Recently, our company, TechSmith Corporation, held its 21st birthday party for our employees. Last year was a magical party to celebrate the 20th and I had not expected the 21st to be more fun, but it was. We have a younger staff and the party was on one level with rooms and activities flowing into each other. Not a sit-down dinner, the food stations ranged from sushi to beef tenderloin to dessert.
In every room, employees played Wii games such as Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. They played poker and gambled fake money at casino tables. The bars featured primarily beer, wine, pop, and water and a DJ and dance floor were enjoyed. We celebrate the company birthday in lieu of a holiday party. More employees and their significant others are available to attend when the company party is not competing for holiday weekends.
The party sparked some thoughts about employee celebrations. An employee committee planned and executed the party on a scaled back budget to recognize the uncertainty of the economic climate. Some employees wondered why we’d hold the party during such uncertain times. But, over 300 people attended.
But, it is during uncertain times that company traditions and celebrations become even more important. Not to lull employees into a sense of security and safety – do those harbors exist right now? But, to help employees hold on to the familiar when all around them is changing.
In chaos, islands of certainty gain value. And, there is no time more important to show our employees appreciation for their hard work and dedication. There is no time more important for developing employee friendships and building the team – including significant others, and their dedication to our customers, the company, and their coworkers.
More About Employee Appreciation
- What Employees Want From Work.
- How to Write an Employee Thank You Letter.
- Top 10 Reward, Recognition.
- Top Ten Ways to Show Appreciation.
- The Power of Positive Employee Recognition.
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