat on the back..

Answer 2

Thank you is a powerful phrase that no one hears often enough. They don't have to be notes. Keep track of your best employees and create an employee of the month. If that isn't appropriate for your company, then include a note in the employees personnel file and tell them personally they have received it.

Never stop saying Thank You. Just don't say it too much or it will soon mean less and sound empty.

Answer 3

Saying "thank you" is never a bad idea - but saying "thank you" when your other actions don't support that is a hollow gesture.

For example, if you send lots of thank you notes while your firm is undergoing layoffs and employees are underpaid doesn't make employees feel more valued, it makes them more sensitive to the hypocrisy of the situation.

Employee engagement and recognition is a multi-pronged effort which touches on appropriate job descriptions and training, compensation, communicating performance expectations, rewarding employees who meet/exceed those expectations, and so on. Thank you notes are an infinitesimal part of a total program.

Answer 4

My company has an employee incentive program:
It's called
Work Or Be Fired

Answer 5

no saying thankyou makes the staff feel wanted and appreciated and trust us we have 189 thanks aday