In general, employees want to know that their efforts are being recognized and valued by those around them. In today’s dynamic business environment, there are many ways to motivate your employees and build camaraderie. Many may question the value of a formal recognition program in light of these new trends for employee appreciation. However, it can still be an effective tool for increasing employee morale and strengthening company culture. In this piece, we will discuss some ways to modernize your recognition program.
#1. Be Authentic
Some companies fall short when it comes to recognizing employees for their contributions. Recognizing your employees can be as simple as thanking them for their hard work and dedication, but being authentic is the key. One of the biggest complaints about traditional recognition programs was that managers were only giving out awards and incentives to those who already fit a certain mold – rather than rewarding unique personalities and attributes. These days, recognition should show that you value all kinds of individual contributions, not just those that fall into a specific category or box. Moreover, offering unique rewards like access to professional development resources will help attract new talent.
#2. Be Personalized
Give each employee personalized recognition whenever possible; this shows them that their efforts are appreciated individually. One way to do this is by sending personalized emails of appreciation, but new technology tools are available that may help personalize your employee recognition efforts. For example, some companies have started making digital badges for employees to post on social media profiles. This allows workers to share what they’ve accomplished at work with their friends and family online, enhancing the original message of the award itself.
You can also give them something tangible and functional. Think personalized gold pens engraved with their names. They are sophisticated gift options to recognize hardworking members of the company. The gold plate lends the pen a more premium and professional look, making it a gift to treasure. The personalized luxury pens can make employees truly feel that they are important, motivating them to work harder.
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#3. Use Some Tech Tools
Modernizing your recognition programs doesn’t have to be complicated. Tools like BadgeApp, a cloud-based platform for building, delivering, and managing employee reward and recognition programs, can help you recognize employees without hassle or extra expenses. For example, companies can create their digital badges to share on social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook. This allows workers to share what they’ve accomplished at work with their friends and family online, enhancing the original message of the award itself. Moreover, badges can be shown beside an employee’s name in an email signature (to show that they’ve received the award) and even in a company directory (for everyone to see).
#4. Be Fun!
In addition to making your recognition program more personalized, it’s also important to ensure that the programs are practical and fun. Some companies have started rewarding employees for tasks they wouldn’t normally be awarded for. If one of your workers just closed a huge deal on Friday night, why not treat them to some drinks at happy hour? You can even use badges as incentives for completing specific tasks or reaching certain milestones. Employee recognition awards are also a great way to build camaraderie among workers. After all, it’s difficult for employees to feel appreciated if they don’t know their coworkers.
#5. Set Realistic Goals
When setting up your reward program, it’s important to make sure that you’re offering achievable goals (and tangible rewards) based on what each individual has done for the company. Start by creating a list of typical tasks and then prioritize them in order of importance. This way, employees can see what they must do to unlock certain badges (and corresponding rewards). If you run your own business, it’s important to ensure that the goals are relevant to its objectives (i.e., helping increase revenue or streamlining customer support). Be careful not to give out too many awards; this will devalue the recognition when it counts.
#6. Track Results & Repeat
If recognition programs aren’t tracked, managers don’t know where they’re falling short or what areas need work. By tracking results, you’ll break down which employees need incentives to reach their maximum potential. In addition, if you’ve got an employee that’s being recognized more than others, it may be time to take a step back and reevaluate how your company can better recognize all of its workers.
Today’s workforces demand modernized recognition programs that acknowledge individual contributions across the board. By utilizing cloud-based technology, companies will personalize their reward systems and save money on the expenses associated with third parties. What’s more, managers can easily track results using this platform which ensures that employees’ efforts are always recognized in some way.
