Australian Business News and Times

Business News ,Reports and Times of Australia

Gift Ideas

World’s Best Boss – 5 Tips For Keeping Employee Morale Up During The Coronavirus Pandemic

by Leave a Comment

Photo: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the world’s economy, many people are worried about their current and future state of employment. While workers deemed “essential” are still fortifying the work front, many laid-off workers wonder if and when they will return to their jobs.

Although times are uncertain right now, employers can do a lot to boost morale and ease the minds of their employees. If you’re an employer, take a look at the suggestions below to keep your workers’ spirits up as this worldwide crisis continues.

1. Give the Gift of Appreciation

COVID-19 has separated and isolated the public at large. As such, workers may feel disconnected at home and taken for granted in the workplace. As an employer, you can help your workers, both at home and in-office, feel connected and valued by giving corporate gifts of appreciation.

You’d be surprised at how much small gifts can help during this trying time. It will remind your employees that they are part of a larger group and that they are still valued as a member of the team.

2. Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Because times are uncertain right now, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open. Whether your employees are working from home, working in-person, or laid off during this time, you must keep them apprised of any and all changes taking place. By adopting an “open-door” policy, your employees still feel connected and able to discuss their concerns about work, family, and health with you.

3. Embrace Virtual Technology

As the coronavirus spreads, many people are forced to work from home. Aside from the traditional phone call or email, employers should adopt other forms of virtual tech to help employees feel less disconnected. Facetime, Skype, Zoom, and other online technologies make it possible to conduct one-on-one video calls as well as group video conferences over a wi-fi signal. As an employer, you should use as many virtual enhancements as possible to help your workers feel as if it’s business as usual, even if they’re quarantined at home.

4. Give Working Parents a Break

The rapid spread of the coronavirus has led to the mandatory closing of schools as well as some childcare centers. This leaves working parents struggling to balance their jobs with childcare. As the boss, it’s up to you to recognize this struggle and give your working parents a break when you can.

If their job isn’t one that needs to be done during normal business hours, you can allow them to work when it’s convenient for them. Alternately, you could relax project deadlines to give them more time to complete their work.

5. Make Sure Your Network Can Handle Remote Work

Despite the many reasons to be feeling down about COVID-19, many people are still motivated to do their jobs well. As such, your company’s network must be able to handle the influx of remote work that’s taking place. If it can’t, your workers may begin to feel dejected with an attitude of “why bother?”

If you notice that your IT infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the demand, you should get the expert help it takes to get things running smoothly for your employees. If you don’t have the funds for in-house IT workers, small business IT support services can save you in these difficult times.

No one knows just how long the coronavirus is going to continue to wreak havoc on the world. Until it’s all over, though, employers can help boost the morale of their employees by adopting some or all the suggestions listed above.

Show Your Appreciation: Five Tips for Corporate Gift Giving Finesse

by Leave a Comment

Use corporate gifts to solidify the relationship you have with your existing clients and reconnect with long lost customers. “Corporate gifts”, given at an appropriate time, may also serve to demonstrate your appreciation to the people who chose to do business with you.

gifts galore in australia dia

How to give corporate gifts

In any industry, there’s bound to price based competition. But since you can only discount your products so far, you’ll have to resort to other ways to show your appreciation to customers who remain loyal to your business. Giving corporate gifts such as gift boxes or hampers, designed with your message in mind, is just one way to reward your customers.

Sometimes the lines between gift giving and brides can become blurred, and your generosity can leave your business vulnerable to accusations of being unethical. This is why it is necessary to follow a few basic rules in your gift giving. Even more crucial, you must keep in mind that your gifts represent your business, so they must be of the highest quality. Here are some basic rules for corporate gift giving.

Maintain the Standard

Cheap and low quality gifts could tarnish the image you’ve worked so hard to build. If you’re investing in gifts to send to your customers, make sure that they’re made of the finest materials. Pens should be quality pens that work, mugs should be made from the finest quality materials, and gift baskets should be assembled using the best quality products.

Make It Personal

While you might be tempted to give your corporate clients business gear with your name engraved on the packaging, a self-indulgent gift makes a bigger impression on the client’s mind. Gourmet, bath and body, or wine gift baskets are most appropriate for momentous occasions.

Think about the Recipient

Consider the appropriateness of the gift for the recipient. Corporate gift giving policies and cultural barriers will influence your decision, but you should also know something about the person you’re giving the gift to. For instance, an alcohol wine basket may not be appropriate for a non-drinker. So make a few observations and ask questions –maybe with check the client’s secretary- before you purchase the gift.

Include a Handwritten Message

The courtesy of hand written messages seems to be a long forgotten art. Write a pleasant note to your client to identify yourself as the sender, and don’t make the mistake of signing the gift with the Happy Holidays greeting. A hand written note thanking the client for their business and explaining why you chose to send the gift will remove any doubt and opportunities for baseless accusations. More than that, a handwritten note, because it’s so rare, will leave a positive impact on your client’s mind.

Don’t wait for Special Occasions

You don’t have to wait for a special time of the year to show your appreciation to your corporate clients and customers. In fact, giving a gift outside of special occasions generally has a bigger impact than those holiday gifts your clients will receive gifts from everyone else.

William Dawson is a former corporate officer and grandfather of seven. Now retired, he spends his days boating, but when the weather won’t permit that, he likes to share what he has learned on various Internet blog sites. He recommends corporate gifts for your loved ones.