Top 5 Employee Recognition Myths

Top 5 Employee Recognition Myths

TRICIA MIKOLAI
Managing Director - Oceania Bl WORLDWIDE

Employee recognition programs have been around for decades — long enough for traditional practices to become antiquated when tested against the diversity of generations, genders. roles and personalities at work today.

When used as an engagement strategy. recognition has transformed into more than a service anniversary award or formal, annual event. In the new environment Of •easy-come, easy-go' employment, busting these top five recognition myths will give you a competitive advantage for acquiring, growing and retaining your talented employees.

#5 Not for Salespeople

Are salespeople included in your employee recognition program? If so. what does your data show about their participation levels — both in giving and in receiving recognition?

Many people believe that salespeople are "coin operated" and therefore only motivated by their ability to earn more money. In fact. salespeople are usually eligible for many incentives throughout a yean which gives them opportunities to cash in. Unfortunately. actual results of these incentives tell a different story — most salespeople do not perform better if the carrot is just more cash.

Equally detrimental. internal employees know that salespeople have these incentives and often view them with a bit of discontent. It creates a dichotomy Of (the employees who believe they don't get many opportunities to earn) versus “them” (salespeople who get money “thrown at them”). worst case scenario is an unwillingness to work together —employees who don‘t understand the impact they have on the success of a sale and salespeople who take the work employees do for granted.

Why settle for that?

To bridge the gap, salespeople should be included if. the employee recognition program. To do so, however, we have to view salespeople as people, not vehicles that will do more work if you input more fuel,

As people, they need to be recognised for more than just achieving a year-end number. and there are many activities to choose from:

• Training achievements and outcomes
• Demonstrated core values
• Sales process adherence and improvement
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Documentation and database compliance or timeliness
• Submitting best practices and success stories
• Lead follow-up and referrals