As a small business, you rely on hardworking and professional employees to give the highest quality services to customers. They are the people who are branding your business and ensuring people become repeat customers.
Yet your employees aren’t mindless, unfeeling zombies who don’t need encouragement or recognition for their tireless efforts to bring in more sales. They want their efforts to be seen and acknowledged by their bosses.
Also, it’s incredible how employees can become more productive when a boss shows their appreciation. The employee becomes more motivated in providing exceptional services, and will even strive to do better when they know there is an even greater reward waiting for them. For these reasons, many business oweners offer employee perks.
Offering Employee Perks
Small businesses just starting out should take employee perks into serious consideration. Your employees may be taking on many tasks that are beyond their job titles to get your new business up and running. Giving them perks lets them relax, relieves stress and can make their lives easier. Some perks that you could offer may include:
- in-office massages
- yoga sessions
- discounts for sporting events, groceries, golf courses, cinema tickets or gym memberships
- gift cards
- spa treatments
Budgeting For Employee Perks
You may believe that these perks are beyond what you can afford. Yet there are ways to show your appreciation without putting a significant dent in your accounting books.
Here are a few tips to give employees the perfect perks.
- Ask the employees about what perks they want. You may be surprised that they will suggest things that will fit into the budget.
- Narrow down your choices to the perks that employees will use. There’s no point in purchasing things like a gym membership if nobody can get to the gym to work out.
- Ask vendors, suppliers and business clients you work with if they can offer discounts to products and services. You can save money and build stronger relationships.
Think outside the box when it comes to employee perks. Just because you own a hospitality business does not mean that the perks have to be related to your industry. Your employees might like a break from the norm and a rest from always thinking about work when they are trying to relax and enjoy their perks.
So sit down with the accountant and figure out what perks you can offer. You’ll want to decide on the frequency of the perks as well as whether you will be paying a one-time expense or ongoing expenses such as a gym membership year after year. You may want to offer different perks occasionally to get employees excited and to keep their interests. Also, be aware that employee perks are a great way in hiring new staff, as the eager workers will see this as an extra benefit when working in your company.
