Communicating a Recognition Program Effectively
In order to effectively communicate your recognition program, you need to match the type of supplement you use with recipient's preferences. Evaluate your award program audience to gain insight as to what types and how many forms of communication to use. If your recipients are familiar with computers and the internet, then online communications might be ideal. If your recipients prefer paper based communications, then printed communication tools might work better. If you have a heterogeneous audience, utilizing multimedia will ensure you are able to effectively communicate your recognition program.
Emails
If you have an online recognition program, emails are one of the most versatile tools to communicate an award program and thus the most common way to communicate a program. Electronic messages can be sent to recognize recipients, send out ordering instructions and remind recipients to place an order for recognition awards. if you are considering using emails to communicate your recognition program, make sure your recipients have email addresses and are familiar with the internet.
Award Cards
Award Cards can be used as a stand alone recognition program, but you can also promote or communicate your recognition program with these wallet sized cards. Award cards can be given to recipients at the kickoff of a program or as part of a welcome package to new employees or clients. They include a four color custom design on the front side and information about the recognition program on the back side.
Company Newsletters
Including information about your organization's recognition program in an existing newsletter is a great way to communicate the recognition program through a familiar avenue. You can include the most popular awards recipients are selecting, what employees have done recently to earn recognition and awards and also provide regular updates on the impact of the recognition program.
Posters
You can utilize posters to promote a years of service program, safety award program or an upcoming contest or competition. Posters are large enough, usually 12" by 18", to be eye-catching and work best when you can display them in common areas such as break rooms or locker areas so posters can be a focal point of the room.
Flyers
Letters or flyers can be mailed to individual homes, included in welcome packages for new hires or you can keep them in a break room/general area such as an HR office. Flyers might be a good fit if your organization is looking for a simple way to keep information on hand for employees in the workplace.
Recognition Award Meetings
Informal or formal gatherings can help create buy-in among employees at the launch of a new award program, keep employees updated throughout the recognition program and publicize the impact of individual contributions on the company's success. Meetings might be a good fit if your organization can easily hold face to face meetings on a regular basis at little to no cost.
Related Reading:
Communicating Reward Programs Effectively
13 Tools to Communicate an Incentive Program
The Changing Faces of Staff Recognition Awards: How Employee Demographics Affect Award Programs
