The holiday season is here, and many businesses, like you, are looking for ways to thank their employees for all their hard work. Employees need to feel appreciated by their peers and their supervisors. Employees who feel valued are more likely to work longer and harder than those that do not.

For many companies, the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. Many CEOs and managers are anxious to close deals fast and make plans for the new year. Unfortunately, showing employees or customers, they are appreciated during the holidays sometimes falls short.

The purchase and use of digital gift cards have increased in the last year. Retailers and consumers alike are engaging online because of some hesitancy to return to stores during the pandemic.

As much as we want to believe our employees’ energy levels and engagement shoot back up to 100 percent after the holidays each new year, the truth is motivation is not automatic. Employees still need to be motivated to be at their most productive, and it falls on you to get them inspired for the new year and every day to follow. Although there are plenty of managers out there who believe motivation requires hand-holding or flashy gestures, there are many ways to motivate your employees without taking too much of your time and theirs. Here are a few simple examples of employee incentives that can keep your team focused and motivated in the new year and beyond.