As the calendar year begins to wrap up, many recognition programs with formal awards draw to a close, too. Recognition programs with formal awards are structured programs with defined criteria, nomination and selection processes. Being the recipient of formal awards as part of a formal recognition program is often the highest honor at an organization.
When it comes time to hand out formal awards, you want to get the most motivational miles out of your recognition moment by choosing the right award item. After all, formal awards are what the individuals will keep as a reminder of the recognition, and you want it to be memorable. If you’re presenting formal awards for the first time or want to refresh your current award item, use the guidelines below to find your perfect fit!
Award Prestige
If this is your highest honor in the organization, a premier crystal or silver nickel trophy will help portray the value your organization places on formal awards.
Personalization
Including the recipient’s name, the date and award title on the award item is essential to effective recognition. Choose formal awards with personalization capabilities.
Special Features
To ensure the award item remains on the recipient’s desk, an award with an embedded clock is a great choice. This special feature adds value and functionality to formal awards.
Priceless Memento
A written note is still the most desired form of recognition. Present a letter from your organization’s leader congratulating the recipient in a folder or frame. Check back in a couple weeks, and it’s likely the recipient will have the letter proudly displayed!
Diane Hodges, Ph.D.
Pause for Applause with Festive Award
The school year is underway, and I am hopeful it is going well. If that is the case, then you should consider rewarding the people who are making that happen.
Undoubtedly, you have staff members who do much more than asked of them, without expecting anything in return. Maybe you can give them a festive and creative “above and beyond” award to celebrate their contributions.
Fall Harvest. Assemble packages of pumpkin candies and attach a note of appreciation such as “Thank you for ‘harvesting’ our students’ potential.”
Ghostly Praise. Make ghost suckers out of Tootsie Roll Pops and facial tissue. Attach a note such as “We don’t stand a ‘ghost’ of a chance of achievement without you! “
Diane Hodges (DrDianeHodges@aol.com) is the author of Looking Forward to Monday Morning and an experienced school administrator. She is currently an educational consultant and speaker. For more information, visit www.DianeHodges.com.
Formal Awards Presentation Quick Tips
For effective and motivational formal awards presentations, follow these three guidelines:
- Individualized: Tailor the recognition to the recipient’s preferences. Will the recipient appreciate it if you share a personal story about him/her?
- Specific: Specify what the recipient did to earn the recognition. Give specific examples of the actions or accomplishments.
- Connected: Explain how the recipient’s actions contributed to the organization. Describe the connection to organizational values or goals.
For more formal award presentation tips, download our Award Presentation Guide.
Recognition Best Practices
This month’s Recognition Best Practice idea comes from Larry at Employee Services Unit NYS Higher Education Service Corp. Thanks Larry!
"At our agency we proudly promote "Partners In Excellence" – a unique program that blends employee recognition and appreciation with wellness and work-life balance programs. This way, we "recognize" that our colleagues are more than just performers and producers...they're human beings as well. "Partners In Excellence" is a strategy that offers multiple opportunities for colleagues to perform, contribute and achieve. When they do, they are recognized in a very special way. It includes both informal and formal recognition programs, dynamic wellness programs and work-life balance programs that demonstrate the value we place on employees and their families."