Everyone knows that it feels good to get recognized for a job well done at work. At AccumTech, they make sure that’s a reality for their employees.
This Ann Arbor-based tech company uses a platform called Nectar to recognize each other for going above and beyond. Each employee gets a certain amount of points to award one another based on one of the company’s four core values. Set up like a social media platform, Nectar allows users to see who’s getting kudos and what for.
They also use the platform for other team experiences. It can be used to give or receive feedback for personal or professional development, and currently, the team is doing a step challenge and recording their progress on the platform. Team members get rewarded for requesting feedback, or tracking their steps.
In fact, they use it so much that AccumTech was recognized by Nectar as a top user.
Cross-Collaboration and Celebration
Jon Hayes, a Business Analyst Team Lead at AccumTech, is consistently one of the company’s top recognizers. Each month, Jon uses up all his points to recognize his fellow team members. As a manager, Jon says he likes to use Nectar to give people a virtual pat on the back.
“It’s so easy to tell people you appreciate them with Nectar. Other employee recognition programs I’ve used weren’t transparent,” he says. “It’s great to see all the recognition going around and how much people are appreciated.”
Photo courtesy of AccumTech
It also helps individual teams see what everyone else is doing, helping to facilitate cross-collaboration — and celebration.
“There’s a real sense of accomplishment. When you do something that people recognize, it creates this positive environment. It’s something that gets channeled into other team members, too. When they recognize each other, there’s a sense of pride throughout the team,” says Jon.
Once you earn enough points, you can use them to cash out for a prize of your choice via Nectar. Unlike a team pizza party, the cash credit system allows employees to pick out something just for themselves. Jon says sometimes people save up their points to cash them in for something special, like golf clubs or airpods. The rewards system also helps the team celebrate big company milestones. Employees get points for work anniversaries and birthdays.
Though the personalized rewards are great, Jon says it’s not really what it’s about.
“Team members want to be not necessarily rewarded but acknowledged for their work,” he says.
Kudos for Culture
Over the last five years, AccumTech has more than doubled in size. One way they keep everyone connected and on the same page is by making sure they hire for culture fit and celebrate their culture in many different ways. Nectar is one tool that helps them do that.
Each shoutout is made through the lens of one of the company’s four core values:
- “Esprit de Corps is our cornerstone. If your fundamentals don't start with fun, what's the point?”
- “Embody and embrace agility. Remember to stretch before a game.”
- “Run through walls to deliver customer value. Semper Kool-Aid Man (Latin: Always Kool-Aid Man).”
- “Our team solutions always best our solo efforts. Be passionately dispassionate as we work together.”
Each kudo is associated with a value, and at the end of the month, AccumTech awards four Core Value Champions: the employee with the most shoutouts for a specific value. They get an extra 100 points to spend in Nectar.
“Our core values are very well spelled out,” says Jon. “Recognizing people based on our values helps employees really see the impact they make on the organization. You’re actively supporting and contributing to the culture here.”
Photo courtesy of AccumTech
In the last six months, AccumTech team members have given over 2,466 shoutouts, 100% of employees have been recognized, and 100% of users have given recognition. This employee recognition — and one that’s so widely used — has helped keep AccumTech’s turnover rate very low.
“Team members understand that recognition and our core values are such a staple,” says Jon. "People want to stay and be here.”
Want to join a supportive and positive team like AccumTech? They’re hiring. Check out their open roles and stay up to date on more job opportunities.
