Are Your Comments More Valuable Than Your Likes?

Many social recognition programs available from vendors operate very similar to Meta/Facebook. You have a social newsfeed where you can add status updates. And you can send themed specific ecards or social badges to celebrate achievements, thank people for their help, reward performance goals reached, and acknowledge colleagues’ birthdays and milestone celebrations. 

And there is something else that each of us can do. As we go on to our recognition and reward programs, there is the special opportunity to like the various recognition messages sent and to even add our personal comments.

Does liking and commenting make a difference to people? Is one better than the other? 

Let’s explore some research and see if we can extrapolate anything that we can apply in our social recognition programs. 

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It’s Important to Comment and Not Just Like Recognition

Whether you have a vendor designed social recognition program, or an enterprise social networking service like Yammer or Jive, learn to use them to their maximum recognition effectiveness.

The recommendation I am giving to you is the value of adding comments to your social news feed. (more…)

If You Really Know Me, Then Recognize Me Properly

It was a busy day at a suburban branch of a retail bank and the customer service representatives (CSR’s) were kept constantly busy with serving long lines of needy customers.

Air conditioning didn’t seem to be working the best that day and it was getting kind of warm in the bank. The bank manager had already called head office to arrange for air conditioning maintenance people to come and fix things.

The CSRs did their best to smile, pause briefly between customers to calm themselves, and patiently serve each customer with their individual banking requests.

By mid-afternoon, something unusual happened.

The bank manager walked behind each of the half-dozen or so CSRs and placed a cold can of carbonated drink on the counter next to each employee as they served the next customer in line.

Some of the CSRs were able to look up and smile back at the manager and others said thanks if they could.

But it was several minutes later before each CSR realized how special their manager’s actions were.

She had not given every CSR the same carbonated beverage. No, she had made sure to know what each of their favorite drinks was. Armed with that insight she had purchased a single can of pop that each CSR liked best.

For those CSR’s this simple but special action spoke volumes to them and showed them their manager appreciated them and the work they were doing.

Think about what can you do to personalize and customize the tokens of appreciation you give to employees. (more…)

Don’t Leave Recognition To The Last Minute

There are some things you just don’t forget.

Often these unforgettable events in our lives are one of two types.

They are either the most positive and meaningful of experiences or they are the most painful and haunting of memories.

One recognition experience I had left an indelible impression upon me because I had to personally draw on the very things I usually teach other people to do.

Consider a time when you have had to use the recognition practices and methods you teach others to do.

Here’s my story about not leaving recognition to the last minute. (more…)

5 Things Your Boss Needs To Know About Recognition

Each manager, supervisor, or business owner comes with their own unique set of interpersonal skills, along with strengths and weaknesses, especially with giving meaningful and effective recognition.

You’ve likely had a boss or two who understood the importance of acknowledging your work. You had a positive relationship with them. Work seemed to go well and you felt engaged. You knew you were making a difference. (more…)