What Rewards Do Your Employees Want in Your Recognition Program?

Your employees work hard to keep your business up and running. Most individuals spend more time at their place of employment than at home with their families. With such a massive time and energy commitment, it’s vital for business owners to show their employees the appreciation they deserve. One way to do so is to implement a compelling recognition program that will keep your employees happy and working hard to support your business. And thanks to the marvels of the internet age, setting these programs up is easier than ever.

In this blog, we’ll go over an efficient way to craft an employee reward program, from the uniform and branded merch specialists at Accent Branding.

What is a Recognition Program?

A recognition program allows employers to lift overall company ​​morale. Roughly 59% of employees report that they are not recognized often enough on the job. Recognition programs allow managers and leaders to take an active, attentive role in helping employees feel seen and appreciated. 

Essentially, a recognition program identifies specific metrics and key performance indicators (KPI) that leaders feel should be recognized when met. This can look like hitting a certain sales number or perhaps maintaining a certain client retention rate. Whatever the case may be, it’s vital to tie these KPIs to your company values and mission. Recognition programs can grant rewards to both individuals and teams. 

How to Implement a Reward Program 

The first step in implementing a reward program is to define a set of criteria to keep track of and measure success. These means of measurement can be organized in a couple of different ways. Here are some examples: 

• Milestones: Think birthdays, work anniversaries, team accomplishments, or finishing a course or training.
• Peer-to-Peer: Your employees see the ins and outs of your company every day – sometimes more so than you! Grant them the power to bring up positive behaviors they notice in their teammates. 
• Point System: Points-based rewards are granted when you or fellow employees can allot a certain amount of points to another employee. They can then gain a reward once they collect enough points. 
• Quarterly Recognition: Leaders can structure rewards around a quarterly recognition based on best performance or some other metric. 
• Social Recognition: Implement an allotted time for employees to vocalize their appreciation for one another. This can piggyback off milestones. For example, all employees can say what they appreciate about a coworker on their birthday.

Rewards that Employees Want

The second step is to actually grant employees their reward based on the measuring system detailed above. But let’s be real—no one is getting excited about another generic gift card or a plaque that collects dust. If you want to make your employee recognition program actually meaningful, offer something they’ll use and enjoy. High-quality branded merchandise is a great way to reward your team while reinforcing company pride. This could include premium apparel, sleek drinkware, or even customized gear that fits their lifestyle.

This is where an apparel and swag store management solution makes life easier. Instead of scrambling for last-minute gifts, companies can offer employees a curated selection of top-tier branded products they actually want. Whether it’s a high-end jacket, a custom backpack, or stylish work-from-home essentials, a managed store ensures your rewards program stays fresh, flexible, and hassle-free. 

With a professionally-managed storefront for your company’s merchandise, you can expect the following benefits: 

• Simple, easy-to-use ordering system
• Personalized storefront with your company name & logo
• Order fulfillment customizable shipping options

• Product warehousing
• Allowances/Stipend Management
• Online reporting of inventory, order tracking, etc.

• Inventory management assistance and reorder notifications
• Samples available before purchasing

Streamline Your Employee Recognition Program 

A strong employee recognition program is all about showing appreciation in a way that actually matters. Ditch the forgettable rewards and give your team something they’ll love with high-quality branded merchandise. Accent Branding has the solutions to keep your team motivated and your brand top of mind. Contact us today!