Getting Personal With 'Thank You' Notes

"Thank you" notes are easy; handshakes even easier. But a thank-you note from the CEO – with a personal touch – can mean a lot during the holidays.

"Saying thanks about something specific may be the ultimate reward," author Mike Michalowicz wrote in 2013 in an article for American Express. "If you do it selectively yet authentically, a thank you note may be pinned above your employee’s desk for years."

Even a note from the head of a large company who doesn't see all his employees regularly can help. Jason Ulm, vice president of channel and worldwide sales for Appia Communications, of Traverse City, Mich., said CEO Victor von Schlegell writes and e-mails a companywide note "just from him directly."