With Thanksgiving coming up it’s that time of year to think about all that we have to be grateful for: family, friends, kids, safety, health…But sometimes it’s easy to overlook some of the biggest blessings we have in our businesses: our employees! With them you have the opportunity to scale, take vacation, and build processes that allow you to turn your business or nonprofit corporation from just another job for yourself into something that’s an asset for years to come.

So why is it so important to make your employees feel appreciated (even though we think it’s the right thing to do regardless)? Let’s get into it…

Happy Employees Make Happy Customers

Whether you run an LLC or professional corporation, when your employees are happier at work, they tend to serve your customers better. If your employees feel like you want them there, that you value their work, and they have a sense of purpose in what they’re doing, they’re much more likely to bring out positive feedback from your customers. This tends to have a snowball effect. The gratitude impact is exponential rather than a process of addition. The happier an employee is to show up to work, the easier it is for them to be excited about meeting with your customers.

Happy Employees Make Stable Businesses

Happy employees are less likely to leave and more likely to commit to the long term growth of your company. Employee turnover has one of the most negative potential impacts on your company out of all the different factors you have to be on the lookout for, primarily because employees are what translate your processes and your version into a great customer experience. Failing to keep great employees can mean that your business will never scale past a certain point until you figure it out.

Happy Employees Make Happy Bosses

Have you ever noticed that when your employees are happier that they’re easier to manage? Now take this with a grain of salt. Not all employees want to be happy in the first place. That’s why hiring the right people to begin with is so important. But there are plenty of things you can do as a boss to make sure that your employees have the greatest chance to find happiness in what they do. Here are a few ways you can improve your employee happiness.

• Ask for their feedback regularly, use it to improve the business, and give them recognition for it.
• Go above and beyond to do things for them that you don’t need to. Take them out for lunch. Throw an appreciation dinner. Give bonuses for particular great work on projects.
• Empower your employees to make decisions in the business. Give them the authority to take the information they see on the day to day (that you don’t) and tweak your process and products to improve the overall performance of the business.

Some of the best CEOs are the ones who simply make their employees feel appreciated and give them the authority to do what they think is best without micromanaging what they do every day.

Appreciated Employees Are Less Likely to Leave

One of the biggest problems companies face is employee turnover, especially when the employees that leave had a major positive impact on the organization. But why do productive employees leave organizations that they’re having a lot of impact working for? Usually it’s because they don’t feel appreciated. A little support can go a long way. “I really appreciate you working extra hard on this project.” “Let’s recognize __________ for doing such a great job this month.” “What extra resources do you need from me to be more successful? I love what you’re doing with this project so far.” Very few employees will leave if they are given the tools they need to succeed, they feel that their feedback is appreciated, and they are valued at the company and compensated accordingly.

Appreciated Employees Have a Sense of Ownership

There are plenty of times in your business where you will not be involved and need to rely on your employees to make the right decisions. In these situations there are employees who will make decisions based on what’s easiest for them and those that will make decisions that are best for the company. The difference between any employee at your company being one or the other can be how appreciated they feel. An employee that feels appreciated and valuable by their managers is much more likely to make decisions that are in the company’s best interest versus sitting back and just wanting to do whatever will give them more free time on the job.

Appreciated Employees Are Proactive Employees

When your employees feel like they are making a difference, they are more likely to make a difference. It may sound a little silly saying that out loud. But when hard working employees work hard and feel like they are not making an impact, they may stop caring about their work. When employees feel purpose in what they’re doing because they can see progress and feel appreciated for it they are much more likely to proactively identify opportunities for the company and help you move your company forward.

The Right Thing to Do

When it’s all said and done, you should want your employees to feel appreciated and important because it’s the right thing to do. Hire correctly and train appropriately, then give your team the tools and appreciation they need to succeed. Having a great company starts with being a great boss and treating your employees with the respect they deserve.

Conclusion

So to recap, showing your employees appreciation and gratitude will make your customers happier, make your business more stable, help you enjoy running the business more, make your employees less likely to leave, help your employees have a greater sense of ownership, and finally it will help them be more proactive in their work. So if you want to run a great company, start by making your employees feel appreciated!

For more tips on running and maintaining a successful business please read out extensive list or articles in our small business learning center.