Shortly after April and I purchased Footers Catering from my father, we turned our focus to creating the best possible place to work.  Along with a few committed team members, we had some ideas on how to do that, but we also knew we needed some inspiration.  So, we launched our “culture studies” where we would find other companies (in a wide variety of industries) that we admired and then go visit them.  It usually included a tour of their facility and sometimes we got to spend time interviewing employees.  On our visit with New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, they shared how after one year of working at the company they got a New Belgium Bike (for those of you not familiar, they make the Fat Tire beer) and after five years they received a trip to Belgium to learn more about brewing and the inspiration behind the origins of the company.  We all looked at each other and said; “we should do a five year trip!”

That was the inspiration for one of the traditions we have at Footers.  After five years as a manager, you get to go on a culinary learning journey.  The first trip was a cruise to Alaska sponsored by Food and Wine Magazine in 2012 for Colbért Callen and Lindsey Gertz on our team.  They got to bring their significant others and as we were enjoying some Alaskan Beers while watching the glaciers calve on the inside passage, Lindsey’s husband Ryan asked; “This is an every five year trip right?” alluding to his desire to do it again in five years.  April and I honestly hadn’t even considered it, but said, “Hell ya, if Lindsey’s still employed at Footers in five years, we’ll do it again!”  Fast forward ten years and we are currently embarking on Lindsey and Colbért’s 15 year trip - a tour through southern Italy organized by the International Caterers Association Education Foundation. 

Most companies have traditions and celebrations honoring team members.  Whether based on performance, longevity, or holidays, they play an important role in making employees feel valued and appreciated.  However, on their own, they do not do much to move the needle when it comes to employee engagement and retention. They must be part of a bigger effort to recognize employees consistently throughout each year they are part of that organization. The milestones become the icing on the cake of appreciation, while the more frequent  “Thank You’s”, notes of gratitude, shoutouts and bonuses are the layers at baked into the base.  Without the latter, the celebrations can seem hollow and not have the intended impact. 

 Companies have been celebrating their team members and their significant anniversaries for years. From gold watches and trips to sabbaticals and promotions there are a variety of approaches utilized by different organizations. What works for one company doesn’t necessarily work for another. Like we did with the Footers’ five-year trips, it’s not always about coming up with something brand new, often it’s taking inspiration from someone else’s tradition and making it your own.  As you evaluate the ways you celebrate the team members you work with and take inspiration from other companies, make sure to spend as much time and energy focusing on the everyday efforts in addition to how you celebrate the major milestones. The combination of the two are what makes an effective recipe when it comes to employee appreciation.