Peer-to-peer recognition is a growing trend in companies looking for ways to increase engagement and morale without over burdening managers. In WorldatWork’s 2008 survey, Trends in Employee Recognition, they discovered that 42% of the 554 companies that responded offer peer programs. Of those, 67 percent stated the program's impact on retention was moderate or high. Human Resource Executive also recently wrote an article on the Power of Peer-to-Peer. 

Customer Service Week officially began on Monday, and we kicked it off with the introduction of our theme: It’s Fall Y’all! 

One of the joys of living in Michigan is the changing of the seasons. In the fall, we enjoy the beautiful colors of the trees, crisp cool air, delicious apples, great football games and so much more! Our Spirit Team, a team of employees who plan employee events, decided to bring some of our favorite parts of fall to Baudville to celebrate Customer Service Week! 

Each year, Baudville celebrates its accomplishments with a Year End Party.  The theme of the party is always a surprise and isn’t revealed until the day of the party.  This year, the employees arrived at the party to discover that they had taken a walk back in time and were celebrating New Years Eve 1929 aboard the Orient Express.  They also found themselves in the middle of a complex murder mystery drama involving interesting characters and a snake.  As the plot thickened, a delightful dinner was served aboard the train.  Finally, the deception and motive was revealed.  One table of super sleuth Baudvillians successfully solved the mystery and was awarded a prize. 

A large portion of the evening is spent recognizing the accomplishments of each department.   Special recognition goes to a few select individuals for submitting great product and process suggestions and perfect attendance.  Two employees who best exemplified Baudville’s core values in 2009 also received one of our most prestigious award the INSPIRE Award. 

Each year, Baudville throws a holiday party to celebrate our team’s efforts and accomplishments. It’s the most anticipated event of the entire year and has earned quite the reputation! The party is known for its secret venues (revealed only a couple weeks ahead), surprising entertainment, delicious food and memorable employee recognition. The event takes several months of planning and is championed by our dedicated SPIRIT team (learn more about the team in my previous post) who strives to make each year more fun and memorable than the last. 

The party is an important event for our company’s culture, which is why this year we chose to throw a more modest party rather than no party at all. For many organizations, the holiday employee party is the only time of the year employees are encouraged to socialize outside of work. It’s also one of the primary venues for formal employee recognition, an important part of an employee recognition strategy. Cancelling this event can have a demoralizing and discouraging effect on our staff. 

I have the key to a supply room in my office that is attached to a Baudville lanyard - Imagine Believe & Achieve.  Each time I see it in the drawer or pull it out to use it – it makes me stop and think about the power in these three words.   As I was mulling over possible content for this blog, I saw the lanyard.  As Cori knows, writing is not one of my strengths but, she always has some encouraging words that inspire me to push through the challenge.  I also know that I can count on her to correct my errors – did I forget to mention how great Teamwork is?  It is amazing what a little belief can do for me – both belief in myself and the belief that others have in me. 

I recently prepared material for a recognition training class for Baudville’s management team.  Along the way, it was an amazing reminder of how much leadership and recognition are intertwined.  Simply put – Great leaders recognize.   Leaders have a tremendous amount of influence on their followers – probably more than they know.  They have the great honor and responsibility to mentor, guide, encourage and nurture their followers to levels of success and excellence that may be difficult to imagine.