About Recognition

Yellow Umbrella specializes in Recognition and Customer & Employee satisfaction.

Recognition – not to be confused with only financial rewards – is the most powerful motivator. It includes recognizing and responding to an individual’s needs, challenges, personality and achievements.

Anja Schuetz, founder and director of Yellow Umbrella, is the first Certified Recognition Professional in the Netherlands and the author of the “Poker Cards for Managers“.

Recognition often gets confused with Rewards – for which many companies tend not to have a budget, especially in times of recession.

Rewards are certainly a form of recognition, however there is a lot more to it, which does not require a budget at all.

Before-the-fact-Recognition – no budget required

Day to day recognition is the most powerful motivator and includes showing interest and responding to an individual’s needs, challenges, motivational drivers and achievements.

People who see their efforts are making a difference and who feel they are treated well generally take more ownership of their jobs. They respond with better performance, higher engagement, less absenteeism and give better service to your clients. Recognition therefore has a direct influence on your customers’ loyalty and your company’s bottom line!

After-the-fact-Recognition = Rewards

Rewards can come in all shapes and can therefore also fit any budget. You can start simply by saying Thank You and  explaining the positive difference a person’s actions or achievements have made. This will make them feel rewarded and valued.

Forms of low budget rewards include celebrating successes within the team with for example lunches, dinners or other organized team events.

And then there is of course any form of planned and organized recognition, which might take a higher investment of both time and money; for example public praise of achievements by means of awards (certificates, plaques or incentives).

If you want to promote Recognition in your organization – also and especially enabling your line managers to become better people managers to their teams – contact us to see how we can support you!