Everyone likes being recognized for excellent work, and organizations that do this are much more likely to attract and retain employees. Sometimes rewards can have a financial cost to them, but not all do. A kind word or small token of thanks can go a long way, too. As a consultant, I’ve seen firms recognize and reward their employees in many ways:
Kudos Board
One of my clients had a giant cork board set up in a communal area near their lunchroom. There were stacks of cards and a pile of pens that people could grab to write words of appreciation for anyone else in the company. Because of its central location, employees could stop and read what people wrote to each other; this public recognition was a powerful way to spread positive feelings.
Rewards system with points
Several of the organizations I have worked for offered rewards systems that allow you to give digital acknowledgment of others’ work. Accompanying the recognition, you could earn points to redeem gifts. Digital rewards are less personal than a physical Kudos board, but earning rewards is a solid incentive.
Hand-written thank you notes
This is my favorite way to recognize people: the good old-fashioned note. Deliver it by hand or send it in the postal mail (if you’re remote). This type of individualized touch is rare in our modern digital world, making it extremely meaningful and memorable. People won’t forget that you took the time to write out your thoughts, and they’ll be loyal as a result.
Gift cards
OK, I know this one isn’t exactly new or innovative, but it’s a small token you can give to someone who goes above and beyond. It doesn’t have to be a large amount; it just needs to signal that you noticed and care. I’ve received numerous gift cards as a “thank you” for my efforts over the years.
Company-wide recognition
If your company has quarterly or monthly town halls or information-sharing meetings, it’s the perfect opportunity to highlight people’s achievements. You could include individual contributors or whole teams. By sharing with the company, people feel like they’re contributing to the organization’s vision and that their work is meaningful and valued.
Awards
Receiving awards is fun and helps people feel that their contributions aren’t unnoticed. I’m not talking about the Olympics (although corporate games like this also have their place in building culture) but prizes for significant milestones or actions. One of my former companies held an annual retreat and had all sorts of award categories. My first year there I earned the “Rookie of the Year” award, for making such a quick impact. I also won the “Gumby” award a different year for my flexibility and willingness to adapt to client needs. And when I achieved a million dollars of revenue for the company, I won the “Million-dollar Baby” award.
Goodie baskets and other gifts
In the battle for talent, companies are going out of their way to deliver a culture of fun. Custom goodie baskets, snack boxes, beer, and all other assortment of treats is a trend that I have seen surging over recent years. One of my clients even gifted another colleague and me a whole container filled with random “stuff” for Christmas. It included food of all types, socks, gloves, mistletoe, copper mugs and ginger beer, gift cards, games, and other gourmet goodies. That same company also gave their employees a box of “meat” every summer, which could feed a small family for a year.
Company Parties
Socializing and getting to know people are vital when building a solid and trusting culture. Getting people together outside (or inside) the office to hang out is a beautiful way to encourage team building. You could have a summer picnic and verbally recognize achievements or milestones and enjoy food and drinks together or hold a Christmas party with live music, dancing, and good eats. We are all people, and fun activities like this help us feel like we’re part of the tribe.
Celebrations of Success
When you achieve something great – celebrate it! Too many organizations “finish” a project and move on to the next one without stopping to reflect and retrospect on what the team accomplished. Take the time to do this! Again, people want their work to have meaning, but recognizing a job well done as individuals or groups, instills the sense that the work people do matters.
Final Thoughts
It’s crucial to acknowledge the excellent work that your employees do, so recognize and reward their contributions! Don’t let their efforts go unrewarded. It can be as simple as a “thank you” or a pat on the back, or as elaborate as extravagant gift baskets. No matter how you recognize your employees, don’t neglect it!
I’m sure companies do other creative things to recognize and reward their employees. If you know of any, please share them in the comments below.
And, if you missed the previous blogs in this series, check them out:
- Innovative Employee Incentives in the age of COVID
- Incentive #1: Work Environment
- Incentive #2: Workspace & Tools
- Incentive #3: Work Schedule
- Incentive #4: Health & Wellness
- Incentive #5: Professional Development
- Incentive #6: Time Off
- Incentive #7: Insurance
- Incentive #8: Career Growth
- Incentive #9: Financial
- Incentive #10: Culture