Employee recognition isn’t something you should do sporadically. It’s a communication tool that, when used properly and consistently, influences the outcomes that people create for your business. When you recognize your employees via an employee recognition program, you reinforce and encourage the behaviors you want your employees to repeat. The best employee recognition programs are simple, immediate and powerful. When you decide to build your own employee recognition program, you have to ensure the recognition you provide is beneficial to both the employee and the employer. Here are five tips you should follow:

1. INSIDER TIPS FOR
EFFECTIVE EMPLOYEE
RECOGNITION
Spoiler alert: you are
going to want to take
notes!

2. • All employees must be eligible to
receive the recognition.
• Don’t leave anyone out!
Point 1:
That would be
demotivating!

3. Point 2:
• When you recognize, provide specifics
about the behaviors being rewarded. Give
examples.
Karen, thanks for
staying late to look over
those proposals while I
was out sick. You really
saved the day- thanks
for being a team player!

4. Points 3 and 4:
• 3: Once you set your
goals, anyone who
achieves them must
receive immediate
recognition.
• 4: Recognize employees as
soon as they perform a
desired behavior. The more
time you allow to pass, the
less likely it is that your
employees will associate
their behavior with their
reward. Think Pavlov’s dogs.
Give them a
pat on the
back!
Don’t make it
seem you
forgot!

5. • Ensure that your process doesn’t involve management “choosing”
who does and does not receive rewards. This can be misused and/or
viewed as favoritism and can backfire and demotivate. Set a clear
process that is black and white, and reward everyone
who meets your objectives.
Point 5:
Encourage
the behaviors
you desire to
see, it’s a
win-win!