Recognition programs: start small, then build big.

• Author: Nelson, Bob
• Position: Rewarding employees

The best recognition efforts start small and build. Take, for example, the "Reward of Excellence" program currently used at Herbalife, the health and nutrition company based in Los Angeles. The distributor services department wanted to increase the amount of recognition in the department and to find a way for employees to better recognize one another as well. Department managers looked at various incentive suppliers, called references and finally selected The Bill Sims Co. to help launch a recognition program.

The program used two-part "WOW!" cards to provide employees the ability to jot a thank-you or praise note to any other employee for service, teamwork, etc. One part went to the employee and the second part went into a recognition box that was reviewed monthly by six volunteer members of a recognition committee (two from each department).

The committee selected the most stellar example from the cards each month. which was then posted on a "WOW!" bulletin board. The person selected is given extra points toward merchandise purchases as well as extra tickets for a cruise drawing held at the end of six months. All honorees are also automatically submitted to the company's "All Star" program for additional recognition and visibility.

To give the program the best chances for success, the department started it with a trial period of three months over which time management collected feedback and suggestions from employees to make the program best fit needs and preferences.

Besides achieving the original goal of increased recognition, the company found other benefits emerged as well. Ana Franklin, senior manager of the order support department...