Why E-Thanks Isn’t the Answer

The article argues that while e-thanks (electronic thank-you notes) can provide a momentary feeling of appreciation, they are not enough to drive happiness and engagement in the long term. Instead, organizations should combine recognition with tangible rewards to positively impact productivity, retention, and engagement. The author shares her personal experience of receiving a Nespresso machine as a tangible reward for her work and how it has made her feel appreciated even after a long time. The article concludes that employees want specific, authentic words of appreciation combined with something tangible to back up those words.