Employee Recognition: Shout it from the Rooftops (or, actually, the Walls)
“The Wall of Fame” – How to display appreciation for your top staff, that special owner and all the great improvements and accomplishments achieved at your resort.
The Role of the Wall of Fame in Pursuit of Excellence
The road to excellence is paved with contributions, big and small, made by dedicated people. It is the collective of these contributions that create award-winning resort companies and professionals. Not only is it important to celebrate the award – it is important to recognize the efforts along the way. I guarantee there are dedicated professionals, guests, and efforts to be celebrated at your resort, and what better way to acknowledge them than with your own Wall of Fame?!
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Why a Wall of Fame?
Your people are the embodiment of your brand. They are the power behind your reputation and the most essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to customer satisfaction. Public recognition of their successes and appreciation of their work goes a long way toward keeping employees satisfied. Appreciation of a job well done is a practice that is good for morale and is known to increase engagement and productivity.
A Wall of Fame is not only an expression of appreciation to the people who make it all possible, but also a display of your company culture. By honoring your staff, highlighting strength in leadership, showcasing success, and paying tribute to long lasting commitment, a Wall of Fame shares with guests and owners your values. When people connect on the level of shared values; loyalty and commitment grows. And brand loyalty is an important element of the resort business.
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More than the Employee of the Month
Implementing a Wall of Fame can be as simple as acknowledging an “Employee of the Month” with a photo and the hard-earned title. However, to get the most out of a WOF, it is better to tell a story. Add a short biography or a quote: tell us where the Employee of the Month grew up, their special talent, a challenge they overcame, or what their catch phrase is. How did they rise to be the cream of the crop and what was it that made them stand out? This kind of information gives others an opportunity to connect.
With the knowledge that the WOF expresses your values, think about who and what else might earn a slice of this prime wall real estate. Does your resort have a special guest that everyone looks forward to seeing each summer? Do you have guests celebrating special occasions with you? Have owners left outstanding reviews with you at the end of their stay? Testimonials and guest appreciation is a great use of the WOF.
Toot the company horn! Mention team wins on the micro and macro level. Has your company made strides in the last year toward more sustainability? Did you have any philanthropic endeavors that went above and beyond? Or maybe you finally made it through a long planned and well executed renovation. These are all fantastic subjects for your WOF.
Related: Attract and Retain Employees
Make it More Than a Portrait
Selecting the location and the type of display to celebrate your people and accomplishments is important, as both support the message you are communicating. If you have the resources to collaborate with an in-house marketing or branding team, their skills will serve this task well. Design professionals such as Interior Designers are also a great resource in communicating a message visually.
First and importantly, choose the location for the “Famous” at your resort. Perhaps there is a lonely wall near your lobby where the members of a large group wait during check-in. If your resort has a sales department on-site, a great spot for a WOF is along the route potential owners will travel. Or look for a not-so-lux area that can use some activation and excitement. Just steer away from the supply closet or the laundry room!
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Photos and large graphics are engaging. We have all seen the standard WOF with the corporate headshot, but candid or in-action shots tell us a lot more about what makes this person so special. Mixing in supporting graphics with the photos like key words, quotes, or infographics illustrating a success story will make your wall a story. Pair the image of the person recognized with some of the information we discussed earlier. Take a que from museums or the many, and varied Hall of Fames. They all use a mixture of memorabilia, with text, and images. It is the mixture of items that makes it interesting and engaging.
Look again to museums to explore different types of display and mounting techniques. Printing on glossy foam core, vinyl, wood, or metal all create completely different looks. Using standoff screws or 3D mounting systems take your display to a different level (pun intended). Custom vinyl wall covering can be used to host more permanent themes for your WOF while also creating locations for frames on top that change as needed. Digital might be a cool application and easy to refresh monthly with new graphics and images. There is a display technique to fit any budget. So have some fun, be creative and see the reward in your staff and guests smiles.
Margit Whitlock is Principal and Creative Director for Architecture and Interior Design at Architectural Concepts Inc., a San Diego, CA based Architectural and Interior Design Firm specializing in hospitality design. Ms. Whitlock is an accomplished speaker with engagements at multiple ARDA conventions, HD Boutique show as well as being frequently published in magazines such as Developments, Resort Trades, Hotel Business, Hiatus, Vacation Industry Review and Resort Management and Operations.
