Fact: What most motivates the people who work for you is…recognition.

Believe it or not! Studies show employees find recognition for a job well done more motivating than money. Knowing that what you do is important and appreciated is the best reward.

Do you ever call an employee into your office --just to thank him or her for good work or special effort? How about writing a personal note on an employee's paycheck envelope?

Maybe you lack the time or creativity to devise appropriate rewards. 1001 Ways to Reward Employees by Bob Nelson presents a variety of ways to say thank you.

Here are some tips from the book:

Try to catch your employees doing something right, not wrong. Then reward the behavior. Encourage employees to repeat it. Managers must serve as coaches, says author Bob Nelson.

• Give your employee a two-hour lunch --or better yet, a three-day weekend.
• Do your employee's least desirable task for a day.
• Use employees in your ads or commercials.
• Establish a place to display photos, memos or posters recognizing employee achievements.
• Buy your employee a subscription to a journal, magazine or newsletter or pay their dues to a professional organization.
• When you hear a positive remark about an employee (from a customer or another employee, for example) repeat it to that person as soon as possible. Seek them out, if necessary.