Over 145 million years ago, our world was covered in ferns and conifers resulting in an expanse of green; until flowers appeared in the Cretaceous period and brought more color to our world. The first flowers were swiftly diversified thanks to the insects and dinosaurs facilitating the pollination process.
Flowering plants are vital to existence. They constitute food sources that provide humans and animals the sustenance needed to survive.
Flowers also have a unique quality to inspire happiness. Many flowers bloom just for a short period, usually in spring or early summer. Although short-lived, few things compare to the beauty of flowers in full bloom. Perhaps their transient yet incomparable beauty inspired the symbolic meanings of flowers across various world cultures.
Throughout civilization, flowers have been associated with certain myths and symbolism. Their fragility has come to represent both life and death and they sometimes are used to represent gods and goddesses. There is no doubt that flowers in full bloom are a universal expression of joy.
During the late 1800s in Europe, a new concept around flowers became popular. These stunning blooms became a way to represent people’s feelings. Communicating through flower arrangements helped articulate the unsaid. Soon, codebooks to decipher the language of flowers would make communication easier. For example, a field clover meant, “When can I see you again?” A red rose petal meant “Yes.” Green flowers signified the receiver’s heart was made of stone!
The days of complex flower codes may be long gone, but flowers continue to bring joy and meaning to our lives. We may never know who came up with National Plant A Flower Day, but the real question isn’t ”why?” but “why not?”
So Happy National Plant a Flower Day from the ABCO Systems WolfPack. Sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of flowers.
The first Friday in March has been designated as Employee Appreciation Day. It was created to focus all employers on recognizing and honoring their employees. Employees are a company’s greatest asset. about their well-being, they’re 38 percent more engaged and 18 percent more likely to go the extra mile. When employers or managers express gratitude, say thank you, and show appreciation through celebration and encouragement, employee job satisfaction and engagement increase.
So, if you’re wondering what you can do to show your employees you care, here are some tips on how you can show appreciation for your employees today.
3 Reasons to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day
1. A little recognition can make a big difference. Employee recognition isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each employee’s motivation is unique to them. But most employees need to know their efforts are being recognized and valued in some way to drive performance.
How to give employees public recognition:
Send a companywide or teamwide email to congratulate an employee for a job well done
Share an employee success story in a team meeting
Compile a list of wins across the company to highlight at your next company meeting
2. Employee retention is critical to the success of your company. Great employees can be hard to come by. And if you lose them — it can be costly to your bottom line. To retain your top employees, they need to feel valued, recognized and that their role has real meaning. This can be directly tied to employee engagement — the deep connection and sense of purpose at work that creates extra energy and commitment. When employees feel supported by their employer, they are more likely to still be there in a year. To increase employee retention, focus on employees’ engagement and well-being — and always put your people first.
Ways to increase employee retention with appreciation:
Encourage employees to take an extra-long lunch break to recharge
Offer work-from-home days
Send an employee to a conference of their choice for personal or professional development
Offer a free financial session or yoga class
3. When employees feel valued, they work harder. Employees recognized or rewarded by their manager is one thing. But when employees feel like they’re making a real impact on the business with appreciation from a co-worker, client, or even executive, they feel even more valued. Employees who see the results of their hard work and are reminded just how important their work is will ultimately work harder.
We know that when a company invests in the well-being of employees, they’re more engaged. And more engaged employees mean better business results. In a study conducted by Harvard Business School, researchers found that workers are distressed when managers don’t say thank you or express appreciation for their work. Recognition for achievements or simple gestures for doing well reinforces employees’ accomplishments, which motivates them to do more.
How to motivate employees with appreciation:
Design jobs that are fulfilling and provide ongoing organizational support
Offer growth opportunities such as putting them on a big project or involving them in strategic decisions
Go to coffee with your employees to discuss their unique goals so they know you’re invested in their personal and professional success
