A secret of employee retention - at no cost

A well-educated manager and single mother stopped before the displays of roses and other flowers right before Valentine's Day. She admired them and said sadly, "I wish someone would appreciate me!"

This woman works hard to make sure her employees and children feel appreciated. When was the last time her manager did the same for her?

Although Valentine's Day is about romance, everyone needs to be appreciated. Take time today or tomorrow to tell each employee (and colleague, if appropriate) one specific thing you appreciate about him or her. Maybe it's the fact that the employee reliably comes in early and makes coffee, or took time on her lunch hour to run an errand for the department. Maybe he corrected an overlooked error in your report, or did a rush job on that assignment. Whatever it is, make your praise specific, and frequent. Appreciated employees stay longer, and that's money in your bottom line. After all, wouldn't you like to feel appreciated by YOUR boss?

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