Whether people have just started on their career paths and are working at their first jobs or if someone has actually been in the workforce for almost forty years (like me), it’s always great to be able to say that one works for a great company and for great people. Happily, I can admit to that!

One of the small but meaningful ways my company shows its appreciation is by presenting me with a beautiful, embossed anniversary card on my anniversary date of employment. Company anniversary cards may not seem like anything special; however, this anniversary card has not only been given each and every year I have been employed at The Gallery Collection (nine years now), but the greeting card is personally signed by each and every one of the top executives of the company. In addition, several of those executives even come around during the day offering their congratulations in person.

All of the recognition I get with company anniversary cards makes me feel so wonderful that I have taken it upon myself to send an anniversary card when one of my friends or family members is celebrating an occasion. Not only have I made the recipients happy, but I feel great too having brightened someone else’s day. “You can never do wrong doing the right thing” is an adage I have embraced.

When do you expect to get an anniversary card? Wedding anniversaries? Sure. Personal milestones? Of course. But how about an anniversary card for the date you started your job? Business anniversary cards were never anything I had even considered – that is, until I got one!

I couldn’t imagine why I was getting mail from my office but was pleasantly surprised upon opening it. Inside the deckled-edged envelope was a magnificent anniversary card, signed by the company executives and thanking me for my hard work and devotion. It reinforced my feelings of being appreciated and valued at my job, and I surely was happy to go to work the next day.

But think about the opportunities. If business anniversary cards can make your employees feel valued, then imagine how they can make your customers feel. Why not send clients or vendors anniversary cards to observe the day they began working with your company? And in the same way these cards might encourage your employees to look forward to going to work, which after all is a good thing, business anniversary cards might make your customers look forward to giving you some extra business!