An award program is an important part of an organization’s culture. It involves the opportunity to catch someone doing something right and recognize them publicly for their actions.
Your award program should recognize members of your organization for behaviors that advance your goals and mission. For example, if your organization has a goal to cut costs, you could present an award to an employee who successfully reduces cost.
To help you create a meaningful award program, here’s a series of questions you should ask to ensure your award will promote recognize desired behaviors and prepare you for the award presentation.
1. What do you want to enhance or promote in your organization?
2. What are your major areas of focus?
3. Who are the potential recipients? What are the eligibility requirements?
4. Is there a large enough pool of potential recipients?
5. How inclusive will the award be?
6. Is the award simple in format?
7. What are the long-range implications of the award?
8. What will you name the award?
9. What will be the substance of the award?
10. How will people be nominated for the award?
11. Will there be a form used for nominations?
12. What will the criteria be for selection?
13. Who will select the recipient and what process of selection will be used?
14. Will there be a community sponsor for the award program?
15. How will the recipient be notified that they have been selected to receive the award?
16. How will the recipient be prepared for the presentation?
17. How will peers and the general public be informed that this individual is receiving the award?
18. How will the presenters be briefed about their role in the presentation of the award?
19. Who will generate a program describing the award presentation?
20. What kind of
award trophy will be given to the recipient?
21. Will the recipient’s name, the award received, and the date of the award be recorded on a
perpetual plaque or in some type of register for posterity?
22. Who will prepare the news releases and to what media agencies will the material be released?
23. Who will ask the recipient if they would like a copy of the notification letter in their personnel file and see that it is included there?
24. Who will express appreciation to the sponsor for underwriting the award program for the year?
25. How will input be solicited for suggestions or modifications to the award?