I was having an abnormally hard time trying to figure out what I was going to write about today. (There is a method to the madness: Mondays-business related, Wednesdays-Employee Spotlight, Fridays-about my internship experience). So I started thinking about some of the articles I have read lately and something someone said to me today really stuck out. They said, “how am I supposed to feel like I am making a difference when I am making such little money?” People want to make a difference where they are, and if they are feeling like they are not being appreciated, they obviously will not feel like they are making a difference. An employee working their hardest, not getting any recognition (financially) will look elsewhere for employment.

An article written by Sarah E. Needleman in the Wall Street Journal said that today, “Fifty-three percent of respondents said they were satisfied with their base pay, down from 58% in 2005, the last time this survey was conducted. Sixty-eight percent rated rate their overall benefits program as good or very good, down from 76% in 2005, while 59% say they are satisfied with their health care benefits, down from 66%.” With the current state of the economy and companies having to make cutbacks, it is no wonder why that only half the population is happy as far as compensation is concerned. It is evident that good talent is hard to find, thus hard to hold on to.

In Gwyn Teatro’s article “5 Ways to Unlock Others’ Energy,” she says that it is important to “value their contribution. Nothing is more energizing than being acknowledged for doing a good job.” This is very true but as someone told me, you can tell someone 100 times they are doing a good job, but it you do not reward them it will not mean anything.