Best Way of Giving Thanks — Make It Personal

Every award at Yum brands has a place to write something meaningful, such as the Rubber Chicken Award.

Every award at Yum brands has a place to write something meaningful, such as the Rubber Chicken Award.

Giving thanks — and the power of making it personal — came across clearly in a recent article in Fortune magazine about Yum Brands.  They don’t allow managers just to give plaques or gifts — everything must have a personal note on it, or along with it.  I love that idea.

It is a good reminder that the best acknowledgement or thank you to employees and others is something personal and meaningful.  And, it must be fast — it loses impact if it’s too long after the fact.  Yum has crazy items, such as a rubber, floppy chicken, cheesehead, roof tile, plastic hog, and oversize teeth.  Every one of those items has a place to write something meaningful.  “You want to give away a piece of yourself,” says David Novak, the CEO of Yum brands.

The Fortune article on employee recognition and giving thanks at Yum brands.  Have a great Thanksgiving week — and make it personal!

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