We all know that money is important to employees but what actually motives them to perform at optimum level is personal recognition. In fact, many surveys point out that the key motivating factor for employees is appreciation and recognition.

Here are five key ways to appreciate and recognize your employees.

Five Unusual Ways to Recognize Employees

1. Create a “Wall of Fame.”

In a prominent place, hang a bulletin board on which you post emails or letters from customers or vendors praising individual employees.

2. Treat them like VIPs.

Find out how they spend their time off-hours and set up discounts for them with theaters, restaurants, or sporting facilities. This is something they’ll share with their friends and promote on social media…telling the world that your firm is a great place to work.

3. Create a Family Day.

Set aside an afternoon and encourage your employees to bring their family into the workplace for a picnic lunch.

4. Send a gift certificate to an employee’s spouse or partner. 

Include a hand-written note thanking them for their support during the employee's period of overtime.

5. Go to lunch with each employee on a quarterly basis.

Ask each one, "What do we need to do to keep you on our team long term?"