1. Recognition Guide Wilfrid Laurier University

2. RECOGNITION GUIDE Why is Recognition Important? Recognition is proven to be instrumental in organizational success. As illustrated in a study by Health Stream, companies in the highest quartile of “Recognizing Excellence” report an operating margin of 6.6%, while those in the lowest quartile report only 1%. A recognition program helps reduce turnover, increase productivity and create a positive working environment – all elements necessary to achieving organizational success!

3. RECOGNITION GUIDE Why is Recognition Important? Great leaders realize that recognition is more than just a ‘thank you’. It’s a concentrated effort by the leaders of an organization to commit to personal excellence and a positive work environment. As Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs identifies after base needs are fulfilled recognition is the next step on the needs pyramid. The closer an organization can help their employees get to the top of the pyramid, the better they can drive peak performance from their workforce.

4. RECOGNITION GUIDE Top 6 Recognition Best Practices Follow the PIC Approach | PIC stands for Positive, Immediate and Certain. Establish a recognition rhythm with your employees that has immediate and certain recognition components to trigger repeat behavior. 1 Recognize your Employees at Least Once a Week | A key variable in employee productivity and engagement is whether or not employees are recognized by their direct managers every seven days 2 Include on-the-spot recognition with scheduled recognition | Establish both types of recognition to ensure the seven day recognition rule and to reinforce desired behaviours. On-the-sport recognition provides praise for contributions when the desired behaviours occur and can be given at any time. Scheduled recognition can occur every week. A good time to send out is the end of the week at the same time. Throughout the week think about the people that have made a positive contribution to the organization. 3

5. RECOGNITION GUIDE Top 6 Recognition Best Practices Be Specific | Get the most value from recognition by establishing ways you can communicate and personalize praise. Be very specific on why they are being recognized. 4 Encourage Peer to Peer Recognition | A culture of recognition will only be achieved once everyone is involved in the process. This includes motivating your team to recognize their employees regularly. Incorporate individual recognitions into weekly or monthly meetings. 5 Track & Evaluate | It is important to evaluate and gather data on recognition wherever possible. This information becomes valuable in identifying recognition gaps, opportunities and employee specific information for performance reviews. 6

6. RECOGNITION GUIDE How to use the Program – U Rock Rewards 3 1 2 Point Cards are Claimed Online & Points are Deposited into Account Points are Redeemed for Items in the online Catalogue Reward Employees with Point Cards What Gets Rewarded, Gets Repeated!

7. RECOGNITION GUIDE How to use the Program – WLU Rewards! Step 1 – Recognize your employees with a Points Card when they have Made a Difference in your organization! Point Card (the size of a credit card) Unique Point Code that corresponds to a Predetermined number of Points

8. RECOGNITION GUIDE How to use the Program – U Rock Rewards Step 2 – Your employees will logon to http://demo.wlurewards.iloverewards.com to claim their point code. The points will automatically be deposited into their accounts Points will be deposited into account Will insert code to claim points

9. RECOGNITION GUIDE How to use the Program – U Rock Rewards Step 3 – Employees can redeem their points for items in the online catalog. The catalog has thousands of items including, gift cards, electronics, clothes, tools, etc.

10. RECOGNITION GUIDE Suggested Readings