It is important that any employee recognition program be closely in line with the organizations strategies. So if a business is focused on bringing new products to the market then they may design their recognition programs practices to help bring about creative, innovative and unique products or services. If however a company is seeking to reduce costs then their recognition awards can be focused on those ideas that have saved the company tons of money by minimizing or getting rid of costs.

To be effective the employee recognition award must be of such that employees understand that employee recognition is not guaranteed nor must it be expected. They should also realize that it does not in any way mean that promotion is forthcoming nor that there will be any form of monetary compensation. They must understand that the recognition is only a gift and nothing else and that the major reason for employee recognition awards is to motivate employees to do good work. They must also match the accomplishment. If the employees saved the company millions of dollars then a twenty-dollar watch will not be an appropriate award. If they accomplished something small then the award should be comparatively small. If awards do not match accomplishment then they are likely to cause some problems as employees will not see the awards as any kind of incentive and they will then lose their value or importance. Awards must be personal in some way. This will give the impression that manager is interested in the employee and has taken the time to consider and to find something they will enjoy.

Recognition is best done shortly after an achievement. If it is done too long afterwards, then the recognition will not have as much meaning. It is important that awards be as specific as possible. Giving someone an award, as a great employee, won’t do, it must be specific. So if an employee worked on a proposal that won the company it biggest client then the awards should say exactly that. Making the awards public is a very good idea as employees like to be recognized in front of their peers making it more meaningful. It also shows that the company is acknowledging the efforts of the employee and their going beyond the call of duty. It shows that the company managers are paying attention to the workers and their performance. There is also the added benefit of encouraging others to a higher level of performance, as they will want to be receiving awards in the future. This could also usher in a new level of work ethic in the organization.