Monday 1 March is theæeighth annualæ”National Compliment Day” in the Netherlands. The initiative in contrast to Valentine’s Day Secretaries’ Day and Mother and Father’s Days is not commercially oriented and has spread in recent years as a “warm blanket” over the Netherlands. Due to its unique positive and timeless nature the promoters expect it to be another success this year.
“After more than one-and-a-half years of recession during which focusing on what’s going wrong seems to have prevailed a day toæfocus and reflectæon what’sægoingæright is very welcome” said Hans Poortvliet recognition professional and the driving force behind this annual event. HSMAI members may also recognise Hans as CEO and President of HSMAI’s Dutch chapter.
National Compliment Day in contrast to the afore-mentioned commercially-oriented days is more widely supported.æThe dayæaddressesæthe basic human needs of recognition and appreciation foræefforts but only with sincere and personal attention does a compliment achieve its full affect.æ 1 March is about consciously reflecting on what someone in your areaædoes well and letting that person know he/she is sincerely appreciated. And right now therein lies the power as this video clip will show (text to continue below):
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao
“A sincere and personal compliment costs nothing but has a huge impact on the recipient” says Poortvliet continuing: “Because nothing stimulates more gives more energy and increases productivity and commitment faster than sincere appreciation.”
But beware! The reverse is also true according to Poortvliet. Lack of attention and appreciation is in fact the primary reason why employees become demoralised volunteers stopæcontributing and quality and productivity slip all resulting inæsociety and customers turning their backæon companies.
1 March: at least three compliments!
According to Mr Poortvliet. “If on Monday 1 March every person pays at least three people in his/her environment a genuine and sincere compliment it will be another special day in the Netherlands!”
The Dutch even have a website for the public to leave a compliment forwarded to whomever you choose: NationaleComplimentenDag.nl
European follow-up
The National Appreciation Day started up in the Netherlands in 2003 as a completely non-commercial initiative and still remains so with no costs involved. “The whole idea is very business and company related as lack of appreciation is the number one quite literally reason why people leave their companies! In Holland we’re quickly approaching a shortage of labour now that the economy seems to be back on track and baby boomers start leaving the market” Hans Poortvliet says. Which made him and his partners launch a separate website targeting companies back in 2008 the www.waarderingsmanagement.nl (loosely translated: Appreciation Management) aimed at conveying information on workshops and presentations given on the subject.
Last year saw the Appreciation 2010 Convention on 19 October gathering some 140 Dutch managers during a national holiday.
The idea has spread to Belgium too and word has it a Norwegian initiative involving HSMAI Chapter Norway is afoot
For more information and background on this initiative please call: 06 to 502 06 297 or email to: info@nationalecomplimentendag.nl
