Recognition

Employees' top criticism of management in the workplace: not being recognized for what they do well. We all are informed of managers' opinions of our errors or poor performance, if not immediately, then on the next performance evaluation/review/assessment. Whether you are a manager or a coworker, you can turn that around. Recognition can be formal or informal: it simply must celebrate the person or team being recognized for contributions or achievements. A funny awards ceremony in the cafeteria, a "thank you" at a team meeting, a posted proclamation at a work station--use your imagination. Traditional ideas include pizza party, dress-down days, and cruises. Innovative ideas include traveling trophies, role exchanges, and competitions with bragging rights. Bring good performance and results to others' attention to increase morale, retention, satisfaction, performance, and results. Acknowledge specific, positive behaviors to encourage more positivity--and, ultimately, more productivity and profitability. Send a thank you note to someone at work today!

2015 Teamwork Tip

Invite each team member to contribute his/her strengths to the team as strengths on which the team can depend. Identify the skill sets the team lacks and seek future team members who possess those skills and abilities. Use creative recognition and intermittent reinforcement to support the team. A catered pizza party for lunch or a silly competition with another team will spark performance. Watch talent engagement and retention rise!

Presentation Tip 4: Use "Outside" Techniques

Outside

How to Suit Your Audience:
What’s in the Cards for your Presentation?

Create balanced and various experiences for your audience. Doing so will enrich the learning retention and enhance audience engagement. Consider each “suit” to influence and inform your audience from the “outside.”

Clubs

How will you engage your audience in interactive and collaborative experiences?
Move bodies in activities to move minds.

Spades

What tools and techniques will you share with your audience in applying and implementing your topic?

Hearts

What stories will you deliver to your audience to evoke emotional connections with your topic? Practice describing the setting, narrating the situation and struggle, defining the solution, and identifying the significance of the story.

Diamonds

What insights and universals will you uncover for your audience? What “gems” do you want your audience to remember long after the presentation? These diamonds will provide the wealth of the information and its value to the audience.