All about “I APPRECIATE YOU’ Card

By  R Kesava Mallia in Udaipur

Undoubtedly, Trident Udaipur is very renowned for its employee engagement activities. Have you ever heard of “I appreciate you” cards?

This idea happens to be the brainchild of Dheeraj Mehta, the then General Manager  of Trident Udaipur. (Presently he is the GM at Trident Chennai, Tamilnadu).

This great, employee morale boosting  idea has been mooted in November 2013.The hotel had gone ahead and printed 200 “I appreciate you” cards. In six months , as many as 80 cards have been lapped  up by the staff members of this hotel.

Now, let me explain the concept on these cards.

“I APPRECIATE YOU’  card - This card is given by an HOD to his subordinate for his  outstanding, exceptional, guest centric deeds.  It is handwritten by the HOD. It encompasses embarrassingly superlative language appreciating the work done by the staff member to whom the card is being presented. It is handed over in person by the HOD himself to the subordinate.

Vijender, the Executive Housekeeper, Trident Udaipur has been very blunt when I asked him how many “I appreciate You” cards would have been given by him: “I don’t  have a count” says Vijender.

Anyway, two SPA girls will vouch for the impact and efficacy of this card.

That was in March 2014. Arunachal Pradesh’s 21 year old Chikimaya, popularly known as “Maya”, partnering Mandy(24) hailing  from Mizoram had the good fortune of giving treatment to a dozen guests in their SPA. From 8am to 9pm, they were on their toes. This is the maximum productivity that two SPA girls can offer in a day.

For this spectacular performance, Vijender quickly  presented the “I appreciate you” cards to both Maya and Mandy, the very next day!! . High impact touch point indeed.  Morale booster of the first order. Amazing HR initiative, without doubt.

Mandy had lapped up two such cards is less than ten months. Here is yet another story…read on…

One day after attending around five guests on a busy day, Mandy had already logged out at 9pm. When she was at the hotel accommodation, she got a call from the hotel- A foreigner guest would love to go for a 90 minute Balinese massage at 11pm. Without any delay, Mandy reached the hotel. Iron willed Mandy promptly reached the SPA, clad in her uniform. She had the big heart to respect the call of duty; 90 minute Balinese massage was over…the guest was dazzled and delighted…. Stunningly spectacular service.

“Both Maya and Mandy” says Ashish Chandra, HR -Training Manager, Trident Udaipur, “have undergone a 20 day intensive practical training sessions in two instalments” .

Remember: Both, Maya and Mandy  have been working with Trident, Udaipur since Sept 2013. In such a short span of time, they have been able to prove their mettle. There are many others who had the luck to lap up the “I appreciate you” cards- as many as 78 staff members.

Let us not forget one thing: more than money, people need recognition and appreciation. That is what motivates and enthuses employees to go beyond the call of their duties.

      Trident Udaipur had scored hundred per cent in the Employee Engagement initiative program last year. The survey had been conducted by an external agency once in two years. In 2011, the score has been 77%, while in 2013, it jumped to hundred. Full marks. Great achievement indeed, isn’t it ? .