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08 Jul 2021
by Meghan Stettler

Technology and communications: How to ensure universal access to recognition and reward

Employee recognition has earnt some well-deserved time in the spotlight over the past 15 months, as more and more organisations around the world have identified the substantial benefits of appreciating their people and recognising their great work. But how do you make sure all of your team are able to be part of a culture that has reward and recognition at its centre? Here I share some best practices on how you can ensure universal access to recognition and rewards.

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Recognition technology

It’s been an era of disruption. In the wake of cascading challenges across our health, economic and social systems, the Global Culture Report, conducted by the O.C. Tanner Institute, repeatedly demonstrated that businesses that put workplace culture and the employee experience at the centre of their response and recovery strategy, weathered the storms better than most. Through it all, recognition, rewards, and benefits played a substantial role in keeping employees connected. This helped to create a greater sense of purpose and accomplishment, causing a widespread cultural uplift through meaningful, shared experiences – even as workforces increasingly turned remote and isolated. 

At the heart of success has been a newfound dependence on technology. Making recognition moments personal and possible through dedicated platforms and with applications integrated directly into the daily flow of work has been key. Email, Teams, Slack, Facebook and beyond have made the opportunity to thank a peer or leader, an easy and accessible part of the employee experience.

Another silver lining has been our ability to use video conferencing to inclusively share award nominations for great work done and to celebrate career milestones. When technology becomes integrated within an organisation’s culture, the likelihood of employees feeling successful increases by 644%, engagement by 424% and increased revenue by 296%.

Blending tech and personalisation

Recognition that offers a blend of tech and high-touch experiences ensures that wherever your team is around the world, everyone can give, receive and observe recognition regularly and equally, no matter what level, function, area, frontline or remote location they are in.

It is this inclusivity that is driving real change within workplace cultures for the better. O.C. Tanner’s Global Culture Report revealed that employees are five times’ more likely to stay at their organisation if their managers regularly acknowledge them for great work. Building one central, global programme that’s updated, branded uniquely and available 24/7 for employees to use, socialise and interact with, helps ensure employees have a consistent experience that’s rooted in the cultural values of the organisation.

Analysing recognition

Finally, and arguably most importantly, is being able to regularly review the adoption of recognition among the workforce, and ensure its benefits are being maximised across the board. A built-in analytics dashboard where administrators can track activity, budget and discover how teams and people are utilising the platforms and tools available to them, can help identify gaps and opportunities for greater education and engagement. This can help remove obstacles, showcase cultural impacts, and chart a sustainable pathway forward for a thriving workplace culture and employee experience.   

The key to a recognition solution that people love, one that gets used frequently and impacts workplace culture widely, is to refresh it often, ensuring that your organisation has the latest technology, integrated tools, and mobile apps to make appreciation truly universal and borderless across frontline, hybrid and remote workforces. 

Soon, recognition will move from a once-or-twice a year transaction into a reflection of your cultural DNA, a vital part of your success strategy coming out of a year unlike any other, to meet the demands of an ever-evolving tomorrow.

The author is Meghan Stettler, director at the O.C. Tanner Institute.

This article is provided by O.C. Tanner.

In partnership with O. C. Tanner

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