Ring my bell!
No, I can’t say that I’m a big fan of Anita Ward. And, no, this is not an ode to “Disco Week” on American Idol. The words “Ring my bell!” actually have a very different meaning around my office. Recently, we instituted a new recognition program. Each time a member of our staff experiences a significant professional achievement, we ring a bell that now sits proudly in the center of our building.
Significant achievements could include a new member joining the association, meeting a major deadline, completing a long-term project, securing a new contract, launching a new member benefit, obtaining a new milestone or successfully executing a program. Whatever the achievement, our small staff of 10 convenes in the hallway each time the bell is rung to celebrate and debrief.
The key here is that our bell is rung as soon as the achievement is realized – it’s immediate gratification. Recognizing significant achievements in the moment, rather than waiting for a regularly scheduled staff meeting, allows us the opportunity to properly recognize each accomplishment and its contributors. Regardless of title, we find that each of us is equally eager to obtain the next achievement; with it comes the opportunity to ring the bell.
This new recognition program serves two main purposes. First, it provides staff a forum to publicly recognize achievements. Second, it keeps us motivated. With a small staff, it’s easy to lose sight of everyday achievements. Collectively, our staff works diligently and carries an ambitious workload. Taking the time to recognize achievements in a timely manner renews our commitment, offers much-needed mental breaks and positively impacts morale.
So, my question to you is this: What motivates you to do your best each and every day? What are some of the unique ways your association recognizes significant staff achievements?
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Comments
Did staff suggest this? Did everybody on the staff agree with it?
I don't like it - it reminds me of a boiler room operation where a sale is instantly announced to everyone. It's gimmicky, initmidating to the less assertive, and not likely to be embraced by everyone.
But, if the staff asked for it - unanimously - I'd be OK with it as the CEO.
Posted by: David M. Patt, CAE | April 29, 2009 10:24 PM
David:
Thanks for your comments. The staff, in fact, did suggest this program and while there was no formal vote, we have a small staff of 10 and consensus was reached informally.
This recognition program is most certainly quirky. I'll give you that. But it works in our office because it gives us the breath we need in between assignments to recognize the outstanding work we're doing each and every week on behalf of our members before pushing on to the next big project. I think it's the follow through that many people miss - like administering a survey but not doing anything with the data. Personally, I think it's remiss to simply complete a large-scale assignment and say or do nothing. In most cases, a number of people have channeled significant time and energy into a project and their efforts, in my opinion, deserve to be recognized. Likewise, I think the appropriate time for this recognition is in the moment. If you wait too long, the excitement dissipates and the recognition loses meaning.
Additionally, I don't think any of our staff see this program as intimidating. It's not as though Scrooge himself is tallying the number of times each staff member has earned recognition by ringing the bell. Instead, this new tradition is meant to -- more than anything else -- celebrate accomplishments.
I hope this provides some additional insight and clarification about what this program looks like in our office.
--aaron
Posted by: Aaron Wolowiec | April 30, 2009 1:09 AM