6 ways your communications strategy can drive recognition engagement
In today’s fast-paced world, strong communication is key to fostering a culture of appreciation and companies with effective recognition programmes have a 31% lower voluntary turnover.
Why communicate employee recognition?
A well-communicated recognition programme not only boosts productivity and retention but also enhances employee and customer satisfaction.
According to BI WORLDWIDE's latest research, The New Rules of Engagement, employees who receive recognition feel a stronger sense of belonging, are more trusting in leadership, and are more connected to their organisation’s mission, vision, and values.
How to elevate employee recognition communication:
1. Start recognition from day one
Early recognition in onboarding connects new hires to company values, increasing engagement and retention.
New hires who receive meaningful recognition are 4.6 times more likely to feel inspired, and inspired new hires are 3.3 times more likely to stay at their organisation.
Celebrating employee milestones is equally vital.
BI WORLDWIDE research shows only 53% of new hires had their one- or three-year anniversaries celebrated, yet those who did were half as likely to job search. Intentional early recognition fosters long-term commitment.
Case study: BI WORLDWIDE worked with a healthcare client who wanted to increase recognition in an employee’s first year and onboard employees to their mission.
We helped support managers in recognising their employees more frequently by sending out a monthly email reminding them of the people on their team, suggesting key milestones to celebrate, along with questions to ask employees and other information to help assess their overall engagement.
By the end of the year, all managers with a new hire had recognised them within their first 60 days.
Following this success, they designed a year-long new hire campaign that ensured each person received a recognition moment from a leader at least six times in their first year.
As a result, they not only improved retention at every key inflexion point, but they also saw employees and their managers engaging with recognition earlier and more frequently in their first year.
2. Be everywhere
For recognition to be effective, it must be visible across multiple channels - emails, intranets, print, digital platforms, and events.
Ensure your communication strategy reaches all employees, whether remote, deskless, or office based.
Despite 80% of deskless employees having electronic communication access, only 34% receive recognition via these devices, leaving many feeling undervalued.
Integrating recognition tools into existing workplace platforms reduces barriers to participation.
While digital tools are crucial, human connection remains impactful. In-person interactions, video calls, and live events add authenticity to recognition efforts.
3. Make it social
Recognition shouldn’t be top-down; a social approach drives engagement.
Consider:
- Cross-departmental recognition to break silos and build unity.
- External social media to publicly celebrate employee achievements, boosting employer branding.
- Digital platforms with social features like feeds, badges, and points systems.
- Peer-to-peer recognition to empower employees to appreciate colleagues’ efforts.
- Team celebrations to reinforce collaboration and group achievements.
- Continuous feedback to sustain motivation and engagement.
4. Keep it constant
A recognition-rich culture requires ongoing attention.
Celebrate key moments like Employee Appreciation Day or introduce regular spotlights, such as weekly roundups or quarterly newsletters.
Case study: A BI WORLDWIDE client’s Employee Appreciation Day campaign saw a 498% increase in new givers, a 235% rise in recognition activity, and a 1,289% boost in recognitions received.
The engagement remained high beyond the event, proving the lasting impact of focused efforts.
5. Empower managers
Only 14.5% of managers feel confident in giving feedback, yet they play a critical role in driving recognition culture.
To ensure success:
- Educate managers on the benefits of recognition.
- Provide regular reminders to recognise team members.
- Offer training on personalising recognition.
- Share data on recognition trends to optimise engagement.
6. Measure impact
Data-driven strategies enhance effectiveness.
Define goals - such as promoting cross-functional recognition or increasing low-user engagement - and track relevant metrics, including open rates, click-throughs, and platform activity.
Beyond traditional metrics, assess engagement through social interactions, such as likes, comments, and recognition word counts.
These offer deeper insights into programme effectiveness.
Elevate recognition through communication
Employees who expect their good work to be recognised are 12.4 times more likely to view their workplace positively.
To maximise impact, embed recognition into strategic communications, ensuring it becomes part of everyday culture.
Evaluate current recognition efforts, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance communication.
By leveraging every available tool and channel, you can build a more engaged, motivated workforce while advancing your organisation’s goals.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, BI WORLDWIDE
BI WORLDWIDE is a global engagement agency delivering measurable results for clients through inspirational employee and channel reward and recognition solutions.
