In 2025, most jobs are all about producing ‘work product’ and just getting things done. What makes it worse is ‘remote’ workers. You can’t have a fridge stocked with sodas or snacks in the kitchenette for everyone. In the 1970s, Publisher’s Clearing House put fresh cut flowers on every employee’s desk – every Monday. Even when they got up to 1,000 employees. That small and relatively inexpensive gesture (per employee) likely made everyone feel like mom or your wife might feel if you brought them flowers on a regular basis… special. (As a guy working at PCH, I’d still be happy to get those flower, and pass them on to a wife/mother/etc.)
So, with a fully remote staff, what small (“inexpensive”) gesture could a company make to stand out to the team as a place they would want to continue working, because they felt like a small perk? I really like the idea of flowers, but since remote workers COULD be working from their parent’s house, or their own home, or somewhere else at any given time, flowers are a bad idea, as they would likely die before someone got to them. What else is a small GESTURE that could be done every TWO weeks, to make a company stand out to its employees? Something not easily converted to ‘cash’ (i.e. “Why not just give me an extra $1,000/yr raise?”) Something in the ~$40/every 2 weeks/employee range (20 employees = ~$21k/yr) Furthermore, something not easily missed, forgotten, or unappreciated?
Here’s some ideas: A jar of jam/jelly from that great country gift store?; A few times a year, have the gesture be a box of donuts delivered by the nearest donut shop to each employee; A pair of movie tickets to the movie theater closest to each employee; A curated “Snack Drop” of unique snacks or treats (e.g. an assortment of “Japanese KitKat” flavors, or pretzels with dipping sauces, or an array of chocolates, or maybe just a pack of M&Ms in the company colors.); Coffee, Tea, and Hot Chocolate Explorer Pack with a range of flavors from a specialty shop; A ‘Baker’s Box’ from their local bakery to deliver a small box of pastries or cookies that are different every time; Puzzle box with some ring and rope kits, a Rubik’s Cube, or a small box that they have to figure out how to open. What about a voucher toward a live, online experience, like a single cooking class, improv session, or art class? Maybe once or twice a year it actually IS fresh flowers or a small desk plant that can survive shipping; A fun pen or a power-bank for their phones; A nice smelling candle; A fun / historic / business-related book; A donation to a charity they like (NOT the ‘Human Fund’); A trivia game card set; An old/weird 6-pack of Soda; A unique hot sauce; Or maybe a small oil paint kit with a couple of small canvases and brushes.
The point is – those little gifts – gestures – were picked out by someone at the company, and sent out twice a month. Little things that most people wouldn’t think about, and may not always want, but it’s something they’ll remember about the company. Obviously, it’s not enough to keep someone from jumping ship to another job – but, it might be something that triggers them to talk to their lead/boss/manager that they like about working there. And most likely, it will be something they remember for many years to come.
And as a way to connect more with employees, maybe ask them to submit ideas that fit into the $40 range (including shipping) – and make it known who’s ideas they are, to build comradery amongst co-workers who don’t physically work together. Yes, there’s a cost to the company – but it’s pretty small amount of money for a company trying to stand out in an increasingly digital workforce.