That Magic Moment

Recognition – It’s a Powerful Tool!

How do you get the most out of it?

Companies that have an employee recognition program in place have demonstrated that they know how powerful recognition can be as a leadership tool. It makes a statement to the employees about what is important to the business and what is valued by the leaders within the company. It is also one of the most effective ways to reinforce an organizations culture, support its objectives and retain top performers.

An effective recognition program achieves the following:

·         Builds self-esteem

·         Reinforces desired behaviors

·         Helps create an atmosphere of appreciation and trust

·         Promotes empowerment and involvement

·         Creates loyalty to a company

While recognition is important, the way you choose to recognize an associate plays a key role in the overall success of your program as well.

PREPARING FOR THE MAGIC MOMENT

It’s easy to create a meaningful and memorable event for you and the individual being recognized. You can make the occasion special by following these few simple steps:

·         Choose a location for the presentation

·         Decide who will be present

·         Prepare what you will say

Where will the Presentation take place?

Whether you are planning a formal or more casual presentation, the event is important and can be a powerful management tool toward developing increased commitment to the company’s vision and core values. You can recognize an associate at his or her work place, or, if desired, in a more formal setting such as a banquet hall. Whatever the setting, remember that this should be a special event for the associate and their peer group.

Who should be present?

Imagine training for long hours for a big race and then winning first place, only you aren’t allowed to tell anyone about your victory. Our achievements in life, no matter how small, are more meaningful to us when we share them with others. Keep this in mind when deciding who will be at the presentation. The event will have much more impact if the associate is recognized in front of his/her peers (and senior management and additional guests if a more formal presentation is planned). This generates excitement for others to also strive for the high goals of achievement and recognition.

What will the presenter say?

The most important thing to remember is that the presentation should be personal. Consider the following when preparing what you will say:

•          Address the associate by name
•          Research important information including years of service, accomplishments and contributions prior to the presentation
•          Share a work related short story or anecdote if appropriate. However, avoid embarrassing jokes or other comments that may make the associate uncomfortable
•          Communicate that it is an honor for you to have the opportunity to recognize him or her
•          Congratulate the associate, say “thank you” and shake his or her hand.

Remember to make the presentation upbeat, fun and to the point. Your preparation will help make the event a memorable Magic Moment for all.

For more information, see: www.rcbawards.com and www.rcbdonorrecognition.com.

Award Text Ideas

Need to give an award, but just not sure where to start? Take a look at some of these award inscription ideas and see if that can help you.

• For outstanding service in advancing our mission
• In recognition of outstanding customer satisfaction through progressive management, dedicated employees, and high standards of operational excellence
• For exceptional service in the field of ___ to clients, we proudly award this symbol of recognition
• In recognition of dedicated service and invaluable contribution toward the ongoing success of ___
• Achieving customer satisfaction and loyalty through teamwork and a commitment to excellence
• For your outstanding contributions in the development of ___
• In recognition of demonstrated expertise and commitment to providing outstanding business solutions
• In recognition of outstanding sales & service performance
• For significant contributions to the growth of ___
• For breakthrough performance
• In recognition of unsurpassed performance and creativity in helping us achieve our goals
• In recognition of outstanding performance and creativity
• Thank you for your extraordinary support in accelerating our global growth
• In appreciation of your invaluable service and continuing contributions to our success
• For exceptional performance in helping to improve productivity and profitability through superior technology and service
• In appreciation of your partnership, production and service
• For exceptional leadership and performance
• In recognition of your exemplary service and outstanding dedication
• In recognition of outstanding performance and commitment in providing business solutions for the global marketplace
• In recognition of your achievement and commitment to service excellence
• In recognition of your faithful service, commitment and dedication
• Recognizing your superior efforts in helping our company outpace, outlast and outperform the competition
• For greatest improvement in sales and image
• In honor of superior performance in the area of customer satisfaction
• In recognition of your significant commitment and contribution to our company
• Commemorating your successful completion of ___
• This professional effort has contributed measurably to our overall objectives
• This award is symbolic of our deep gratitude to you for your outstanding effort and support
• In tribute to the sustained level of outstanding customer satisfaction performance necessary to our most prestigious award
• Recognizing the contributions of people who embody our company at its very best
• This award is given to employees whose exceptional commitment and achievements stand out among their peers
• Your efforts, leadership and dedication are helping us fulfill the promise of our company
• A testimonial of sincere appreciation in honor of the distinguished and unselfish service given our company while serving with outstanding leadership, vision and ability
• In recognition of our valued business association
• In recognition of your outstanding performance and commitment to excellence
• In recognition of completion of the ___ certification program
• With deep appreciation for dedicated service and progressive leadership
• In appreciation of you outstanding contributions for the year
• In recognition of our valued business association
• For outstanding contribution and loyal years of service
• For outstanding performance through leadership, integrity, and service
• In recognition of outstanding sales performance and your dedication to total customer satisfaction
• In recognition of your outstanding performance, dedication, and creativity in the ongoing success of our company
• In recognition of unsurpassed performance and creativity
• In honor of your demonstrated leadership
• We salute you for your outstanding achievement
• In appreciation for outstanding volunteer support and enthusiastic commitment to furthering the mission and ideals of our company
• In recognition of outstanding business results
• In recognition of your outstanding sales performance, dedication, commitment and overall excellence
• For outstanding contributions to the goals and objectives of the company, and for high standards of professionalism and leadership
• In gratitude of your outstanding contributions during a career of faithful service and dedication
• For outstanding performance, commitment to customer satisfaction, and demonstration of excellence
• In recognition of your committed partnership and your determined effort for fostering a customer-driven culture and delivering business results as a high- performance partner
• In support of your customer-centric efforts

If you need more ideas, see Award Text Ideas at www.rcbawards.com. For more information, contact RCB Awards at 800-929-9110.

                                                                                      

Awards & Recognition Thesaurus

Award & Recognition Thesaurus
Sometimes we are just stumped, or we don't want to be repetitive, or we just need another way to say it. Perhaps some of these common words used in an award inscription can help you out.

ABILITY - talent, intellect, aptitude, propensity, inclination
ACCOMPLISHMENT - fulfillment, completion, achievement, realization, attainment, triumph, victory, success, consummation
ACHIEVEMENT - attainment, accomplishment, consummation, realization, triumph success
APPRECIATION - thankfulness, gratefulness, obliged, indebted, gratitude, regard, esteem, respect
ASSISTANCE - support, aid, help, to serve, collaborating with, contribution
ASSISTANT - aide, helper, acolyte, friend, associate, colleague, second in command, patron, backer, ancillary, adjutant, partner, co-worker, ally
BEAUTIFUL - lovely, attractive, comely, pretty, elegant, superb, grand, handsome, radiant, ravishing, gorgeous
BELOVED - loved, adored, worshiped, cherished, dear, favorite, precious, treasured, darling, endeared, valued
BEST - finest, high-test, first, premium, crowning, incomparable, greatest, top-notch, unequaled, choice
CAREFULLY - conscientiously, exactly, rigidly, precisely, fastidiously
CEREMONY - function, commemoration, memorial, rite, ritual, pageant, observance
CERTIFY - guarantee, attest, confirmed, endorse, assure
COMMEND - accredit, laud, acclaim, endorse, recommend, approve, acclaim
CONTINUED - sustained, perseverance, perpetual, sanctioning, enduring, on-going, unrelenting, extended
CONTRIBUTION - endowment, commitments, donation, sharing, supplying, present, bestowal, charity
COOPERATION - collaboration, participation, alliance, assistance, team-work, concurrence
Dedication - devotion, efforts, untiring efforts, commitment
DEPENDABLE - trustworthy, mainstay, anchor, confidant, patron, reliable, faithful, loyal, unfailing, true
DETERMINATION - resolution, certainty, persistence, conviction, steadfastness, perseverance, intransigence
DEVELOP - extend, expand, advance, promote, build, enrich, cultivate
DILIGENT - zealous, energetic, vigorous, undeviating, assiduous, unremitting, intense, industrious, persistent
DISTINGUISHED - illustrious, venerable, renowned, honored, celebrated, esteemed, remarkable, outstanding, great, extraordinary
EDUCATION - edification, enrichment, teaching, instruction, enlightenment, tutelage, knowledge
EFFORT - endeavor, labor, work, undertaking, venture, task commitment, exertion
EMPHASIS - underline, dramatize, pronounce, accentuate, underscore, punctuate
ENDURING - lasting, permanent, surviving, continual, unchanging, uninterrupted, tenacious, perennial, tolerating
ESTABLISH - institute, found, formulate, construct, organize, inaugurate, start, bring about
EXCELLENT - magnificent, supreme, peerless, foremost, exemplary, desirable, paramount, superior, superlative, exceptional, tremendous, wonderful
FRIENDSHIP - association, brotherhood, companionship, confidant
GIVE - grant, bestow, confer, impart, present, award, convey, contribute to, lavish upon
GUIDANCE - direction, leadership, supervision, management, oversight, suggestion, counsel
HAPPY - joyous, merry, convivial, congenial, mirthful, charmed, spirited
INSTILL - infuse, impress, inspire
INVOLVEMENT - link, connection, participation, affiliation, commitment
JUDGMENT - knowledge, discrimination, understanding, perception, acuteness, keenness, intuition
KINDNESS - good intentions, consideration, helpfulness, indulgence, courtesy, thoughtfulness, altruism, graciousness
LEADERSHIP - administration, authority, foresight, command, supremacy
NOBLE - honorable, heroic, brilliant, excellent, princely, magnanimous, courtly, dignified, splendid, exalted, distinguished
OUTSTANDING - notable, distinguished, highly regarded, impressive, worthy, considerable, enthusiastic
PATIENCE - forbearance, fortitude, composure, endurance
PRAISE - applaud, cheer, acclaim, endorse, eulogize, admire
PRESENTED - awarded, bestowed, conferred, given, endowed, delivered
PROFIT - benefit, thrive, prosper, gain
PROMOTE - advance, forward, encourage, expand, nourish, improve, bolster
RECOGNITION - in acknowledgment of, remembrance, acknowledgment, commendation
RESPECT - esteem, honor, regard, admiration
RETIREMENT - withdrawal, resignation, departure
SERVICE - assistance, cooperation, performance of duty, help, servitude
SINCERELY - truthfully, honestly, earnestly, genuinely, profoundly
SPECIAL - exceptional, distinctive, unusual, unique, exclusive, extraordinary
SUPPORT - upkeep, responsibility for, provide, promote, sustain, further, maintain, patronize, subsidize
THANKS - appreciation, gratefulness, acknowledgment, gratitude

I'm sure there are a bunch of others out there. Any other ideas we could add to the list?

Interactive Donor Recognition

Walking into a hospital, one would see the donor recognition wall, perhaps the old school style with a tree and brass plates, or perhaps one of the newer more contemporary styles with corian name bars and an elaborate colorful design. But all of these traditional displays were static, you walked by and nothing really called out to you.

Now there is a whole new generation of donor recognition walls brought to you by donor award experts like RCB that takes advantage of  technology to not only tell the donor's story, but also to draw attention to the display and get more visitors to really lilsten to the message. Imagine walking up to a display and touching a button next to a name and having the donor tell you in his own words and image why the hospital was important in his life, why he made a major contribution, and why he is asking for others to step forward. Clearly, this is no longer just a wall, but now it is a major marketing piece, one that works all day and all night for you. RCB Awards can even take it a step further, and use touch screen displays that allow a viewer to touch a name on the screen and have it zoom out into a video of the person telling his story. While idle, the same screen can show a looping message from the Foundation about what it does. The ideas are endless. Pretty neat stuff. For donor wall ideas and trends, see: RCB Donor Recognition. For more information, contact RCB Awards at 1-800-929-9110.

Donor Recognition in the Community: Waukesha Civic Theater

 

I recently had lunch with Beverly Peterson, Director of Development at the Waukesha Civic Theatre (WCT). At first glance, the old converted movie theater, located downtown in the heart of Waukesha, looks like a sleepy laid back little community venue. But after taking a closer look, this clearly is a very professionally run organization. When you walk in the front door the first thing you see is the main wall of the lobby that displays a huge mask, the logo of the organization, and the title Bryce and Anne Styza Donor Wall.  Clearly, the organization values donor recognition as it lists all the names of contributors from two capital campaigns. The first capital campaign in 1999 renovated the building by converting it from an old movie theater to a state-of-the-art community theatre facility that is handicap accessible not only to patrons, but to performers as well.  The Waukesha Civic Theatre maintained the integrity of the 1920’s movie theatre décor and incorporated it into their renovations. An additional campaign in 2006 allowed for further renovations to the north end of the building creating more rehearsal space and theatre arts education class space.  There is an additional donor recognition wall in the back of the theatre building for those entering from Riverfront Plaza. In wandering around the building, one sees very quickly that naming rights are a prized commodity.  Anything thing from dressing rooms, to rehearsal rooms, to even stairs are named for donors who contributed to the capital campaign. The building is named after Margaret Brate Bryant, and the mainstage is named after her daughter, Andrea Bryant Jones.  These naming rights were due to contributions by family members, Tony and Andrea Bryant, as well as John Bryant during the first campaign.  There are currently a few spaces available for naming rights.  The Waukesha Civic Theatre annual operating budget depends on 60% being raised through season subscriptions and 40% through fundraising opportunities. This gives everyone in the community a chance to contribute, and be recognized through show playbills, WCT website and  print media advertisement. . Additionally, planned giving programs provide valuable tax benefits to the donor as well as much needed income for the future of WCT. Bequests may be made through a will or other options which include charitable trusts and beneficiary designation attached to a tax-deferred retirement asset. Corporate Sponsors aren't left out either. A business or individual has multiple opportunities to partner with the theatre by  sponsoring shows and events from small amounts to very substantial amounts. All of these donations come with a recognition component and it’s pretty comprehensive. The theatre is still left with a wish list from anything like audio systems, to light board, to curtains in dressing room, and everything in between. This little theatre is no little theater, but a great example of how to do recognition right, and how to realize a huge percentage of their operating budget as a result. For more information on how you can help the Waukesha Civic Theatre, please contact Beverly Peterson, Director of Development at bpeterson@waukeshacivictheatre.org or checkout their website at www.waukeshacivictheatre.org.

George Carlin: 7 Dirty Words

Jim Stingl | In My Opinion

Carlin’s words immortalized, sort of

Posted: Aug. 15, 2008

I’ve always liked that Tom Petty lyric: “Think of me what you will, I’ve got a little space to fill.” Today, for instance.
• Curt Denevan and his company, RCB Awards, ran with my idea in a recent column to mark the spot at Summerfest where comedian George Carlin was arrested. I contend it’s the most famous event in the fest’s history.
The folks at RCB, 8000 W. Capitol Drive, designed some nice artwork for a plaque, framed it up and delivered it to Summerfest. They’re not asking for any payment. The firm manufactures corporate awards.
Included in the design is a photo of Carlin being led away by Milwaukee police after he delivered his bit about the seven words you can’t say on television. The photo was snapped by Mark Goff, then a freelance photographer who happened to be at the show on July 21, 1972.
If Summerfest bites, the plaque would be placed in the northeast corner of the grounds, where the main stage was at that time.
I got a mixture of feedback to the idea from readers. My fear is that Summerfest will wilt under the criticism from those who think marking the spot glorifies Carlin, who died in June. It wouldn't, not any more than a plaque at the spot of a presidential assassination attempt glorifies the gunman.

For more information, contact RCB Awards at 1-800-929-9110.

No Cost Safety Award Program

In challenging economic times, companies are forced to look for ways to manage costs better, and insurance costs are a big part of that. If you are a manufacturing firm and don't have a documented safety recognition program in place, you should talk with your insurance company and see what impact a safety program can have on your rates.
Most of the companies with safety recognition programs do so at no additional cost to the company. That is to say, the cost of the program is more than covered by the insurance rate savings. Obviously this will vary from company to company, but it is worth looking into.
For more information on safety recognition, look at Safe Worker Program Overview.