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The Power of Employee Recognition:
Strategies to Inspire and Motivate Your Team

Profitability, productivity and growth
top the list of priorities for any organization.

Underpinning this success, however, is an aspect that can’t be overlooked: employee recognition.

Recognizing employees goes far beyond the occasional “well done” or perfunctory show of appreciation. Done right, it is a powerful tool that empowers the people driving your business forward. And that can have a truly transformative impact on workplace culture and outputs.

From enhanced productivity to reduced turnover rates, investing in an intentional recognition program brings multi-fold returns. Happier employees are more engaged. That engagement encourages collaboration, better problem solving and more innovation. And a team with a strong commitment to the company mission can excel in their individual roles.

What are the best ways to inspire and motivate your team? Dig into these employee recognition strategies and best practices that uplift the entire team and pave the way for sustained success.

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Why Employee Recognition?

You likely don’t need to be told why recognition matters. It’s human nature to want to be acknowledged and appreciated. Recognition satisfies that fundamental need for validation and connection to something bigger.

That same emotional driver for acknowledgment that runs through all of us fuels the desire for employee recognition, making it one of the most important elements in any thriving workplace. Recognition has a profound psychological impact on employees in ways that ultimately benefit the organization as a whole.

Numerous studies and data support the positive effects of recognition for a business. According to research by Workhuman and Gallup, a culture of recognition can drive annual cost savings upwards of $7 million through retention and engagement – a huge return on investment!

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That’s because the benefits of employee recognition programs are wide-reaching and include:

  • Increased employee motivation and morale
  • Enhanced employee engagement and commitment to company mission
  • Improved job satisfaction and talent retention
  • Better teamwork and collaboration
  • Boosted productivity and performance

Reinforcing and rewarding desired behaviors creates a cycle where employees become more invested in their work, striving to repeat those behaviors that earned them that recognition in the first place. It really can be a win-win for everyone.

Types of Employee Recognition

Employee recognition comes in many forms and flavors. Choosing the right approach for your organization depends on your goals, company culture and available resources. Here are some elements to consider when deciding on what type of employee recognition to implement.

Formal Versus Informal Recognition

In broad strokes, employee recognition can be broken down into two categories: formal and informal. 

Formal recognition is supported by a structured company program. This might include, annual awards ceremonies, employee-of-the-month recognition or regular performance reviews. 

Forethought and planning goes into acknowledging employees, which can lend itself to a more fair and equitable approach if it’s thoughtfully managed.  

Informal recognition, on the other hand, is more spontaneous. That might mean expressions of appreciation from managers, or a thank you email from a colleague or a shout-out during a team meeting. 

This type of recognition can feel more personal and authentic – while more simple than formal acknowledgment, the value of day-to-day positive feedback should not be underestimated. Regular recognition goes a long way in fostering a culture of appreciation. 

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Verbal Praise and Appreciation

Verbal shows of appreciation are a simple, yet highly effective form of employee recognition. A genuine "thank you" or acknowledgment of a job well done from a manager or a colleague can have a tremendously positive impact. 

Verbal recognition should be:

  • Timely 
  • Specific
  • Sincere 

In addition to informal verbal praise, it is often beneficial to note down the particular actions or achievements that warranted the appreciation in a more formal manner, so it can be used in future reviews or promotions.

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Social Recognition and Peer-to-Peer Appreciation

An appreciative word from a manager or team leader is always valuable, but equally powerful is recognition from peers.

A team that works closely together is well positioned to see each other’s challenges, successes and best work up close. Supporting and recognizing each other’s efforts reinforces a culture of mutual respect, promoting a sense of unity and community.  

This type of social recognition can take the form of a private word or it can be made more public by taking place on an internal communication channel platform or dedicated recognition platform.

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Tangible Rewards and Incentives

When an employee achieves something really outstanding, tangible rewards drive home just how appreciated their efforts are. 

This type of incentive can include:

  • Physical gifts or merchandise
  • E-Gift cards
  • Event tickets
  • Company-branded products
  • Experiences
  • Travel
  • Charitable giving 
  • Monetary bonuses or profit-sharing opportunities

Rewards like this serve as powerful motivators for employees because they are concrete and tangible. This type of recognition is best saved for achieving specific goals or milestones, encouraging employees to strive for excellence and reach targets.

Learn more about points-based recognition
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Creating an Effective Employee Recognition Program

So, how do you bring these different pieces together for an effective employee recognition and reward program?

Here are some of the most critical steps to ensuring you are unlocking the full potential of your organization’s greatest asset: its people.

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Set Clear Goals and Objectives

A successful employee recognition program begins with clear, well-defined goals and objectives. Identify the specific behaviors, achievements and contributions you wish to encourage.

Make sure to also set criteria and guidelines around what type of results warrant what level of reward to ensure a fair, streamlined process.

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Involve Employees in the Recognition Process

Find out exactly what makes your employees tick and how they want to be rewarded by leveraging surveys or other feedback opportunities.

Bringing employees in from the beginning helps ensure that the program will be more successful by fostering a sense of ownership among the team.

Design a Fair and Inclusive Program

Design a Fair and Inclusive Program

An effective recognition program has to be fair and inclusive in order for all employees to have an equal opportunity to be recognized for their contributions.

The slightest sign of favoritism can turn a program sour and erode an organization’s credibility. Consider the diverse needs of your workforce and try to offer a variety of different recognition options to accommodate employees’ preferences. Click here for some unique recognition ideas. 

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Align Recognition with Company Values and Culture

The best recognition programs keep employees at the heart while reflecting company values and culture.

Doing so both helps those principles become more deeply ingrained in the fabric of the workplace and encourages employees to embrace them. When possible, tie rewards to behaviors that reinforce or promote those values.

Best Practices for Employee Recognition

Entire books have been written about the most effective ways to recognize and reward employees. Every organization’s program will look slightly different, tailored for their purpose and employees.

That said, some tenets hold true for everyone.

Here are the four most important employee recognition best practices to follow:

1. Timely Recognition and Its Impact

Timeliness is critical. Delaying recognition can water down the impact and fail to convey the full extent of the appreciation.

For smaller contributions, an informal acknowledgment that day will suffice. For larger efforts, it may take more than a week to plan the right show of appreciation – the important part is that the action is still fresh in everyone’s mind.

Cultivate a culture of real-time feedback and recognition to boost morale, showing just how much you value each employee’s efforts and contributions.

2. Personalizing Recognition for Individual Employees

One size simply does not fit all when it comes to recognition.

Personalize how you show appreciation based on the employee’s preferences and own aspirations. Do they value an awards ceremony among colleagues over a gift sent in private? Do they prefer regular acknowledgment for the small things or going all out for the big wins?

Above all, make sure the recognition is directed to them specifically by including each employee’s name and noting individual milestones (like birthdays or service anniversaries) when applicable.

3. Public Versus Private Recognition: Finding the Right Balance

Public recognition, such as in team meetings or company-wide announcements, can be powerful in showcasing exceptional performance. It can also serve to inspire others in the company.

However, some employees may prefer private recognition and would rather not be in the limelight. This can include one-on-one meetings or personalized notes, which allows for a more intimate and individualized appreciation.

Strike the balance between the two to ensure all employees feel recognized in the ways that matter most to them, while still supporting company goals.

4. Using Technology to Enhance Employee Recognition Efforts

Technology can be a powerful tool to enhance an employee recognition program.

A platform like Inspirus Connects Plus streamlines the process of showing appreciation for employees with company-wide communication and social recognition options. This makes it more accessible for all team members to participate. Data collection and analysis through feedback surveys, for example, can help measure the effectiveness of a program and identify opportunities for improvement.

Plus, automating tasks like reminding managers about employees’ birthdays or anniversaries makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Creative Employee Recognition Ideas

What exactly should your program include? Here are some actionable ideas whether you’re looking to implement something new into your program or need last-minute appreciation ideas.

Employee of the Month and Other Traditional Approaches

Traditional approaches like “Employee of the Month'' are long-standing staples in many organizations for a reason. They provide a structured, visible way to celebrate performance and hard work. 

An approach like this can be very effective in a digital space, too. Make it more creative with additional categories like “Innovator of the Quarter” or “Customer Champion of the Year.” Adding tangible benefits for winners like gifts or other rewards sweetens the deal even further.

Creative Employee Recognition Ideas

Spot Awards and Spontaneous Recognition

Spot awards are a fantastic way to provide spontaneous recognition for exceptional efforts or achievements. The element of surprise can create a much more memorable, exciting experience. 

Managers can keep an eye out for outstanding performances and then surprise the deserving employee with a small gift, a handwritten note, digital message or public acknowledgment during a team meeting. 

This can be a very effective way to show genuine appreciation in the moment.

Learn more about Inspirus Connects Plus
Creative Employee Recognition Ideas

Celebrating Milestones and Achievements

Milestones and achievements are a must on the celebration list of events. From birthdays to new babies, life events are just as important to mark as work-related achievements or anniversaries. 

Organize special events, like a team lunch, or offer personalized gifts to mark the moment.

Learn more about Inspirus Connects Social
Creative Employee Recognition Ideas

Employee Recognition Events and Ceremonies

Some achievements deserve special recognition, like launching an innovative new product or landing a large deal.

Hosting employee recognition events and ceremonies brings the entire organization together to celebrate achievements collectively. These events could be formal award ceremonies or more relaxed gatherings, depending on your company culture. 

Likewise, major moments in an employee’s career path – like milestone anniversaries or a promotion – are also worth bringing the team together over.

Learn more about Inspirus Celebrates
Creative Employee Recognition Ideas
Creative Employee Recognition Ideas
Creative Employee Recognition Ideas
Creative Employee Recognition Ideas
Creative Employee Recognition Ideas

Implementing Employee Recognition in Your Organization

Employee recognition best practices and creative ideas are great in theory, but do nothing until they are actually implemented.

Steps to Launching a Recognition Program

Make sure you check these items off the to-do list as you launch your program.

  • Define program objectives
  • Secure leadership support
  • Allocate budget and resources
  • Develop a communication plan
  • Choose the right tech stack and recognition platform
  • Train managers and team leaders
  • Gather employee feedback
  • Set up tracking and feedback collection
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Training Managers and Team Leaders in Effective Recognition Practices

Managers and team leaders play a pivotal role in driving the success of an employee recognition program, so it’s important to make sure they are fully brought into the program.

They are responsible for identifying and acknowledging employees’ efforts on a day-to-day basis. Having a framework that covers what leaders should be looking for and best practices for acknowledging achievements makes sure that everyone is on the same page.

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Continuous Improvement and Adaptation of the Program

The best recognition programs keep employees at the heart while reflecting company values and culture.

Even after a program is launched, it’s not a done deal. Continuous improvement and adaptation are essential to ensure the program remains relevant and effective over time.

This is where regularly gathering feedback from employees, through surveys or focus groups for example, is critical. Employee feedback is the canary in the coal mine about what is working and what is not.

Use data-driven insights to make any necessary adjustments to the program’s design, rewards or communication strategy. (Need more insight, here are 5 ways to get the most out of your employee recognition program.)

FAQ’s About Employee Recognition

How can organizations measure the success of their employee recognition programs?

Track metrics around employee satisfaction, productivity, engagement levels, turnover and retention rates, as well as participation rate in recognition initiatives and data around recognition given.

How can organizations ensure inclusivity in their recognition programs?

Start by actively involving employees in the design and feedback process, allowing them to contribute their perspectives and ideas.

Recognize achievements from all departments and levels of the organization, considering both cultural and generational differences that impact how and why employees are rewarded.

What role does technology play in employee recognition programs?

Technology plays a significant role in effective recognition. It can make everything from communication to social recognition to points-based reward shopping more streamlined while providing data that underpins improvements. In today’s age, a digital employee recognition platform is a must.

Other Valuable Resources on Employee Recognition

The Power of Peer Recognition: Fostering a Culture of Appreciation

Read The Article

Examples of Employee Recognition Statements to Motivate and Inspire

Read The Article

Last Minute Employee Appreciation Ideas

Read The Article

Harness the power of recognition
to drive better business outcomes.

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Inspirus is part of the Sodexo Group. Visit us.sodexo.com to learn more.