Keeping Employee Engagement Fresh

Business leaders understand recognition and rewards are vital components for successful employee engagement and a productive, happy workplace.  Keeping recognition and rewards fresh, engaging and motivating can however be a challenge.  One way is to employ peer-to-peer and on-the-spot recognition programs which are easy to keep dynamic, fresh and fun based on what employees like, current work goals and what motivates best.
In “1501 Ways to Reward Employees,” Bob Nelson advises employers that relying on just one type of recognition no longer works in our challenging economy and global marketplace. Springtime is a perfect opportunity to take a fresh approach to capturing employees’ heart, health and happiness. Update your current awards to take advantage of the warmer weather – your employees will be grateful! Add in plants/gardening supplies, grilling gift certificates, CSA’s, exercise opportunities or even American flag rewards to keep things interesting, engaging and motivating.
And, by all means, if you don’t support peer-to-peer recognition or on-the-spot rewards, there’s no better time than now to start!
Peer-to-Peer Recognition
Peer-to-peer recognition supports camaraderie, develops a sense of ownership, and encourages leadership. It benefits the giver as much as the recipient and serves to forge bonds and improve working relationships in ways that other recognition methods can’t. Peer-to-peer recognition is effective as a stand-along program or as part of a wider recognition effort. Mobile apps, social media, and instant access make it easy to implement and administer peer-to-peer recognition.
Nelson describes various ways companies implement peer-to-peer recognition in his book. Here are some examples for inspiration:

• Royal Victoria Hospital in Ontario has a special voicemail line for employees to leave anonymous messages about their co-workers’ good performance, which are then written on cards and given to the complemented employee’s manager for individual recognition.
• Chicago aircraft manufacturer Boeing has an online employee peer-to-peer recognition system for employees to enter coworker recognition. The system then automatically sends emails notifying the giver’s and recipient’s managers and enters points into employees’ electronic cards for redeeming merchandise.
• ComDoc in Ohio utilizes employee emails to HR that are then distributed company-wide to recognize and share news of accomplishments.
• Toronto Scotiabank has an award-winning comprehensive peer-to-peer recognition program that enables and encourages employees to recognize each other for living the company’s values.
• Wells Fargo’s electronic peer-to-peer recognition program utilizes e-cards, e-wards, and “Ride the Wave” annual awards to make it fun and easy for employees to recognize each others’ performance to organizational values.

On-The-Spot Recognition
Writing for Forbes, TalentCulture Consulting Group CEO Meghan Biro describes effective employee recognition as “in the moment” and “in context.”
Recognition at the time desired behavior or results occurs creates an immediate and memorable impact on employees. It shows the company pays attention to the business results employees work hard to produce. That encourages more of the same, and goes a long way toward motivating workers to keep up the good performance. Research also shows it motivates the entire workplace, not just the individual being recognized. Managers choose what behavior or results they want to recognize so it can be customized to a company’s unique goals and values.
This instant recognition is especially important to Millennials according to business futurists Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia. They report that Millennial workers are invested in technology and used to the instant interconnectedness it brings. They desire constant feedback such as on-the-spot recognition. Herman and Gioia recommend rewarding only the behaviors that fit the criteria of top performance standards to protect the impact of the rewards.
Remember, on-the-spot recognition isn’t just for Millennial employees. It works for employees of all ages across all industries as an easy, affordable, highly visible and immediate motivator.
Looking for more ways to update your engagement efforts? Download our free eBook, “The Ultimate Guide to Employee Gift Giving” for more ideas.

About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Gift Certificates and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are two of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand (Turkey or Turkey Or Ham), at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and our free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo. And, nearly all orders ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
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