Why Your Company Needs a Peer-to-Peer Recognition Program

Camaraderie is crucial for a productive work environment. Here are some fun ways to help your coworkers feel recognized and inspired.

Being recognized at work is important, no matter how humble you are. It shows that the company values your individual contribution to the group dynamic. It makes you feel special, and probably a lot more motivated, too.

That’s why peer-to-peer recognition programs are so popular. They allow busy coworkers to screech to a halt for a moment, single someone out and honor them. That’s great for the honoree and terrific for the overall vibe of the company.

Research by workforce productivity company workhuman finds negative moods at work could be reshaped by positive recognition programs. In the study, 78% of people feel significantly more motivated by being recognized at work.

Another study by the University of Pennsylvania shows that after a company CEO thanks employees personally, they make 50% more fundraising calls the following week. That’s right – a 50% increase in productivity from a simple “thank you.”

Showing Coworkers You’re Proud of Them

When a more formal type of recognition is in order, consider these ideas for fun peer-to-peer recognition programs that highlight the victories of hardworking employees.

1. Public Post-Its – Establish a wall where everyone is encouraged to place post-it notes celebrating others’ successes. Notes can be as simple as, “$5,000 sale by Sherry!” or can have more detail about someone’s appreciation for an act of kindness. Ensure that company managers – up to and including the CEO – take part in sharing public post-its.

2. The Virtual Victor – Create a digital award that’s given at end of the week or month, depending on who reaches a goal: upsells, donations, customer thank-yous. You can either encourage individual nominations or trigger an automatic notification, depending on your business. The key is to avoid over-doing these virtual awards, because research shows that having too many waters down their meaning.

3. Points for Prizes – Establish a way to win points for accomplishing day-to-day goals and big successes. At the end of the week or month, each person can use their points to buy prizes – anything from silly gag gifts to valuable gift cards and cash bonuses. You can even put employees in charge of allotting a pool of points to other employees for great work, which gives an added morale boost.

4. Traveling Trophy – The trophy travels from person to person to acknowledge success. Order a customized trophy or select an oddball object from around the office to serve as a trophy – what’s most important is that it’s meaningful and unique to your company. As people accomplish big things, pass the trophy along to someone new and make that person’s day.