You might be old enough to remember a time when you played a game and there was only one trophy handed out. These days, it seems like “Everyone’s a winner!” whether they deserve it or not. Which begs the question, “How do you determine which employees warrant special recognition and/or reward…and for what types of […]
Employee Recognition Tips
Employee recognition programs can boost employee morale and reduce workplace negativity. Click for ideas and tips on how to recognize your star employees!
Black Tie Optional
Corporate dress codes sure have relaxed over the years! It really wasn’t all that long ago that folks dressed up for the office like they were going to a semi-formal affair. Can you imagine today trading in your Dockers and polo shirt for a suit and tie? Not likely. The trend toward dressing down for […]
Put It In Writing
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: employee recognition is about much more than gifts. Don’t get me wrong, gifts are great – especially when they come from Award Concepts! But if you rely just on anniversary gifts to show your appreciation, you’re losing valuable opportunities to build a positive corporate culture and […]
Mentors: Not for Newbies Only
Our last article, The Buddy System, laid out the benefits and basics of a mentoring plan for new employees. But did you know that many of your more seasoned workers can also benefit from having a mentor…and that you can benefit too? Say you have a path to advancement within a department and you have […]
Celebrating Nurses Week 2015
Nurses do a lot for us. They are highly-trained, skilled professionals who care for our sick and disabled. A nurse helps to educate patients about healthy living as well as any current or chronic disease treatments. He or she also performs procedures as prescribed by physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. These responsibilities are just […]
“You’re On Probation”
You probably didn’t say that in so many words, but it’s a common practice to give new folks a 90-day period to ensure that they’re a good fit with your organization. Most often, new hires pass the test. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure their success and make the probationary […]
Start Workers Off Right
The first day on a new job can tell someone a lot about whether they’re in the right place! After you get through the requisite paperwork, here are a few simple tips to make sure your new hires feel confident and comfortable: Set expectations. Send a welcome email prior to the first day with a […]
Happy Workers, Happy Business
Yes, sometimes it’s just that simple. When your employees are happy, they’re more productive – an average of 12% more productive, according to research by the University of Warwick in Great Britain. And it doesn’t take a professional researcher to conclude that higher productivity is good for business! The question is, how do you make […]
Retrain and Retain
When a good employee leaves, is he leaving your company…or his manager? No matter how progressive and worker-focused your company is, a bad manager’s employees can’t see past the ugly brick wall in their way. The only choice many see is to turn around and look for a better view somewhere else. You may be […]
Creating a Fun Place to Work
“Fun is good.” Dr. Seuss once said that. We’ve all likely had the opportunity to read one of Dr. Seuss’ books throughout our lives. His works have sparked the imaginations of countless children, and adults, over the last 50 years. I think we can all take a hint from Dr. Seuss when he says that […]
What’s In It For Me?
No matter how much your employees might love their jobs, not one of them would be willing to do it for free. One of the top reasons for leaving a company is poor compensation or lack of rewards. Compensation management is one of the most critical functions of Human Resources, encompassing not only wages and […]
Why Employees Leave
An old song says, “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” – but unfortunately, good employees do it all the time. Even with the standard two weeks’ notice, their departure can leave a gaping hole in your department’s structure. While you go through the time-consuming and expensive process of recruiting a replacement, other employees struggle to […]
Craft a 20/20 Vision Statement
We’re all encouraged to get our vision checked once a year – the same should apply to your corporate vision statement! If you’re not clear on exactly what that is, it’s closely tied to your company’s core values. Where the core values are a list of closely held beliefs and ideals, the corporate vision statement […]
Corporate Culture 101: Steps to Success
No books required. ;) Do you want to refer to a manual for every action you take during the day? I didn’t think so. And neither do your employees. Rules and regulations are great and they have their place in every organization. But a firmly established corporate culture, embraced by all employees, will have a […]
Core Values, the Key to Corporate Culture
Quick: In 30 seconds or less, can you list your company’s core values? Don’t feel bad if you can’t. Most of us need a cheat sheet! But if it’s because your organization hasn’t identified their core values, keep reading and take notes. You might be thinking it’s a bit of fluff to establish core values. […]
Eyes on the Prize
Most of us don’t wake up in the morning intending to accomplish a goal. Unless of course, you aim low…like not spilling your coffee or misplacing your phone. Seriously, we’re often just too busy getting things done today to think much about where we want to be months or years from now. Same goes for […]
Three…No, Four Ideas for 2015
If you haven’t made any New Year resolutions regarding your service awards programs, it’s never too late! Here are three great ideas for your consideration: Don’t wait to recognize a good employee. Typically, service awards don’t kick in until an employee has been with a company for five years. At Award Concepts, our motto is, […]
Non-Cash Awards WORK!
Money talks, but a thoughtful gift speaks volumes. Plain and simple – non-cash incentives are good for your business. A properly designed incentive program can have a positive impact on your company’s bottom line. The numbers don’t lie! According to the Incentive Research Foundation, a company with a cash-based program has to spend 12 cents […]
Take a Dip in the Retention Pond
Turn that five-year service award recipient into a twenty-five year! Keeping a good employee today isn’t as hard as it was twenty years ago. This is one time when economic uncertainty is on your side! Still, if your managers are doing their job right, your best employees know how good they are – and what […]
Survey Says: How to Interpret Survey Results
Every manager knows the power of positive reinforcement. But when it comes to recognition, sometimes the best intentions go slightly awry. Why? Recognition practices and programs impact each individual differently, whether positively or negatively. The best way to determine what your employees really want: Ask them! Recognition surveys can uncover individual preferences in how employees […]