Appreciation plays a crucial role in any company. In a world that is often characterised by challenges and stress, it shows respect and recognition for employees and promotes their motivation. Today, on World Compliment Day, which coincides with Employee Appreciation Day this year, I would like to talk about how we at BENEO live appreciation and why it is so important, every day!

In my research for this post, I learnt that these days are not only aimed at positive words, but also at how important recognition and appreciation are in interpersonal interaction. That is why today I want to dive into the world of compliments and appreciation with you. To do this, I have researched their meaning, analysed the role of appreciation, and would like to show you how not only companies but also individuals can use the power of positive words. So today, let us shift the focus away from negativity and create more space for positive words.

Meaning of Compliment-Related Celebrations: A Deeper Look

In the colourful palette of curious holidays, there is not only World Compliment Day, which is celebrated on March 1, but also National Compliment Day, which takes place every year on January 24. The only difference – apart from the date – is that the national variant on January 24 is an American invention and World Compliment Day on March 1 has its roots in Europe. In addition, there is Employee Appreciation Day, which is celebrated on the first Friday in March and thus falls on the same day as World Compliment Day this year. It reminds us that gratitude and appreciation are important in all areas.

What are compliments and what role does appreciation play in compliments?

Compliments are more than just kind words. They are an expression of recognition, praise and appreciation for a person’s qualities, achievements, or nature. A compliment can boost self-esteem, deepen connections, and improve mood. It is a simple yet powerful tool that releases positive energies and strengthens relationships.

Appreciation is the breeding ground on which compliments thrive. It goes beyond superficial politeness and expresses a deep understanding and respect for an individual’s uniqueness. When we value someone, we acknowledge their merits and take the time to communicate that. Compliments thus become a tool of appreciation that strengthens relationships between people and creates a positive atmosphere.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

Leo Buscaglia (1924-1998)

The Importance of Appreciation @BENEO

Appreciation should play a vital role in any company. It is important that employees and managers alike recognize the importance of appreciation and actively integrate it into everyday work. Celebrations such as World Compliment Day or Employee Appreciation Day provide a perfect opportunity to remember, celebrate and emphasise this appreciation. Recognition and praise are essential for the well-being of employees and contribute to motivation and satisfaction. An appreciative corporate culture creates trust, respect, and cohesion in the team.

At BENEO, we see appreciation as an important part of our corporate philosophy. In the context of “Improvement”, “Inspiration” and “Care”, it is deeply anchored in our BENEO corporate values. After all, an appreciative corporate culture helps to ensure that employees enjoy coming to work and are committed. That is why we regularly take time to express our appreciation to each other and to acknowledge the commitment and achievements of our colleagues. This is not only about great successes, but also about small advances or creative solutions in everyday life.

Through an open feedback culture, we give ourselves the feeling that our work is valued and that everyone makes a valuable contribution to BENEO’s success. For us team meetings are seen as good occasions for giving (positive) feedback and supporting each other with words of praise. This not only strengthens the team spirit, but also motivates everyone to give their best.

An open feedback culture is the key to a positive working atmosphere.

But giving feedback is not so easy. That is why, for example, the entire ASPAC team took part in a workshop “Developing a High Performing Team – Implementing a feedback culture” in September 2023 to avoid problems in internal communication and to teach employees how to give each other recognition and critical feedback. It was found that a solid feedback culture is important for a team to work together efficiently.

So, we have learned that an honest feedback culture and a culture of appreciation not only improves the working atmosphere, but also leads to better results. Every single person at BENEO is important and deserves respect and recognition for their achievements. Together, we can bring about positive change and establish an appreciative corporate culture.

The Science Behind Appreciative Words

Celebrations such as World Compliment Day or Employee Appreciation Day are special days to remind us of the importance of appreciation in interpersonal interactions. While researching for this post, I found out that positive words have a measurable impact on our well-being. Compliments stimulate the release of endorphins, the so-called happiness hormones, and promote an overall sense of well-being. The psychological benefits of compliments range from boosting self-esteem to strengthening social bonds. In this post from Psychology Today you can read more about the psychological aspects of compliments and their effects.

“The way employees feel determines the way customers feel, and that determines the success of the business.”

Herb Kelleher, co-founder of Southwest Airlines.

It’s the little things that count.

Often, it’s the small gestures and words that make the biggest impression. Honest and sincere compliments can work wonders. It’s amazing how a simple “You look really good today” or ” I find your positive attitude to life admirable ” can make someone’s day. With a sincere “thank you” or a simple gesture of appreciation, you can instantly improve the mood of the person you’re talking to and make those around you shine. Compliments are like a boost of positive energy that is not only good for the recipient, but also makes us feel good. As we all know, it’s better to give than to receive, but I hadn’t realised before that this also applies to compliments.

At BENEO, we organise various campaigns at our sites on World Compliment Day to thank and compliment our colleagues. Flowers are distributed, as are sticky notes with positive messages. There are little “Merci” chocolates and tear-off slips with compliments that everyone can use.

So why not take today as an opportunity to pay a sincere compliment to at least three people around us? Together, we can make sure to create the most positive day in the world. For the uninitiated, the Harvard Business Review suggests two interesting tips on how to give a convincing compliment.

And if a situation doesn’t warrant a compliment, just try a sincere “thank you” or “well done” combined with a smile, because even this small gesture can make a person feel good, as the video below from Siemens impressively demonstrates, and that’s exactly what this day is all about, no?

Actions within BENEO for employee appreciation

Companies are increasingly relying on creative ways to show appreciation for their employees. From flexible working conditions to team events to personalized thank you letters, companies are recognizing the importance of a positive work environment and investing in employee satisfaction.

At BENEO, there is a dynamic, global values team consisting of a total of 14 passionate colleagues spread across various BENEO locations such as New Jersey in the USA, Offstein and Mannheim in Germany, Tienen, Wijgmaal, Oreye in Belgium as well as Pemuco in Chile and Singapore. These colleagues plan and organize their own unique activities at their locations/local sites to promote the appreciation and employee motivation of their colleagues. From virtual team bonding during the time of pandemic lockdowns, the distribution of employee care packages or presents for employees, to bowling or birthday parties, from thank-you dinners to town hall meetings and even family gatherings, there is always something going on to promote a sense of belonging!

For example, Eileen Rajczyk, Administration Manager at BENEO’s New Jersey office in the US, and Jon Peters, Regional Sales Director Americas, prepared a delicious breakfast for all employees on site at the Parsipanny, NJ office last year to mark Employee Appreciation Day. To the colleagues working remote, they gave a voucher for Starbucks that they could use. It’s moments like these that make us feel valued and recognized as part of the BENEO family.

However, you don’t have to wait for special days to hand out praise. Platforms like Microsoft Teams and Viva Engage allow you to recognize the achievements of colleagues on a daily basis. From virtual praise to personalized recognitions, such platforms provide a space for constant appreciation. Give it a try, it is as easy as a snap of a finger.

complimentday #employeeappreciation #nationalemployeeappreciationday on Social Media

Employee recognition doesn’t necessarily have to happen behind closed doors. Why not go public? Acknowledging your colleagues in a public forum is a great way for them to show their hard-earned appreciation. This is also a contemporary way of employee recognition for teams that don’t work together in one location. Let’s just use the power of social media to create a wave of positivity. Using hashtags like #complimentday #worldcomplimentday #employeeappreciationday allows you to share your positive experiences and build a network of appreciation. So, share your stories and set an example for a kinder world, because most of us spend a lot of time on different social media platforms. They would love it if they could flaunt their appreciation on these platforms.

Conclusion: Working together for an appreciative corporate culture

In a world often dominated by hustle and bustle, days like World Compliment Day and Employee Appreciation Day are a welcome reminder that kindness and appreciation are the foundations of employee motivation and satisfaction. My personal conclusion from all this is that an appreciative corporate culture can only be achieved together. Recognition and respect for all employees are essential for a motivating work environment. Praise and recognition are important building blocks of an appreciative attitude, because they show the people behind the work their importance to the company. It’s crucial to emphasize that appreciation shouldn’t be a one-time event. Let’s use the power of compliments, not just on set days, but every day. By spreading appreciation, we can create a culture of positivity that makes the world a better place. But only together can we create a positive and appreciative work environment in which everyone can develop their full potential. So, let’s start today to share loving words and make our surroundings shine!

With this in mind: A big thank you to all BENEOs who give their best every day!!!

References

1. Gallup: Gallup has conducted extensive research on the workplace and has often talked about the importance of employee recognition. The report on the “State of the American Workplace” deals with this topic.
2. Harvard Business Review (HBR): HBR has published several articles on the topic of employee recognition and its impact on productivity and company culture.
3. Forbes: Forbes often publishes articles that discuss the importance of employee recognition and its correlation with business success.
4. Deloitte: Deloitte’s annual Global Human Capital Trends report often discusses the changing nature of work, workforce, and workplace, including the role of recognition.
5. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): SHRM provides resources and research on the impact of employee recognition on retention and engagement.

Related interesting articles on the topic

• Scienceofpeople.com: The 43 Best Employee Appreciation Ideas by Industry
• Forbes Advisor: 25 Employee Appreciation Ideas For 2024
• Harvard Business Review: How to Give and Receive Compliments at Work
• The article on Employee Recognition: Including 50 Ideas for Employee Recognition
• Gallup: Video “Why Recognition Improves Employee Engagement”. A more detailed discussion of the future of employee recognition by Josh Bersin