A Little More Sugar, Please!

[This is AI, not the actual glaze fountain] — [This is AI… The real glaze waterfall is a tad less impressive and also not impossible.]

Krispy Kreme's flagship store in New York City’s Time Square features a prominent glaze waterfall, where fresh donuts are coated with a sugary glaze as they glide down the assembly line. This feature is a key attraction for customers, showcasing this classic Krispy Kreme process. It’s part of their secret sauce, and why through the business’ many ups and downs, a freshly glazed Krispy Kreme donut, literally served hot, is the signature behind the company’s rebirth and ongoing success.

Someone who works in private equity (and is constantly assessing organizations) told me he was surprised how many people in organizations often, when he asks how things are going, lament about feeling under appreciated. He’ll hear versions of, “I work my butt off to make this company successful and no one ever says thank you. It’s exhausting and demotivating. I am more than just a paycheck.”

This might be a metaphorical stretch, however if we create a sugar waterfall for donuts, don’t you think we could create an equivalent for us too? Couldn’t part of a thriving culture’s secret sauce include sugar waterfalls of appreciation?

On a regular basis, what if there was a process where we all got glazed with a little sugar? Yes, too much may be unhealthy, however everyone ideally would be doused in the organization’s “sugar waterfall" every so often.

How might it work? Everyone has a boss. What if the person you work for was expected to acknowledge the things you do that are appreciated on a reasonably regular basis? It doesn’t have to be a big deal. But everyone from the top line to the front line would go through this process at least once per month. It must be genuine and would be an expected practice of leaders. Peers would be encouraged to give peer to peer “sugar” as well.

We all like recognition and to be appreciated. If you doubt that, have you ever failed to open up an email where the subject line starts with, “you’ve been recognized?” Of course not! We ALL need just a little sugar. Silly? No. Natural, fructose based sweetener for your organization.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

Garrett’s View: Maybe leaders have been encouraged and incentivized to practice mentalities that refuse to, say, give thanks to employees for doing what’s expected of them. Because they’re being paid, afraid to be overly soft, whatever the excuse may be - the “I’m not wasting my time saying ‘thanks’ for someone doing their job” world. That seemed trendy for a while. However, those were once just manners. Now, I’m wondering where the basic manners are at all? I’m grateful to still live in a “please” and “thank you” world, and frankly, it’s better than the alternative where you never hear or express these gestures anymore. Get your manners back (starts with you, first) and join us back over here! It’s a superior way to operate.

- Garrett

AI Response: Krispy Kreme’s iconic glaze waterfall isn’t just a visual spectacle—it’s a strategic differentiator, with the company selling over 2.5 billion doughnuts annually and generating $1.7 billion in revenue in 2023. Similarly, recognition in the workplace isn’t just a nicety; it’s a proven driver of performance. According to Gallup, employees who receive regular recognition are 56% less likely to job-hunt, 44% more engaged, and 20% more productive. Yet, only 1 in 3 workers report being thanked in the past week. Just as Krispy Kreme’s glaze keeps customers coming back, a ‘sugar waterfall’ of appreciation—whether through a quick thank-you, public praise, or structured programs—could sweeten workplace morale. Research by Workhuman shows that meaningful recognition can reduce turnover by 31% and boost retention by 68%. So why not make appreciation a regular process? After all, a little sugar goes a long way—in doughnuts and in culture.

A Little More Sugar, Please!

Search Blog Posts:

Follow Us: