Rolling Out Appreci8 - Our Internal Recognition Strategy

As the leader of Global Internal Communications and Engagement at Reward Gateway, I am excited to share how we are revolutionizing our internal recognition strategy with the launch of "Appreci8." This initiative is designed to strengthen our company culture and connect our people more deeply through strategic and meaningful recognition.

The Need for Strategic Recognition

At Reward Gateway, we understand the profound impact that recognition has on employee motivation and wellbeing. Recognition changes how we feel, sparking a sense of pride, progress, and connection that is backed by the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. These feelings not only inspire discretionary effort but are essential for fostering workplace wellbeing. Our research shows that 69% of employees agree that their workplace wellbeing would improve if they were thanked more often, highlighting a crucial link between recognition and mental health.

Engaging with Our Strategy

In response to the need for more strategic and impactful recognition, we launched Appreci8. This program is built on a multi-tier recognition pyramid that encourages recognition at all levels—from peer-to-peer acknowledgements to manager-led rewards. This structure ensures that recognition is frequent, timely, and meaningful, directly connecting to our strategic goals and values.

Appreci8 is not just about giving out awards; it's about creating a culture of appreciation where everyone feels valued and seen. The program includes:

• eCards for Everyday Recognition: Sent for various occasions, these cards allow every employee to express gratitude and acknowledge the efforts of their peers.
• Strategic Goal eCards with Monetary Boosts: These are special acknowledgements for actions that align with our strategic business objectives, with options to boost the recognition with monetary rewards.
• Milestone and Long Service Awards: Celebrating significant achievements and tenures at RG, ensuring that we honor the dedication and commitment of our team members over the years.
• Manager Flexibility and Empowerment: Enabling managers to select from multiple levels of monetary rewards to recognize significant contributions effectively.

Through Appreci8, we aim to demonstrate our commitment to recognizing and valuing each employee's contributions. By aligning recognition with our strategic objectives, we ensure that every team member can see how their efforts contribute to the bigger picture.

Best Practices and Continuous Improvement

The rollout of Appreci8 involved not just the introduction of new tools but also a shift in mindset. We encouraged our leaders and employees to embrace recognition as a daily practice, integrated into the very fabric of their work lives. By making gratitude a habit—saying "Thank You" daily, sending eCards weekly, and nominating for awards monthly—we embed recognition into our routine interactions.

We also emphasize the importance of the "AVI Recognition" model:

• Action: Describe what the person did.
• Value: Connect their actions to company values.
• Impact: Share the impact of their actions on the team or company.
  
  

This approach ensures that recognition is not only frequent but also meaningful and aligned with our overall mission to make Reward Gateway a better place to work.

Join Us in Celebrating Every Step of the Journey

The introduction of Appreci8 is just the beginning. We will continue to listen to feedback, refine our strategies, and evolve our practices to meet the needs of our people. Our goal is to build a world-class recognition program that not only celebrates achievements but also fosters an environment where everyone feels appreciated, motivated, and engaged.

To prospective candidates and fellow HR leaders, we invite you to observe how strategic recognition can transform company culture. At Reward Gateway, we are proud to lead by example, practicing what we preach and continuously striving to enrich connections within our team.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Appreci8. We are excited about the paths we are paving and the benchmarks we are setting in employee recognition. Click here to learn more about our tailored employee reward and recognition platform to support your employee experience.