Give a little love this festive season...

You've got to love this time of year. Halloween, Melbourne Cup, Diwali, Christmas... the weather is warming up and the reasons to celebrate just keep on coming!

But in the midst of border closures and different social restrictions, it's easy to think there isn't as much to celebrate at the moment. That annual family trip to Bali? Not happening. The work Christmas party with everyone flying in from interstate and regional offices to celebrate together? No chance. Perfecting your Mexican Wave with colleagues at the Boxing Day Test? Unlikely.

Despite the challenges this year has thrown at all of us, you don’t need to look far to find great examples of inspiration, creative thinking, grit and determination.

From the opening moments of 2020, Australians came together and united with a spirit of generosity to help each other through a horrendous bushfire season that now seems a lifetime ago. As the year progressed, stories from around the world inspired us — like the UK's Captain Tom stealing hearts whilst raising £32m for the NHS, and the viral videos from Italy of singing from balconies during lockdown to combat loneliness. It's human nature to try to make the best of the circumstances; we pull together, and we continue to celebrate the small things and show appreciation to one another.

Businesses often use the festive season as a time to thank employees for their hard work throughout the year. Social distancing means that traditional team lunches, drinks with colleagues and Christmas parties are off the table. Even a gift card to spend in the shops might be deemed inappropriate after a year of budget cuts.

At BI WORLDWIDE, we see the current circumstances presenting businesses with a unique chance to reevaluate strategies, both for the closing days of 2020 and the fresh new year ahead. The opportunity to take a new, exciting approach to appreciation and recognition. A chance to add to their culture. So, as we get ready to welcome 2021 and restrictions vary, we need to look at doing things differently...

If asked their preferences, it may not be surprising that employees will likely say "cash" or cash alternatives such as cards and vouchers as their preferred choice of reward. However, study after study proves that cash is rarely the most effective way to show your appreciation. In fact, anything with a $, £ or € sign on it can be a demotivator —unless, of course, it has a string of zeros after the first number. That's because people perceive the dollar value as being aligned to their worth. “$50? Is that it? For everything I've done this year?!”

We KNOW the most effective recognition is personal. It's the message, the timing, the sincerity of your words. And when it comes to rewarding people, the more personal, tangible, fun and experiential, the better!

At BI WORLDWIDE, we deliver nimble rewards solutions that work for any audience, any country and any budget. We can quickly launch a tailored recognition and reward experience to take you into 2021 that:

• Is simple, quick and easy to implement
• Supports your culture and brand, and makes a positive contribution to your Employee Value Proposition
• Provides access to more than 1 million reward redemption opportunities globally
• Offers personal choice for the recipients, maximising the impact of each reward experience
• Delivers a robust, localised, fulfilment experience, removing the pain points of in-house administration
• Is available on a global basis with culturally relevant rewards
• Provides in-region participant support in over 12 languages

So, as you pack away your passport and crack out the Esky for a backyard staycation, stop and think: 'how am I going to celebrate and show my staff appreciation this festive season?'. With employees separated from not only their colleagues but also family and friends, take the time to spread a little cheer.

Want to know more about how BI WORLDWIDE's solutions can support your business in celebrating your employees? Get in touch!