As an automotive marketing company, there is not much we like to say for certain regarding the one-shoe-fits-all approach. When it comes to our clients, we know that each approach is different and solely based on things like metrics, target audience, location, and specific yearly goals.
With that being said, there is something we’d like to set in stone: employees’ birthdays matter. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the real gift is recognition and acknowledgment.
Celebrating employee birthdays is a direct way to show them that they matter to you, outside of their productivity numbers and time in service. It is a magical way to say, “We see you, we appreciate who you are as a person, and we celebrate all that you are to everyone in your life.”
If nothing else, we encourage you to consider celebrating your employees on their birthdays this year. Not only will it make them feel special, but it will boost morale, productivity, and overall tenure for all.
The Best Ideas for Celebrating Employee Birthdays at your Automotive Business
Although it can feel like a personal feat, going the extra mile for your employees by recognizing and celebrating their special day each year shows them that you value them as people, not just employees.
When it comes to gifting or planning a celebration of sorts, some of the best ideas are the most personal, which is necessary for such a special day. Sure, all holiday celebrations leave employees feeling warm and fuzzy inside, but there is just something extraordinary about celebrating a day that belongs specifically to them.
Now that we know it is important to add in birthday celebrations in the workplace, let’s discuss precisely what these celebrations could mean to your employees and bottom line.
Let’s Celebrate! Understand the Importance of Recognizing an Employee’s Birthday in the Automotive Industry
Most people look forward to celebrating their birthday, no matter what age they are turning. If their birthday lands on a weekday, chances are much of their special day will be spent at work.
Like other milestone dates, like work, graduation, promotion, or personal anniversaries, people use their birthdays as a time to reflect on their accomplishments and decide what goals they want to set for their new year ahead.
Often, these epiphany moments lead employees to question their current job status and corresponding happiness at work and compare it to their overall quality of life. If they feel even slightly unhappy, they may consider putting their feelers out to see what other jobs are out there for them. It’s no secret then that job searches increase by as much as 12% leading up to a person’s birthday.
Instead of asking yourself whether employee birthday celebrations are necessary, question what you can do to make their birthdays a memorable moment, especially if they are spending their special day at work.
Although birthday celebrations are not a sure-fire way to stop an employee from leaving, they do make a world of difference in how they view the company they work for, including measuring exactly how you view and value them as your employee.
When birthdays are celebrated, morale is boosted, and employees are less likely to quit their job, which is a pretty big deal in itself.
Balance is key for all things in your automotive business, celebrations included.
Although we couldn’t think of a better idea than implementing an employee birthday celebration program into your employee engagement initiatives, we want you to be set up for success when doing so.
Here are some pointers to keep in mind when celebrating employee birthdays on their big day:
- Keep celebrations and gifting similar for each employee
- Create an employee-focused board in the office or shop that gives a shoutout to all birthdays within that month
- Get your employees involved; ask them what type of celebrations they think would be suitable for work and what gifts they would love.
- Be mindful of who celebrates what. Always survey, or check with your employees to make sure they are comfortable with birthday celebrations before planning out their day.
- Keep it fresh. Don’t make it the same gifts or celebrations every year; it will get old fast.
- Be intentional with your gifts. Gifts that seem too generic could give off the wrong vibe to your employee, making them feel as though you put no thought into their birthday. Choose gifts that are fit for them.
- Plan ahead by adding all employee birthdays to a discreet calendar and set reminders for at least a month in advance.
- Set a budget.
- Don’t be over-the-top about their age; some people don’t want their age openly shared with others; simply keep it at “happy birthday” with no notation of year or age.
With decades of experience in the automotive industry, many businesses like to celebrate work anniversaries and milestones. This year, we encourage you to add employee birthdays to your upcoming celebrations and special days list.
Birthday Gift Ideas for your Automotive Staff
Gifting at work is the perfect balance of personal and professional. As business owners, we want our employees to feel special and cared for without being too in their business.
Here are some of our favorite birthday gift ideas for those in the automotive industry:
- Paid Day off
- A gift certificate to a spa or local eatery of their choice
- Clean their car on their birthdays (Who doesn’t love a clean car?)
- A tool they have been wanting
- An inspirational book or audible subscription
- Portable charger
- Phone stand for their desk
Tie in Love for Company & Employee with a Branded, Automotive-Focused Birthday Basket
There may be nothing more fun than to be gifted a birthday basket full of fun, branded company swag.
Here are some of our favorite must-haves to make this gift extra special:
- Duffle Bag to act as the gift “basket.”
- Branded Hat
- Branded Jacket
- Branded Chocolate Bar
- Custom Mug or Yeti with their name on it
- Their favorite snacks and drinks
- A gift certificate to a local restaurant, spa, or store they love
- Coffee or tea
Although the goal of this gift “basket” is to provide them with some branded items, include a few personalized items that make them feel as though you’ve put a lot of thought into this birthday gift.
Champions of Celebration: Exploring Companies Who Had Their Cake & Ate it, Too
We know that getting started on a new tradition can feel overwhelming; that’s why we wanted to share some companies we admire for their dedication to employee engagement. We hope you can pull a little bit of inspiration from them as you venture out to make your employee feel special on their next trip around the sun.
Here are some companies with top employee engagement scores, regardless of industry:
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Alphabet, Inc.
- Salesforce
- Mastercard
- PepsiCo
Small moments of recognition lead to a significant impact in the automotive industry.
For most, birthdays are the most memorable holiday of them all. It is a time that recognizes who they are and their significance in your life.
As an employer, you should show your employees you care about them outside of work accomplishments and productivity. Whether you decide to go with a branded gift basket or a car detailing session, choose personal and impactful gifts for each person. Keep celebrations and gifts similar for all employees and respect their birthday celebration wishes.
Although it’s long been proven that birthday celebrations improve morale and productivity while making your employees feel like shining stars, we understand that not all employees celebrate or enjoy their birthdays.
Stay ahead of the differences you may face by knowing your employees on a deep level to understand if a birthday celebration, or even a gift, would be something they would appreciate. If not, it’s completely okay. Instead, focus on ways that you can successfully celebrate their work anniversary, a less personal time in their lives, but also a great moment of celebration.
No matter what, your goal should be to make your employees feel special and recognized throughout each year. After all, they’re choosing to dedicate a majority of their daily life providing the best service for your customers. Even if it’s not birthday-related recognition makes both you and your employee feel good. That is a win-win in our book.
At Auto+ Performance, we can help provide the tools and ideas needed to build an employee engagement program that celebrates employees on big and small days, like their birthdays. Contact us today if you’re ready to take your employees and business to the next level.
