Reward and Recognition Programs: 3 types of Incentives that Work

Effective Reward and Recognition Programs

Employee reward and recognition programs in companies celebrate achievement above and beyond an employee’s daily responsibilities. A well-constructed reward program will:

• Align both the company’s and the employee’s purpose and values
• Create clear goals and provide adequate tools for employees and managers to perform their jobs well
• Provide a clear path for employees to develop, grow, and enhance their careers
• Deliver analytical data that can be used to improve and grow methods of recognition

From the employee perspective, reward and recognition programs in companies are no longer a “nice to have.” With the battle for talent so intense, over 90% of CEOs surveyed in an Incentive Research Foundation trend study say that they are already changing or intend to change their employee attraction and retention strategies. Employees in all age groups are looking for a more meaningful work experience.

Research shows that you can expect 57% more effort given by employees that feel recognized. Imagine the increased productivity and innovation that employees encouraged by a formal recognition program could provide.

To truly be effective in recognizing employees, organizations need to continuously track and manage the feedback and data from their recognition programs. Below are three types of incentives that work.

1. Social Recognition

We’re living in a Facebook and Instagram world. The days of a private “atta-boy” are over. Today’s worker has grown up sharing every detail of their life on social channels — and this includes accomplishments at work. With 24/7 access to mobile devices, the line between the professional and personal is blurred. It’s no longer likely that employees will create a clear separation between their work life and their personal life. These employees want to be recognized on familiar social channels and they appreciate being recognized for their accomplishments by their peers.

Because managers can’t be everywhere, peer-to-peer recognition allows co-workers to share stories of the ways in which their colleagues demonstrate company values, contribute to corporate objectives, take care of customers, or go above and beyond. These stories can then be elevated by managers, and successfully leveraged in a reward program to reinforce stellar performance.

2. Non-Cash Reward Programs

Contrary to a long-held popular belief, cash is not the best motivator in the reward and recognition world. Studies show that employees perform at higher levels when receiving tangible rewards. A participant study by the Incentive Research Foundation reports that when employees were given a choice between a reward that aligned with their own experiential preferences and cash, they chose the experience, especially for larger rewards.

99% of the participants in the study had unique reward preferences, thus confirming the need to offer a variety of choices for program recipients

The study also found that for 40–50% of the participants, the recognition experience had as much to do with the delivery of the reward as the reward itself. Public recognition by company leadership had the most impact for the participants.

3. Give the Gift of Choice

Have you ever tried to purchase a gift for a family member or close friend and found yourself stumped by the challenge of simply not knowing what to give them? If we find struggle in gifting those nearest and dearest to us, how can we be successful at choosing a gift for employees? Especially when considering all their various ages, stages, and interests? The most successful reward and recognition programs provide a breadth of options so employees may feel empowered. This may include the traditional and the creative:

• Merchandise
• Retail Gift Cards
• Travel / Experiences
• Charitable Donations
• Branded Items
• Paid Time Off

Common reward and recognition program mistakes

Don’t let these common mistakes compromise your recognition program:

• Failing to get management support. Employees will be watching to see whether this is yet another initiative that will pass or if company leadership is participating in the recognition process, the communication, and the reward delivery.
• No strategy. Start with the end in mind. When recognition programs are thoughtfully constructed based on specific goals and include the right participant audience, they achieve great results.
• Poor execution. Once your strategy is in place, do not be distracted by other shiny things. Stay true to your program plan and make adjustments after the program results have been analyzed.
• Defaulting to cash rewards. Don’t be tempted to use what may be perceived as the path of least resistance. Cash is easily confused with compensation and is not the most effective reward choice.

Employee recognition programs contribute to a positive work culture by clearly communicating the company’s mission and values. They ensure that employees understand their role in the organization and are rewarded for their contributions to the success of the company.

Finding a partner like Online Rewards can be beneficial in creating an effective recognition program that is based on performance and offers motivating rewards that are delivered appropriately. This will help to retain your most valuable asset: Your key employees.