RECOGNITION PROGRAMMES
Nelson's golden rules for recognition
Recognition guru Bob Nelson has sold more than 1.5 million books by telling people that today's workforce may be more motivated by a personal thank-you than a pay rise. Critics scoff at a "baubles and trinkets" approach, but Nelson has plenty of believers, according to the latest issue of the US human resources magazine Workforce.
Bob Nelson is the best-selling author of 1001 Ways to Reward Employees. His basic premise is simple: while money is important to employees, thoughtful recognition motivates them to perform at higher levels.
Leslie Gross Klaff, writing in the April edition of Workforce, looks at why Nelson has "firmly established himself as the rewards king in a field packed with hundreds of motivational speakers and writers". But as Klaff discovered, Nelson also has plenty of detractors who dismiss him as a self-publicist, promoting simplistic, feel-good solutions to complex problems.
| Nelson's "ten commandments" of recognition |
| 1. Personally thank employees for doing a good job. Thank them face-to-face, in writing, or both. Do it early, often, and sincerely. |
| 2. Take the time to meet with and listen to employees - as much as they need or want. |
| 3. Provide specific feedback about performance of the person, the department, and the organisation. |
| 4. Strive to create a work environment that is open, trusting, and fun. Encourage new ideas and initiative. |
| 5. Provide information on how the company makes and loses money, upcoming products and strategies for competing in the marketplace, and how the person fits into the overall plan. |
| 6. Involve employees in decisions, especially as those decisions affect them. |
| 7. Provide employees with a sense of ownership in their work and work environment. |
| 8. Recognise, reward, and promote people according to their performance deal with low and marginal performers so that they either improve or leave. |
| 9. Give people a chance to grow and learn new skills show them how you can help them meet their goals within the context of the organisation’ s goals. Create partnerships with employees. |
| 10. Celebrate successes of the company, of the department, and of individuals. Take time for team- and morale-building meetings and activities. |
Source: Workforce, April 2003.
Want to know more?
Title: "Getting happy with the rewards king", by Leslie Gross Klaff, Workforce, April 2003.
Availability: Workforce is published monthly. For subscription services, tel: 001 313 446 0450 (USA 888 448 1422). Or contact the online editor Todd Raphael for more information, email: raphaelt@workforce.com.
Take a look at the article online - see what you think. You will need to register to use Workforce online, but it's free. Visit www.workforce.com/section/02/feature/23/42/29/index.html
Posted 1 May 2003