
There are many ways to celebrate National Trucking Week. Here's a
convenient list of ideas in which companies can show their appreciation
to drivers and other employees:
- hosting a B.B.Q. or company picnic to recognize drivers and other
staff
- holding a company open house, inviting the community and offering
guided tours of company facilities
- having a company truck rodeo to showcase driver skills involved in
driving a transport truck
- hosting a Kids/Family Day
- taking out an ad in the local newspaper to thank employees for a job
well done
- writing a letter to the editor of the local newspaper outlining the
important contribution the trucking industry makes to the economy and
community life
- inviting a reporter from a local news organization to ride with a
driver so that he/she can find out firsthand about "road sharing"
techniques
- treating employees to freshly brewed coffee and baked treats each
day during this special week
- presenting a thank-you letter or card to employees from the company
owner, manager or president
- holding a car wash for employees'/drivers' personal vehicles
- developing a radio ad that promotes the contributions of employees
to the company in enabling it to provide excellent service to its
customers
- putting all of the drivers' signatures on the side of a truck with a
special message of thanks from the company
- donating a magazine subscription or book to a local school or
library with a sticker on each copy that says "Donated by the employees
of xyz trucking"
- featuring employees in training in company literature and
videos
- putting up a sign in the lobby and other areas where visitors and
employees gather that says "Thanks"
- making a donation to a children's charity on behalf of the employees
of the company
- awarding pins or plaques - a keepsake to recognize employees'
efforts throughout the year
- giving a driver(s) and other employee(s) the chance to represent the
company at an industry event
- inviting employee(s) to dinner at the home of an owner, manager or
president
- having management serve employees at an appreciation breakfast,
lunch or dinner
- providing gift certificates for complimentary dinner for drivers on
the road
- posting favorable comments made by a customer(s) in the lobby or a
corridor
- providing personalized travel mugs or similar items to remind
drivers they're appreciated when they're in their cabs
- including an article in the company newsletter with a picture of the
employees
- taking a photo of drivers and their trucks for drivers'
child(ren)
- taking a group photo of company employees with the company president
or owner and displaying it in high profile areas were company visitors
and employees can see it
- giving employees company products (e.g., jackets and hats)
- arranging for customers or suppliers to greet and thank drivers
and/or employees at the beginning or end of a day
- putting a picture of drivers on the side of a truck
- creating an award for monthly achievement or safety or that is given
upon a notification of appreciation from a customers
- giving a CD or audio tape of music or a book to driver
- using a portion of the money made from vending machines to sponsor
employee outings, lunches etc.
- providing a free long-distance calling card to drivers to encourage
them to stay in touch with family and friends when they are away on a
trip
- putting the names of drivers who have reached milestones on a
publicly displayed plaque (e.g. 5, 10, 20 years of service or based on
accident-free kilometres)
- throwing a party for employees and their family and serving cake in
the shape of a truck for drivers
- asking drivers and company employees to work together at a community
project
- putting together a photo collage of employees at work or helping in
the community in the lobby of the company office
- creating a "Hall of Fame" for outstanding employees in a corridor or
room at work
- framing a picture of the boss congratulating employees and putting
it in the lobby
- arranging for flowers to be given to the spouses of drivers
- offering employees an educational course of their choosing, as a
group or independently
- organising school tours of the company to let kids see how things
are done in the industry and involving truck drivers
- having the names of employees displayed on electronic billboards at
sports events they attend