If you are in the search for ways to provide low-cost employee incentives, then you are exactly where you need to be. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best ways you can use it to your advantage and also give employees incentives. This is also a really good chance for you to show appreciation for your employees.
It is important to realize that your employers are the biggest asset you have. According to a lot of research, it has been determined that if your workers do not feel valued then they will not be able to provide you with their best output. This is why it is so important to make sure they feel like a part of the company, as it really does have the potential to yield a lot of benefits in the long run. Let us now take a look at some of the most creative and cheap ideas for low-cost incentives.
Table of Contents
Thank-You Cards
Thank-you cards are never a bad gift if it is able to convey sincere messages of appreciation. Just a simple thing like a card that says, for example, “Great Job,” can go a long way towards motivating employees to do better.
You need to make sure your cards are not generic as that will not work on most people. Each of the cards needs to be chosen with a specific employee in mind. You can make use of a card maker in order to properly design the card. You can then print it out to give it a truly personal touch.
Gift Cards
Sometimes you may not be able to convey what it is you are trying to say with a thank you card. In these cases, you can opt to go for gift cards. However, in order for this to properly work, you will need to know what kind of gifts that particular employee would like. When you go that extra mile, it will really mean a lot for your employee and it will act as an excellent form of low-cost incentive.
If, on the other hand, you do not know what your employee would like to receive, you can simply get them a prepaid credit card. This way, they will be able to use the money however they want to.
Free Lunch
This is dependent on whether or not you have a company kitchen. If you do have one, then it really is a great way to incentivize employees and keep them motivated. Of course, you do not have to give them free lunch every day, but if it is done once in a while, it will really show that you care.
Free Clothes
This is another really great way to incentivize high-performing employees and is also a cheap and effective way to get some company branding done. All you have to do is to provide them with your company merchandise like free clothing. You can give them t-shirts, jackets, or just about any other form of clothing with your company logo on it. This way it will work as a type of advertisement for your company as well.
One thing you need to make sure of, however, is that this type of incentive is only provided to high-performing employees who really care about their work. Make sure you do not waste it on an employee who will not wear the company clothing with pride.
Dinner Outings
Sometimes you might think that a thank you card or a gift card or even free lunch is just not enough. In cases like this, you can take your employees out for a proper sit-down dinner. In a lot of companies, the plant manager or the supervisor will cover the cost of the dinner. This really helps with two things. First of all, it gives them the opportunity to interact with their higher-ups and secondly, it will make them feel really special.
Also, this is an excellent opportunity to ask for feedback from your employees and see if they have any ideas that can benefit the company. A lot of people have really great ideas but they may be hesitant to share their ideas because of fear of getting rejected.
Parking Spot
A designated parking spot is also a pretty great way to thank employees for all their hard work. You can even have it set up with a sign that has their name on it and put it in front of their spot. This is an insanely effective way to boost morale and make the employees feel special. It is also a very easy one to pull off at very minimal costs.
A Proper Gift
If you are really aware of the likes and dislikes of your employees, you could give them a gift that is relevant to their hobby. You may have employees who are into music. If that is the case, you need to find out what kind of music or instruments they play, and you can give them something of that sort. If your chosen employee is into painting, maybe give them painting supplies? You can see where this is going and the possibilities are endless. You need to make sure to utilize it to its fullest.
Final Words
You do not have to spend a ton of money or energy to properly incentivize your employees, it can all be done at a very minimal cost if you know what you are doing. Hopefully, the points listed above can help you with providing your employees with great low-cost incentives. You need to make sure that your employees feel part of the organization and not just another cos in the machine. These incentives listed above can go a long way towards achieving that desired goal.
