These days, we are all so busy that it is easy to let the small things slip through the cracks. Yet one small, simple thing we should never let go of is the value of expressing a heartfelt thank-you.

A thoughtful, unexpected gesture can truly make someone's day, just as a token of appreciation or acknowledgement goes far in letting them know their contributions truly matter.

At work, making a point of saying thank you to co-workers, to employees and to managers fosters goodwill, creates a healthy and happy workplace and reinforces positive working relationships. Doing good deeds makes you feel good and others feel good about you (who wouldn't want to work with such a great person?). This is definitely a case of what goes around comes around.

Be as generous and genuine in your thanks as you are creative in finding ways to express it at work. Here are some ideas to get started:

Five Tips for Employees

Sing the praises of a co-worker. Take the time to show your appreciation to a colleague who has done something exceptionally well or has gone out of their way to help you. This can be as personal as offering a verbal pat on the back or as public as extolling their efforts at a staff meeting.

Show genuine interest in what your co-workers tell you. Remember the details of what is most important to them (family members, hobbies, upcoming special events, etc.). You'll make people feel valued and cared for simply by asking them about these things.

Lend a helping hand. Ask a co-worker about their workload and if time permits, offer to help complete unfinished tasks. If they are worried about an upcoming presentation, offer your honest feedback. If they have been putting off chores like cleaning out a filing cabinet or organizing the storage room, spare a few minutes to help out.

Even the smallest positive gesture creates goodwill. This is especially true when working with difficult people. From offering your help with a project to bringing in doughnuts, an unexpected effort on your part can have a positive effect on people, and in turn, make the work environment a little bit better for everyone.

Don't forget to thank your manager or company mentor. If you've been given a special opportunity or been provided with valuable training or advice, it's always nice to say thank you with a small token of appreciation, such as with a gift card, a homemade goody or an item that reflects their interests.

Five Tips for Employers

Offer a lasting token of thanks. When an employee makes an outstanding effort or reaches an important goal or milestone, send a personal letter of thanks and congratulations that they can cherish. Create an award of recognition that your star performers can display proudly as a reminder of their value to the company.

Create a tradition that is unique and meaningful to your people. A weekly treat day, a monthly afternoon off to participate in a group activity, a quarterly offsite learning session or an annual special event can be a great way to support a fun, positive working atmosphere, reward staff for their hard work and encourage the spirit of teamwork.

Truly listen to their aspirations. In talking to your people, you may discover that they have ambitions beyond their current positions. Is there a way you can accommodate their goals within the organization? How can you support this career path? Offer to give them the coaching and opportunities they need to succeed and always consider promoting from within. It sends the message that you care about rewarding performance and that your company wants to be regarded as a long-term employer.

Develop a rewards system. While money does not buy happy employees, it is still a strong motivator and a great investment in your retention strategy. Create a structured system where any employee can earn points toward a bonus, a vacation or a catalogue gift of their choosing. These points should be based on performance and reinforce positive behaviours that you want your entire team to strive toward.

Ask employees for their opinion. For example, seek out their ideas on how to allocate a portion of profits or an unexpected financial windfall. You may receive a wide range of suggestions, from throwing a staff party to giving it away to a charity, but the real value in taking it to the people is allowing them to be a part of the process.

Don't wait for a special occasion -- or worse, when someone is about to walk out the door -- to show them how much they are appreciated. Taking the time and finding creative ways to say thank you are sure to boost morale and motivation while helping to build a more positive and productive work environment.

-- With reporting by Barbara Chabai

John McFerran, PhD, F. CHRP, is founder and president of People First HR Services Ltd. For more information, visit www.peoplefirsthr.com.

RESEARCH:

http://humanresources.about.com/cs/rewardrecognition/a/appreciation.htm

http://www.helium.com/items/1554749-great-ways-to-show-employee-appreciation

http://careerbright.blogspot.com/2007/05/showing-appreciation-at-work.html

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 30, 2010 I2