How employee recognition can improve business

Recognition is rewarding for business as it sends a powerful message that the recipient is important. It says the comapny cares when people put their best efforts into their work.

While recognition programs contribute to employee satisfaction, they also serve as company communication tool that reinforces and rewards the direction of a company. According to Susan M. Healthfield, About.com, "When you recognize people effectively, you reinforce with your chosen means of recognition, the action and behaviors you most want to see people repeat. An effective employee recognition system is simple, immediate and powerfully reinforcing."

The most successful businesses or associations are the ones that have reward and recognition programs in place to acknowledge excellence on a regular basis. Whether it's a formal or informal program, studies show tangible awards - trophies, plaques, ribbons, medals and other personalized items - have proven to be the most effective way to give recognition, even better than money or gifts.

Modern workers rely and depend upon reward and recognition as a means of defining what is valued by the organization. Appreciation and recognition are used to communicate to employees behaviours that are valued by a company, and can increase employee behaviours that contribute to company mission and vision statements.

In the corporate world, recognition is used for one reason: to drive more business. While it may sound mercenary to some, it's a reality. Corporations cannot service if they do not make money. Shareholders demand it. Workers demand it. Suppliers demand it. And since costs keep rising every year, and workers and shareholders want to be paid more every year, the company must make more money every year. Thus, your employee recognition culture must recognize people for doing their jobs a little better today than they did them yesterday.

Having a recognition programme wthin your company serves a number of purposes. It can increase engagement levels, prevent burnout, prevent employee turnover and increase profitability and productivity. If you have recognition programs that do not lead to fulfillment of the company's goals, they should be reevaluated, and fast.

Source: Recognition is Rewarding