RECOGNITION AND REWARDS: MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

Abstract

Purpose: In 2001 only 46% of the staff in the research division of a pharmaceutical company was satisfied with the company's recognition system. Two years later 80% indicated high satisfaction with its newly created Recognition and Reward Program that cost a fraction of the original estimated cost. What made the difference? Organizations are always seeking effective, low cost ways to recognize and reward high performers, but with today's flatter structures, it's imperative to set up something that really works. Why not have them create their own? This presentation will provide real-world details about setting up a recognition and reward program for skilled employees that had dramatic success.

Brief Outline of Presentation:

1. Introduction
   1. Premise: R & R wasn't working, actually de-motivating
   2. Creation of the R & R Team
      1. Cross-functional involvement ranging from senior scientists to bargaining unit members
      2. Creating the team's charter
   3. Preliminary survey results: getting baseline data
2. Structuring the New Program
   1. Learning the basics about R & R
   2. Developing award categories
   3. Creating Guiding Principles
   4. Developing operational procedures
   5. Program budget: $33,000
      1. Actual cost: $3,658
3. Implementing the Program
   1. Program oversight
   2. Follow-up surveying
   3. Spin-off teams: R & R Monitoring, R & R Promotion
4. Results
   1. One-year survey findings
   2. Lessons learned

Bio

Deborah Mackin was the consultant who worked with the Recognition and Reward Team of Aventis Pasteur in Toronto, Canada. She trained the team in teaming skills and reward and recognition theory, and helped throughout the process to guide the teams efforts. Deborah will include video clips from interviews with team members, as well as sharing the brochure and promotional tools used by the team to create enthusiasm for the program.

Deborah is the President of New Directions Consulting, Inc. in North Bennington, VT. She has been an international consultant/trainer for twenty years and has written two books on teaming, The Team Building Tool Kit and Keeping the Team Going, both published by amacom.