Knowledge Base · Engagement
How do I recognise and thank people for improvement ideas?
Use three layers: formal awards, regular spotlights, and immediate thanks. The book suggests quarterly Continuous Improvement Awards in categories such as Best Idea, Biggest Impact and Most Innovative Solution, monthly employee spotlights, and on-the-spot recognition such as a handwritten note or a small coffee gift card. Specific and timely beats grand and late.
Formal awards. Once a quarter, recognise individuals or teams who have made a significant contribution to improvement. The book suggests categories such as Best Idea, Biggest Impact and Most Innovative Solution. The award itself can be simple: a plaque, a gift card, or public acknowledgment in a company-wide email or meeting.
Employee spotlights. Each month, feature a different employee on the intranet or in the newsletter. Tell the story of a recent success or a challenge they overcame. This recognises one person and shares a working practice with everyone else at the same time.
On-the-spot thanks. Do not wait for the ceremony. Pull the person aside and thank them, send a handwritten note, or give a small gift card to their favourite coffee shop. The book's own example is a manager who simply said he could see how hard the author was working and appreciated it, at the moment discouragement was setting in.
Whatever the form, be specific. Name what the person actually did, such as handling a difficult customer call well, rather than offering a general thanks for hard work.
Related questions
- How do I get my team engaged in improvement?
- How do I turn employee ideas into real impact?
- Why is celebrating too early dangerous?
Source: Continuous Improvement in the Workplace, Ch. 10 (Engaging Activities for CI).