5 Uber Cool Employee Thank You's

Company culture is incredibly important and is linked to company performance. Unlike the norm, we empower our team to own their own company culture and experiences that they have at work, to the point where there is no real management in place (or leadership if you prefer), and just a team of self-starters all working towards a company business plan that each of them have buy-in to.

There are many types of employees and it's best to work out what type of employee you will have before they start, not after. 

Psych testing is good, but it needs to be more diverse than that. Employee engagement and buy-in across all areas of their work is imperative to them being happy in the workplace and performing at their optimum level, while still getting the most out of life.

A pay packet may drive some, but there are many more areas that really capture the imagination of your employees and keep them loyal long after they have had an experience.

Some businesses sell experiences, and perhaps their employees are motivated by the freebies that come along with it. 

In professional services, it's a lot harder to expect unlimited experiences and easier to do the small things right.

I'm sure many small to medium sized businesses can attest to that.

Here are 5 uber cool thank you's you can give your employees:

• The big surprise: There is nothing better than surprising your employees when they least expect it. A weekend away to say thank you with their partner or friend, a balloon ride over their favourite destination or a dinner at a fancy restaurant that they have been hoping to go to but never seem to get around to it.
• Drones: For the avid photographer or person who loves to play with new gadgets, the employee that is use to big bonuses and knows that they can buy anything they want, still appreciates the fact that their employer knows them well enough to know that their next gadget needs to be a drone.
• Team days off: So your employee works in a team and they have been working hard for a long time on a campaign or project. Without notice, giving them the perfect day in your town opens their eyes to what is possible when everything seems to be on a deadline that won't shake. The world still goes on with or without you - just for a day. If you let your clients understand they 'why' they will appreciate the good gesture.
• Books: Seems old fashion now but giving employees a bunch of books that are mixed; some work, some general interest and others just books that they like will tell them much more than you can ever imagine.
• Best friend experiences: Everyone has a best friend that they don't see enough off. What if you organised with their best friends boss a day off, paying the wages of their best friend for the day, and giving them both a leave pass to do whatever they want to do for the entire day. Wouldn't that be cool.

Life is meant to be lived. If we don't each pick each other up and support each other through thick and thin - then who are we? What type of person are we hoping to show the world that we are? We can say all the things we want to but in reality it is actions that speak louder.