In today’s world, keeping your top talent and maintaining strong client relationships is crucial. But let’s face it—those old crystal awards and plaques just don’t resonate like they used to.
At Goodson, we’ve curated some awesome awards and recognition partners with fresh approaches to transform your awards and recognition program and truly connect with your team and align with your company’s values.
Why Traditional Awards Miss the Mark
Crystal awards may have been standard at one time, but they’re starting to feel a bit out of touch. Employees today want recognition that’s meaningful and reflects the company culture. Unfortunately, traditional awards often don’t deliver on that.
We’ve seen that HR and marketing teams face real challenges in creating recognition programs that work. Consider this: Ryan Hole, VP of Visions Awards, shared in our recent Partner Series that 67% of employees who don’t feel recognized in their first year start looking elsewhere.
Plus, 87% of job seekers are checking out a company’s social media to see how employees are treated. The takeaway? Effective recognition is essential for retaining your best people and attracting new talent.
The Solution: Modern, Memorable Awards
It’s time to rethink what your awards and recognition programs can be. Your recognition program should do more than just tick a box—it should reinforce your brand, create lasting memories, and truly resonate with those who receive it.
Align with Your Brand: Your awards should be a natural extension of your brand. Incorporate your company’s brand elements and voice into the design, so the awards feel like a true reflection of who you are.
Create Lasting Memories: Awards should go beyond being just physical objects. Think about ways to make them personal and memorable, whether that’s through interactive elements or customization that speaks directly to the recipient.
This award is specific to the employee. Themed tickets were included showcasing the milestones achieved throughout the employees career.
This is a perfect example of an interactive award. Each pin represents a different achievement. The award also features the company’s branding, the employees name, and tells a story with each pin.
Embrace Flexibility: Timely recognition matters. Work with partners who can deliver quickly, so you can celebrate achievements when they happen, not months later. As Ryan from Visions points out, “If an employee’s one-year anniversary is in February and they get their award at the end of the year, it doesn’t mean as much to them. So what we try to do is create awards and recognition programs with a monthly release, more real-time, ahead of the schedule, and thinking forward.”
An award given late loses its impact. Make sure your recognition is prompt and meaningful.
Tell Your Story: Consider using elements like QR codes to share stories and highlight achievements to further personalize your awards. Whether it’s a video showcasing a project or an infographic summarizing an employee’s journey, these touches make your awards and recognition program more engaging and meaningful.
Leverage Your Products: If applicable, think about how your products can be integrated into the design of your awards. Collaborate with partners who can bring in different materials or offer design services that showcase what your company does best.
Investing in a thoughtfully designed awards and recognition program isn’t just about giving out tokens of appreciation—it’s about fostering a culture where employees feel truly valued and inspired to do their best work.
If you’re ready to elevate your awards and recognition program, let’s explore how we can create something that aligns with your company’s vision and leaves a lasting impression.
