It’s estimated that over half of all U.S.-based companies have some type of employee recognition program in place. Unfortunately, however, many of these companies turn a blind eye to such programs, neglecting them just months after they are created. An employee recognition program is only effective if the employer implements it correctly. If you’re struggling to get your recognition program up and running, we have some helpful tips on how to reboot it.

Use Meaningful Rewards

According to a recent article published by Forbes, a whopping 87% of all U.S. recognition programs focus strictly on tenure. Why is this a problem? Well, researchers say that tenure-based rewards such as this have little-to-no impact on performance. You have to remember that most companies use generic, low-quality rewards to encourage employees to stay. For instance, a worker may receive a “cheese of the month” membership after working with the company for 5 years. A smarter and more effective solution is to reward employees with something meaningful, such as a personalized trophy, plaque or award.

Employee-of-The-Month Program

One of the most common types of employee recognition is an employee-of-the-month program. As the name suggests, this program is designed to highlight a single worker each month, recognizing him or her for their exceptional hard work and dedication. If you’re struggling to create an effective recognition program, consider launching an employee-of-the-month program. It’s a simple yet highly effective way to keep employees engaged while recognizing them for their hard work.

Ask For Feedback

Another helpful tip to reboot your company’s employee recognition program is to ask workers for feedback. Find out what types of rewards/incentives they would like to receive and how. If your company is driven on sales, then perhaps you can recognize workers who achieve the most sales in a given time period. Doing so will encourage others to put their best foot forward, boosting productivity and overall morale in the workplace.

Think Outside The Box

Let’s face it, using the same recognition program month after month grows old. If you’re looking to reboot your company’s employee recognition program, you’ll have to think outside the box. Think of ways to differentiate your program from the rest. Even small changes can make a company and its respective program shine above the rest.