It’s a big moment when someone reaches a work anniversary, whether they’re ringing in 5 years or 25. Tenure recognition is one of the simplest ways to show people they matter and that their time with your company is appreciated. As a branded merch leader, you already have this expertise. You know how to turn appreciation into something tangible. The key is making sure it reflects the person, not just the milestone.

Mike Szczesny contributed a piece for the SmartBrief blog that explains that some managers treat tenure recognition like a time stamp. But if you only focus on the number of years someone has worked, you make it more about longevity and less about impact. He says you can make anniversary milestones more meaningful by following 3 strategies. We share his suggestions in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

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  1. Connect tenure to specific contributions. Szczesny recommends making it about impact, not just time spent at your company. So instead of just saying, “congrats on 10 years,” highlight what those years actually meant. Maybe it’s the new hires they mentored or the process they redesigned that makes everything work better. It doesn’t require a large budget but can make the moment meaningful.

  2. Involve the team. Peer acknowledgment often carries more weight than manager praise alone, Szczesny says. When colleagues recognize each other’s contributions, it validates the work in a different way. Co-workers see the day-to-day effort and understand the challenges. He recommends setting up a shared document where teammates can add memories or thank-you messages about the person being recognized. Reading these messages during the celebration adds depth you can’t create on your own. It also reinforces that recognition is a shared practice, not just a top-down exercise.

  3. Match the recognition to the individual. People want to be recognized in different ways. If you’re celebrating the tenure of someone who appreciates public recognition, you may give them a personalized trophy. Someone who appreciates professional growth might love getting time to attend a conference or work on a passion project. The key, Szczesny says, is knowing or asking what would be genuinely meaningful to them.

You can make tenure recognition feel more meaningful by mentioning specific contributions, involving the team and aligning recognition to the individual. Bring in branded merch and you can turn appreciation into something lasting rather than just another formality.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Mike Szczesny is the owner and vice president of EDCO Awards & Specialties.