Do you have an employee who deserves an Oscar?

   I admit I didn’t stay up to hear who won Best Picture last night but I did watch a good chunk of the annual awards extravaganza.  Oscar night reminds me of employee awards programs both good and bad. Actors are recognized along with all of the specialties that go into making a movie.  Oscar hype boosts careers and adds to movie profits. 

   Employee recognition programs can also boost careers and morale.  Can they add to profits?  It would be hard to identify a direct link but easy to see how employees who are happy and recognized for extra effort are more likely to produce the kind of results a business needs. 

   You’ve probably seen or experienced employee of the month programs.  These are OK but too often they lose their impact.  Like the Oscars they can result in sentimental choices or popularity contests.  Award decisions are made because recognition needs to be spread among departments.  Senior management looks around and realizes that no one from Purchasing received an award in 2007 so they find someone in the department to recognize.  The result is a very nice “atta boy” that doesn’t highlight any specific accomplishment.  It’s not hard for employees to realize that each department takes a turn. 

   Awards programs have more impact when they recognize specific achievements.  At a start up company we implemented a program that rewarded employees for exceeding expectations of customers or co-workers.  Nominees were reviewed by the senior management team and all of the deserving employees received an award.  There were 2 levels and no maximum on the number of awards that were given out each month.  We loved the months when we gave out 12 awards to employees who took initiative to respond to unusual customer requests, anticipate needs or go way beyond their role to help another employee. The nominations that described the special effort were posted and winners received checks and gift certificates.

   Recognition programs don’t have to start with big fancy awards.  Gift certificates for coffee or the movies are an easy way to start.  You can also have some fun with the awards.  Would your employees like to see their photo in a frame or would a fun statue on their desk have a greater impact?  I worked with a Chief Engineer who gave out energy miser and glutton awards.  He built a nice award that represented conservation and a mess for the department that never turned off a light or computer. 

   Oscar like statues are also available to recognize star performances.  I used these for a few years in a People’s Choice format that employees voted on.  It was very successful, generated a lot of excitement and great acceptance speeches.  The best programs are flexible and change so that they don’t become predictable with employees able to guess who will win the next award. 

   It’s refreshing to take the time to recognize good performances.  You don’t have to wear a tux or red dress and you don’t have to wait for Oscar night.