recognition

[bymoonlight]

Our store is working to restore the "old tradition" of recognizing the team for a job well done. We do have a lot of people who are consistently performing well or going above and beyond, and they either don't hear it enough or are being told they're doing a good job, without much else to go for it. As leaders, we have been challenged to find ways to recognize our team throughout the upcoming quarter in new ways and keep it going (many have a history of starting something and stopping after a few weeks). I've been checking in with the team to see what sort of things they'd like, and many of my TMs just want to be told they're doing a good job and to have support. I can't offer them the additional money on their paychecks that they want, nor do I have a large budget to work with. In truth, I'm already planning on gift bags for the holidays for them, but that's not consistent. I feel like I do a good job of recognizing them, but it's not what the higher-ups are after.

All of that to say - what kind of things do you like for recognition? What do you think would be fun in terms of games to get a "prize" for having been recognized? (note: our store does not have a starbucks, so no drinks for anyone)

 

[vendordontmesswithme]

Our store is working to restore the "old tradition" of recognizing the team for a job well done. We do have a lot of people who are consistently performing well or going above and beyond, and they either don't hear it enough or are being told they're doing a good job, without much else to go for it. As leaders, we have been challenged to find ways to recognize our team throughout the upcoming quarter in new ways and keep it going (many have a history of starting something and stopping after a few weeks). I've been checking in with the team to see what sort of things they'd like, and many of my TMs just want to be told they're doing a good job and to have support. I can't offer them the additional money on their paychecks that they want, nor do I have a large budget to work with. In truth, I'm already planning on gift bags for the holidays for them, but that's not consistent. I feel like I do a good job of recognizing them, but it's not what the higher-ups are after.

All of that to say - what kind of things do you like for recognition? What do you think would be fun in terms of games to get a "prize" for having been recognized? (note: our store does not have a starbucks, so no drinks for anyone)

Personally I appreciate when TLs tell me thanks . I dont expect more than that from them Why is it TLs have to do more? If higher ups want more done than they are the ones to step up. Isn't this why many are frustrated with them because we don't hear positive things from store or district levels?

 

[Ringwraith917]

Special Target t-shirts, public acknowledgement (like when team huddles used to be a thing, "Praise in public criticize in private" as the saying goes), "___ of the week: TMNAME" award/photo/just written on the whiteboard

 

[FlowTeamChick]

Whatever you do, be very careful to avoid favoritism or even the appearance of it. It's happened before at my store and created a lot of resentment - kind of the opposite of your goal!
There's a TL at my store who will ask TMs what their favorite beverage, snack, treat is and then requisition it for the TM. It's not a big presentation or award, just a quiet acknowledgement and thank you. (We don't have a SB either, but there are lots of cold non-alcoholic beverages available.) I like that, being the kind of person who prefers to stay behind the scenes.

 

[vendordontmesswithme]

Whatever you do, be very careful to avoid favoritism or even the appearance of it. It's happened before at my store and created a lot of resentment - kind of the opposite of your goal!
There's a TL at my store who will ask TMs what their favorite beverage, snack, treat is and then requisition it for the TM. It's not a big presentation or award, just a quiet acknowledgement and thank you. (We don't have a SB either, but there are lots of cold non-alcoholic beverages available.) I like that, being the kind of person who prefers to stay behind the scenes.

You said it so well. This is my deepest concern when TLs do recognition. They want to give something meaningful. This is not something all TLs are good at. That's why I believe the executives should do it. We lost several softlines members way back for favoritism and giving very expensive items away.

 

[MrT]

When I was an inbound lead I would bring in donuts every once in a while to thank my team, even tms that don't want to eat the donuts appreciate it. Just showing gratitude can go a long way. Sincerity is always key if you thank them for every little thing it'll just lose its meaning. Of course inbound is usually a little more unique as its a group of people that all come in the same time so it's easier to recognize them then say being a front end or specialty lead that has tms at all hours of the day.

 

[Him]

Back when I was a TL, I pointed out a Statistic that Our Store 🏬 was good in that We (as a collective) contributed to. For Individuals, I gave Tailored Messaged Cards to Those Specifically AND put those Individual On The Board for Recognition for not only others to see, but other Stores 🏬 to take notice. Recognition isn’t just saying a blanket “Thank you”. Contrary to what you may think, one size doesn’t fit all. I would say thank you 🙏🏾 to someone and they take it very seriously over what another TL might say the same thing. When they heard me say it, they were genuinely grateful because it wasn’t “nice talk”. It is a difference. Truly Know Your Team and Your Business. Good luck 👍🏾

 

[FlowTeamChick]

Of course inbound is usually a little more unique as its a group of people

And we're always hungry so food always goes over well. 🙂 Seriously, feed us and it means something.

Correct about "thank you" meaning nothing when it's said for every little thing. Our SD does this over the walkie all day long and some of us just do eye rolls at each other.