Chili's Dog Tags - Clever Recognition Tactic
These "dog tags" were spotted yesterday worn proudly by our lunchtime server at Chili's in Charleston, West Virginia. One reads: "Give Back." The other says: "Get Ready."
[Pardon the blurry, lo-res photo.]
Why was our cheerful, charming waitress wearing dog tags .. and wearing them with such pride? These dog tags, she explained, were earned. It's all part of a new employee recognition program underway at Chili's. She can earn a dog tag by completing a learning module or receiving a praiseworthy comment card (or survey) from a customer.
I've seen some really bland, ordinary employee recognition programs. Think paper certificate. Think blurb in the internal company newsletter.
Bland this is not! These dog tags are cool. Unique. Visible. Hip. I think Chili's has really struck a chord with these trendy badges of honor!
What does this have to do with marketing? It's part of "living your brand." We're going to be engaging with you in many conversations about "living the brand" over the weeks ahead. Sound good? Interested?
Labels: Charleston, Chili's, dog tags, employee recognition, Living the brand, marketing, West Virginia
posted by Skip Lineberg at 4:29 PM
2 Comments:
If only more businesses cared this much about employee relations and their morale. Ahhh...maybe someday in a dream world.
A little "public" recongition and something to work towards goes a long way. Especially in the service industry, when many service personnel do not receive many thank you's.
Great post, Skip! Maybe other businesses (if they're smart enough to read your blog) will get the idea and do something innovative and motivating for their employees.
4:14 PM
One more comment on employee morale... If you have to tell your employees that "this is a great place to work" (whether that be telling them verbally or posting signs throughout the building), chances are, you're doing something wrong.
Margaret Thatcher has all this figured out, "Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't." The same goes for companies and how they treat their employees. If you have to tell people that it is a great place to work, then chances are you need to go back to the drawing board on your employee relations tactics.
4:36 PM
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