Rewarding performance with corporate awards is a valuable way of ensuring that productivity remains high. It is a culture that has to be fostered in the organization. Add awards and plaques to your staff reward toolkit.
Most important is to emphasize and reward success rather than failure, as this cultivates an environment that encourages positive, success-driven attitudes. Rewarding employees meaningfully stems from this simple principle. Management's focus indicates what is important in the organizational culture.
Do your employees know what the criteria for success are? This is important, as it prevents confusion and frustration. If they don't know what the benchmarks are, they cannot attempt to improve on them.
Public recognition and gratitude is a strong motivator. Group email messages, the expression of gratitude in a meeting or public forum, all serve to motivate the individual and the group. Ensure that not too much time elapse between the achievement and the incentive. Showing your appreciation shortly after the achievement shows that good performance was noted and acted upon.
Sincerity and the personal touch are important. Make sure that any awards are of good quality and speak to the achievement of the staff member to receive the reward.
Tools you can use
Although financial incentives are always appreciated, they will be governed by company policies and there are normally tax implications. Time, namely time off or flexi-time is a useful tool in your motivational toolkit. Incentive schemes should be transparent, and the criteria for reward should be clear.
If awards and certificates are to be handed to key employees, personalize these. Take a photograph; identify a key performance area that formed the basis for that employee-of-the-month certificate. Peer input in selecting staff members who deserve recognition adds to the perceived value of the award. Selecting high quality awards also adds to how people feel about receiving them.
Study opportunities, and indeed any kind of learning opportunity can be an incentive. Career development opportunities can also be used, as can opportunities to accept more responsibility than is the norm. Bursaries to improve qualifications of high performing staff members can be a very motivating incentive.
Use social activities to your advantage. Ensure that the team celebrates achievement, whether it is a target reached, or individual high performance. Bring humor back to the workplace with dress-up or dress-down days, silly sock or hat days to contribute to a cheerful, motivating workplace.
Where a management team is willing to take the time to personally interact with the work force, they tend to feel more involved, appreciated and motivated. Personal, hand-written notes from managers and supervisors can be very motivating, if sincere.
Lastly, the magic words taught to us by our mothers when we were tiny, still offers a tidy return in goodwill! A simple thank you and please at the right time can make someone's day!
Motivating employees does not have to cost a fortune. Fostering an open, appreciative environment and using a little bit of creativity and goodwill ensure that the workforce stays positive and motivated. Rewarding performance leads to better performance.
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