You’ve decided to implement an employee recognition platform and now to need to launch it. You only get one chance to engage employees and to get their initial buy-in so be sure to follow the below steps to launch your employee recognition platform with impact.
By this stage in the process, you will have already defined your objectives, selected a platform, and completed any system integration. Here’s a recap on the steps in the process of implementing a peer-to-peer social recognition platform:
Define your objectives: Clearly define the objectives and goals you want to achieve with your recognition platform. Identify the specific areas where you want to promote employee recognition and engagement. You will require stakeholder approval so ensure your objectives will deliver clear ROI for the business.
Research and select a platform: Explore different peer-to-peer social recognition platforms available in the market – this may feel like an overwhelming task but take time to fully understand their pros and cons. Consider factors such as features, customisation options, scalability, security, ease of use, mobile compatibility, and pricing. Select a platform that aligns with your requirements, and any future plans you may have such as rolling out to wider markets, language capabilities, data access points etc.
Customise the platform: Tailor the platform to your organisation’s needs. Customize the branding, user interface, and user experience to align with your company’s culture and values. Configure features such as recognition categories, badges, rewards, and notifications based on your objectives.
On your marks, get set, launch!
You’re almost ready to launch your employee recognition platform and it’s time to start planning implementation. Develop a detailed implementation plan that outlines the steps, timeline, and resources required for launching the platform. Consider aspects like user onboarding, communication strategy, training, and integration with existing systems.
If necessary, integrate the recognition platform with existing HR or employee management systems to streamline processes and data flow. Ensure proper synchronization of user information, such as names, roles, and departments, for seamless user experience. Having the correct data will be invaluable further down the road when it comes to gathering business intelligence and demonstrating your platform’s performance against objectives.
Create clear guidelines and policies for using the peer-to-peer social recognition platform. Define the criteria for recognition, eligibility, frequency, and the types of recognition allowed. Establish guidelines for maintaining a positive and inclusive recognition culture.
Launch a communication campaign to create awareness and excitement around the new platform, perhaps even consider an employee event to bring your teams together. Use various channels such as emails, intranet announcements, newsletters, and team meetings to explain the benefits, functionality, and expected impact of the platform. Encourage employees to participate and provide feedback for continuous improvement and evolution of the platform.
Conduct training sessions or provide resources (e.g., tutorials, videos) to educate employees about the platform’s features, benefits, and best practices. Ensure that users understand how to give and receive recognition effectively so they get the best out of the platform. Be prepared for teething issues and employee queries, provide FAQs and a point of contact or inbox for any login or access questions.
Continuously monitor platform usage, engagement levels, and feedback from users. Analyse data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. Use this information to refine the platform, introduce new features, or address any issues that arise.
Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your recognition programme. In our experience you need to monitor metrics such as user adoption, frequency of recognition, participation rates, and employee satisfaction. Review these metrics regularly to assess the platform’s impact on employee engagement and adjust as needed.
Remember, launching a peer-to-peer social recognition platform is an ongoing process. It requires active involvement, promotion, and continuous improvement to maintain employee engagement and achieve the desired outcomes.
Contact us to learn about our employee recognition platforms and to discuss how we can help.
