The Power of Recognition
A company that creates an environment that motivates people, and where positive behavior is rewarded, will attract the best talent, maintain strong morale, retain key employees and ultimately stay ahead of the competition. This same environment, rich in motivation and recognition, will also achieve positive results on the ball field, in the classroom and even around the dinner table. The key to this basic premise is RECOGNITION – Making Someone Proud. If you reward good behavior, it will be repeated. This principle has been demonstrated over and over again, in both laboratory settings and in the real world.
What is the reward? RECOGNITION – Making Someone Proud. Studies have shown that if you recognize and appreciate your co-workers, good things will happen. Stress, absenteeism, turnover will decrease, while morale, productivity, competitiveness will increase. Likewise, in the classroom, positively reinforcing behavior through recognition, will lead to increased attentiveness, improved test scores and most importantly, a genuine interest in learning. Despite popular belief, money isn’t the best way to recognize superior performance. In fact, research shows us that the number one reason people leave jobs is “limited recognition and praise.” Issues such as compensation were all deemed less important than recognition. Clearly, people value respect, appreciation and recognition just as much as — and often more than — monetary rewards. The money will be spent and long forgotten, while an award will live on as a reminder of the achievement for years to come. An added benefit of recognition is that it affects more than just the recipient. When a coach recognizes a player for improving their play, not only does the player feel proud about the recognition but the coach also celebrates in the joy of accomplishment and feeling of pride. When a manager recognizes a co-worker, the co-worker is proud, but so is the manager to have that person on their team. Recognition as it is given or received is an act of empowerment. Others on the team or in the room are also inspired, and they strive to be recognized and to recognize others. How do you recognize your team members, your co-workers, your students or family members? Start small. Recognize individual achievement whenever you can. Or, you may choose to implement a more formal recognition program. The program may be tailored to suit any goal, from increasing points scored to improving corporate sales to bringing up the class grade point average. It’s a fairly simple process, and it doesn’t have to involve spending a lot of money — remember, it’s the recognition itself that’s so important. That’s the foundation for successful motivation. By Making Someone Proud, you can appreciate the work people perform, respect them for it and recognize their accomplishments. Appreciation and recognition are powerful motivators leading to an increase in performance, productivity, morale, employee retention and overall satisfaction.
Appreciation and Recognition are two of the top principles people value in their jobs. Rewarding employees with only cash is not as effective as less costly non-cash rewards. Learn the fast facts on rewarding with cash vs. non-cash! How Employees Value Awards… Cash is ineffective and so are gift cards…Gift cards may be convenient, flexible and provide broad appeal with employees. However, gift cards have several limits. Below are the top 5 reasons to replace gift cards with symbolic awards. Reason #1: Gift Cards Are Not Personal. Gift cards do not recognize employees for their personal achievements or express to employees their manager’s appreciation. This leaves employees feeling unappreciated for their efforts. Recognition programs should motivate and reinforce desired behaviors. This occurs when employees receive an award that represents their personal achievement. Reason #2 Gift Cards Lack Emotion Employees do not make the same emotional connection with gift cards as they do with symbolic awards. Gift cards lack sincerity. Recipients do not consider a gift card special; as a result, employee performance suffers. Reason #3 Gift Cards Provide No Memory Gift Cards are not memorable symbols of accomplishment. The reward is easily forgotten, leaving the recipient without a lasting memory. Reason #4 Gift Cards Are Not Used 10% of gift cards are not redeemed 25% are re-gifted for someone else Employees sell gift cards for a discount on a secondary market Employees cannot remember what they used them for Reason #5 Gift Cards Provide Low ROI Recognizing an employee for good work will increase employee performance and customer satisfaction, making the company more profitable. Gift Cards are not personal, lack emotion, are forgotten, and are not redeemed, making them a poor award option. Replacing gift cards with symbolic recognition awards is personal, emotional, memorable, and lasting, making awards the ideal choice to increase profitability with a high return on investment (ROI). Increase your ROI by replacing gift cards with a personalized award.
Harness the Power of Recognition