Rewarding Productivity Without Alienating Others

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In today’s candidate-driven landscape, retention and employee satisfaction directly impact company results. Employers who actively recognize diligent workers can set themselves apart, and benefit from substantial levels of business success. Encouraging performance, progression, and productivity are regular working practices that will help companies win the war for talent.

It’s evidential the more you praise good work, the more likely it is to continue and compound results. But then we face the questions, “How do you reward employees without alienating the rest of your workforce?” and “How do you provide incentives without ruining workplace morale for those who don’t hit the mark?” Here are some tactics for rewarding productivity without alienating and overlooking the rest of your employees.

 

What Does ‘Rewarding Productivity’ Mean?

Rewarding productivity or performance is recognizing an employee for exceptional work achievements. That’s saying, “These standout players are going beyond the norm.” Examples of typical workplace achievements which may be rewarded or recognized include:

  • Boosting sales targets
  • Increasing output or clientele
  • Enhancing quality of production
  • Offering above and beyond service
  • Delivering process improvement ideas
  • Reducing faults and weak points
  • Complying with workplace protocols

 

Employers use performance appraisals and systems to award over-achievers. By bringing attention to the actions that support the trajectory of the company, it inadvertently pinpoints opportunities for improvement. While the main aim of the system is to encourage employees to aspire high and wide, it has many unforeseen byproducts.

 

What are the Benefits of Rewarding Productivity?

The correlation between motivation, productivity, and rewards is slowly changing. At one point, people were solely motivated through promotional opportunities and financial rewards. Today, people’s motivators are evolving. Combining material with psychological incentives can result in achieving employee and business goals collectively. Some of the biggest benefits for rewarding productivity can lead to an increase in:

  • Morale and motivation
  • Business productivity
  • Retention of talented staff-members
  • Employee engagement
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For top performers, rewards are a surefire way to boost job satisfaction. However, for those who are not able to achieve those same results, it can begin to alienate some employees despite your best intentions.

 

How Rewarding Productivity Can Cause Alienation in the Workplace

Not all professionals are made the same. Similarly, not all professionals can deliver the same results. If they did, there wouldn’t be such thing as a “top performer”! By doing the job well, good professionals can still only hit their goal – and not exceed it. For those that are able to meet their goal, it can be demotivating to see recognition come only to those who’ve exceeded them. Alienation sets in when this perfectly average employee feels undervalued in their role, despite doing what they were hired to do.

If employees feel undervalued, they could decide to seek employment elsewhere. Harvard Business Review produced a report in 2016 stating that recognizing employees is the simplest way to improve morale. Researchers found that 82% of American employees felt they don’t receive enough praise at work. 40% from the same pool stated they would actively work harder if supervisors recognized their efforts.

 

So What’s the Best Way to Reward Productivity in the Workplace?

Rewarding staff is so much more than handing out vouchers or a paid day-off. The main goal should be to boost morale and increase motivation overall – not create a hierarchy of achievers vs. the rest. Here are some best practices for rewarding productivity that can help you avoid alienating other workers:

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1. Create Clear Benchmarks for Earning Rewards and Incentives

Employers should outline rewards and incentives through programs, systems, and procedures. The best reward programs are simple. Employees should know exactly what they’re aiming for – whether that’s a sales metric or delivery of certain projects. When setting these benchmarks, employers must give clear instruction on how to effectively meet those goals and provide tools to boost performance and progression on that path. If employees are unaware of how to win awards or the guidelines are unclear, it can lead to frustration and discouragement.

2. Connect Rewards with Work Standards

Consider connecting rewards with workplace standards. If employees understand the correlation between good work and rewards, they’re more likely to focus on reaching those requirements. An easy route is to provide different levels of achievement along the way. The more an employee sells, for example, the more recognition they gain. Recognize them for keeping pace with company standards. It’s more encouraging when levelling up is an achievable next step. Celebrate the merit-worthy, smaller wins along the way. The more rewards they reach, the more likely they are to be motivated to reach for that next level of achievement.

3. Tailor Rewards to the Staff

If the rewards have no bearing with the staff’s wants and needs, they probably won’t strive for them. Every business has its own workplace culture; so, copying traditional reward systems isn’t always the wisest decision. By tailoring rewards to suit your workforce, personnel are bound to be more incentivized through their interests. If your team members have expressed an interest in staycations, social events, or even an upgrade in tech – meet them where they’re at. Personalize rewards to demonstrate a proactive investment in employees’ preferences. This will no doubt lead to an increase in business loyalty and aspiration to outperform. Furthermore, it helps assure them that their voices have been heard.

4. Recognize All Types of Achievements

It’s too common of an occurrence for employers to get fixated on hitting big targets. Huge business achievements should be celebrated – like closing a deal with a multi-corporate business or signing a high-flying socialite to advertise a product. However, this can create favor to certain departments by dismissing those that aren’t revenue producing. It’s just as significant to recognize all levels of business achievements. Ideally, this system should practice recognizing achievements in everyday operations. Create merits not solely about reaching the big numbers – celebrate career progression and a job well done.

5. Incentivize Individual and Team Efforts

Results can be the end-product of an individual’s hard work. But more often than not, success comes from a team effort. Take a bespoke approach for incentives and reward systems on a team-to-team basis. Provide teambuilding events, sponsored happy hours, or team-wide bonuses as a reward. Teamwork can strengthen productivity, engagement, and overall business relations. Strong collaboration and communication can prove to be solid byproducts for business success – so reward it sufficiently.

 

Things to Avoid When Rewarding Employees

Fairness should be foremost when giving recognition. Still, it’s impossible to keep everyone satisfied. Employees should feel empowered to bring up concerns of unfavorable or discriminatory treatment to you directly, so that you can address concerns as they come up – but that won’t always be the case. For the best shot at success, here are steps to avoid alienating staff while rewarding productivity:

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1. Avoid Expressing Fake Gratitude

Empty appreciation can sometimes be worse than no thanks at all. When praising an employee or showing appreciation to a team, it must come from a genuine place. Instead of a half-empty or generic thank-you, provide gratitude where it’s deserved.

2. Don’t Disregard Performance Review Procedures

From annual reviews to weekly check-ins, it pays to utilize performance reviews and acknowledge progress. It helps keep employees on track to achieving their goals, and it gives employers an opportunity to address areas for improvement head on.

3. Avoid Abrupt Changes to Appreciation Methods

Present the idea of introducing new reward practices before launching a full-scale overhaul.  Have conversations with department leaders and supervisors with their ears to the ground to ensure a strong understanding of what employees would want to see. Leverage tools and services like reward consultancy companies, which can help introduce productive appraisal services. These reward company’s appraisal systems can help to encourage employee engagement. Not to mention, bringing in professional support can help avoid feelings of favoritism or bias.

 

The End Results for Rewarding Productivity

Through an active effort in valuing hard work – not just the highest achievements – employees will feel inspired to succeed. An increase in business production, loyalty, and retention are significant end-products that will make it well-worth your effort. Learn as you go and take the time to monitor any changes you make to reward processes. Adapt as the business evolves, and you’ll be sure to beat out the competition by retaining employees that are motivated and engaged. By practicing genuine care for your staff’s welfare, you’ll soon see that your business will be rewarded through loyalty, excellence, and success.

As your partner in the process, Blue Signal strives to help your company reach its fullest potential with all employees – not just the ones you hire from us! If you want to learn more about the best ways to help unite your team by rewarding productivity, give us a call.

How 5G Will Revolutionize the Way You Do Business

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By now you’ve probably caught the buzz about this thing called 5G that’s coming to change the world… but what is it really? And what will it mean for your business once it’s here? 5G is the 5th generation mobile network and the new global wireless standard. 5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps data speeds, much lower latency, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users across the globe. Simply put, it’ll make your mobile connectivity faster and more reliable. This technology is a huge breakthrough in wireless tech and some industry insiders have gone so far as to say that the 5G network will be as revolutionary as the printing press, the automobile, and electricity. So the question is, have you thought about how your business will change? In this blog, we’re hitting on all the key features of 5G that will revolutionize the way you do business and how to utilize them most effectively.

Ability to Work From Anywhere

With the recent pandemic and the majority of the nation’s workforce working from home, the capability to connect wirelessly, from any location is more necessary than ever. 5G enables just that; making being chained to an Ethernet cable or within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot a thing of the past. With the power of 5G, users will be able to connect to high-speed connections from just about anywhere. Yes, anywhere. A recent study shows 62% of employees work remotely at least part-time and this number only continues to rise as more employers continue to enforce health and safety precautions. With the abilities of 5G, businesses will be able to allow even more flexibility to their employees when it comes to working locations. In turn, this creates a larger candidate pool as geographical location ceases to be a qualifier for employees. This ease of accessibility is sure to increase morale and create a more relaxed workforce.

Seamless Functionality

With 5G, not only will the connection be vastly available but the functionality will be seamless. Through its fluid capabilities, 5G allows not just remote work but virtual work. The difference? Users will be able to access data, communicate with co-workers, collaborate on projects just as seamlessly as if they were physically in the same room. Remote workers will no longer be held back by needing access to large amounts of data, or a brainstorming session interrupted by poor video connection and lag. Further, with the increased capability, running more advanced technology becomes a breeze. Businesses will be able to access and implement virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI technology into their typical work routines creating a more connected and technologically advanced environment.

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Increased Productivity

The entire workforce is buzzing in anticipation of the impact 5G will have on the way we function. 91% of US organizations and 88% of small to mid-sized enterprises agree that 5G will increase productivity. As mentioned earlier, lagging connections and download speeds can really disrupt remote and in-office employees’ workflow and attention span. Significantly faster data speeds mean far lower latency while waiting for a file to load, a meeting to start, attachments to download, etc. A big contributor to slow or glitchy connections is an influx of users in a centralized area. 5G allows for up to a million devices per square kilometer, making high-speed connections seamless even in extremely high traffic areas. There is an overwhelming amount of both large and small impacts that will contribute to maximized productivity from every angle. Even something as small as improved energy efficiency will result in prolonged battery life on devices, eliminating time searching for a lost charger or an outlet in a crowded coffee shop.

Improve Company Communication & Culture

Especially in the current state of the world, having a strong company culture is more important than ever to keep employees engaged. Human connection and interaction is key to keeping a positive mindset throughout the office and even more so for employees working at home. Companies are hiring more remote employees, expanding across the country and even the globe. While this leverages several benefits, it also can create some challenges in developing an inclusive company culture and connected dynamic. All of the capabilities 5G will introduce into your business play a role in how you’ll connect and interact internally, no matter your organization’s geographical location. Trust us, boring conference calls will be a thing of the past as the potential of 5G innovations expand to holographic calling, enabling users to view 3D presentations with or without glasses, and interactive meetings utilizing AI technology. Why would you choose to use small chat boxes on computer screens when augmented and virtual reality connectivity will run seamlessly?

It’s clear to see that the power and innovation 5G is bringing will revolutionize the way people do business in a big way. Here at Blue Signal, we plan to utilize many of these advancements in multiple aspects of our business. One area we are excited to embrace is the ability to further empower our remote employees’ flexibility in where and how they work. Blue Signal has a long history of leveraging a geographically diverse team as we’ve had recruiters working from all over the country since our inception. The ability to further advance the way we communicate and engage with each other internally will be a huge initiative in the coming year as we look forward to continuing to nurture our tight-knit company culture. Additionally, the connectivity and seamless functionality of 5G will allow us to better serve our clients and candidates. As the recruiting industry continues to grow, we continue to stay committed to rising above the norm by utilizing the most effective resources, technology, and processes available to us. Reach out to one of our recruiters today to talk about what 5G advancements mean for your workforce and how you can capture these benefits.

Guide to Working from Home with Roommates, Spouse, Kids, or Parents

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For many companies that made the switch back in March, working from home is becoming the new normal with over half of Americans going remote. This change - which in the beginning seemed only temporary - is now a much more permanent solution for many businesses nationwide. Since these companies have already implemented so many new technologies and processes to collaborate as a team remotely, they’re realizing they can save money on office and real estate costs while still supporting a high-functioning staff. According to Global Workplace Analytics, employers can save up to $11,000 a year for each employee who works remotely even half the time.

Being able to work from home can be a great perk as far as cutting out your daily commute and knocking out chores around the house on your lunch break. On the other hand, it also means that your spouse, children, and roommates now become your new co-workers who can often be much more distracting. This can be difficult to navigate as you work out a plan and get used to spending a lot more time together. To help you find your new normal, here are some helpful tips and tricks to co-habitating and co-working with all members of your household. 

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Set Realistic Expectations 

With such a big shift in your routine, there are bound to be some kinks that will take time to iron out, and that’s ok! Be upfront and set expectations with not only your housemates, but more importantly your coworkers. Everyone’s situation is anything but normal at the moment and there is no reason you should pretend it is. Whether you have kids being kids, or a roommate with a noisy call center job, it’s important to accept that things might not be 100% professional 100% of the time. 

Start a conference call or zoom meeting by explaining your situation; “My kids are playing in the other room and might need my brief attention throughout the call” or “My husband’s on a call in the other room if you hear any background noise.” This sets the tone of understanding from the beginning so if anything does come up, everyone is prepared. Being open and honest about how you’re managing distractions can also be reassuring to your fellow coworkers who may be feeling overwhelmed, and show that they’re not in it alone.    

Create Office Hours and Respect Them

Now that there’s no need to worry about commuting in morning traffic, you have the luxury to sleep in later and take your time getting to your desk. That being said, this can make it more difficult to get into a working state of mind and mentally ready for the day. A helpful tip is to wake up a little earlier and get something productive done before you even sit down at your desk. Something simple like unloading the dishwasher, journaling, or getting in a quick workout can wake you up and tell your brain you’re going to have a productive day. 

When it comes to multiple people working different jobs under the same roof, getting on a similar schedule can help everyone stay productive and keep the peace. It’s important to set strict start/stop times and communicate those clearly to everyone. This helps to avoid any misunderstandings between significant others, kids, or roommates about when the house needs to function as a working office. 

A good tip to communicate this to children is by using visuals to act as a constant reminder that you’re “on the clock”. Put up a gate or hang a sign on the door that requires them to stop and think if it's necessary to interrupt. This can actually be helpful for roommates too as no matter the age, sometimes people need a subtle reminder! 

Communicate Your Schedule

Communicating not only your start/stop times but also specific events throughout your day can make the co-working process much more seamless. Take the time to create a shared calendar or plan weekly chats about important meetings, calls, deadlines, etc. you have coming up. Shared calendars are a great tool as you can color code events based on what you need from your roommates. Note events where it is crucial that the room be silent with no interruptions, and video meetings to ensure no one gets caught on camera unexpectedly. This way, each of you can plan your schedules accordingly. 

For example, if you know your spouse has a video call late in the morning and needs a quiet room, you could maybe plan to take your lunch a little early that day to create a more relaxed environment. This is a great way to show you’re willing to be flexible and most likely they’ll return the favor for your next big meeting.   

Define your Space

Small spaces can mean short tempers. We understand this is often unavoidable, but you can still find ways to define what’s yours and what you’re willing to share. Setting boundaries on things like office equipment may seem slightly petty at first, but when you’re scrambling to get a deadline turned in and your laptop charger is nowhere to be found, tension is bound to boil over. Clearly keep your things separated and in a safe place so you always know where to reach for them. 

When it comes to finding your space, get creative while searching for quiet places to work and clear your head. Your car can act as another private room with a door that locks, for short term calls/meetings that you can’t be interrupted during. Taking a walk outside with fresh air can also be helpful when looking to relax or invigorate a new perspective on a project. It’s also a great way to take a call without others listening in from the next room. 

When sharing communal spaces, make a plan about where you’re each going to work and when. Maybe one of you gets the living room/dining table to check emails while sipping coffee in peace in the morning and the other gets the space after lunch, or switch off days of the week. There is always some common ground to be found but it’s up to you and your housemates to communicate and work together to find it. 

When it comes to working from home with kids, roommates or significant others, it’s important to accept that things aren’t going to be seamless and easy going from the start. Finding what will work for both of you is all about compromise and adjusting. If you decide on things to be one way and you find it’s not working, communicate and try something else! It’s going to take some time to settle into your new routines, but you will. 

While navigating all aspects of your new normal, make sure to take the time to regularly check-in on your roommates and family as WFH can often cause some added stress. A simple check-in or a night set aside to enjoy each other and do something out of the ordinary is a great way to boost everyone's mood and create a better work/life balance within your home turned office. 

Whether your situation is temporary or going to be a permanent schedule moving forward, being productive at home is achievable! Enjoy the added perks and give yourself and your housemates time to settle into these new roles.