Posts Tagged ‘recognition’

A New Era of Employee Recognition

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

Jenn Tekin

Organizations with high employee engagement are experiencing a 22% improvement in customer loyalty and a 21% reduction in turnover, per Aberdeen Group research.

Organizations are finding that investing in a formal employee recognition program can lead to an increase in profitability, retention and customer loyalty as compared to having disjointed programs lacking metrics and reporting, as mentioned in a recent Incentive Magazine article.

A new era of recognition in which organizations see the quantifiable value of an engaged workforce has emerged.

In fact, the 2013 edition of Workplace Trends report lists “Recognition” as a top human resource trend.

Within the report, it cites several top goals of company employee motivation programs. They include:

Goal Oriented Employee Recognition

  • Creating a positive work environment
  • Motivating high performance
  • Creating a culture of recognition

Even organizations that realize a comprehensive recognition strategy creates significant value, from increased engagement to better tracking and reporting of spending and taxes, still face hurdles. For many organizations the informal process used to execute motivation is hurting their organization more than helping.

Research shows that a formal delivery mechanism for employee recognition program administration is critical to a program’s success. Employee recognition software is increasing being utilized to connect employees by global corporations, small business, health care facilities and manufacturing locations. This type of human resource software is flexible enough to be deployed for office staff, remote workers or front line employees who do not work at a desk.

By weaving technology and motivation together, the door has been opened to new era of engagement that is top down, bottom up and peer to peer and is tied to company values, not short term financial incentives. This is how top organizations are building a culture of motivation and loyalty that is dynamic and lasting. With scalable software, top organizations are able to measure engagement, tweak to perfection, and effectively maximize motivation at every turn.

Companies with strong human resource relations are seeing significant benefit in offering monetary and non-monetary rewards that pique individual employee interests – from digital e-cards, handwritten note cards, reward cards, reward merchandise and even employee volunteerism. With each recognition event, the company values are being demonstrated, setting a standard for a company culture that will improve performance.

Companies with strong human resource relations are also enlisting external experts in employee motivation to evaluate and develop a winning culture of employee engagement. Here, human resource professionals can leverage the experience of leading solution partners to obtain the most return from their investment.

By addressing recognition and reward in a continuous cycle of discover, design, communicate, manage and deliver, organizations with the best human resource relations are achieving improved performance, transparency with reduced costs and complexity.

As a global leader in Quality of Life services since 1966, Sodexo believes a formal, comprehensive recognition and reward strategy creates a higher quality workforce that improves the performance of organizations. We currently provide employee motivation programs to 27 million users in 34 countries.

To learn more: read our case studies or contact Sodexo for an evaluation of your needs. For more motivation tips, follow us on Twitter @WorkMotivation.

Jennifer Tekin is a senior marketing manager for Sodexo Motivation Solutions.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

How Gen Y Challenges HR to Rethink Retention

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

Jenn Tekin

This year 3.4 million graduates from Generation Y will enter the workforce.  How employers will attract and retain this cohort is becoming one of the most pressing issues in management today.  The millennial generation or Generation Y – born between 1980 and 2000 – are well-known for their radical views of ‘work-life’ balance and diverse workplace values. As this generation rapidly overshadows the traditional and baby boomer generations in the workplace, employers are trying to understand Gen Y priorities to stay competitive in the market and attract top talent.

Technologically savvy, more educated, and  greater ethnic diversity than any previous generation, Gen Yers are less interested in stock option plans and more interested in meaningful jobs, professional freedom, higher rewards and a better work-life balance.  With these objectives in mind Human Resource leaders will need to focus on corporate training opportunities, culture development and team collaboration.  

Common along Gen Yers is their desire to work with an employer that aligns with their values and cares about them as people.  Managers today can embrace this by reinforcing the company’s vision through job development, career nurturing and consistent real-time feedback on their performance.  

Employers are trying to understand Gen Y priorities to stay competitive in the market and attract top talent.

Developing a workplace culture where employees feel nurtured, listened to and appreciated influences more than just one generation of employees.  As described in Herzberg’s Motivation Theory, work groups are affected by the attitudes and mindsets of other members in the group.  A positive change, for example, can increase the morale, motivation, and attitude in the entire group and expand throughout an organization.

With an understanding of their values and support from professional industry leaders with the tools and solutions to help, Human Resource leaders are in a better position to create strong talent strategies and working environment for all of their employees to grow.

Sodexo Motivation Solutions is a worldwide leader in motivation. In the United States we offer effective incentive and recognition services to organizations intended to encourage and reward performance.

We focus on building a sustainable culture of recognition that will meet your specific objectives and provide the recognition and reward choices that your employees will most appreciate.

Learn more about Motivation Solutions’ comprehensive incentive and recognition programs.

Jennifer Tekin is a senior marketing manager for Sodexo Motivation Solutions.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Creative Memorable Gifts for Employees

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

Jenn Tekin

Creating memorable recognition events to highlight the contributions of employees is a meaningful way to connect recognition and sincere appreciation within the organization. 

Leveraging both emotional and financial elements during the holiday season creates a more engaged workforce which research shows is more likely to increase staff loyalty, productivity and customer satisfaction. 

How a recognition strategy is implemented and practiced is an integral part of your organization’s culture.

Memorable gifts, such as reward cards can create the emotional bond an organization seeks.

Consider this message when thanking employees this holiday, The Incentive Research Foundation has stated that employees will not brag to friends and colleagues about receiving cash; however, gifts that include a memorable choice option or a charity component are exciting, and fun, and are more likely to be shared among friends, family and colleagues.

In addition, recognition when coupled with a tangible token of appreciation (handwritten note card, pin) will likely be displayed year-round as a reminder that their efforts are important contributions to the organization. 

Memorable gifts, such as a reward cards can create the emotional bond an organization seeks. Multi-retailer cards allow employees to choose their own experience with friends and family or treat themselves to something special. Additionally, organizations can choose a reward card that includes charity options where employees can donate to a cause that supports their passion and personal beliefs.

This holiday, organizations have realized the benefits of recognition and appreciation and their influence on corporate culture development. Companies are giving back to employees with memorable recognition and meaningful gifts that help increase employee engagement.

Jennifer Tekin is a senior marketing manager for Sodexo Motivation Solutions

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Do You Have A Culture Of Recognition?

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Jenn Tekin

There is substantial impact on an organization’s culture when employees feel recognized and appreciated.   Leaders today are turning to the use of recognition assessment tools to ensure proper recognition program design to fully utilize the benefits that stem from a highly engaged and motivated workforce. Gallup confirms that companies with high levels of employee engagement enjoy a significant uplift of business performance indicators.

Taking the time to evaluate what motivates employees is a critical step towards increasing engagement levels throughout the workforce. By identifying the similarities and differences in employee attitudes, assessment tools communicate to organizational leaders what type of recognition will inspire their workplace.  When used effectively, leaders can extrapolate the data to create meaningful recognition programs that increase job satisfaction and productivity.

Recognition Assessment Design

Today, organizations are looking beyond the demographics of the work environment and are evaluating how employees feel about current recognition methods, their knowledge on how to use the programs and reward preferences.  This is also the time to ensuring the right recognition program message is resonating with employees.  For example, do employees know what it takes to achieve a program nomination? Do they know how programs tie to the overall mission and values of the company? 

Manager insights can also render a different outlook on the effectiveness of current recognition programs. Evaluating an organization’s recognition practices from the manager’s perspective can communicate to leaders and program managers if recognition programs are being utilized to their full capacity.  As the direct point of contact for employees, do they know how to recognize employees effectively? Are managers concerned when giving recognition that it is viewed by peers as consistent and fair? And does management have the proper tools to share new programs with their team? The results of a manager’s recognition assessment can attest to their program knowledge and provide a foundation for how future programs are developed, implemented and managed.  

Recognition Assessment Data

Take the time to evaluate what motivates employees.

Employee recognition assessments are highly measurable and provide an invaluable way to demonstrate the bottom-line impact of engagement in the workplace.  Establishing key metrics at the program onset provides a standard to benchmark against as results are tracked in the future.  Research from Bersin & Associates’ indicates that 71 percent of organizations measure employee engagement.  The data collected from recognition assessments acts as the conduit to solid program development and achieving an engaged workforce.

“The statistical analysis from recognition and reward assessment gives leaders an in-depth view of which programs are working and why, where there are inconsistencies and opportunities to refine,” comments Lisa Muniz, Sales Account Executive and Certified Incentive Professional at Sodexo Motivation Solutions. “Utilizing a qualified recognition partner to assess an organization’s recognition structure can maximize their program design and implementation efforts resulting in more successful campaigns.”  

Designing and executing effective recognition programs are best accomplished when leaders have a current pulse of the workplace culture.  Leveraging assessment tools is a skillful way to gauge the current ‘state of recognition’ in the organization.  With the valuable insights attained through recognition assessment, organizations can work toward truly developing a motivational culture that drives high employee engagement.

Jennifer Tekin is a Senior Marketing Manager for Sodexo Motivation Solutions.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Employee Recognition Begins with New Hires

Monday, April 30th, 2012

Jenn Tekin

A new hire’s experience on their first day can set the stage (and their mindset) for the rest of their employment. Going the extra mile to make a new employee feel welcome the organization is an important first step in building employee engagement and achieving a sustainable culture of recognition company-wide.  Well-designed and executed recognition programs are an excellent way to ensure not only a positive first-day experience, but also create a happy and successful work environment.

A WorldatWork Association Linked In poll confirms that organization’s today take the early adoption of employee recognition seriously.  The March 2012 poll reports that 95% of respondents agree that early recognition in the global workforce is very important starting with day 1.  The methodology is that recognition programs present a unique opportunity to communicate to the newest team members – and re-emphasize to all employees – that the organization is committed to helping them achieve success both personally and professionally.  Implementing a recognition program that includes new employee on-boarding is an excellent strategy for developing employee engagement. 

Employee recognition should begin on the first day of employment.

Organizations with high employee engagement experience 16% higher profitability and 18% higher productivity over companies with low engagement levels, according to Gallup. Similarly, a study from Towers Perrin reports that committed employees deliver 57% more effort than uncommitted employees. By supporting desired behaviors among employees – especially those new to the organization with praise and recognition, an organization will create a performance culture that impacts the workforce long into the future.

In conjunction with an organization’s onboarding practices, daily recognition tools such as notecards, eCards and company branded items are powerful and memorable motivators when welcoming new employees and assimilating them to the organization.  “Being recognized for positive contribution carries significant value in communicating appreciation and respect,” comments Jennifer Tekin of Sodexo Motivation Solutions. “And thus creates a foundation of trust and open-communication in which to build employee engagement.”

Incorporating recognition early in an employee’s tenure ensures they feel supported by leadership and their peers.  The connection sparked during an employee’s first days with the organization is a lasting memory that will motivate them in the years ahead and contribute to the organization’s overall culture of recognition.

Jennifer Tekin is a senior marketing manager for Sodexo Motivation Solutions.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »