Creating a Culture of Appreciation: Enhancing Work and Customer Loyalty

The need to feel valued, recognized, and appreciated is universal in Western culture. This desire extends beyond our personal lives and permeates the workplace. According to Great Place To Work’s 2023 discretionary effort study, 37% of respondents stated that more recognition at work “would encourage them to produce better work more often.” Furthermore, employees who consistently feel recognized are 2.2 times more likely to innovate and introduce new ideas and twice as likely to say that colleagues go above and beyond. This translates to working harder, smarter, and happier—a significant return on investment (ROI).

Similarly, customer appreciation fosters loyalty, engagement, and company growth. A Forrester survey involving 85,000 consumers revealed that the top three emotions that “inspire or discourage loyalty” are feeling valued, appreciated, and respected. While we can all agree on the importance of appreciation, how it is demonstrated is crucial. Appreciation should not be a one-time event. Annual Christmas parties or sporadic customer appreciation posts on Facebook are not sufficient. To truly benefit from appreciation within your organization, it must be woven into the fabric of the company culture.

Building a Culture of Appreciation