With the holiday season soon upon us, most companies will take
the time to thank employees for their hard work over the past
year. This might come in the form of an awards banquet or a
department- or companywide holiday celebration.  The problem
with that is that group awards don't have the biggest impact on
employees. The most valued and remembered kind of recognition is
individualized and personal. So take time to add a personal
touch in thanking your employees as the year draws to a close. A
personal note to each employee who directly reports to you,
thanking him or her for specific contributions over the past
year, would go even further.  I once did this for a group of 17
employees. It took me about an hour and a half to draft the
notes, and it gave me a chance to reflect on all the
achievements members of my team had made. To me, it was a
simple, practical way to acknowledge their efforts, but to most
of them it was much more. Two of my employees were so touched by
the gesture that they cried.  Better ye