And how Apprecious helps you do it without burning out your HR team
In the race to retain talent, most companies look at salaries, benefits, or career paths. But there’s one tool that’s more affordable, more meaningful, and far more powerful yet often overlooked: appreciation.
Not generic vouchers. Not one-off hampers. But real, intentional appreciation makes your people feel seen, valued, and connected to something bigger.
At Apprecious, we believe appreciation is more than a moment. It’s a message. And when done right, it becomes the most human and effective retention strategy you have.
The Hidden Cost of Not Appreciating
Resignations don’t always happen overnight. Most begin with a feeling:
“No one notices what I do.”
“I don’t feel like I matter here.”
“It’s just a job.”
When appreciation is missing, disengagement slowly creeps in. And with disengagement comes low morale, reduced performance, and eventually turnover.
This isn’t just emotional. It’s expensive. Studies show it can cost up to 200% of an employee’s salary to replace them.
The good news? It’s preventable.
People Don’t Leave Jobs. They Leave Indifference.
Here’s what the data shows:
- 65% of employees haven’t received recognition in the last year.
- 79% say appreciation is a key reason they stay longer in a job.
- Companies with regular recognition see up to 31% lower turnover.
At Apprecious, we’ve worked with dozens of HR and corporate teams who were trying to solve culture and retention but kept missing one thing: consistent, thoughtful appreciation.
Appreciation That Goes Beyond "Thank You"
It’s easy to say thanks. But for it to stick, appreciation should feel:
- Timely – not just during reviews or at year-end
- Genuine – not templated or mass-blasted
- Tangible – something they can hold, remember, and feel proud of
That’s where Apprecious comes in.
Our gifting solutions are rooted in impact, care, and sustainability. We don’t just send things—we send stories.
- Seed paper notes that grow into wildflowers symbolize growth
- Batik pouches and bags, handmade by retirees empowering livelihoods
- Eco-stationery and lifestyle sets that align with your green goals
It’s not just about saying thank you. It’s about showing it—through gifts that reflect your values and your people’s contribution.
"But we’re too busy..."
We hear this often from HR teams. You want to show appreciation, but there’s onboarding to manage, KPIs to meet, and endless internal comms.
That’s exactly why we design ready-to-deploy gifting experiences—so you don’t need to start from scratch.
We help you:
- Curate thoughtful gifts for different employee moments
- Align them with your company’s values and events
- Handle fulfilment, packaging, and even personalised messages
- Track impact stories that you can share back with your teams
It’s all done with purpose. And it’s all done for you.
Real Stories, Real Results
One of our clients, a nationwide finance group, reached out to us when their internal engagement dropped post-pandemic. Instead of launching another webinar or survey, they chose to act with appreciation.
With our support, they launched a quarterly gifting series:
- Welcome kits for new hires with seed paper notebooks and local crafts
- Mini thank-you packs for project teams after big milestones
- Thoughtful gifts for long-serving staff made by senior artisans
The feedback?
“This was the first time I felt truly valued by my company.”
“I kept the batik pouch as a daily reminder I matter here.”
“It’s not just a gift. It’s a gesture.”
That’s the kind of impact that sticks and leads to people staying longer, contributing more, and becoming your best advocates.
How to Start Small (and Still Make a Big Impact)
You don’t need a huge campaign. You just need the intention. Here’s how to begin:
1. Choose Key Moments That Matter
Think onboarding, project completions, promotions, birthdays, or even tough weeks. These are all touchpoints where appreciation can turn into loyalty.
2. Make It Reflect Your Brand Values
Whether it’s sustainability, community, or heritage, Apprecious can match your appreciation with meaningful, locally made, or low-impact gifts that speak to who you are as a company.
3. Be Consistent, Not Complex
You don’t need to appreciate everyone at once. Start with a small group. Make it regular. Make it honest. Let it grow from there.
The Retention Strategy That Actually Feels Good
At the heart of it, appreciation isn’t just about retention metrics. It’s about human connection.
It tells your employees:
“We see you. We care. You’re not just here to get work done you’re part of something meaningful.”
And when that’s your culture, people don’t just stay they thrive.
Final Thought: The Cost of Doing Nothing
You might ask:
“What if we invest in appreciation and people still leave?”
But a better question is:
“What happens if we don’t and the people we need the most feel invisible?”
Don’t wait until exit interviews to show someone they mattered.
Start now with something small, sincere, and sustainable.
Let Apprecious help you appreciate better.
We make it easy for companies to build loyalty through meaningful, ready-to-send gifting solutions that empower people and communities.
Explore our employee gifting collections: www.apprecious.com.my