IEEE-USA’s October free e-book for members examines the age-old dilemma every manager faces — of rewarding deserving employees — especially when the budget is too tight to do it financially. In this second volume, Rewarding Your Employees in Tight Salary Times—Volume 2: Additional Techniques, author Harry T. Roman discussed and describes additional strategies, tips and techniques for rewarding key people.
Roman advises against fun, trendy forms of recognition — such as inviting employees to select something from an upscale gift catalog, or presenting a certificate for dinner for two at an expensive restaurant. The veteran engineering professional and educator says that while these popular reward mechanisms have their place, it’s important to recognize high-performing people in ways that will keep them motivated and on point — keeping these valuable staff members in your company, and in your department.
Instead, Roman encourages assigning a special employee to such special project activities as participating in community events; sponsoring local charities; helping to rehab abandoned buildings; raising funds for new hospital wings; blood drives; or working with local schools.
“No great company today can afford to miss an opportunity to work in their community,” he says, “Assigning a special employee to these kinds of activities can be a welcome change of pace.”
The author firmly believes that assigning a special employee to work with a local school can be a win-win — not only for the employee and the school, but also for the company. “Employees will learn how to take complex subjects and boil them down into easy-to-understand, teachable moments,” he explains, “and they will also have delightful experiences they will want to repeat.” Equally important, he says schools are eager to work with businesses, as it brings relevancy to the courses they teach, as well as illustrating the process skills that distinguish innovative companies.
Roman notes that employees in different industries can show how problem solving makes a difference in people’s lives. Further, he points out that immersing schools in problem solving and design challenge activities is mutually beneficial to students and company employees. Roman also observes that companies that encourage their employees to participate in outreach to schools will reap the rewards of community recognition. The community will see such companies as caring organizations that want to serve for the greater good — as well as their customers.
Rewarding Your Employees in Tight Salary Times, Volume 2 contains many more proven ideas for showing appreciation and motivating key employees. Together with the first volume, these e-books provide managers with a wealth of ideas and inspiration.
From 1 October through 15 November, IEEE members can get their free October e-book by going to: https://ieeeusa.org/shop/. Log in with your IEEE Web Account, add the book to your cart, and use promo code OCTFREE18 at checkout.
Members — don’t miss this great free opportunity. This award-winning e-book normally sells for $4.99 to members and $7.99 to non-members. Download your October free e-book from IEEE-USA today!
Georgia C. Stelluto is IEEE-USA’s Publishing Manager; Manager/Editor of IEEE-USA E-BOOKS; InFocus Department Editor for IEEE-USA InSight; and Co-Editor of the IEEE-USA Conference Brief.
