The Benefits of Social Recognition for Employee Incentives
In today’s age of instant gratification, employees have another incentive to work harder thanks to online offerings such as social media. Though employers should still offer other incentive options, such as a plaque for employee of the month, social recognition should be a primary focus. Many benefits of this type of incentive make it a worthwhile business investment.
More Employees Strive for Excellence
After one employee is recognized on social media for an exceptional work ethic, others will want to follow suit. Most people want the recognition and praise that comes from a job well done. Seeing their name and picture posted to social media, along with comments from others commending them for their efforts, is a strong motivator for your employees. Others get to see these comments as well, making them want to work just as hard to receive the same acknowledgment.
Employee Retention
Keeping employees is easier if you give them praise more often. Many workers report that they leave for better jobs if their current place of employment is not giving them the recognition they deserve. Retaining employees is better for business. You don’t have to spend time recruiting workers to replace the ones you lose or training new hires on tasks your previous employees were already skilled at performing. Valuing the hard-working employees you already have is key to making your business thrive.
Tracking Metrics to Drive Business
Aside from just randomly mentioning a particular employee’s name after a job well done, you can set up a competition to get more employees involved and wanting to devote time and energy to their jobs. One example of this is using a leaderboard to track how many sales each person has made. The one with the most sales at the end of the period can earn an extra incentive, along with getting their picture posted to the company’s social media accounts.
Do this regularly, and you can use the metrics found within this data to improve business practices. Take a look at who is regularly at the top of the board to help you with promotion decisions. See who is nearing the bottom each time, and make a decision regarding their fit for the company. You want motivated and talented workers on your side.
More Affordable Incentive Options
Incentives don’t have to include lavish trips or high-value gifts. Offer some additional awards in combination with social media recognition. Allow your employees to choose these awards, such as getting to park in a certain space for a month or the chance for a Saturday off. Providing any type of incentive, even if it doesn’t come with a large monetary value, is still appreciated by employees.
Peer-to-Peer Possibilities
As the leader of a company or a manager, you may not be around as often as you’d like to actually see which employees are doing the best work. Exploring the possibility of a peer-to-peer recognition system would be a valid option. The workers themselves get to take note of who is doing well and praise their peers online for being helpful, offering guidance, taking on the most work, and so on. This motivates employees more so than usual because they know people are always watching. It limits slack time and improves performance, which is great for business.
Social recognition should be at the top of your list for employee incentives. Not only does it help you keep track of the best in the business, but it also lets employees know that they’re appreciated. They’ll want to continue to work for your business if they know what they bring to the table is valued. Something as simple as a post on Facebook commending the entire team for their outstanding work that week is a good start.
