I remember my first Christmas when I received an experiential gift from my sister, instead of the traditional t-shirt, funny socks or jeans which was customary. It came in an envelope. At first, I was so excited thinking that I had hit the jackpot—an envelope of money—but instead, it was an IOU to a Knicks basketball game. That single experience changed my idea on gift giving forever.
Research shows that the benefits of giving an experience significantly outweigh those of giving a physical object. These experiences contribute more to one’s sense of self, give greater satisfaction and provide for greater happiness.
The bond we forged during that first Knicks game is a memory that we both treasure.
In the corporate landscape, year-end traditions usually include performance appraisals, followed by remuneration bonus and/or salary increments for the following year, all based on past performance.
Organisations looking to become an employer of choice have stepped up their game. Traditional employee reward packages have historically been a competitive salary, mobile phone, healthcare and pension plans. Some also offer gym membership and concert tickets.
While these benefits may seem attractive, do they truly convey the message of commitment? When you give your employees the gift of personal attention and continuous personal growth, you are sending them a message. You are investing in their success, you see a long-term future between the employee and the organisation, and you are working with them to secure their career progression. This in turn empowers their self-worth and gives them the sense of belonging we all strive for.
Personal Growth is the process of evolving into the next version of oneself. It is the process of integrating new perspectives, new ideas and an open mindset, so that you see yourself, others, and situations in a brighter light.
Consider adding business coaching to your employee benefits—it allows employees to self-reflect, learn, and grow in aspects that are important to their jobs and personal lives.
Kickstart the new year with an active team building experience. Learning how to work together effectively will create efficiency and knowledge on how to leverage each other's strengths and weaknesses, and appreciate the similarities and differences in your team. This makes for a happy and psychologically safe team working environment.
“❝So remember, it’s not what we get in life that makes us happy — it’s discovering new perspectives, new ideas and a positive mindset through experiences that makes us happy.❞”