A simple thank-you note can go a long way鈥攁ll the way across campus. Laura McDaniels, an engagement specialist from the University of Louisville , has been putting a creative spin on UofL鈥檚 ability to foster an encouraging and appreciative culture.
When the Employee Success Center began in 2020, McDaniels saw annual recognition methods and awards in place, but no way for employees to be recognized in a daily, on-the-spot manner. She began creating an easy tool, using Microsoft and four initial card designs, that could send personalized appreciation through email. Thus, the was born.
鈥淩esearch says that a highly rated reason people leave a job is because they didn鈥檛 feel appreciated,鈥 said McDaniels, who also is a certified facilitator of Workplace Appreciation Languages. 鈥淪ometimes we get really bogged down with heavy workloads, and we just don鈥檛 think to take time to write an appreciative note. Having this tool makes it easier for our employees to find ways to support each other.鈥
Since the program started, almost 7,500 CARDGrams have been sent, whether by individuals or by schools within UofL who see the chance to encourage all students in their department. Participation tends to rise around a holiday or the change of season.
鈥淟ast Thanksgiving, I decided to create a fall-themed thankfulness card design and put it in UofL Today the Monday before the holiday,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 believe we had about 250 sent out in three days. That was extremely exciting, so I did it again this year, and had about 350.鈥
As engagement grows, McDaniels aims to design several new cards to keep things fresh so folks can have more options to fill someone鈥檚 inbox with color and kindness.
鈥淭he program has sparked the interest of other universities, and getting that feedback is a great feeling.鈥 McDaniels said. 鈥淲e hope the CARDGram becomes a household name around campus, known by everyone鈥攁nd I think we鈥檙e starting to get there.鈥
CARDGrams can be found on the . Make someone鈥檚 day with a little encouragement!
