Employee Recognition Programs Boost Productivity

Companies often have blinders on when it comes to the importance of regular employee recognition.

It’s very important to promote your business through the finest employee recognition program you can afford for the value it brings to maintaining and increasing productivity.

Your First Customer

Your employees are, in fact, your first customers! I know, because I’ve been running my business for over 24 years and I have fiercely loyal employees that I recognize on a regular basis.

I am always on the lookout for research that talks to this point. I read an article recently that talked about the results of a recent poll that discovered, more than 35 percent of the employees consider lack of recognition of work as the biggest hindrance to their productivity. According to them, rewards and recognition for achievements at the workplace act as a morale booster, which in turn increase their productivity. (Sorry, I can’t remember where I read it. I simply made note of the results!)

If you don’t have a regular employee recognition program in place, no matter how large or small your business, I encourage you to establish one as soon as possible. With the holidays coming up, this is a great time to consider establishing one and we are here to help. Some companies wait until the holidays are over in order to make their employees feel more special. Their rewards are not confused for holiday gifts.

A Culture of Recognition

Keep in mind that recognition is more effective when given often. Employees make many contributions every day throughout each week. Mind you, I’m not saying huge gestures are required. However, I am saying that encouragement and recognition, in order to be meaningful, must be part of your business’s culture. On a daily basis, very often a sincere “thank you” goes a long way. In fact, when a client comments on a good job by one of our employees, we give a gold star. It’s just an old take on going home with a gold star on your homework, but our employees love to display their stars!”

You can establish recognition rewards for any number of accomplishments. It could be perfect attendance, punctuality and of course, results achieved such as safety goals met, departmental goals and sales goals.

So Many Ways to Recognize Employee Efforts

We can create awards such as certificates of appreciation and engraved plaques that can be given to commemorate particular accomplishments along with special gifts. Also, we create custom gift card programs with online redemption so employees can shop for what they really want. Also popular are technology items like Bluetooth speakers, wireless headsets, athletic trackers and power banks all of which can be branded with your logo.

If you offer travel rewards and are sending members of your team to a warm weather destination, you can create a wonderful tie-in gift such as a beach bag filled with sunscreen and beach towels or golf attire. For cold weather trips, a warm jacket, scarf and ski cap.

Helping your employees understand on a regular basis how meaningful their efforts are and how valuable they are to your organization contributes to maintaining and increasing productivity and attracting new employees when your business grows. Happy, well-treated employees talk up the benefits of where they work and that kind of promotional marketing, while free, is absolutely priceless!