Everyday I am asked by providers how they can explain to their clients the importance of recognition programs during a recession.
The who's, what's and the where's of employee recognition certainly will shift during tough economic times -- but the need to develop and deploy these programs has never been more important.
Here's why.
Since companies no longer have the dollars to motivate their staff with "outside" influences like winning a new car or cruise -- it is essential to keep them motivated and productive through "inside" influences of manager communications and corporate appreciation.
The who's, what's and the where's of employee recognition certainly will shift during tough economic times -- but the need to develop and deploy these programs has never been more important.
Here's why.
Since companies no longer have the dollars to motivate their staff with "outside" influences like winning a new car or cruise -- it is essential to keep them motivated and productive through "inside" influences of manager communications and corporate appreciation.
This will do two things:
- 1) Lessen their personal anxiety that a pink slip is looming.
- 2) Remind them that high productivity, improved customer service, on-time deliverables, innovative ideas are all critical for the company to stay afloat.
When you ignore your employees or leave the recognition piece up to whoever is in the room -- you are giving life to the anxieties that will reduce every aspect of your company you are trying to enhance and even flourish.
Organized, planned, and purposeful employee recognition programs are the only way to combat recession-concerned staffers.
The time has never been better for providers to introduce employee recognition to companies who are used to the big reward programs for high performers.
It is during times of recession where you need to make sure you keep your top employees, that your employees are performing optimally and to give your company the leading edge.
According to David Maister, companies that raise their employee satisfaction by 10 to 15 percent raise their financial performance by 42 percent.
Recognition programs become indispensable when you consider 82 percent of employees say that the recognition or praise they receive at work motivates them to improve their performance (Gallup).
However, recognition programs don’t have to break the bank.
Here are three that can be trained and executive by your senior staff:
- Day-to-Day: frequent, ongoing recognition, such as a manager’s verbal praise.
- Informal: singles out individuals for progress towards goals. Can include small scale celebration such as a lunch after having completed an important project.
- Formal: recognition stemming from an organized nomination and selection process, such as a service award banquet.
It strengthens the manager-employee relationship, gives employee the feedback they crave and require to perform at peak.
Remind your clients of this and help them develop a suitable program enforce and encourage frequent day-to-day recognition so it becomes embedded in employee culture.
Once it becomes part of the fabric of their company routine, employees will be recognized, engaged and perform.
Next thing you know, they'll be seeing it in the bottom line and coming back to you for more.
About the author:
Peter Hart is President & CEO of Rideau Recognition Solutions (http://www.rideau.com) and has been advising and serving the industry for over
20 years. He has been one of the driving forces in transforming Rideau from a small manufacturer of award products to one of the world’s fastest growing Recognition and Rewards providers. Rideau’s custom loyalty and performance management tools increase productivity, employee engagement, customer loyalty and ROI. He can be reached at mailto:PeterHart@Rideau.com
Peter Hart is President & CEO of Rideau Recognition Solutions (http://www.rideau.com) and has been advising and serving the industry for over
20 years. He has been one of the driving forces in transforming Rideau from a small manufacturer of award products to one of the world’s fastest growing Recognition and Rewards providers. Rideau’s custom loyalty and performance management tools increase productivity, employee engagement, customer loyalty and ROI. He can be reached at mailto:PeterHart@Rideau.com 
