Thanksgiving is upon us, a time to celebrate our gratefulness and appreciation for the people and things that surround us. Traditionally, we celebrate by spending time with our families and stuffing ourselves with a large, delicious meal that doubles as a genuine event.

As I recently reflected on what I am thankful for this year, my employees came to mind. As managers, how do we show appreciation for our employees? Years ago, thanking and rewarding employees for hard work was not a scarce commodity, but a commonality. Today some of us get so caught up in creating profit, controlling inventory and managing operations that we forget about human capital. When you think about it, showing appreciation and thankfulness to your hard working employees, who keep your company afloat on a daily basis, can drive a significant return on investment for your business. This type of acknowledgement definitely impacts employee retention in addition to creating a positive attitude and greater productivity. Studies show that recognizing employees’ hard work also motivates them to do a great job, in turn, creating a better business. Be the exception and build a positive, productive workplace by way of appreciation.

Whether it’s writing a personalized note thanking your employee for handling a difficult client respectfully, bringing in breakfast one morning, or thanking them with a gift card, I encourage you to show your appreciation this Thanksgiving season. Here’s a revolutionary idea: Give your employees a turkey for Thanksgiving by way of a grocery store gift card! It’s something you know everyone will benefit from.

Your employees reaction to this gift might surprise you… be prepared to receive hand written thank you notes and to see a positive change in your employee’s behavior!