Your new year is filled with new goals and projects, a mandate to improve employee morale, and a smaller budget. Sounds like quite the challenge.
Good thing you’ve been reading the
Recognition at Work newsletter and
blog for a while. You’re well aware that appreciation is a key element of improving morale, and thankfully it’s more about sincerity and timing than dollar signs.
Sincere appreciation is an effective strategy to positively impact your team, and when you deliver your appreciation as soon after the behavior as possible, it has an even bigger effect on the recipient. The bottom line: to get more appreciation for less, start an on-the-spot recognition program. It’s easy and doesn’t cost a lot. Here are a few examples to get you started:
- Create a save and redeem program for low-cost awards. Your employees may go above and beyond to wear jeans to work or have some extra free time on their hands – and those rewards don’t cost you a dime! Create a simple point structure and present Tokens of Appreciation for on-the-spot recognition. Employees will redeem the tokens for their reward or gift of choice, and you’ll be the department hero.
- Implement a peer-to-peer recognition program. Give your team the tools to express appreciation themselves and get out of the way! Shout Outs, a peer-to-peer recognition program, costs as little as $0.25 per recognition moment, but the notes have immeasurable intrinsic value to the recipient.
- Start an ePraise on-the-spot recognition program. Sometimes, great appreciation tools don’t cost a thing. Add a link to our free ecard system, ePraise, to your intranet or homepage. Encourage your team to send an ePraise to a coworker any time they want to say “thanks” or “great job.”
- Compile a tackle box of appreciation tools. Catch great performances in the act with a handwritten note or small award. Stock a tackle box withPocket Praise cards, candy, fun pens, and other small gifts. Place it in a central location so everyone on your team can use it.
Quick Tips
Energize and engage your team by celebrating fun holidays year round. Whether it’s a day honoring food, an animal, or a profession, it’s an opportunity for low-cost fun with your team.
The Recognition Event Calendar lists a holiday for every day of the year, so you have a great resource for ideas. Browse the selection of holidays and events, and select one a week for your team. Visit the
Recognition Event Calendar for on-the-spot recognition and celebration ideas!
Best Practices
A Michigan-based nursing home was struggling with low employee morale and high turnover. After implementing a peer-to-peer recognition program, communication and collaboration among the team soared.
Before Grace Haven Assisted Living started using
Shout Outs in their facility, only 26% of employees felt their coworkers were committed to quality work. After using the program for 60 days, that measurement increased to 63%!
Teamwork and trust increased among team members, and many employees were pitching in where needed. The Shout Outs helped them show appreciation for and become more aware of each other’s contributions.