If you haven’t been living under a rock, you have probably noticed how much AI and technology have transformed the tech world. It happened especially after the pandemic. We witnessed changes in employee lifestyles, value systems, and the role of technology in employee recognition.
In the meantime, studies have shown that employee disengagement can be an even bigger pandemic. It can negatively impact business outcomes and create employee turnover.
In contrast, clever use of technology can reduce turnover, improve communication between remote employees and their coworkers, and increase employee productivity. Organizing pizza parties once a month just doesn’t hit the spot anymore. Today’s recognition programs require a targeted approach.
Together, let’s dive deeper into today’s employee recognition programs & tools, and find out how they changed over time.
Why Traditional Employee Recognition Methods are Flawed
Companies have developed many employee recognition methods over the years before relying heavily on technology. Those ranged from teamwork to different employee-of-the-month programs, written notes or certificates, personal development plans, annual awards ceremonies, performance management, and others. Also, remember how we used to hang photos of newly hired employees on the walls of the office as a sign of recognition? The wave of conflicting reactions to that specific practice was wild.
Clearly, employee recognition methods can differ from company to company. But there’s a wall that many companies still keep hitting. That wall is implementing one-size-fits-all employee recognition programs. The problem is, the widespread use of cookie-cutter techniques for employee recognition is reducing the impact of such efforts (as shown in the above example of “employee pics on the walls.”)
Employees are humans first, and humans appreciate diverse and consistent feedback from all walks of life. In our case, employees expect recognition that comes from multiple sources: managers, CEOs, peers, and others. But frequency and consistency aren’t all it takes as well. Research shows that the majority of employees would rather experience less frequent and more meaningful recognition practices.
This is where the role of technology in employee recognition shows itself by making recognition programs personalized and genuine.
7 Ways Technology Streamlines Recognition Programs
Technology can help in many ways when it comes to employee management in general. It gives insights into employee performance, and engagement rates, and offers personalized recognition models.
One major element to effectively using employee recognition technology is integrating it with everyday systems employees use for handling work.
Nowadays, the role of technology in employee recognition is clearly demonstrated in the following:
1. It Encourages Transparency
Traditionally, a manager would privately acknowledge and reward an employee for hard work and dedication. No announcements were made about it which made the recognition of the said employee non-existent viewed by their peers or the management.
Your employees need to know whether certain employees are recognized or not, and why, so they don’t think you’re picking favorites.
Our carrots bring visibility and transparency to the exchange of recognition. Whether used companywide or for separate projects, we allow everyone to experience recognition and express gratitude when it’s due. Your employees can receive carrots after accomplishing goals, accumulate them, and then exchange them for a variety of rewards.
2. Makes Recognition Programs Cost-effective
The role of technology in employee recognition programs is similar to using technology in business, on the whole. It makes these kinds of initiatives cost-effective.
Recognition programs driven by technology eradicate the necessity for physical materials and paperwork, leading to decreased printing and distribution costs.
Embracing digital platforms enables effortless monitoring and analysis of recognition endeavors, offering valuable data insights to enhance the program’s efficacy.
By automating the process, administrative costs can be significantly reduced. And it will guarantee a higher rate of return on the program’s resources.
3. Creates Collaboration via Social Media
Nowadays, we can’t live without social media. Almost every aspect of our lives is influenced by it and employee recognition is not an exception.
If we use social media reasonably, it can be a powerful tool for voicing opinions and tapping into conversations with our friends, family, and colleagues.
Employees may celebrate their work successes on social media with the help of technology integrated into recognition programs.
4. Gives Employees a Selection of Rewards and Benefits
More and more companies use technology to streamline training and distribution of employee perks. In fact, employees are more likely to take part in a company’s rewards program if they are excited and interested in what is offered.
Thanks to various technology-backed programs employees have more opportunities to pick rewards and gifts online.
Let’s say, your company offers different coupons as part of their recognition program. Your employees, thus, have the option to pick one based on their personal interests and redeem those online at any time from any location.
5. Helps Incorporate Mobile Apps for Instant Recognition
There are no excuses anymore for delaying and forgetting to give credit during hectic work hours. You can use employee reward apps to show workers their efforts are appreciated right away. These apps are one more great opportunity to apply personalization and targeted approach to recognition practices.
Gamification features like badges, points, and leaderboards make employee recognition apps more engaging. These applications enhance employee morale and reward involvement in the program with incentives and friendly competition among peers.
6. Implements Gamification
Gamification uses game design aspects in non-gaming scenarios. Marketing, health, education, crowdsourcing, and employment have utilized gamification successfully during the past few years.
Gamification in productivity and employee recognition applications motivates employees to complete tasks, communicate, collaborate, or learn. Also, it encourages employees to work together towards a common goal by promoting positive behaviors.
The secret sauce of gamification is in influencing different kinds of behaviors and emotions. Employee recognition is a crucial psychological need that they strive to meet with their work. Thus, mobile apps that contain gamification elements, if designed well, can fulfill employees’ deep psychological needs at all stages of their engagement and career trajectory.
7. Offers Remote Work Apps
Remote work tools impact employee recognition by easily connecting worldwide teams and letting workers work from anywhere. As a result, no matter where your employees are on the globe, they can have an authentic and personalized experience with recognition programs.
Imagine you’re in a situation where a lot of things are on your plate at work, and you have a colleague helping you with certain tasks. That colleague of yours works remotely and you can’t buy them some sweets for their break as a sign of thank you. But you can send them a digital carrot thanks to our software which then she can collect and get herself something she loves. An example of how recognition can be expressed in a simple, fast, and meaningful way as part of an everyday work routine.
Final Words
The role of technology in employee recognition emerges as the transformative force, moving us away from outdated, one-size-fits-all methods. It breathes new life into the way we appreciate and engage with our workforce.
Recognition powered by technology enables companies to streamline processes, and offer the right employee value proposition.
Transparency and cost-effectiveness become more accessible thanks to the way technology works. Personalized rewards are now possible, giving employees more choices and motivation. Mobile apps enable instant recognition, making sure no one is left out. Gamification adds a fun element, boosting engagement and meeting employees’ psychological needs. Even in remote work settings, technology connects employees and makes recognition easy.
Take advantage of this tech-driven appreciation culture and make your workplace a paradise for streamlined recognition and improved business outcomes.
