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Recognition, in its simplest form, is acknowledging or rewarding someone for their efforts and achievements. Over the past decade, how employers and employees’ approach and value recognition has significantly changed, driven by cultural shifts, technological advancements, and evolving workplace dynamics.

Recognition programs are significant, visible investments for any organization. It is critical that these programs launch successfully and achieve a prominent level of utilization quickly. Our work with many clients over many years offers valuable lessons about what can be done before and after a program launch to maximize its success.

Why employee recognition matters and how to effectively deliver it.

In my two previous columns (Creating a Great Employee Experience and Why RESPECT Matters), I introduced the RESPECT taxonomy of what employees most want from their employer and shared research revealing the customer loyalty and financial gains to organizations for delivering RESPECT (Recognition, Exciting Work, Security, Pay, Education and Career Growth, Conditions, and Truth).

Managers with highly engaged employees deliver improved business outcomes, including increased retention, higher productivity rates and lower absenteeism.

With many leading HR organizations successfully integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into recruiting processes, AI and machine learning are improving recognition experiences. Yet there are essential differences between the effective use of AI in recruiting and recognition. In recruiting, AI has proven most successful in helping decision-makers source, screen and evaluate large numbers of candidates. For managers, recognition is not a volume process but a personal expression of appreciation.