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Associate Recognition
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to clearly communicate ideas for associate recognition to all
leaders in order to more consistently and effectively recognize associates for significant
contributions, with the goal of creating a "best place to work" environment that will motivate
associates to higher levels of productivity and morale.
The Basics of Recognition
What is recognition?
Recognition takes many forms - some material in nature, others requiring nothing more than a
thoughtful gesture. However, numerous studies have been conducted that show that while
recognition in the form of money (e.g., bonuses, raises, or promotions) is important to
employees, a key motivator is thoughtful and personal recognition that shows true
appreciation for a job well done - recognition that associates can take home to share with
family and friends.
Recognition is more an art than a "cookbook" science. Effective recognition is dependent
upon the kind of recognition, and how well it impresses upon an associate's personality.
Therefore, it is critical that leaders invest adequate time planning and understanding what each
team member values.
While this document serves to provide leaders with ideas for recognition, it also serves as a
springboard for encouraging leaders to use their creativity for tailoring recognition toward each
associate.
Why recognize associates?
Recognizing associates consistently and meaningfully motivates associates to perform to
higher levels and contributes toward creating a positive working environment from which all
associates can benefit.
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How do I provide thoughtful and personal recognition?
The key to exercising thoughtful and personal recognition is to remember the following
acronym: P.A.T.S. (i.e., on the back).
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Person (P)
Fortunately, thoughtfulness and personal recognition co-exist well within a culture that
focuses on understanding what each individual values. Start by understanding what
associates find rewarding. You'll quickly discover that different people value different kinds
of recognition. For example, some associates may value personal, informal, and private
recognition (e.g., a simple "thank you" email). Still others may value official, formal, public
recognition (e.g., Service Award at a Division Meeting). Understanding what drives an
associate is the first step toward ensuring that recognition truly motivates the associate to
continue trying his/her best.
In addition to understanding what associates value, we need to also ask, "Who should be
recognized?" Careful thought should be given in identifying all contributors in an effort
before advertising recognition - it is very easy to insult associates by not including them
when it is deserved. Likewise, we should only recognize associates who have contributed
directly to the effort. Relevant leaders should also be included in recognition activities to
help market the successes of the effort and share appreciation.
TIP: Remember to recognize associates for their contributions to activities that may not
have a definitive start/end date (e.g., support efforts). We are often good about recognizing
development (e.g., enhancement or project) contributions but have a more difficult time
recognizing support efforts that are just as significant. By having department or team
meetings/celebrations that recognize both development and support team efforts, we can
ensure that everyone is treated fairly.
Achievement (A)
Effective recognition is also a function of whether the recognition matches the significance
of the achievement. An associate that works on an effort that spans years until completion
should be recognized more substantially than an associate who finishes an effort in a day.
For certain, an associate's contribution does help determine the level of recognition.
However, it should never be the only deciding factor for determining whether an associate
should be recognized. All associates deserve some amount of recognition for a
finished effort.
Timeliness (T)
For recognition to be effective, it must be given immediately following the completion of an
effort. Recognition that comes months after an effort is completed loses effectiveness as
associates forget specifically what was accomplished, therefore making recognition less
meaningful. In addition, associates that have immediately moved on to other efforts cannot
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take with them the confidence, and reinforcement of good qualities that recognition brings
when given immediately following an effort.
Specific (S)
Finally, when recognizing associates, please remember to specifically state why recognition
is being given. Stating specifics is the key to reinforcing the good qualities we see in an
associate and helping him/her build and leverage these favorable qualities for future efforts.
Also, being more specific naturally makes recognition more personal and meaningful.
Communicate the Significance
When recognition requiring spending is conducted, leaders should communicate to
associates that the event is to reward them for extraordinary efforts/successes - again,
remember to be specific. In addition, because spending is required, leaders should
mention that this form of recognition is not the only form given for every success.
Therefore, monetary recognition should never be an expectation of associates, but rather
an added benefit.
TIP: When communicating the significance, remind associates involved to avoid
advertising recognition to other associates that are not sharing in the event to avoid the
tendency for associates to compare levels of recognition.
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Associate Recognition Ideas
Informal Awards
Cafeteria Gift Certificate
Leaders can recognize/reward associates with a Cafeteria Gift Certificate that are good for
spending at any cafeteria.
Beat Your Leader at Bowling
Want to bring out the competitive spirit in your deserving team? Challenge them to an
afternoon round of "Beat Your Leader at Bowling" or some other sport.
Bowling Party
Great for everyone. Make reservations if you expect a large group of people. Typically, you
can have teams of 5 compete against each other for a grand prize. Great alternative for rainy
days.
Candy Jar
Great for everyone with a sweet tooth. Maintain a stocked candy jar and reward an associate
when stopping by to communicate an accomplishment.
Certificate of Achievement
Design your own achievement award based on an event or periodic recognition. Feel free to
use your creativity in the types of awards (certificates, etc.) you hand out.
Chili Cook Off
Do associates on the team enjoy making and eating chili? Exercise everyone's culinary
creativity by having a chili cook off to celebrate the accomplishments of the team. Spice up the
chili cook off by using your creativity with awards (certificates, etc.).
Complimentary Tickets to Company Boxes
Does Company have complimentary tickets to the Baseball Cardinal, Rams and Blues games
in the Company Box? Ask your leader if tickets are available to reward significant special
accomplishments.
Dave and Busters
If food and games are your team's cup of tea, this may be the perfect place! Reserve a pool
table area, or perhaps supply a few complimentary games for team members to exercise their
competitive spirit in a social atmosphere.
Dinner For Two
Reward an associate with a dinner for two. This is well received for special recognition after
working a Saturday, weekend or an exceptionally long work week.
Dinner Theatre at the Lemp Mansion
Great for associates that like watching AND participating in plays. Appetizers, drinks, and 3
course sit-down dinner served. Reservations required (way in advance around holidays).
Once you pay for a ticket, there are no refunds for back-outs.
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Director Award Theme
Design your own Director Award theme to recognize individual and team achievements based
an event or periodic recognition. Feel free to use your creativity in the types of awards
(certificates, etc.) you hand out.
Gift Cards
Struggling to find a reward/recognition for an associate? A gift card provides for a flexible way
to reward an associate with an opportunity to purchase the reward of their choice.
Holiday Gift Exchange
Have a random drawing for all team members for whom they will give a gift. Plan a day and
time when gift exchanging occurs. This can be done on-site or off-site. Works especially well
when used in conjunction with another activity.
Ice Cream Social
Have team members contribute toward bringing ingredients for creating their own unique ice
cream sundae
- feel free to schedule a conference room for the occasion.
Company Catalog Gift or Gift Certificate
Company Catalog gifts or Gift Certificates can be fond and practical reminders of significant
accomplishments to the company. The variety of gifts in the catalog gives you the freedom to
choose a gift that is appropriate for the occasion. Company catalog gifts and gift certificates
could be obtained and secured for use as a quick reward/recognition.
Leverage Department Meetings
Is your next Department meeting coming soon? If so, take this opportunity to ask the facilitator
to tout your team's successes for everyone in the department. Feel free to use your creativity
in the types of awards (certificates, etc.) handed out.
Leverage Company Service Awards
Is an associate scheduled to be recognized for a 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 year service award at the
next Division meeting? Take the opportunity to thank him/her specifically for their contributions
the day of the event.
Leverage Team Day Away Time
There's nothing better for building camaraderie than recognizing all associates within a team
for specific contributions made across all areas (support, enhancements, projects, etc.). Feel
free to use your creativity in the types of awards (certificates, etc.) you hand out.
Leverage Bonuses
Bonus Reviews are a perfect opportunity for leaders to thank associates for specific
contributions to the Company reflected in bonus amounts, and reinforce the positive qualities
in an associate that can be carried on to other efforts.
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Use of Office Knick Knacks
Do you have more vendor stress balls, mugs, key chains, pens, and T-shirts than you know
what to do with? Put them to good use by giving them to associates as a simple gesture of
thanks.
Lunch With CIO or Other Senior Leaders
Arrange for an opportunity for an associate or team to have a lunch with the CIO, company
leaders and legends. This is special recognition to many associates to share lunch and have
the opportunity to interact with the company's senior leaders.
Lunch With Your Leader (aka Reward and Recognition Day)
Take an associate or team to lunch to recognize their achievements. A limit can be set or
associate contribution and the leader takes care of the rest. It is a great win-win for both the
associate and the company. It also enables more frequent recognitions by sharing the
expense. Another fun twist is to let the associate choose the location.
Company-wide Memo
Communicate the outstanding success of an effort through a company wide weekly memo.
Movie Tickets
Has an associate sacrificed significant time away from his/her friends and family to you’re your
company a better place for all? Consider offering tickets to the associates and one other guest
of his/her choice as a show of appreciation.
Night Out With The Family
Reward an associate with a night out with their family. This is well received for special
recognition after working a Saturday, weekend or an exceptionally long work week.
Picture With Company Leaders
Arrange for an opportunity to have a photo op with company leaders and legends. This is
special to many associates to have the opportunity to interact with company leaders and to
have a lasting momento of the experience.
Potluck Lunch
Do associates on the team enjoy making and eating good food? Exercise everyone's culinary
creativity by having a potluck lunch to celebrate the accomplishments of the team. Spice up
the potluck by picking an exciting theme.
Putt Putt Golf
Want to bring out the competitive spirit in your deserving team? Bring them to an afternoon
round of Putt Putt - watch the weather!
Scavenger Hunt
There's nothing better for building camaraderie than a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt.
This could be at your next team or department outing and held at the zoo or some other venue.
Feel free to use your creativity for the types of events.
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Star Jar
Leaders can collect thank you notes from associates to other associates in a special decorated
jar that you can read during team meetings. Notes can be signed, or anonymous. Make it
more interesting by holding regular note drawings for prizes.
Team Building Events
Want to bring out the competitive spirit in your deserving team? Design an afternoon team
building event. There are countless possibilities from sports, games, movies, etc.
Thank You Email
Simply the easiest, fastest, and sometimes most effective way to say "Thank You".
Remember to CC the associate's leader(s) to help them also share in the thanks.
Thank You Card
Hand out personally delivered hand-written thank-you cards for associate recognition.
Encourage recognition between peers by distributing blank cards for exchanging thanks
between team members. Have team members proudly display their cards. You can make it
more interesting by numbering the cards, and hold drawings for prizes.
Thank You Card or Email from a Senior Leader
Senior leaders in a firm are quite often more than willing to send a personal thank you to
associates on a job well done. It will help if you provide the text for the email or card, also
provide a list of associates. This is helpful by making it very easy for busy executives to send a
personal thanks.
Thank You Luncheon
Get out to enjoy the fresh air, enjoy good food, reminisce about the effort's successes, and get
to know each other on a more personal basis.
Traveling Plaque
Make one for your team or department and award it to an associate for a job well done. The
associate can keep and display it until you or they recognize an achievement by another
associate in your organization and the plaque is passed on to the next associate.
Traveling Trophy
Everyone on the team can aspire to receive this trophy, given to special associates that have
gone above and beyond the call of duty. Have fun thinking of creative names for the trophy.
References Books
1. Nelson, Bob, 1001 Ways to Reward Employees, New York: Workman Publishing,
1994.
2. Priceless Motivation, Michigan: Priceless Motivation, 2002
Additional Suggestions?
If you have additional recognition suggestions that you would like to see added to this list,
please e-mail them to insert your email address here.
