An Olympic Recognition Program That Works

An Olympic Recognition Program That Works

(REWARD AT 3 LEVELS — BRONZE — SILVER — GOLD)

 

Some Key Concepts

 

  1. Select 1-2 key outcomes you want, based on your Strategic Plan, such as lower costs, improved customer service, etc. Reward results and achievement, not ideas or suggestions.
  2. The key program nomination characteristics include:
    • Anyone can nominate anyone else or any team, including themselves.
    • Nominations are for anyone or any team who has actually achieved an outcome desired above.
  3. Ideas and proposals are not rewarded; achieving actual results are rewarded (i.e. save $11.00, receiving a customer service thank you, etc.)
  4. Publicize this program widely. Set up a simple one-page form on colored paper to fill out. Make the form widely distributed and available.
  5. Hold large group meetings on a regular basis (quarterly?) with everyone eligible in attendance. If the organization is spread out, hold regional meetings and possibly one big annual meeting. It is best to make this meeting a quarterly business meeting with the recognition of winners as the main attraction. Some other business topics might include:
    • Discussion of Key Success Factors or outcome business results.
    • A guest speaker on a key topic, such as one of your key strategies or core values.
    • Discussion of 1-2 key core strategies and their importance and priorities.
    • Celebration of successes—social time such as a buffet lunch, end of day nonalcoholic happy hour, etc.
  6. Set up a Peer Review Committee to review the submissions for documented outcomes. The goal is to get as many “winners” as possible; not to create winners and losers (multiple winners-compete against yourself only). Keep the results hidden until the meeting itself.
  7. The basic concept here is the “Olympic Games”; bronze, silver and gold winners. Bronze is anyone who wins on any quarter meeting. Silver is all the big winners. And Gold is reserved for the top 3-5 biggest winners. Do not single out one big final winner!
[smartpages]