BEHIND every successful company is a team of diligent employees from the rank and file to the supervisory levels. On one hand, it’s about how passionate one is about his job, but on the other, it’s also about how much that person is valued by company management. After all, the employer-employee relationship is an important connection that needs to be fostered with love and built on trust. Hence, in celebration of Employee Appreciation Day yesterday, SunStar LIVE! asked business owners in Cebu on how they show their appreciation for their employees. For all the hardworking employees out there, this is for you!
Marie Feline Soria
Let’s Stylize
“My experience as an employee of Chong Hua Hospital for four years has helped me become a better leader to my employees. I believe every employee deserves to know every appraisal equally as they deserve to know every area they have to improve on. That is why I read to them the feedback we receive from customers and we have a monthly evaluation to check on their strengths and weaknesses.”
Eugene Erik Lim
Topline Group of Companies
“I think of my employees as my teammates and the most important aspect of the business—they are the lifeblood of what sustains the company’s vision. I show my appreciation by treating them with respect and gratitude. As an example, we give our employees lunch allowances, health care benefits and gym memberships. Later on, we plan to put up a foundation and retirement plans to help support their kids’ education and families.”
Kathrene Jane Balbin
Bliss Yoga Cebu
“My relationship with my employees is beyond transactional, so I make sure I get to know my employees on a more personal level. While monetary reward is great, acknowledging their wins— big or small— is just as important so they stay motivated.”
Lord Maturan
Lord Maturan Atelier
“The perfect way of showing appreciation to employees is by providing them all the benefits they deserve. It’s easy to give cakes on birthdays and hold parties for Christmas to boost employee morale, but it’s a different story when you provide them with security during their time under your wing. This mindfulness for their welfare is always reciprocated with loyalty and love. This, I believe, is why we are a thriving business.”
MJ Rivera–Yuvallos
AtoX Business Solutions Inc.
“We show our employees our appreciation by giving them personalized greeting cards on their birthdays, along with movie tickets. We also spend some time chatting with them one-on-one to get up to speed with how they are doing and share a few laughs. At the end of the year, we also give recognition and awards.”
Karl de Pio
Global Carrier Phils. Inc.
“Our employees are so busy doing their jobs that the last thing we want from them is an empty stomach! That is why we always have lunch and snacks prepared at the office every day. We always eat together as one family. This is one of our ways to show our appreciation: not have them worry about where to eat while they work.”
Reese Marie Borromeo
Beauty Affair Face and Slimming Hub
“I show appreciation to my employees through the power of listening. I listen to understand, not just to respond. I learn from them and create an atmosphere of true belonging, where they shine and develop. There are no grand gestures, only the sincere recognition of their simplest contributions to the company.”
Farrah Casilda & Al-Sahen Nazareth
No Strips Waxing Salon
“To keep the workplace morale high, we show our waxperts simple yet meaningful gestures such as celebrating their birthdays and other occasions to make them happy. We also have major employee activities that they look forward to such as our annual team building and year-end Christmas thanksgiving event. After all, individuals who are happier at work are more productive, which also increases customer loyalty and satisfaction.”