It’s summer, when a young man or woman’s thoughts turn to….smoothies. Especially if you’re an HR manager or a sales team leader in a corporate office filled with overheated employees who were waiting for the R train this morning or were delayed on the LIRR on the one car that didn’t have air conditioning.

So, you start thinking about how to do something special for your people, or maybe for a special client. “Smoothies!” comes to mind. And then you think, “I’ll have smoothies delivered by the local takeout juice place a few blocks away. Let us tell you why this is a bad idea and why you should plan a smoothie event featuring Maui Wowi’s mobile smoothie bar.

Why Takeout Smoothies Don’t Work

We commend you for your creative thinking and wanting to do an employee appreciation gesture.  But there are a few problems with the takeout approach.

1. Deliveries can be slow. Yes, you can ask the local juice bar for 50 smoothies, but that’s not what they’re set up to do. If they take your order at all, they will have a hard time making them and getting them to you fast. And fast is important in the smoothie biz. Even if they can make them, getting into buildings these days is not so easy. There’s security, then the line at the freight elevator, and getting the receptionist to call you, and you having to get everyone together. Delays are bad for smoothies! If you’re not drinking your smoothie within minutes of its being blended, it will start breaking apart and lose its appeal. Yuck.
2. Bad for the earth. Many delivered smoothies come in Styrofoam cups to preserve the cold. We don’t have to tell you this is a disaster for the planet. We make ours in compostable cups. These cups can’t be delivered because they’ll literally melt in the sun! 
3. A gesture is not an event. Even if you manage to get smoothies delivered to your office, what then? Your people grab and go. Like the virtual tree falling in the forest when there’s no one around. Your gesture didn’t make a sound! Why? Because you didn’t create an event around it.
4. Takeout means not customized. If you order a bunch of smoothies for the office in different flavors, there’s going to be someone who wanted strawberry but there was only a pineapple smoothie left. Sad!

The list goes on. But there’s a better way.

A Maui Wowi mobile smoothie bar offers a number of great features:

1. Maui Wowi is an event for your employees or special clients. We come to your office with our mobile tiki bar and custom-make smoothies in flavors of your employees’ choice (we usually offer three or four).  Our bar and servers create a fun atmosphere.
2. People hang out….and talk. Ever notice people texting from 12 inches away? Give their thumbs a break and let them hang out at the tiki bar and socialize! It’s good for productivity if people talk and like each other more.
3. What if you don’t have space or don’t want the tiki bar? We only need a small space and an electric outlet for our bar. We can set up in a break room or conference room. But if you don’t want the bar, no problem. We can use a kitchen area and make our smoothies fresh, put lids and straws in them (and a colorful parasol) and have them ready to drink. No delivery delays.

BTW, the same applies for takeout coffee drinks from FourBucks. (I think they have renamed it FiveBucks). Those lattes are not gonna be hot, folks. How about having a mobile espresso bar at your office with expert baristas, all the customization your people want, a choice of syrups, sauces, whipped cream, milks and sweeteners.  Spare them your break-room coffee and make a coffee event with a mobile Maui Wowi espresso bar.

As head of HR, you’re always keeping your eyes peeled for fresh ideas to mix into your next corporate event. You know that to impress clients and make sure colleagues are having an awesome, productive time, corporate meetings and business functions need to be memorable, meet everyone’s needs and sometimes, include a touch of something different. So we suggest hopping on the bandwagon of one creamy, colorful and purely delicious health food trend: acai bowls. In this article, we’re going to lay out why acai bowl are exactly what you need when you’re arranging the catering for a corporate morning event, wellness event, corporate health fair or breakfast-time client or employee appreciation event.

• Acai bowls are arguably the hottest foodie trend right now.

Including acai bowls on your menu is going to impress everyone. People who have already tasted acai will be delighted with having one of their favorite breakfasts on the cards, and those who haven’t will be excited to finally try the eye-popping trend that’s been appearing all over their Instagram feed.  Clearly, you know your stuff. 

• They’re loaded with health benefits.

Acai has been dubbed a superfood, and while that’s a term that’s sometimes thrown around a little loosely, this Brazilian berry really does pack a punch. That is to say, an awesomely beneficial punch. Serve acai bowls, and health addicts will pat you on the back, while the guys and girls who would eat ice cream for breakfast, will be pleased to know that they can practically do so – but without that large sprinkling of guilt. Clients and colleagues will be invigorated, revitalized and fueled up for a day of focus and discussion.

• Did we mention that they taste like ice cream?

Acai bowls are so delicious that they ought to be a dessert… but they’re not, they’re a thick, punchy breakfast smoothie loaded with nutrients, topped with fruit, granola or nut butters, and served in a bowl. They’re dreamy, richly creamy and filling, a treat that will have your guests reminiscing over your menu long after it’s all over.

• They’re quick to make and eat.

Putting together a fresh acai bowl takes us about a minute. Because it’s so nutritious, it’s everything you need in a meal, right there in one dish. This makes it an especially good catering choice if you know your event is going to be busy, packed with back-to-back meetings, speakers and activities, and your guests will need to grab an energizing bite on the go.

We know you’re left with just one question: how can I get some trendy acai bowls served at my next corporate event? We’re here for you: acai bowls are now a highly-in-demand section of our smoothie mobile catering service. We use our all-natural black raspberry smoothie blend plus organic acai and fresh fruits for our acai bowl. Book a Maui Wowi mobile smoothie bar at coffeesandsmoothies.com, and we’ll set up at your event. Guests can choose their favorites from our range of menu options, and we’ll serve them some colorful, creamy vitality in a bowl.

Eating healthily not only strengthens your body, it also boosts your mood, improves your memory, fuels your energy levels, and helps you sleep peacefully. Enjoying healthy meals daily elevates employees’ productivity, and simply makes people happier. Whether you’re planning a wellness event, a corporate health fair, or an event or meeting for your company, here’s how to serve up delicious yet healthy food that will bring out the best in everyone.

• Focus on flavor.

According to the American Heart Association, unhealthy foods are highly processed, contain a lot of sugar and salt, or are excessively fatty. And sadly, it seems that our taste-buds are wired to find these foods irresistible! We’ve all experienced the disappointment of trying a healthy dish and finding it bland or downright unpleasant. Here’s how to serve healthy food that won’t let anyone down:

• Book a caterer that specializes in serving healthy food – they’ll know their way around the ingredients and will have refined their recipes to perfection.
• If you don’t have that option, discuss the menu with your caterer and find ways to cook their dishes with a healthy twist. Read our tips below for the main points to cover.
• If you’re seeing to the catering yourself, here’s a clever article on how to cook up a healthily delectable storm.

• Meat: it’s all in the details.

When it comes to serving healthy meat dishes, there’s two aspects to consider – what the meat is comprised of (the animal, how it was raised, and the cut), and how to prepare it. Here and here are in-depth guides to selecting healthy meats, and here’s how to prepare them in a way that’s both delicious and guilt-free!

• Take your veg to the next level.

Yes, vegetables are packed with vitality, but we don’t always enjoy them! Here’s some practical tips on making them pop, and here’s a roundup of amazing veggie recipes.

• Don’t give up on starches.

Carbohydrates are good for you – as long as they’re not refined! Here’s an exhaustive list of starches that you can include in your menu plan, and tips on how eating them benefits the body.

• Sauces: the surprise health attack.

Sauces can be surprisingly unhealthy, as they are often high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. These sauces are low-calorie, though, and here are some wonderful recipes for more healthy sauces.

• Healthy drinks are also delicious.

Here are some drinks options that won’t drown your guests in sugar:

• Water – it’s obvious, but it must be said. For a special and eye-pleasing touch, serve water in cut-glass jugs with ice, mint or rosemary, and citrus slices.
• Fruit juices, freshly pressed from seasonal ingredients. Include fragrant herbs for a little something extra.
• Craft sodas with low sugar contents, designed for adults.
• Brews with a healthy twist.
• Red wine is good for the heart, if it’s limited to a single glass per guest.

Of course, the most delicious healthy drink of all is a creamy smoothie. Our Maui Wowi smoothies are like fruity milkshakes – but they’re healthy! Here’s an article that explains why this nutritious treat is known to be so good for you – no wellness event would be complete without some smoothie catering. Our Maui Wowi smoothies are lovingly blended from deliciously fresh ingredients, and we have an enormous variety of options. Our mobile smoothie bar will set up at your event and provide a fuss-free corner of palate-pleasing vitality.

Maui Wowi also offer a mobile coffee bar and a full array of espresso drinks, hot and iced – perfect for your dessert menu. Speaking of which….

• You don’t need to leave out dessert.

When it comes to dessert, you don’t need to deprive your guests – the key here is that a little goes a long way. You can serve a small portion of an unhealthy delicacy, like chocolate (preferably dark) or ice cream, with some guilt-free treats, like fresh seasonal fruit. Happily, there are also loads of healthy dessert recipes out there – here are some to get you inspired.

With these tips in your arsenal, your guests will be delightfully surprised over just how sumptuous healthy fare can be!

There are so many excellent reasons to serve some breakfast catering at your company’s corporate events.  Besides the fact that breakfasts are irresistibly delicious, centering a corporate meeting’s catering around the first meal of the day has proven time and again to be considerably less expensive than hosting a full-on dinner. And if your company is going to be tackling a day of training and conferences, everyone benefits from fueling up before it all starts.

When you’re planning the morning catering for your company’s next event, what to serve depends on the day’s activities. For a client meeting or a team discussion and regroup, a morning tea with neat, eye-pleasing finger foods is a practical choice. The focus is on the meeting, and if your goal is for people to mingle and chat, guests can wander around with their plates. For a full day of focus, though, a sit-down breakfast where people can stock up on nourishment will give everyone a boost.

• Finger foods are fun, neat and cost-effective.

When it comes to finger food, you can get creative, because the options are endless. Here are some favorites:

Fruit kebabs – fresh and colorful seasonal fruit on skewers.

Granola cup – granola, yogurt and fruit layered in clear glasses. Acai bowls are becoming a popular item and can be the base of a great morning mini-meal. (Ask us about what we can do for your on this idea.)Breakfast wraps – filled with hearty, nutritious fare, like bacon and scrambled egg, or feta and mushrooms.

Freshly-baked pastries – lay out an array of croissants, muffins and rolls.

To ensure that everyone leaves satisfied, have some nut-free and gluten-free dishes available. Here’s a Pinterest board packed with mouth-watering finger food ideas that will get you inspired.

• Sit-down breakfasts are classic, filling and cheery

We all have a favorite classic sit-down breakfast that we could never turn down. In an intimate setting, you could plan a luxurious plated meal, but we recommend a budget-friendly buffet if you’re hosting a larger group. Here’s a guide to sit-down breakfast options for corporate functions. It includes practical tips on which option to choose.

• Please the crowds with some coffee catering and smoothie catering

Whether you plan to serve finger foods or a full-on meal, your morning won’t be complete without some steaming cups of gourmet coffee. Our fresh Hawaiian coffee is unusual and delicious, it’s the perfect way to energize the minds and bodies of your guests, and will make your event unforgettable. We have a broad variety that includes cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, mochas, and even iced coffees, all brewed from our distinctive Hawaiian blends. We’ll bring a mobile coffee bar, set up at your location, and provide a fragrant corner of peace, pleasure and conversation at your next morning event.

And of course, a fresh smoothie should be an option at every breakfast. Smoothies are a healthy, gluten- and nut-free treat that are guaranteed to delight even the most particular diner. Our creamy smoothies have no artificial flavors or colors, are lovingly blended from the freshest ingredients, and we boast a truly enormous variety. Perfect for corporate morning events where guests will either mingle or sit down to a hearty meal, and especially fitting for corporate health fairs and wellness events, our mobile bar will set up at your location and ensure that guests can order their choice of this healthy delight.

Let’s face it – people who plan corporate events are often expected to perform miracles on shoestring budgets. If you’re the trusted organizer saddled with the task of planning your company’s upcoming event where you know every penny is going to count, we’re here to hold your hand. We’ve put together a list of tips that will cut costs on events of all sorts, from corporate meetings and company picnics to client appreciation events and corporate health fairs.

• 1. Know your budget from the start.

Ask for a set budget so that you know what you have to work with. Then you can kick into full-on planning mode, knowing that you’re not over-spending.

• 2. Hold your event in a slow month.

Because all your suppliers will be looking for ways to cover their own costs, and they’ll charge you less, or be vulnerable to your secret weapon – bargaining.

• 3. Choose a venue on the outskirts of town.

An out-of-the-way venue has so many advantages: besides the peace and quiet, there will usually be more nearby parking space available, and venue costs will be lower. Encourage attendees to carpool so that they can also save money if they have to travel a little further to their destination.

• 4. Schedule your event so that hotel stays are unnecessary.

You’ll save a lot if you don’t have hotel or guest house expenses as a part of your budget.

• 5. Then, streamline your activities.

Plan just a handful of activities that pack a punch. This will not only keep the day shorter, so that you cut down on catering and venue costs, it will also save money on props and any entertainment or guest speaker expenses.

• 6. In fact, we suggest that you host a brunch or lunch-time event.

Brunch or lunch catering costs less than a full dinner spread, and guests will have ample time for traveling. Plan a buffet, instead of an expensive sit-down meal. Try out several caterers – cheap still means tasty when you have the right chef cooking up your meal. You can cut out mid-morning or afternoon snacks, too, especially if you have some irresistible coffee or smoothie catering on hand! Which leads us to our next tip.

• 7. Have a drinks bar!

We suggest booking a Maui Wowi smoothie and coffee bar. Our delectable drinks will keep guests filled and refreshed, eliminating the need for extra snacks. You can also look over our drinks menu and limit the options that guests can order. We offer a choice of eight tropical fruit smoothies as well as frozen lemonade and frozen cappuccinos. We also provide cold-brewed iced coffe.  To cut costs while pleasing guests, book a mobile coffee and smoothie bar today at www.coffeesandsmoothies.com.

• 8. Book everything way, way in advance – and bargain!

The closer in time to your event you book your venue, caterers, speakers and entertainment, the more everything will cost. And if you think something’s overpriced, bring that up. Here’s an insightful how-to on bargaining for events .

• 9. Go paperless.

Send out email invitations, have a Facebook page for the event where you can keep everyone informed and post pics afterwards, and use digital signage (here’s how).

• 10. Recruit volunteers, and give amateurs and university students a chance.

Just ask for examples of previous work when hiring someone inexperienced, so that you can get a feel for whether they’re up to the task.

With these tips, you have some wonderful expense-cutting strategies in your mental toolbox. Now go forth, and save money!

Figures show that businesses which embrace sustainability have a powerful advantage over those that don’t. In fact, 93 percent of CEOs believe that sustainability concerns will be a main player in the future of their businesses. It’s a concern that’s becoming ever more pressing – and so, when planning corporate events in the future, you may be thinking of keeping the Green Factor in mind. We’re here to help make the task simple with a short list of ideas that cover all the essentials.

When it comes to planning the catering for a corporate meeting or company events, these are the three sustainability elements to consider:

• food sourcing
• tableware
• waste management

• What is sustainable food?

It’s local.

Buying food from nearby means a smaller carbon footprint was made getting those provisions to you. Here’s an informative how-to on sourcing local food.

It’s seasonal.

Eating fruits and vegetables in season means that fewer pesticides, waxes, preservatives and time in energy-hungry cold-storage was needed to preserve your fare’s fresh appearance. This is a choice that’s becoming increasingly popular, so ask your caterer what seasonal options their menu has to offer.

It’s farmed sustainably, and organic.

There’s a lot that goes into sustainable farming practices. In short, it ensures that animals live healthy, happy lives, the environment benefits, farmers are satisfied with the returns for their labors, and people sitting down to an organic meal enjoy fare that is full of flavor and nutrition. Here’s a deeper look at what sustainable farming means and here  and here  are some more sources on how to buy organic.

It’s fair trade.

These are the 10 principles of fair trade from the World Fair Trade Organization:

• Opportunities for disadvantaged workers
• Transparency and accountability
• Fair trade practices
• Fair payment
• No child labor or forced labor
• No discrimination; gender equality; and freedom of association
• Good working conditions
• Capacity building
• Promote fair trade
• Respect for the environment

Now this is something we all can get behind! Here’s (https://www.fairtradecertified.org/products) an in-depth site on shopping for fair-trade items in the US.

When looking for sustainable food, consider booking a Maui Wowi mobile coffee bar! Our delicious Hawaiian coffees are sustainably grown and bought through fair trade and we have a wide selection of irresistible options. Or, opt for smoothie catering. Our mobile smoothie bars serve fresh, filling and all-natural treats. To book a sustainability-conscious mobile coffee or smoothie bar that delights guests at your next event, go to coffeesandsmoothies.com.

• How to find green tableware (we don’t mean the color).

It’s reusable.

Make do without plastic or paper! Have jugs of water, linen napkins and tablecloths, reusable cutlery and crockery, condiments in shakers and jars, and go paperless with invitations and signage.

Or, it’s biodegradable.

The next best option when it comes to tableware is finding items that won’t contribute to overflowing dumps, landfills and ocean pollution. Here’s an article full of tips on biodegradable tableware.

• Waste management makes a difference.

Donate.

Instead of throwing away your untouched extras, donate them to someone in need. Here’s a city-by-city guide.

Recycle.

It may mean setting up extra bins yourself, but having recycling options when it comes to waste disposal can make a big difference. Explain the system to your guests, and have clear signage at the bins themselves. Here’s an informative how-to.

Compost

Arrange with a local composter to take on your food waste and biodegradable packaging post-event. It’s a simple but effective way to give back to the environment.

Planning a green event is a little extra effort. But in the long run, it will not only benefit our beautiful earth, it will also contribute to the future success of your company.

The weather is dreamy, the days are long, that sporty guy in the office spends part of his time gazing longingly through the window – and you as Human Resources Manager have been given the task of planning a summer picnic for your company. We put together this article to bring you some fresh ideas and help you host a one-of-a-kind picnic that everyone will reminisce over for years to come.

1. Set goals for the picnic

What does everyone in the office need right now? Your colleagues could be looking for some time to unwind, or team-building opportunities, or just an occasion where they can reconnect and talk about current or future projects. Have a clear goal so that your activities hit the right spot.

2. Give the guest list the attention it deserves

You know all employees will be invited, but if they can also bring partners or children, this will affect your picnic entertainment, eats and activities a great deal. This should be one of the first things you discuss with your boss.

3. Have a plan of action for activities

To make sure your party is exactly what your colleagues need, goals should come first. Decor and fun are the icing on the cake, so to speak. Don’t get me wrong, a corporate picnic should be all about the good food, games, and entertainment, but your list of activities needs to support your objectives for the day. When putting together a games list, Google is your rod and staff. Here is a list of some simple, reliable ideas, and a Pinterest board full of fun games.

4. Choose a theme to get the party started

There’s just something unique about a themed event – everyone lets their hair down and kicks into “crazy fun” mode. Even the most distinguished, straight-faced employee can’t resist a giggle at the sight of Sue from behind the desk wearing a pair of curly mustaches and knocking everyone over with her giant sombrero. It creates lasting memories and gets colleagues excited and engaged beforehand as they plan their outfits. If you decide not to go with dress-up costumes as part of your picnic, having a theme still keeps your decor unique and unified, and helps to prompt ideas for food.

Brainstorm a theme based on your activities. If you’re going to be close to the ocean or a lake and have planned lots of water-based activities, pick a Hawaiian or pirate theme. If you’re going to have relaxing games like bowling or ring-toss, you could choose a Western or Carnival theme. Here’s a roundup of 30 excellent ideas to get you inspired.

Tip: If you’ve planned or attended a lot of themed do’s already and are tired of cycling through the same ideas, mix two themes to come up with something entirely unique – like “Robots in the West” or “1950’s Casino”.

5. The most important part of the picnic is the food and drink!

Because all those games are going to give everyone a roaring appetite! Having a theme could simplify planning the menu a lot, but you could also just include the theme in the way the food is presented. Ask about allergies and other preferences beforehand, and have a bit of something for everyone.

Everyone agrees that having amazing drinks available has a huge impact on the success of an event. If you want to have some alcoholic drinks on tap, we suggest you go with options that are refreshing and only lightly alcoholic, like rock shandies or gin and tonics.

Of course, here’s top recommendation – book one of our coffee and smoothies mobile bars! We have seven fruity smoothie options blended from the freshest ingredients, and a range of irresistible iced coffees. These drinks are delicious, filling and refreshing, and will kick your picnic atmosphere up a notch. For fun and energizing picnic drinks, book a Maui Wowi mobile bar.

You’ve planned an amazing corporate picnic – now go ahead and enjoy it!

No one can resist the smell of fresh coffee. It’s an evocative fragrance that inevitably reminds you of good times – hours spent with loved ones, fun outings, a peaceful rendezvous with an excellent book, or a memorable event. There’s just something about good coffee that speaks class, care, and everything pleasant and satisfying.

We’ve noticed something interesting about the business events and large corporate meetings where we’re asked to cater with a mobile coffee bar. The bar becomes a little oasis, an island of retreat and refreshment away from the focused bustle. People relax for a few minutes, catch their breath and reorder their thoughts, or colleagues catch up with friendly chatter and banter. They leave calmed, refueled and energized. This coffee catering experience is one that you can’t even begin to compare with filling up quickly at the office coffee machine, or rushing off around the block for a cheap disposable cuppa. We have absolutely no doubt that our mobile coffee bars add a tremendous amount of atmosphere to events, and make lasting memories.

Here’s three things you should know about our coffee bars:

1. Our coffees are incredible

We source and serve the highest quality coffees. They’re responsibly grown and ethically traded. Our grounds are deliciously, fragrantly fresh, blended and roasted to perfection by our partnering roaster Coda Coffee, and we brew up both traditional and flavored roasts. We also boast some entirely unique blends.

Traditional coffees:

Some of the world’s most sought-after coffee is grown and harvested on the islands of Hawaii. Maui Wowi Hawaiian coffee lines consist of gourmet blends from the Hawaiian regions of Kona, Molokai and Kauai, where coffee beans are carefully handpicked from selected coffee plantations and family-owned farms that best represent the rugged and bold attributes, as well as the sheer beauty and elegance of Hawaii.

Flavored coffee:

This wonderful treat awakens the senses. Try our smooth Chocolate Macadamia, punchy toasted coconut or sweet, classic Vanilla.  

Featured roasts:

Maui Mountain Roast is a bold coffee that has a chocolate flavor, undertones of macadamia nut and a sweet cane sugar finish which makes it distinctly unique from other blends. With Brazilian beans from the Santo Antonio Estates in Minas Gerais, beans from the Bukonzo Joint Cooperative in Uganda, and beans from Maui, Maui Mountain Roast is described as a bold coffee with subtle hints of wild berry and an earthy finish that is distinctly unique from our other coffees.

Pacific Passion combines the best of the Pacific Islands with Hawaiian and Papua New Guinea beans. A coffee prized by connoisseurs, our Pacific Passion is naturally sweet with a fruity aroma, full-body finish and clean flavour.

2. We have enormous variety

• We do espresso catering with a unique Kona coffee blend.
• We serve up a deeply flavorful cold brew.
• We make smooth yet bold Hawaaian lattes and cappuccinos.
• We create unique and delightful mochas in three different flavors.
• We serve rich, satisfying hot chocolates using high-quality Ghiradelli sauces – we have four flavor variations.
• We do refreshing iced coffees too!

3. We can fit in with any décor theme

While our coffees are Hawaiian, the look of our bars is classically simple and will fit in anywhere.

For a truly memorable event, book a mobile coffee bar at coffeesandsmoothies.com.

By Lisa Aharon

We’ve heard many a manager say, “I mean…I pay them well. Why isn’t that enough?”

Well, good salaries go a long way toward keeping employee turnover down and engagement up. Yet, people appear to need more. A huge key to happy employees is gratitude.
Why gratitude?
A very recent study by researchers at the Portland (Oregan) State University found that gratitude at the workplace causes positive physical effects. The simple words ‘thank you’ expressed sincerely can improve a person’s physical and mental health.

The study looked at acute care nurses (like those in a hospital’s Intensive Care Unit or Emergency Room). The researchers found that nurses who were thanked at work slept better, ate healthier, and had fewer headaches. They also felt less burnt out.

Taking it one step further, thanking your employees can help keep your business running smoothly. Think about all those sick days and ‘sick days’—employees who feel valued and physically well don’t need to take off so often. In fact, they want to come to work. Another item is turnover—you know the costs involved in finding and training new workers. Employees who feel appreciated tend to stay in jobs longer, even if things are not always easy.

Employee Appreciation Day
This concept of employee appreciation is so important that the U.S. has designated the first Friday in March as Employee Appreciation Day.

We think showing gratitude to your employees should be done more than once a year…especially since it doesn’t always have to be complicated or cost a lot.

Five ‘Thank You’ Ideas with varying costs (besides just saying ‘thank you’)

1. Public recognition
You’ve probably seen those ‘Employee of the Month’ pictures at supermarkets, department stores, and sometimes even banks. Perhaps you’ve even chuckled at them for being tacky. Laugh no longer. The Harvard Business Review reports that “40% of employed Americans say they’d put more energy into their work if they were recognized more often”. Second-hand stores sell elegant frames for only a few dollars each. Using your phone to take a picture and your printer to print it costs very little. We’re sure you’ve got some wall space. You could have one ‘winner’ per department, project team, etc.

Pro tip: When deciding on your ‘stars’ for the month, consider their out-of-work achievements also. Is one of your employees a first-responder in her spare time? Does another do volunteer community work during his?

2. Entertain them
Local singers, bands, comedians, and theater companies don’t cost a lot and might even perform for free for the exposure. As we’re sure you know, there’s a lot of excellent ‘amateur’ or ‘rising star’ talent out there. You can be sure your employees would really enjoy a ‘thank you’ hour of entertainment (during work hours, of course)—but only if the entertainment is good, so best to check it out yourself beforehand or get a recommendation from someone who has.

3. Have an office makeover
Big companies have been making the headlines with their enviable office spaces which most employees would love to work in. Yes, they are very creative…and also big budget, but it doesn’t have to be this way. As this article in Forbes points out, “even a small shift in well-being can have a dramatic impact”. Has your team had some spectacular results? Thank them with an office makeover.

Planning: Have a first group meeting. Discuss and set up some ground rules of what is allowed and what isn’t. Invite your employees to create drawings/plans/mockups of what they would like to see. One week later, have another meeting. Create one final design from all the ideas submitted—you will most likely see that there are many common elements such as a ‘chill area’ or more art on the walls.

Decorating: Start low-key by soliciting item donations from your workers. Most of us have good condition, nice-looking furniture, art, lighting, carpets, etc. that we would be willing to give to the workplace. If there is also a company budget for this makeover, discuss and agree on how the funds should be used. Making your employees a ‘home away from home’ usually pays off well.

4. Drinks are on you
In addition to being a really fun ‘thanks’, studies show that shared food and drink promotes trust and closeness. And if you could include good health in the mix, all the better.

Our mobile, corporate drinks bar offers a choice of Hawaiian Blend Espressos & Coffees, low sugar, non-or-low fat Smoothies, and Ghiradelli premium Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa. We also have a tropical Shave Ice option, and when you pair Hawaiian Shave Ice with our Smoothie Bar, you’ll get a 50% discount on your Shave Ice! Get a free, no-obligation price quote.

5. Flextime/Flexlocation
They’re not working less, just differently. In thanks, treat your employees to a one-time, rearrangement of hours or working location. For many parents, being able to work around a child’s school event or doctor’s appointment would be amazing. For most of us, the ability to work from home or at the pool for one day would mean so much.

And if you are not sure what to say when presenting your workers with one of these special thank you’s, here are some great ideas.