One of the best ways to create a positive company culture where employees are engaged and enjoy coming to work is to recognize and reward good performance. It’s always frustrating to work your butt off, well beyond the efforts of your colleagues, and get ignored. Employees want to stay with organizations that appreciate their hard work so if you don’t thank your employees, they’ll start looking for a company that does. Here are eight ways to recognize your top performers.
Say thank you
It doesn’t need to be fancy, you can simply say thank you. Or, take the time to write a personal note to let an employee know she’s appreciated. If nothing else, you can brighten their day.
Give a customized award
Personalize an award for something an employee accomplishes and present it in front of the rest of the team. It can be in the form of a $15 plaque or even a gift card—something cheap and easy that your employee can be proud of.
Award public acknowledgement
Use a staff meeting to spotlight something your employee just achieved. It can be very motivating and validating to be recognized in front of your peers.
Write about them
Publish a blog post or company-wide press release that recognizes your employee’s accomplishments. Highlight how their productivity contributes to the overall wellbeing of the company. This is a great way to document their stellar performance and provides them something they can share with their friends and family.
Provide an educational opportunity
Top performers are usually driven and motivated already, so reward them by allowing them to pursue education courses or conferences and workshops that can help them develop their skills.
Increase their responsibility
Delegate some new, more challenging tasks to the star employee. You’re showing them that you’re seeing their efforts and that you trust them at the same time you’re beginning to groom them for future leadership or even management.
Flex their schedule
Top performers have already proven that they have the intrinsic motivation and self-discipline to get the job done, so reward them with the ability to choose some flexibility in their schedules. Perhaps an occasional day off or the opportunity to work remotely. This alone might serve as an incentive for your other employees.
Award a bonus
Employees who are exceeding expectations should receive pay that exceeds the average. As you plan to distribute raises, link them to performance appraisals. This way, workers will be compensated in proportion to their efforts and output.
For more advice on how to show your best employees that you appreciate all their hard work, check out our website at https://www.chiefofstaffkc.com.
Blog written by Erin Greenhalgh