Category list

AUGUST 11

Prepare in advance.

PRESENTING FORMAL AWARDS WITH STYLE

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As you prepare to make a formal award presentation, make some notes of exactly what is being recognized and be prepared to talk about the employee’s specific contributions that have affected the company.

Remember, an award presentation is a time for carrots , not sour grapes. Make only positive, upbeat comments—focusing on the very best things that are happening in your workplace and how the recipient fits into those achievements.

Of course, be careful not to promise continuing employment, not to tell off- color jokes and not to make discriminatory remarks.

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AUGUST 12

Invite others to attend , and participate.

PRESENTING FORMAL AWARDS WITH STYLE

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Next, to enhance the formal award celebration , invite the employee’s colleagues to attend the presentation and ask two or three coworkers to comment on the recipient. Inviting others to participate helps coworkers better appreciate the performance being honored, helps them more clearly understand company goals and helps them emulate successful behavior.

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AUGUST 13

Invite the recipient to speak.

PRESENTING FORMAL AWARDS WITH STYLE

continuation

During the formal award presentation, allow the recipient to make a few comments. Not everyone will want this opportunity, but every recipient should be asked. This gives the employee a chance to thank others who have helped along the way, to thank those who participated in the recognition experience, and to provide direction to others in attendance who wish to achieve similar results.

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AUGUST 14

Close with thanks.

PRESENTING FORMAL AWARDS WITH STYLE

continuation

As you conclude the award presentation, offer a sincere thank-you to the employee and a warm handshake.

In all, a great award presentation need not take more than ten or fifteen minutes. But few events are as memorable for employees —those being honored and those watching.

As one CEO confided to us, “Unlike the speeches I give where employees look at me with vacant expressions, no one tunes out in an award presentation.” He said speaking at award presentations was the best way for him to reinforce what mattered to the organization, at a time when everyone was engaged and in a celebratory mood.

AUGUST 15

Give them the star treatment.

A STAR IS BORN

Give an employee with heavenly results a fitting reward: name a star after him. It’s easy to do.

To enhance the presentation, consider awarding it at an evening event and attach the registry certificate to a telescope .

AUGUST 16

“There is a fountain of youth: It is your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source you will truly have defeated age.”

—Sophia Loren, actress

DRINK DEEPLY

You’ve seen it on some of your coworkers’ faces. It’s the look of resignation . They have surrendered to the status quo and no longer believe they can make a difference.

They have gotten old before their time. They have given up.

Lucky for you, you’ve discovered the fountain of youth: recognition. When you apply your talents and creativity to nurture and build those around you, it refills your cup of enthusiasm and innovative instincts .

So go ahead and quench their thirst for recognition. Drink deeply of life— and you’ll never grow old.

Buy on amazon.com >>

Gostick A., Elton Ch.

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