http://www.appliedhrstrategies.com/blog/appreciate-the-employees-you-have Appreciate the Employees You Have: The value of recognition escalates in a tough economy The StrategicPay Blog is very pleased to welcome Theresa Chambers as a guest blogger. Theresa is the Chief ... en-us http://www.compasswebpublisher.com http://www.appliedhrstrategies.com/blog/appreciate-the-employees-you-have#comment-3 Matt N Johnson Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:35:28 -0600 http://www.appliedhrstrategies.com/blog/appreciate-the-employees-you-have#comment-3 I enjoyed this article Theresa. My favorite part is: It startsat the most fundamental level: paying attention to people, making eye contact, smiling, saying "Good morning." This simple act communicates the message that "I see you. I care, and I'm glad you're here." I think that this "simple act" can mean a lot to employees and it doesn't cost the organization much in terms of training and development. Too many managers in my experience wall themselves off and have a "get the job done" attitude where they don't take time to engage their staff in a meaningful and supportive way. On the other hand I've worked with many managers that do engage their staff and provide a wonderful environment within which to work. I also really enjoyed your input on the panel discuss on at the NW Compensation and Rewards Forum. I love the mission of your organization, it's so clear and easy to understand, yet innovative at the same time. I look forward to learning more about the work that you do. Take care, Matt
My favorite part is:

It startsat the most fundamental level: paying attention to people, making eye contact, smiling, saying "Good morning." This simple act communicates the message that "I see you. I care, and I'm glad you're here."

I think that this "simple act" can mean a lot to employees and it doesn't cost the organization much in terms of training and development. Too many managers in my experience wall themselves off and have a "get the job done" attitude where they don't take time to engage their staff in a meaningful and
supportive way. On the other hand I've worked with many managers that do engage their staff and provide a wonderful environment within which to work. I also really enjoyed your input on the panel discuss on at the NW Compensation and Rewards Forum. I love the mission of your organization, it's so clear and easy to understand, yet innovative at the same time. I look forward to learning more
about the work that you do.

Take care, Matt]]> http://www.appliedhrstrategies.com/blog/appreciate-the-employees-you-have#comment-5 Theresa Chambers Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:16:04 -0600 http://www.appliedhrstrategies.com/blog/appreciate-the-employees-you-have#comment-5 Thank you for your feedback, Matt. I appreciate it. As I mentioned on the NWCF panel, although many companies are scaling back on expensive awards and events, now is the time to get real about recognition. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Like you said, it's the simple, day-to-day positive interactions that add up to something meaningful. It means a great deal to employees when managers check in with employees, ask how they're doing, or even acknowledge the sheer volume of work they're doing. In recognition training, one of the biggest "ah ha" moments people have is they've forgotten the small but important interactions of saying "Good morning" or "Hello" to folks they pass in the hallway. Many of us, present company included, have been guilty of checking email first thing in the morning without saying a word to our employees, manager or coworker. Reminds me of a quote by author, Janis Allen from You Made My Day, "There is no time like the present, and there is no present like your time" Also, here's a great article about Daniel Goleman's work on social intelligence. He talks about how smiles are contagious, positive interactions boost the immune system and reduce stress. http://www.aarpmagazine.org/people/wired_to_connect.html While it may require management buy-in to create a formal recognition program, anyone can create a culture of appreciation within their sphere of influence. All it takes is a positive verbal comment, a quick thank you note, or recognizing an "Employee of the Moment" at a staff meeting.
As I mentioned on the NWCF panel, although many companies are scaling back on expensive awards and events, now is the time to get real about recognition. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Like you said, it's the simple, day-to-day positive interactions that add up to something meaningful. It means a great deal to employees when managers check in with employees, ask how they're doing, or even acknowledge the sheer volume of work they're doing.

In recognition training, one of the biggest "ah ha" moments people have is they've forgotten the small but important interactions of saying "Good morning" or "Hello" to folks they pass in the hallway. Many of us, present company included, have been guilty of checking email first thing in the morning without saying a word to our employees, manager or coworker. Reminds me of a quote by author, Janis Allen from You Made My Day, "There is no time like the present, and there is no present like your time"

Also, here's a great article about Daniel Goleman's work on social intelligence. He talks about how smiles are contagious, positive interactions boost the immune system and reduce stress.

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/people/wired_to_connect.html

While it may require management buy-in to create a formal recognition program, anyone can create a culture of appreciation within their sphere of influence. All it takes is a positive verbal comment, a quick thank you note, or recognizing an "Employee of the Moment" at a staff meeting.]]>