Acknowledgment, Praise and Rewards
Acknowledgment, Praise and Rewards
One of the most valuable benefits of being the boss is you get to reward your employees. It not only brings joy to you and your staff, it causes better performance and higher productivity. Money is not the only reward you can give and, in fact, is not as valuable as other types of rewards.
For example, one ExecTech client moved to a new office space and held an open house for patients and their families. The receptionist of this practice spent three weeks calling and inviting hundreds of patients to attend. As a result, over 100 people showed up, including 22 new patients.
This receptionist received a $100 bonus and a written “Commendation” memo signed by the owner. The cash was gone the next day. But she laminated the memo and stapled it to the wall near her telephone where it remained for three years. Which reward was most valuable to her?
Rewarding your employees for their outstanding efforts is enjoyable because you get to focus on the successes of you and your team. You can thank the people who are on your side. Your staff are also more inclined to give you their best because they know you will recognize them for it.
Fifteen Ways to Acknowledge, Praise and Reward Staff Members
❒ 1. Write a thank-you note or a commendation memo.
❒ 2. Upgrade the individual’s computer.
❒ 3. A $100 credit for your practice’s services that the employee can give to whomever he or she wants.
❒ 4. Tell five different people about the person's accomplishment.
❒ 5. Arrange for the employee to go to a seminar of his or her choosing.
❒ 6. Allow the person to leave early with a full day's pay.
❒ 7. Place a small plant, balloons or flowers on the employee's desk.
❒ 8. Buy lunch for the entire staff in honor of an individual's performance.
❒ 9. Give an all-expenses-paid one-night vacation for two.
❒ 10. Arrange for a month of health club benefits.
❒ 11. Reassign one of the employee’s tasks that he or she dislikes.
❒ 12. Give recognition in your practice newsletter.
❒ 13. Invite the employee and employee's family to your home.
❒ 14. Buy toys for the employee's children.
❒ 15. Award a professional house cleaning for the staff member's home.
Another Morale Booster
At your next staff meeting, have each staff member write a commendation memo for someone. The memos can be for any service or assistance given to a patient, to another staff member or to you. Examples:
“Mr. Johnson is too old to drive, so Maggie picked him up on her way in.”
“Ms. Grump was yelling at me for a mistake on her statement and Dr. Steve came right over and calmed her down. He’s my hero!”
“Kate worked until 9 p.m. to fix that computer problem.”
Everyone folds up their commendation memos and puts them in a box or bowl. Near the end of the staff meeting, read each slip.
Do this every week for a month. You might be amazed at the improved teamwork and cheerfulness!
Curious to find out the strong and weak points in your management skills? Take 5 minutes right now to fill out our Practice Management Analysis.
Have A Great Week! Brian Rakestraw, Managing Partner