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High-Impact Recognition on a Low Budget

You probably don’t need to be told that employee recognition fuels engagement, motivation, and retention. After all, recognition is said to increase performance by as much as 24%. The challenge? Many appreciation programs come with hefty price tags — from bonuses to trips and elaborate awards. Saying “good job” or “I appreciate you” doesn’t need to break the bank. When my boys were in elementary school, Principal Mark Springer would have a weekly “Star Assembly” where he’d recognize two students from every classroom to come up and receive a prize. Teachers would ensure that every student received two stars over the course of the year. My kids are college graduates now, but they still have those cardboard stars with their names on them tucked away among their keepsakes. Indeed, with a little creativity and consistency, small gestures can go a long way.

Before starting your own affordable appreciation or recognition program, ask yourself: What do I hope to achieve by recognizing this person or team? 
Are you looking to build positivity and engagement? Acknowledge big accomplishments? Build team spirit? Understanding this first will help you match your recognition strategy to your goal.

REWARD – focus on Grandiose Achievements

Every once in a while, you need to make your recognition extra special.  For those especially significant accomplishments, celebrate in public, with lots of fanfare.  These resources can help mark the occasion:

• Certificates and diplomas – these typically get lost in a drawer unless they are distributed in a padded certificate folder, plaque, or DocU-Sleeve.
• Stage a graduation or award ceremony and invite recipients to give an acceptance speech.
• Develop a unique trophy that speaks to the particular achievement — choose anything from a custom glass award to a playful piece, depending on the statement you hope to make.

MOTIVATE – shoot for Everyday Accolades

Don’t reserve recognition for momentous events. Build engagement by acknowledging the little stuff too, as frequent feedback will inspire additional effort. In this case, a big “to do” is less important than consistency. Try these tools to make it inexpensive and super easy:

• Catch someone doing something good and hand them a “You Got Caught…” Card. Jot a note on the back, reminding them of what they did.
• Share a Token of Appreciation that folks can keep in their pocket or pass along to the next worthy recipient.
• Leave a sticky note at someone’s workstation, to acknowledge their effort or contribution.
• Check off a box on a playful Kudos Note and dash off a note of appreciation.
• Schedule a weekly “Commendations Conference,” at which you can recognize positive contributions big and small–from having to positive attitude to solving a tricky problem. Ask colleagues to nominate one another for the recognition.

BUILD UNITY – try some Team Treats

Team success sometimes takes more effort than solo missions. When teams work well together, make a fuss. Recognize both individual and team contributions with items like these:

• Award a team trophy–anything from a Puzzle Piece trophy to something representative of the team’s achievement.
• Make peer-to-peer recognition easy with Kudos Notes for teams.
• Present the same prize to every team member. It can be as small as a desk toy or lapel pin, or as big as a party. Gift cards can also be quite thoughtful, but keep in mind that more visible rewards may give you more bang for the buck in terms of being more memorable.

HAVE FUN – use Playful Prizes to say “good job”

Small prizes can make a big impact when it comes to humor, fun and levity. Playful prizes can encourage participation and inspire positive feelings. These do-it-yourself, low-cost tokens can pack a punch:

• Customize your own Scratch Tickets.
• 1,000,000 bill says “Thanks a Million.”
• Sweet treats can invite a play on words, as well as be tasty and shareable favorite handmade messages include:
  • Tootsie Roll – You’re on a roll!
  • Extra Gum – Thanks for being Extraordinary!
  • Starburst – You’re a star!
  • Milky Way – You’re out of this world!
  • Swedish Fish – you’re o“FISH”ally the best!
  • Barnum’s Animal Crackers – this place would be a zoo without you!
  • M&Ms – you’re Magnificent & Marvelous
• Build excitement with a Prize Wheel
• Try the Cracker Jacks or dentist office approach, where the prize winner gets to pick their prize from a display.

JUST DO IT!

Giving recognition does not require a large budget or time investment.  However, saying “great job,” in private or public, with fanfare or discretion, and accompanied by a large or small token, can have an impact that’s much larger than the gesture.

READ MORE…

Susan Landay has written extensively about appreciation and recognition. Find more ideas in these additional articles:

• TD Magazine’s “Affordable Appreciation”, by Susan Landay – NOTE: This publication is available only to ATD members. If you’d like a copy, let me know and I’ll send you a gift copy!
• Recognition Increases Performance 24%
• The ROI of Recognition
• Creating a Culture of Recognition
• Criticism, Feedback, and the Power of Praise
• Promoting Core Values in your Company
• Amazing Swag Bags for your Company

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