FEBRUARY 02

Recognition can happen, even if you’re miles away.

ONE A DAY WHEN YOU’RE OUT

When you travel, there are most likely people who fill in for you—an assistant, a staff member, a colleague. One supervisor we talked with at a manufacturing company found a way to thank his only employee when he was on the road.

“I had a staff of six a few years ago. Now, with the declining economy, there are only two of us left. So, it’s more important than ever to recognize,” he said. “With my employee, I understand her as an individual. For example, a simple thing, but she loves chocolate chip cookies.”

So when the supervisor went on a week-long business trip, he left her $3 —enough to buy a fresh-baked cookie from the cafeteria each day. Said the manager, “She’s stuck in the office, picking up the slack while I’m traveling, so I want to make sure that every day some recognition is happening.”