What's the best way for a manager to give a member of staff a pat on the back?

According to a recent survey commissioned by BIC, 61 per cent of Canadians believe receiving a personalised form of praise, such as a handwritten note, has more value than other forms of workplace communication.

"A note of recognition can produce an immediate and positive reaction and is a proactive way to appreciate employees," adds handwriting analyst and BIC spokesperson Elaine Charal.

Positive feedback is as important to future employees as it is to seasoned pros. University of Prince Edward Island undergrad Kristen Lockett received a confidence booster and valuable addition to her portfolio in the form of a note highlighting her personal strengths and the specific things that impressed the supervisor at her recent internship.

For Karin Vollmer, who has been teaching at the same Toronto-area high school for 10 years, kudos for extracurricular activities like producing a student talent show and organising and fundraising for a class trip to Costa Rica have added to her job satisfaction.

"I love the acknowledgement, the fact that my principal takes the time to sit down and write a message about how I've touched people's lives," she says. "It makes me feel that I'm not going unnoticed."

Handwritten notes make good business sense for other reasons. In addition to recognising team members, Chad McAlpine, RBC Capital Markets vice-president, quantitative and global research, sends small holiday gifts with notes to those who have contributed to his franchise's growth.

"It was a very nice touch, and I sent him a letter thanking him for thinking about me," says McAlpine. Proof that even in the age of texting, email and Twitter, a handwritten note remains a powerful communication tool.