By Jonathan Bennett

The year is coming to a close, and many employers are looking back over the past year to identify the weaknesses and the strengths of their company. Business owners will reflect on what they have done as a whole and what they want to change or continue throughout the next year. Some employers may want to take the time to recognize those exceptional employees that they would not have done as well without in the past 12 months.

Offering recognition awards to your employees isn't just a way to show appreciation, it can also be a motivator for other people in the company. Many want to succeed, and with this goal to strive for, more employees may work even harder to achieve it.

So, you may want to take the time and consider who was the best overall in the past year. You can award this person while you are having your annual meeting with the company to discuss the plan for the following year. This way, the employee will be surprised and honored as well.