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EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

Be Creative!

There will always be that formal program in place for receiving an engraved plaque or framed certificate, but some recognition should just simply be fun! Here are some creative recognition ideas that will go a long way toward acknowledging a deserving member of your staff and allow you to think beyond the traditional, and sometimes costly, methods of recognition that most people are accustomed to.

The Power of Candy - think Lifesavers, Wow Bars, Smarties, and SKOR bars to recognize individual accomplishments. What about Mike & Ike or Three Musketeers for a great team effort? Pay a visit to your local candy counter for some more ideas!

John or Mary Appreciation Day - consider celebrating the accomplishments of a colleague in your department by proclaiming a day in his/her honor. Decorate the work area, post signs around the department, wear badges proclaiming the accomplishment, and celebrate with cake and ice cream at the end of the day!

The Golden Banana - This legendary story starts with a Hewlitt-Packard engineer who burst into his manager's office to announce he'd just found the solution to a problem the group had been struggling with for many weeks. His manager groped around his desk for some item to acknowledge the accomplishment, and ended up handing the employee a banana from his lunch along with heartfelt congratulations. Over time, the Golden Banana became one of the most prestigious honors recognizing innovation at HP.

Casual Day - Depending on the nature of business in your department, consider having a regularly scheduled casual day coupled with a pot luck lunch. Used together, these ideas can positively enhance both morale and productivity.

Toys - your children's closets or toy boxes may hold a treasure trove of recognition ideas. A stuffed giraffe for someone who is always sticking their neck out, a toy car to recognize going the extra mile, or a Slinky that acknowledges an employee's flexibility are just some examples of using your imagination to recognize what others have done.

Household Items - look around the house and you will find some everyday items that easily lend themselves to recognition. How about a light bulb to acknowledge a bright idea, or a ruler or measuring tape for someone who has measured up? Don't forget that package of batteries to recognize the department energizer. And there's always the spark plug award (spray painted gold and hung on a ribbon) for the employee who adds spark to the workplace!

There are as many ways to recognize people as there are people to recognize. You just have to use your brain to find them. Next time you think you've exhausted the possibilities, think again...and again!

Eric Harvey