by Betsy Burton

I was so pleasantly surprised to receive a care package from Aragon Research yesterday.

You see, Aragon Research is holding a virtual off-site next week, and the care package included all the things I needed to make the off-site special, including an Aragon Research shirt, a mix to make a breakfast scone, a citrus candle, a computer wipe, a special card encouraging social distancing (made by Elsa) and, even, money for lunch.

The care package from Aragon Research reminded me that any time is a great time to send your team something special. But, now, when people are working remotely, under stress and, maybe, feeling isolated, it is a really great time to do something special for your team.

Catch Big Fish with Little Shrimp

I learned this lesson early in my life. As a kid I worked for a woman who owned an antique store in Carmel. She would go out to lunch with her friends and leave me to hold down the store. But when she came back, she always brought me a basket of strawberries.

One day, I asked her why she brought strawberries. She said, “You can catch a big fish with little shrimp.” I always remembered that lesson and tried to apply it through-out my career as a manager.

People want to feel appreciated. They want to feel connected. They want to feel like they are part of a team. This is an important part of management, but even more important during times of transition and disruption.

Little Things Go a Long Way

The care package I received from Aragon Research is really nice. In fact, I have the candle sitting on my desk right now and I can smell the scented wax. Even little things, though, can go a long way.

A CIO I worked with a few years ago used to drop a little bag of gummy fish candy on the desk of people who did something special, or people that he thought just needed a bit of encouragement.

I once sent a team a box of ice cream. It was the height of summer and they were all on the east coast. It arrived in dry ice all ready for them to enjoy.

Not a Replacement for Real Management

Now, little things are not a replacement for meeting people's financial and support needs. And, more than ever, managers need to focus on supporting their teams with good business value practices, including:

• Health and wellness 
• Employee on-boarding and engagement 
• Governance 
• Performance management 

In fact, managers may have been able to get away with being a little sloppy about these disciplines in the past, when they regularly saw their team members in person. Working remotely and under difficult stress means managers need to up their game more than ever.

Bottom Line

First and foremost, I must thank Aragon Research Management for making me feel special and part of a team. And, I would encourage every manager to do something special for their team today.

Give them a call or send them a card just to say hello.

Send them a little care package or a gift card.

Tell them to take a little time off today.

As I mentioned, small incentives are not a replacement for good management. However, a little recognition, thanks or, just a message that you care, can go a long way.

So…do something special for your team today.