Ask any manager what line item takes up the majority of their operating budget and you will almost always get the same answer: people. Companies spend billions each year to hire, develop, and retain the very best talent for their organization. The hope is that those costs will translate into higher performance, leading to increased revenues and wider margins. But unfortunately, it often takes more than just dollar signs to incentivize employees to do their best work.

Think back to the last time you were motivated by an upcoming bonus if you met a certain goal. Maybe it was a sales target or a productivity metric that you needed to meet in order to help the company reach its overall objectives. When you reached that goal and got your bonus, how did you feel? My guess is that you felt accomplished and prideful. But the real question is: How long did that feeling last?

Money is an excellent motivator for goals and short-term objectives. It makes employees feel valued and appreciated, at least for a short period of time. But after the “honeymoon” phase is over and money is no longer an incentive, employees return to their normal level of productivity. Wouldn’t it be nice if your employees were motivated to perform at a high level each and every day as if a big bonus was on the line?

How can you keep productivity levels at a high level without breaking the bank with bonuses and other financial incentives? The answer lies in two words: Thank You.

Show Your GratitudeTwo simple words, when communicated in a heartfelt manner, can have a dramatic effect on someone’s day. Communicating your gratitude towards your employees verbally is a kind gesture that will always prove to boost morale. But let’s try taking the time to go a step further and hand-write a Thank You note says a lot more than a simple “I appreciate you.”

When someone receives a handwritten note, they understand that the sender took considerable time out of their day to purchase the note, write it, and hand-deliver to them. This type of effort communicates the message that the sender is someone who is genuinely dedicated to ensuring that their employees feel as though they are indispensable and highly valued within the company. These are the qualities of a ground floor leader—someone who strives to positively influence the lives of their employees, especially those on the ground floor who make the business go forward each day.

If people know they are working for a ground floor leader, they will be more likely to follow that person and have a burning desire to perform well because they have a great deal of respect for them. This type of leadership results in high productivity, increased levels of engagement, and boosted employee morale.

Take This Challenge

Go to your local card store or supermarket and pick up a pack of 20 Thank-You notes. Keep them in your desk and try to get rid them each month. Focus more on the good things that your employees are doing for your organization and the value they are creating. The return on your $5 per month investment will translate into sky-high results on a continuous basis, potentially leading to millions of dollars in revenues each year.

Arrive early, be a little late to that meeting (that you didn’t want to go to anyway), and take five minutes to write your first note today. I’m sure there is someone worthy of your Thanks!