Out-of-this-World Recognition and Rewards

Brenda at Verifone shares an out-of-this-world

recognition approach:

‘I found a 23-inch inflatable space alien and we

use it for a program called “Above and Beyond”.

Every time I receive a message that someone has

gone above and beyond the call of duty, that person

gets to have the alien sit at their desk until the next

person gets an “Above and Beyond” compliment

or referral.’

Vicki is Director of Customer Service for a successful

on-line retailer. She writes:

‘We have a monthly award called “Radar O’Reilly”.

We encourage our associates to share information

they have learned: mistakes in our catalog, hard

questions from the media, little-known processes

that can help everyone, etc. Everyone submits their

“Radar” as the events occur and then a winner is

selected from the month’s submissions. The winner

gets a movie ticket!’

Ram is Chief Executive Officer of a large agricultural

outfit in India and offers this suggestion: ‘The most

treasured award in our organization is called the

“Bright Spark” Award and is in the form of a Spark

Plug mounted on a small rosewood stand. It is given

out for the best out-of-the-box idea. It costs hardly

anything and yet is the most coveted of awards

among our team!’

Key Learning Point

It doesn’t take a lot to create an award that means a lot!

Action Steps

Create an odd and inexpensive ‘award’ this month using

food, clothing, music, toys or trinkets. Make it fun, make

it cheap, make it work!