We believe that companies should show appreciation to their best employees with the best recognition programs possible. Recognizing employees is a great way to showcase areas that your company values. If you use the best recognition tactics to emphasize a value or action that is important to your company, that value will spread and potentially help improve your company culture.

In their “10 Proven Tactics for Rock Solid Recognition,” Recognition Professionals International (RPI) mentions that part of growing a wonderful employee recognition program is learning from the best. Look at companies that are known for their recognition programs for inspiration, and choose the tactics that will work best for your company culture.

You can start your search for inspiration with TELUS Communications, the winner of the 2011 Best Practice Standards® Award for Best Overall Recognition Program. The key to TELUS’ success was their commitment to create a culture of appreciation and motivate their employees to promote values the company upholds: corporate citizenship and environmentalism. TELUS tailored the rewards of their employee recognition programs to fit their values: employees could choose to donate recognition points to charities in their communities, or they could have a tree planted to celebrate career milestones.

A reward that reflects company values can prove more significant and memorable than one chosen at random. How can your company provide meaningful rewards that are aligned with your values?