Career Factor: Top 10 Tips For Rewarding Employee Excellence

If you are looking for ways to reward deserving employees, here are some ideas that can help them feel valued.

In a hectic work day, it is often easy to overlook the accomplishments of hard-working employees. These are the people who perform their job duties day after day, year after year, without complaint, which is one reason they tend to be overlooked. 

Another type of deserving employee is the one who goes above and beyond his or her usual duties to provide additional effort or support to the company or co-workers. Sometimes we come to depend so much on this type of person that it is easy to take such an employee for granted. 

That is why it is important to recognize and reward quality job performance from both quantity and quality perspectives. Here are the top ten tips for honoring your premiere employees: 

#1. Sponsor a special awards ceremony. This can be a monthly, bi-annual, or annual event. Some companies celebrate employees' success over an office luncheon while others include awards after an evening dinner. Send invitations to spouses and children, if possible, and have everyone dress up a little bit to commemorate the occasion. 

#2. Distribute certificates that can become a part of the employee's permanent record. Have them signed by the company president and consider framing the most significant ones, such as longevity awards for ten years or more of service, etc. 

#3. Develop an incentive program and promote it throughout the organization. You can make it competitive or available to as many contenders as possible who meet the criteria. Decide which Then ask for nominations of employees (by other employees or supervisors) who qualify for candidacy during the eligibility period. The "winner(s)" will be honored in one of several designated ways. 

#4. Create a recognition process that employees will appreciate. Posting the person's photograph and quote or a short biography, along with the specific credentials that led to the recognition, can be a tremendous honor. Mention the award at company-wide meetings, in the newsletter, and on the Web site. You may want to establish an organizational "hall of fame" for employees who have provided outstanding service. 

#5. Confer rewards or honors that make the employee feel valued. These can range from a "dinner for two" restaurant certificate to an end-of-year bonus, expenses-paid vacation, or a tangible memento such as a clock, expensive pen set, or other office equipment item that has been inscribed with the employee's name and dates of exceptional service. 

#6. Determine what your award criteria and emphasis will be. One major company pays year-end bonuses to employees with perfect attendance that year. Others recognize staff who work a certain number of hours' overtime without pay. Award winning ideas or projects that attract substantial customers may pay big dividends too. 

#7. A merit system may be helpful in evaluating each employee during the year. Even a simple checklist of basic and advanced skills, perhaps with point values, can help pinpoint those who consistently perform above expectations. 

#8. If you implement a nomination process, be sure that everyone understands the criteria to be met. These should be distributed in writing so employees know what to do and supervisors or administrators know how to assess award criteria. 

#9. Adjust criteria to match company growth. If you began by rewarding employee attendance when your company was founded, you may decide now, ten years later, to emphasize productivity over attendance. Clarify the shift in priorities to all employees so they can adjust their roles and performances. It is hard to hit a moving target, and staff may become disgruntled if they learn after the fact that the company rewards a new range of skills. 

#10. Don't forget the human touch. Get administrators involved in making awards, offering congratulations and offering thanks, writing personal notes, and shaking hands. A thoughtful expression of appreciation means more when it comes from a high-ranking officer in the company. 

Loyal employees deserve to be noticed and commended. Take time to honor hard-working staff in one or more of these suggested ways.

Career Factor: Top 10 Tips For Motivating Employee Success

If you're looking for ways to light a fire under your staff members, here are some effective strategies that can help.

Good companies look out for and foster their employees' success, even when that sometimes means the employee will leave the company to move up the corporate ladder. Mostly, however, happy employees remain loyal to organizations that value them.

If you want to motivate employees to work for personal success, here are top notch ways to spark their interest.

#1. Sponsor a competition.

Sponsor a contest for the top seller, best attendance record, or fastest worker, whatever skill you want to emphasize. Set a time frame, date, and award to be given at the end of the competition. Many aggressive people enjoy competing, and awards will make it worthwhile.

#2. Offer commendation.

A simple "Good job" or "Thanks a million" can motivate people who enjoy verbal acknowledgement. Some staff members yearn for human recognition or verbal interaction on the job. Pausing to offer a few words of encouragement or gratitude can truly make some people's day.

#3. Put it in writing.

Praise good workers with a professional looking letter of thanks and a copy to their personnel file that will be noticed during the annual evaluation. Or print an attractive certificate that can be posted in the employee`s work area. A newsletter mention or Web site posting can boost the spirits of those who enjoy seeing their names in print.

#4. Host an awards ceremony.

Sponsor an annual event that everyone looks forward to, especially those to be recognized. It can be a meeting centered around a workday meal or an evening dinner as well as a weekend golf outing or "high tea." Issue a press release and bring out the nice table settings to make things nice. Your honored employees will feel special.

#5. Cook up a company dinner, or picnic.

During an all day fun outing that means a day off work, save a block of time to announce and congratulate the year's most successful employee(s). Invite family members if possible.

#6. Money talks.

Merit pay, bonuses, raises, and promotions are traditional ways to reward quality performance. Gift certificates are appreciated as well.

#7. Increase perks.

Company discounts, business vehicle, extra vacation days, or an exclusive club membership are always appreciated by deserving staff members. Be creative in finding unique ways to celebrate success.

#8. Do it with humor.

A singing telegram, balloon delivery, or "roast" at a company event combines laughter with celebration of an employee's accomplishments.

#9. Enhance office support.

When someone consistently performs quality work, consider providing an assistant, new software, or upgraded equipment, both as a reward and as an incentive for continued progress.

#10. Conduct a survey.

Ask all employees to complete a questionnaire that includes questions about how they feel valued. Sometimes a small thing means a lot, like a word of praise from the company owner. You'll never know unless you ask.

All of us enjoy recognition of our efforts to be successful. Take time to help your staff feel honored as you guide them along the road to success and glean the benefits of company loyalty.