Can we agree employee recognition is a key component of a Total Rewards program? Several members of Compensation Café participated in a BlogTalk radio program with Paul Hebert of i2i on just this topic, agreeing to this.
Yet far too often, recognition is ignored as too difficult to manage and oversee, too hard to keep it from becoming an entitlement, too costly an investment.
These are just excuses that over-complicate what should be so simple even a child understands.
Watch this short video from Jason Seiden and his daughter, Elle, who explains in this video the importance of appreciation more from the employee’s point of view. It’s as simple as “think, do, be thanked.”
From the employer point of view, it’s no more complex. In fact, it’s even one step shorter – “Notice, express thanks.” The value to the business of saying “thank you” is extraordinary and now proven scientifically.
Some tend to get hung up on exactly how to express thanks. These guidelines should help:
- Keep it simple – Too many worry about planning the perfect recognition event or agonizing over possible procedures or policies that the person being recognized is ultimately lost. Remember, when recognizing and appreciating another, it’s all about them, not you. Yes, of course, consider how they would want to be recognized, but don’t become so paralyzed by the details that the moment for recognition is missed.
- Keep it specific – At the same time, you do want to be specific in your recognition. A casual, “Hey, George! Thanks for that!” will do little good if George has no idea what he’s being thanked for. Take the time and effort to tell George exactly what he’s done that’s deserving of recognition. “Hey, George! Thanks for taking over the relationship with Cranky Customer when I just couldn’t get them to see the bigger picture. You did a terrific job making Cranky happy and restoring our relationship with them. I really appreciate you stepping in and helping me out.”
- Keep it timely – While you’re at it, try to thank George for what he did as soon after the event as possible. If you wait until the annual employee appreciation dinner in December to thank George for dealing with Cranky Customer in February, not only will George be less likely to remember what he did that’s being recognized, but you’ll also have missed out on 10 months of George stepping in and solving other unhappy customer issues. Why? Because you never conveyed to George how good he is at and how much those efforts mean to the team and to the company.
In honor of Thanksgiving, let me offer a timely, specific and simple “Thanks!” to you, our Compensation Café readers and contributors. Your thoughtful comments and insights have certainly educated me, helping me become a better manager and contributor within my own company and community.
May this be a season in which you "Think, do, and are thanked" and in which you "notice and express" thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!
Derek Irvine is Vice President of Client Strategy and Consulting for Globoforce, helping global companies set a higher ambition for global strategic employee recognition by leading workshops, strategy meetings and industry sessions around the world. Along with Globoforce CEO, Eric Mosley, Derek recently authored “Winning with a Culture of Recognition: Recognition Strategies at the World’s Most Admired Companies,” available through Amazon.com. Follow Derek on Twitter at @globoforce.
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