No More ‘Employee of the
Month’!
Do you remember the last time you saw an ‘Employee
of the Month’ award? If you were a customer, did
you recognize the name of the winner? Probably not.
Could you tell what he or she did to win the award?
Unlikely.
If you were a staff member, did someone winning the
monthly award motivate you to higher achievements? Doubtful.
Did you understand exactly what he or she did to become
the monthly winner? More doubtful still.
Awards can stimulate and motivate the staff. But simple
‘Employee of the Month’ programs can quickly
devolve into mindless and political rituals with very
little meaning.
You need something more engaging.
Review this list of ideas for meaningful recognition
of your staff. Use a different one each month, or several
at a time.
Happiest Customer
Comment (read it out to everyone)
Most Customers Served
(when volume counts)
Best Service Recovery
(share the problem, the action and the outcome)
Most Effective Service
Improvement (What was changed? What was the result?)
Best Internal Service
Partner (voted by all other staff or departments)
Top Rookie Award
(best performance by someone new)
Speedy Service Award
(fastest response, repair, delivery or installation)
Terrific Teaching
Trophy (for the staff member who helps others learn
the most)
Most Supportive Move
by the Boss (given by the grateful employees)
Above and Beyond
Award (for someone who went the extra mile)
Best Supplier of
the Month (bring them in for applause)
Most Valuable Mistake
of the Month (What happened? How much did we lose?
How much did we learn?)
You can make medals, prizes, trophies, certificates,
plaques, ribbons and stars. You can give dinners, cash,
time off, flowers or simply abundant applause.
Let people know at the beginning of each month which
awards will be granted at the end. Or keep a list of
ideas close at hand, and award them spontaneously whenever
a winning performance arises. Keep it interesting, keep
it fresh, keep it going.
Key Learning Point
People want to work
where company culture is dynamic. No more boring ‘Employee
of the Month’! Create something new and more effective
to engage, encourage, focus, motivate, appreciate, stimulate,
celebrate and arouse everyone.
Action Steps
Look at the recognition
programs you presently apply at work. Are they fresh,
interesting and effective? Now make a list of the efforts
and actions you want to see more of every day:
service, sales, cost reductions, work improvement, innovation,
teamwork, you name it! Create ‘special prizes’
for those areas that will inspire your people, improve
their performance and enhance your company culture.
Next Article in Customer Service Culture >>
New Titles Open New Possibilities
First Article in Customer Service Education >>
Education is the Star at Starbucks
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Ron Kaufman is an internationally acclaimed customer service training educator for quality service.
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