The ABCs of Management Gift-Giving - staff gifts can help retain employees

Training & Development, Dec, 2000 by Beverly L. Kaye, Sharon Jordan-Evans

The holidays are here and you'd like to show your appreciation to your staff. But you can't spend a lot of money. What can you do? Choosing a gift can be a headache--and an opportunity. We believe there's a wide array of gift ideas that any manager in any department of any organization can use to send a special, and important, message.

First, ask what you want your gift to do. Encourage? Open up some opportunities? Just say thanks? Your gift can double as a personalized retention strategy aimed at those employees you truly want to keep on your team.

Here are two gift-giving rules to keep in mind:

Rule 1. If your employees expect it, it might not be viewed as a gift. You may think that the annual bonus (often given at this time of year) is ample reward and recognition for work well done. Your employees may see it differently. In many organizations, bonuses--and even such perks as cell phones and health-club memberships--are no longer seen as special by employees, particularly those who have come to expect them. If that's the case, you'll have to get creative to find rewards that work.

Rule 2. Gifts need to match employees' needs and wants. Yes, different strokes for different folks. Don't guess at what your employees want. Ask them. Usually their requests aren't too difficult to grant and almost always are less than what you might have imagined. Think about yourself. What could your boss do that would really show how much he or she values you? It may be a small thing after all.

The gift catalogue

To spark your creative thinking, we've created a list of gifts based on our research on the reasons talented people stay in organizations. You can use these ideas or let them be catalysts for your own. But do remember to customize them to fit your employees. You can also use the list to create a gift menu or catalogue from which people can select the gifts they want.

Gift A: Private time with you. "A" for ask. An employee can select a lunch date and even the restaurant. It can be a time for you to get to know your staff better and tell them how important they are to you and the team. You might ask questions such as

* What can I do to keep you on my team?

* What part of your work do you find most enjoyable?

* What might make your work life easier?

* What can I do to be more supportive or help you be even more effective?

Gift B: Long-awaited request, done! Think hard about an employee who has asked you for something that you've put on your to-do list and there it sat. Stop passing the buck. Surprise that employee and just do it!

Gift C: Frank talk about the future. Offer to have a career conversation with an employee. Hold it in a quiet, private place--off-site if possible. Try any or all of the following questions to get the conversation started:

* What part of your current job do you enjoy doing the most? Least?

* Which one of your talents haven't I used yet?

* What different jobs do you see yourself doing in the future?

Gift D: Representing the company. "D" for dignity. Give employees the chance to attend an outside conference or seminar designed especially for their affinity group.

Gift E: Professional growth. Let employees choose from a list of potential projects, assignments, or tasks that could enrich their work.

Gift F: Recognizing family. Give employees a prepaid phone card (international for those with distant loved ones), or offer to have someone design a family Website and include a one-year subscription for email. Or give a free pass for X number of days or hours off to attend children's school programs or sports activities.

Or ask employees how they would like to honor family. An employee might want to bring a family member or pet to work one day, have a group work event that includes family, or invite you or have you invite his or her family to dinner.

Gift G: The next move. Offer to brainstorm alternative career possibilities, offsite if possible. Try to help the employee leverage options to reach his or her goals. Use the LEVERR framework: lateral, enrichment, vertical, exploratory, realignment (moving down to move into something else), or relocation (yes, ouch, but do talk about it).

Gift H: Interview participation. Let an employee participate in the hiring process for a new manager one level or more above.

Gift I: Professional interests. Give a free one-year subscription to an employee's favorite business magazine and have it sent to his or her home. Satisfy employees' need for information.

Gift J: Submit to pruning. This can be a tough gift to give. Nevertheless, ask the employee whom you never agree with, is least like you, to engage in some straight talk about how you might work together better.

Yes, offer this to the employee who probably thinks you're a jerk. Listen carefully, and don't defend yourself. Then take a step towards changing at least one behavior.

Gift K: A unique perk for fun. Give an employee a "Kicks Coupon" that entitles him or her to spend up to X amount of money on a way to take a break or have some fun at work. It could involve the entire team. Or offer a menu of low cost possibilities and let employees choose.