From as little as $100-150 per employee per year, employers can build recognition programs that deliver tangible business results through more engaged and productive workers. Here are six tips to do it well.
From as little as $100-150 per employee per year, employers can build recognition programs that deliver tangible business results through more engaged and productive workers. Here are six tips to do it well.
Dreaming big is almost a pre-requisite for business success. Without dreaming big, it’s unlikely Steve Jobs and his Apple team would’ve revolutionised the way we listen to music (thanks to MP3s delivered via the IPod), and it’s just as unlikely that Sir Richard Branson would’ve evolved from record label owner to being the face of global behemoth Virgin.
Yet dreaming big falls down when there are no practical solutions in place to achieve smaller goals. Recognition of the small achievements along the way, and breaking the strategy down to goals that mean something to every day workers, is an effective way to build sustained high performance.
“You couldn’t solely point to a reward & recognition strategy and say it equates to an engaged workforce as there are multiple elements involved in the EVP – but recognition is a key part of that EVP,” says Mark Robinson, executive general manager EMEA & APAC, Power2Motivate.
There are several foundational building blocks that must be covered when rolling out an effective recognition strategy.
“Turning values into recognisable and repeatable behaviours is the ultimate outcome of a recognition program,” says Robinson.
Hence, from nomination to reward, each step of the recognition process should be built around demonstrating company values.
However, instead of saying ‘that is worthy of $150 , which some people might feel short-changed by (‘I thought I would be worth more than that!’), Power2Motivate favours a points-based system. Employees build enough points to then pick a tangible reward that is meaningful to them.
Instead, offer something for everyone. Power2Motivate offers 35,000 different items. From practical items like a juicer, a blender or an iPad, through to charitable donations or experiences, Robinson says it’s important to offer a wide range of rewards that tap into all possible motivational drivers of employees.
It’s worth noting that physical items that people use every day also have ‘trophy value’. That is, every time the person uses the item, they think of the organisation and what they’ve done to deserve it.
“You’ve ordered a new IPad from the fully customised, branded recognition program that ANZ Bank has implemented. It’s then delivered to you at your office. In your mind, that gift is associated with work. I was recently talking to someone who was given a record player from IBM 25 years ago, and he still tells the story of when IBM gave him that record player,” Robinson says.
“We recommend $100-150 per employee per year. It’s not a lot – and remember, virtual e-cards and virtual high-fives cost nothing,” Robinson concludes.
Power2Motivate is the truly global solution for employee recognition and reward. Working closely with you to customise, implement and manage your program, Power2Motivate will help improve employee engagement and performance in your business.
Dreaming big is almost a pre-requisite for business success. Without dreaming big, it’s unlikely Steve Jobs and his Apple team would’ve revolutionised the way we listen to music (thanks to MP3s delivered via the IPod), and it’s just as unlikely that Sir Richard Branson would’ve evolved from record label owner to being the face of global behemoth Virgin.
Yet dreaming big falls down when there are no practical solutions in place to achieve smaller goals. Recognition of the small achievements along the way, and breaking the strategy down to goals that mean something to every day workers, is an effective way to build sustained high performance.
“You couldn’t solely point to a reward & recognition strategy and say it equates to an engaged workforce as there are multiple elements involved in the EVP – but recognition is a key part of that EVP,” says Mark Robinson, executive general manager EMEA & APAC, Power2Motivate.
There are several foundational building blocks that must be covered when rolling out an effective recognition strategy.
- Identify values and desired outcomes
“Turning values into recognisable and repeatable behaviours is the ultimate outcome of a recognition program,” says Robinson.
Hence, from nomination to reward, each step of the recognition process should be built around demonstrating company values.
- Avoid putting dollar values on recognition
However, instead of saying ‘that is worthy of $150 , which some people might feel short-changed by (‘I thought I would be worth more than that!’), Power2Motivate favours a points-based system. Employees build enough points to then pick a tangible reward that is meaningful to them.
- Provide a choice of rewards
Instead, offer something for everyone. Power2Motivate offers 35,000 different items. From practical items like a juicer, a blender or an iPad, through to charitable donations or experiences, Robinson says it’s important to offer a wide range of rewards that tap into all possible motivational drivers of employees.
It’s worth noting that physical items that people use every day also have ‘trophy value’. That is, every time the person uses the item, they think of the organisation and what they’ve done to deserve it.
“You’ve ordered a new IPad from the fully customised, branded recognition program that ANZ Bank has implemented. It’s then delivered to you at your office. In your mind, that gift is associated with work. I was recently talking to someone who was given a record player from IBM 25 years ago, and he still tells the story of when IBM gave him that record player,” Robinson says.
- The technology exists – use it!
- Don’t forget to refresh your program
- Don’t panic – it doesn’t cost a lot
“We recommend $100-150 per employee per year. It’s not a lot – and remember, virtual e-cards and virtual high-fives cost nothing,” Robinson concludes.
Power2Motivate is the truly global solution for employee recognition and reward. Working closely with you to customise, implement and manage your program, Power2Motivate will help improve employee engagement and performance in your business.