VIRTUAL RECOGNITION - 04/2002

Globalization has drastically altered most of the functions of the organization and HRD is not an exception. One of the most important function of HR is recognition of employees efforts, a tool for retention and keeping high motivation of the employees. Let us understand the challenges faced by present day HR manager in view of globalization. While recognizing the hard work of your staff is important but it is effective only when appreciation is given in time. It is through these timely efforts in rewarding them that the company will be able to retain and motivate them.

Letís consider the following situations:
Pam and her team of 14 people have excelled in their important project at the China office. The company CEO based in London has to congratulate them. Should the appreciation and award wait till CEO finds time to travel to China?
Take a similar situation ñ a marketing employee in a sub location has bagged a prestigious order against severe competition. The Regional Manager wants to appreciate his efforts. Should he wait till their next meeting?

Before we go further let us take a look on the traditional models which effect the employeeís moral. These traditional principals are still effective in motivating and retaining the employee. Most important of these are:

Capture the heart of employee
Create Relationships
Open Communication

As stated earlier these principles are still in practice but in view of globalization which has created distances the key element to fulfill these objectives is ëSpeedí. If the concerned person does not communicate appreciation in time it will lose its effectiveness.

Thankfully there is solution. With Internet services at its peak, the use of computers is inevitable in any field. Then how can recognition be in the rear. Today we can do Virtual Recognition of our employees. Now in the above examples Pam and her team of 14 people, when the occasion to reward them approached, their CEO in London came in front of them virtually and congratulated them and their awards were being presented to them by their site manager. Well, what a positive impact it had on Pam and her team. Similarly the Regional manager virtually appreciates the employeeís efforts without loss of time. Added to this he can do so for at more than one location with ease & comfort. Virtual Recognition makes it easier for you to reward your employees and boost up their morale.

Just as all programmes have their pros and cons, so does Virtual Recognition. But in this case pros outweigh the cons. Letís evaluate.



Pros:
Virtual Recognition programme are big time savers. You can congratulate your employee at various branches without spending much of your time in traveling.
By using V.R. progammes you can save upon your cost. Set your own budget and save on your travel cost too.
Virtual recognition programmes are immediate. It makes a lot of difference when you reward your employee immediately rather than after a week.
One can use a lot of variety in V.R. For example depending on the work accomplished you can send virtual flowers, cards, books, stationary, etc.
Reduces cycle times of HR programs and processes.
Employee Recognition on a Global Scale. It company so desires the program can be viewed at all the locations of the company there by creating an all round effect.

Cons:

q Loss of personal touch.
q Some personal inconvenience due to zone time difference
q Needs some forethought and planning due to various cultural differences.

A few guidelines have to be set while putting virtual recognition in practice
Set clear objectives for this programme for example, amount to be spent on gifts, level of participation, etc.
Tie up with correct gift vendors.
Give your programme emotional and personal touch
Set your budget
Come up with exciting and useful ideas
Keep your programme up to date
Communicate with your employees all over the globe.
Create different recognition programs and use them liberally.
Conduct frequent evaluations to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of your program.

A number of Recognition softwareís are available to make Virtual Recognition possible.

You can send employees virtual greeting cards/ flowers or can order a book, gift or recognition item on the net for them

Some vendors who help in arranging the virtual awards are -

http://www.premierechoiceaward.com/
http://www.mpcpromotions.com/shopping.html
http://www.awards4u.com/

With all its plus and minus, we have to accept that in todayís fast paced work environment Virtual Recognition is the right solution. Well, good luck on your Virtual Recognition expedition!

Payal A.Malkani
payal_nan@hotmail.com