Employee Recognition Blog

From the Recognition Insider Newsletter Spring 2010 Edition

Learn how to Tell Stories in Order to Add Voltage to your Recognition Messages.

What's the best way to tell the world about an exciting accomplishment by one of your people? According to the latest psychological research, crafting vivid, fast-paced narratives is the key to shaping recognition messages that will have maximum impact. To learn how, just look through the business section of your local newspaper, and then clip a few stories in which enterprising employees came up with creative solutions to challenges. Often these stories make their point through action narratives with a beginning, middle and end. You'll probably be surprised to discover how easy it is to build punchy recognition messages that readers will remember!

To Get the Most Mileage from a "Recognition Moment," Keep Referring to it Later.

Let's say you've just presented several of your people with Recognition gifts and accolades at the yearly company picnic. Next step: during the two or three weeks that follow the event, send the honorees a note: "Say, I really got a kick out of watching you collect that sales award at the picnic!" Or maybe you can arrange to deliver your reminders in person, during an upbeat visit to the cafeteria during lunch hour? By referring to these pleasing recognition moments from time to time, you'll underline the fact that your people are valued and appreciated.

From the Recognition Insider Newsletter Spring 2010 Edition

Employers Continue to Invest in Recognition Programs During the Recession.

At first glance, the latest surveys from employers all around the country seem difficult to believe. Why? Because they show clearly that in spite of the deeply painful recession which has gripped the U.S. economy for the past 18 months, most employers are continuing to invest in Employee Recognition Programs as much as they ever have.

According to the most recent survey data gathered by WorldatWork, in fact, U.S. companies and organizations may actually be spending slightly more on Recognition than they did before the economic crunch began back in the fall of 2008. The bottom line: about nine out of ten organizations that responded to the WaW surveys say they're investing as much as ever in Recognition Programs, and many reported that they're considering adding to their investment in 2010.

Why are these organizations so willing to spend scarce dollars on programs for employee recognition?

The consensus at WaW is that most in-the-know managers today fully understand the value of recognition programs in helping organizations hang onto their best people - and especially during economic downturns, when skilled and reliable employees are needed more than ever to keep balance sheets in the black.

Says WorldatWork analyst Alison Avalos, while describing the current trend: "Recognition is emerging in this changing economic universe as a critical linchpin in the rewards platform. Employees want to be recognized for their efforts, and well-designed recognition programs that support organizational goals, are meeting these expectations and significantly impacting productivity!"