Administrative Professional Today

The administrative professional’s guide to accelerated career development. Administrative Professional Today offers practical advice on office efficiency, politics, communication skills, time management, supervisory problems and technology. The monthly issues and weekly electronic forum give special attention to the changing duties of administrative professionals in today’s business environment. Learn more about Administrative Professional Today and the two free reports you’ll get when you subscribe...

Benefits consultant Ken Stahlmann spells out three keys to creating crowd-pleasing employee-recognition awards:

1. Add a dash of creativity to weekly or monthly awards. Combine time off with a second, noncash award. Example: An employee might get a half-day off and movie passes.

2. Make it personal. Rewards make a more powerful impact if they appeal to people’s interests.

Example: One company full of sports fans took top performers to a ballgame. Managers said it was the best $200 they’ve ever spent in terms of creating ongoing enthusiasm.

3. Hand out "good guy" awards: low budget, high impact.

Example: One business keeps a “goodies box” stocked by employees. A co-worker who spots another going above and beyond can pull out a prize and award it on the spot.

— Adapted from “Three keys to successful recognition programs,” Bill Meltzer, HR Morning.