You Gotta Blow Their Socks Off?

Dear Subscriber -

Like it or not, we live in an increasingly over-stimulated society. Practically everywhere you look, you can see higher and higher levels of escalation and sensationalism.

Mainstream movies are becoming more graphic and extreme. Lyrics of popular music genres are so routinely explicit that "parental advisory" stickers are commonplace on CDs. TV commercials and other marketing mediums continually grow more colorful, louder and over-the-edge bizarre just to snag another second of consumer attention.

It is no surprise that recognition programs end up vying for attention, too. Poised against the daily barrage of power-media and counter-punch marketing, does successful recognition demand bigger, louder, more in-your-face programs? How can you be heard above the din?

The answer is in what marketers call "differentiation" - which simply means appearing distinctly different from "the pack." Juxtaposed against the depersonalized, artificial media stream, what better differentiation than grass-roots, one-on-one, heart-felt and personalized modes of recognition, and old-fashioned sincere human gratitude. Today, "keeping it real" is pretty darn special.

As you dig into this issue, like our feature article, notice that honest sincerity and human values are the new differentiators! Our latest survey results underscore that these crucial elements should be woven thoughtfully into every program. Share the success factors of employee satisfaction vote in our current survey.

By the way, more great Terryberry webinars are heading your way!  Learn about webinars here!

We hope you get the most from this informative issue of the Recognition Insider.

Keep the Insider Coming: We don't want you to miss a single valuable edition of the Recognition Insider for HR. Your company may be instituting stricter spam controls on corporate e-mail. So please, let your IT team know you subscribe to this business-related publication to ensure the Insider keeps showing up in your inbox.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Cashing In On "The Wow! Factor"
Get the Who's Who There
First Impression, First
Home Cookin' Does It
HR Survey: How do you know what employees are thinking?
A Picture Worth More Than a Thousand Words
Awards That "Just Keep on Giving"
and more!

Our recent survey results:

At your company, what primarily creates
employee satisfaction?

Workplace environment
10.3%

Social activities
5.2%

Recognition of achievement
4.7%

Opportunities to be involved in decisions
10.1%

Compensation
20.9%

Benefits & programs
48.8%





More than 89 percent of U.S. companies today use recognition programs as part of their human resources strategy – and this percentage is up from 84 percent in 2002.
Source:  WorldAtWork

Companies which use employee recognition effectively are 25 percent more profitable, on average, than those which ignore this crucially important aspect of personnel management.
Source:  WorldAtWork

The average total cost (for recruiting, training and other expenses) to replace a manager who quits is approximately $100,000.
Source:  WorldAtWork

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INSIDER!


by Tom Nugent

Here's how to make sure your employee-recognition program has enough punch and pizzazz to achieve your goals as an HR manager!

What's the key to building an employee-recognition program that will have a powerful impact on workers ... while also helping to achieve your organization’s long-term goals by motivating employees and managers alike to "give their all" in order to help accomplish your mission?

Ask that question of any experienced employee-recognition counselor, and the odds are high that you'll soon find yourself listening to a passionate description of a phenomenon known as “the Wow! Factor.”

"Whether you're honoring an employee with a 25-year diamond wristwatch - or simply having your CEO write a personal note of thanks to an especially productive worker - it's essential that...  More>>

What's your most successful way of knowing what employees are thinking?


Online forums

Employee surveys

Focus groups

"Town hall" meetings

Manager-employee dialogs

Open-door policy


Insights from top HR professionals.

Get the Who's Who There.
When planning any employee award presentation, find out Who's Who – and get them there!

According to BMW of North America HR specialist Wendy Jacob, employees who receive length-of-service or performance awards "don't really notice the food, or the table decorations, or the kind of music being played at the dinner.

But what they do notice - and remember permanently - is which company executives made... More>>

First Impression, First.
When a new employee arrives on the scene, take a few minutes to drop by the newcomer’s desk and say hello. Explain that you're very interested in seeing the new arrival do well on the job, and that you'll be checking in from time to time to see if you can help with the adjustment process.

"Most employees vividly remember their first few days....  More>>




Suggestions from readers and
practitioners like you.

Home Cookin' Does It.
Want to really reward a few of your best workers for a job well done?

Here's how: Instead of wining and dining them at a local high-end eatery, invite the group to your home for a steak-chicken-n'ribs barbecue with all the trimmings.

"Once they see you wearing your grilling apron and flipping their steaks, they'll be yours forever," says L-3 Avionics...  More>>

What's in a Name? Everything!
Shakespeare understood the enormous power that can be harnessed by those who know how to name names.

(If you don't believe it, just read Romeo and Juliet.) As the managing partner at Terryberry, Mike Byam says he makes it his business to learn the names of our more than 100 company workers.

Why? It's simple: Most people love to hear the sound...  More>>



A Picture Worth More Than a Thousand Words.
For maximum impact during employee recognition awards, try presenting your recipient with an image that "tells the story" of his or professional contribution with vivid power.

Here's a great example: Recently when Michigan's L-3 Avionics aerospace firm wanted to honor some of its employees for their help in designing a new airplane cockpit, L-3 Senior Director of Human Resources Kathleen Margo helped put together an awards that included amusing caricatures of the employees... More>>

Awards that Just " Keep on Giving".
To get maximum bang for your employee-recognition buck, try "repeat-gifts" such as year-long magazine subscriptions.

Each time the new issue arrives in the mail, the recipient will be reminded: "My employer sent me this in recognition of my work!"

To make the gift even more memorable, find a magazine that allows you to add a message on the address line - and then craft a few words that praise the employee's accomplishments such as "Thanks for ...   More>>

The tips, techniques and best practices shared by our readers add an invaluable dimension to the Recognition Insider.  Won't you take a moment and share your thoughts and experience with us?

In appreciation of your efforts, you could receive the "Most Valuable Contributor" award and recognition in an upcoming newsletter. Write us now!

TERRYBERRY
RECOGNIZES

[YOUR NAME HERE]

for being a

Most Valuable
Contributor

in appreciation
of your time and
valued insights!


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