Recognition Program Framework

RECOGNITION PHILOSOPHY

Recognition Program Fundamentals

RECOGNITION PHILOSOPHY

WHY RECOGNITION MATTERS:
☐ Reinforces desired behaviors
☐ Increases engagement and retention
☐ Builds positive culture
☐ Shows people they're valued
☐ Creates positive feedback loops
☐ Aligns actions with values

RECOGNITION PRINCIPLES:

1. RECOGNIZE OFTEN
   ☐ Daily opportunities
   ☐ Small things count
   ☐ Don't save it up
   ☐ Create habit

2. TIE TO VALUES
   ☐ Connect to what matters
   ☐ Reinforce culture
   ☐ Model behavior
   ☐ Be intentional

3. BE SPECIFIC
   ☐ What exactly they did
   ☐ Why it mattered
   ☐ Impact it had
   ☐ Not generic praise

4. PERSONALIZE
   ☐ Know their preference
   ☐ Public vs. private
   ☐ Meaningful to them
   ☐ Show you see them

RECOGNITION ANTI-PATTERNS:
☐ Generic "good job"
☐ Recognizing only top performers
☐ Only when reminded
☐ Same people always
☐ Forgetting teams/behind-scenes
☐ Not connecting to values

---

RECOGNITION FRAMEWORK

Comprehensive Recognition Program Design

RECOGNITION PROGRAM FRAMEWORK

═══════════════════════════════════════
INFORMAL RECOGNITION (Daily)
═══════════════════════════════════════

SLACK/CHAT SHOUTOUTS:
Channel: #wins or #shoutouts
Who can give: Everyone
Format:
"Shoutout to [name] for [specific action].
This demonstrates [value]. Impact: [result]."

Tips:
☐ Be specific and detailed
☐ Tag the person
☐ Explain the impact
☐ React/amplify others' shoutouts

MEETING RECOGNITION:
When: Start of team meetings
Format: "Win of the week" or "Shoutouts"
Tips:
☐ Rotate who shares
☐ Include behind-the-scenes work
☐ Celebrate small wins too

DIRECT THANK-YOU:
When: Immediately when deserved
Format: In-person, video, or message
Tips:
☐ Don't wait
☐ Be genuine
☐ Be specific about what/why

═══════════════════════════════════════
FORMAL RECOGNITION (Structured)
═══════════════════════════════════════

PEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM:
Platform: [Tool or manual process]
Frequency: Ongoing
How it works:
☐ Anyone can nominate anyone
☐ Nominations tied to values
☐ Visible to team
☐ Points/rewards system (optional)

VALUES AWARDS (Monthly):
Selection: Nominations + leadership selection
Categories: One per core value
Recognition:
☐ All-hands shoutout
☐ Certificate/trophy
☐ Monetary award ($100-250)
☐ Photo/profile highlight

SPOT BONUSES:
Who gives: Managers
Amount: $50-500
Triggers:
☐ Above and beyond effort
☐ Exceptional results
☐ Helping others succeed
☐ Innovation/problem-solving
Process:
☐ Manager approval
☐ Quick turnaround
☐ Shared recognition

═══════════════════════════════════════
MAJOR RECOGNITION (Significant)
═══════════════════════════════════════

QUARTERLY AWARDS:
Categories:
☐ Top performer per department
☐ Values champion
☐ Rising star
☐ Unsung hero
Recognition:
☐ All-hands presentation
☐ Monetary award ($250-500)
☐ Special experience

ANNUAL AWARDS:
Categories:
☐ Employee of the year
☐ Innovation award
☐ Customer champion
☐ Culture builder
☐ Leadership award
Recognition:
☐ Major event celebration
☐ Significant monetary award ($500-5K)
☐ Special trophy/recognition
☐ CEO presentation

MILESTONE CELEBRATIONS:
Work anniversaries:
☐ 1 year: Recognition + small gift
☐ 3 years: Recognition + $
☐ 5 years: Major recognition + experience
☐ 10+ years: Significant celebration

Team milestones:
☐ Product launches
☐ Big wins
☐ Goal achievements
☐ Project completions

Recognition Programs Matrix

RECOGNITION MATRIX

| Program | Frequency | Value | Who Gives | Owner |
|---------|-----------|-------|-----------|-------|
| Shoutouts | Daily | Free | Everyone | Everyone |
| Direct thanks | Daily | Free | Everyone | Everyone |
| Peer recognition | Ongoing | Points/$ | Everyone | HR |
| Spot bonus | As earned | $50-500 | Managers | Manager |
| Values award | Monthly | $100-250 | Nominations | HR |
| Team celebration | Milestone | $500-2K | Leadership | Finance |
| Quarterly awards | Quarterly | $250-500 | Leadership | CEO |
| Annual awards | Yearly | $500-5K | Leadership | CEO |
| Anniversaries | As occur | Varies | HR | HR |

═══════════════════════════════════════
RECOGNITION PREFERENCES
═══════════════════════════════════════

Know each person's preference:
☐ Public recognition (all-hands, Slack)
☐ Private recognition (1:1, DM)
☐ Written (card, email)
☐ Verbal (in-person, call)
☐ Experiential (lunch, outing)
☐ Monetary (bonus, gift card)
☐ Time (day off, flexibility)

Recognition Budget

RECOGNITION BUDGET

═══════════════════════════════════════
ANNUAL BUDGET PLANNING
═══════════════════════════════════════

TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET: $_______________
Per employee target: $_______________
Headcount: _______________

ALLOCATION:
| Category | Amount | % of Budget |
|----------|--------|-------------|
| Spot bonuses | $_____ | ___% |
| Peer recognition | $_____ | ___% |
| Values awards | $_____ | ___% |
| Team celebrations | $_____ | ___% |
| Quarterly awards | $_____ | ___% |
| Annual awards | $_____ | ___% |
| Anniversaries | $_____ | ___% |
| TOTAL | $_____ | 100% |

═══════════════════════════════════════
PER-EMPLOYEE GUIDELINES
═══════════════════════════════════════

INFORMAL:
☐ Shoutouts: Unlimited (free)
☐ Direct thanks: Unlimited (free)

MONETARY (Manager discretion):
☐ Spot bonus: Up to $500/person/year
☐ Values award: $100-250 if won

TEAM:
☐ Celebrations: $50-100/person/event

═══════════════════════════════════════
MEASUREMENT
═══════════════════════════════════════

TRACK MONTHLY:
☐ # of shoutouts given
☐ # of spot bonuses
☐ # unique employees recognized
☐ Recognition distribution (by team)
☐ Budget utilization

QUARTERLY REVIEW:
☐ % employees recognized at least once
☐ Recognition frequency trend
☐ Program participation rates
☐ Correlation to engagement scores

Recognition Effectiveness Dashboard

Metric	Target	Actual	Trend
Monthly shoutouts	>50		↑↓→
% employees recognized/quarter	>80%		↑↓→
Spot bonuses given/month	>10		↑↓→
Recognition satisfaction score	>4.0		↑↓→
Budget utilization	80-100%		↑↓→

---