This Research is for Members Only
Not a member? Unlock a free sample of our research now!
Already a member?
Sign in now
Ingrain and Sustain Recognition
Rewarding employees without recognition is counterproductive. Put recognition first and use rewards to amplify its effectiveness.
View Storyboard
Contributors
- Cherie Smith, Enterprise Engagement Manager, CalPERS
- Chester Elton, Apostle of Appreciation, Founder, Author, Speaker, The Culture Works
- Fady Makar, Employee Recognition & Engagement Manager, University of Toronto
- Ilia Maor, Senior Director, Info-Tech Research Group
- Joel de los Santos, Compensation Expert, Bayer
- Kevin Cronin, Director, Corporate Event Awards, O.C. Tanner
- Kristin Claudy, Manager, Leadership and Engagement, CalPERS
- Mark Nagy, former Director, Recognition Programs, RBC
- Michelle Preston, HR Director, Kira Systems
- Peter Hart, President & CEO, Rideau Recognition Systems
- Scott Russell, Director - Client Services, C.A. Short Company
- Tina Gunn Weede, President & CE, Peerless Performance
- Voke Ararile, Talent Acquisition Manager, Auto Capital Canada Inc.
Your Challenge
- Expectations are rapidly changing about how, and how often, employees should be recognized.
- Rewards and recognition programs are often too focused on the tangible reward element, ignoring the more important, but intangible, recognition element.
- Recognition programs are created in an ad hoc manner that does not align with organizational or individual needs.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- Recognition is impactful independent of rewards (i.e. items with a monetary value), but rewarding employees without proper recognition can be counterproductive. Put recognition first and use rewards as a way to amplify its effectiveness.
Impact and Result
- Design a recognition program with the three keys to recognition in mind: customization, alignment, and transparency.
- Ask employees how they want to be recognized. Customization will make the program more effective.
- Discover key strategic and cultural behaviors that the organization wants to drive, and align recognition criteria with these behaviors.
- Create transparency with a fair and open recognition selection process.
1. Assess current recognition landscape
Gather feedback on employee perceptions of recognition, and select key recognition criteria.
2. Design the recognition program
Identify the structure of recognition program and design recognition initiatives.
3. Implement the recognition program
Engrain recognition by selecting metrics to measure the program’s impact, designing an action plan, and training managers.
Guided Implementations
This guided implementation is a ten call advisory process.
Guided Implementation #1 - Assess current recognition landscape
Call #1 - Discuss formal and day-to-day recognition, the three keys to recognition, key data sources, and customization of the Employee Recognition Survey Questions.
Call #2 - Review results of the Employee Recognition Survey Questions and identify themes to discuss in focus groups.
Call #3 - Identify key criteria based on organizational objectives.
Guided Implementation #2 - Design the recognition program
Call #1 - Discuss methods of calculating the recognition budget, select method, and identify if the program will consist of both formal and day-to-day recognition initiatives.
Call #2 - Review formal recognition initiatives.
Call #3 - Identify day-to-day recognition initiatives.
Call #4 - Discuss relevant recognition technology.
Guided Implementation #3 - Implement the recognition program
Call #1 - Identify key metrics that will be used to measure the impact of recognition. Discuss the HR Action and Communication Plan.
Call #2 - Review completed HR Action and Communication Plan and discuss manager training.
Call #3 - Discuss tactics to ingrain and sustain recognition.
Book Your Workshop
Onsite workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.
Module 1: Gather Feedback on Recognition
The Purpose
- Make the case for a sustainable recognition program.
- Gather feedback from employees on what they would like to see from a recognition program.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Use McLean & Company’s process to build a recognition program.
- Uncover employee needs and wants for recognition.
Activities
Outputs
Conduct focus groups.
- Focus Group Guide
- Focus group trends and insights
Module 2: Design a Customized Recognition Program
The Purpose
- Build a recognition program aligned with organizational strategy and culture.
- Design recognition initiatives that target key behaviors.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Identify behaviors to be recognized.
- Establish program structure and selection criteria.
- Select appropriate types of recognition.
- Document a communication plan.
Activities
Outputs
Develop insights from focus groups and/or survey results.
- Insights gathered
Select recognition criteria.
- Recognition criteria selected
Define the structure of the program.
- Program structure designed
Design the formal recognition process (optional).
Design the day-to-day recognition process.
- Recognition Program Guide
Build a rollout and action plan.
- HR Action & Communication Plan
Develop a sustainment plan.
