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A Carrot a Day: A Daily Dose of Recognition for Your Employees - page 213

JULY 26

“When people work in a place that cares about them, they contribute a lot more than duty.”

—Dennis Hayes, Hayes Microcomputer Products

GET MORE OUT OF THEM

We often tell managers that their employees are cold-blooded. Not in a negative sense, of course. What we mean is that employee energy level and productivity—even attitude—change to match the environment.

A colleague of ours illustrates the point perfectly . The other day, he mentioned two former supervisors. One, named Rama, was skilled at recognition. The other, well … wasn’t.

“Did I ever work sixty- hour weeks for her [on salary]?” he shook his head. “But I did for Rama.”

You see, without external motivators, employees tend to slow down, and their performance can get a little sluggish . In contrast, when recognition is present, they’re on top of their game.

So, now, what’s the climate like in your department?

JULY 27

This award takes the cup.

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE

Our favorite sports trophy is Lord Stanley’s Cup, the ultimate award for professional hockey. Why? Because when your team wins it, each member gets the cup for a week. Do the same with your team awards and let each team member have the trophy for a week or two to take home to their family, their mom and dad, or even the guys at the bar.

JULY 28

Time is of the essence.

TICK. TOCK. TICK. TOCK.

To be effective, recognition should be timely . That means if you need to get approvals before giving a recognition award, get those in the fastest manner possible. Presentations must be made within a few days or weeks of the accomplishment. Wait longer than that and you’ve missed your window of opportunity.

Think this might not be a big deal? Ever missed your wedding anniversary by five minutes? Ever missed a loved one’s birthday? Then you know what we mean. Being timely is vital .

JULY 29

Frame him.

WHEN THE WRITING’S ON THE WALL.

If one of your employees or coworkers is quoted in a business publication, frame the article and present it to him as a memento. It lets the person know it’s great when we get our company’s name out to the public in a credible manner.

JULY 30

Pay them to party.

HOW WOULD IT BE?

One of our favorite recognition events, by far, is our company’s annual picnic at a local amusement /water park. Our company pays the full park admission price for each member of the employee’s family and provides a free dinner. But it goes a step farther. We give everyone a half day off to enjoy the event with their family. It’s just one of the many ways the company says “thank you.”

If your company picnic isn’t well attended, consider having it on company time. Somehow the food is sweeter and the conversation is a little more lively when you are getting paid to party! And that feeling of good will can’t help but follow employees back to the office.

JULY 31

Rewards should stand for something.

CHARMED, I’M SURE

When you look at your engagement ring or wedding band , what do you see? A ring? Or the love of your life?

We live in a society of symbols. When you give an award, try to attach some symbolism to it. It will make a huge difference in the value of the award years from now. For example, we know of a company that gives a charm every year at the annual sales retreat. Employees and spouses wear the charm with great pride to show how many trips they have been on and to remind them of the great memories associated with each trip. The charms have power.

Symbolism—it’s the difference between another “thing” and a lasting memory.

Buy on amazon.com >>

Gostick A., Elton Ch.

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