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March 19, 2010 - 7:30 AM to 9:45 AM
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The Business of Recognition
Why recognizing your employees in the workplace is good for your business
by April Nagel
December 4, 2009
A few weeks ago I was named 2009 Woman of the Year by an organization called Choices Atlanta. This
was such a great honor, not only because it came from my peer group, but because I believe so
strongly in their purpose and ideals.
Recognition in the workplace is vitally important. Even if monetary rewards is the driving
motivator, recognition is just as valuable if not more so. I don't know anyone who doesn't like to
be singled out and be rewarded for a job well done.
At firstPRO, we recognize achievements as they occur, but also on a monthly and yearly basis.
We have a company Intranet that is only accessed by our internal employees. Not only do we use this
forum to recognize outstanding performance and accomplishments, but also to profile new employees
and acknowledge special events like births and marriages.
We have monthly award luncheons for those who have made goal, and year-end award banquets
where Rookie of the Year and Top Performers are recognized.
Receiving an award like Choices Atlanta's honor just makes me realize all the more why it is
so important to perform well in all areas of our lives. I do feel an obligation to work harder and
to live to my potential, as well as encourage and mentor others to do the same.
Accepting an award with grace is a must. I had to work very hard to be comfortable with being
singled out in such a large group, as I prefer to stay under the radar when it comes to things like
that. I was surprised at the level of emotion I felt. I speak so often about business issues, and
this particular award included areas of my personal life so I struggled to maintain my composure
throughout my speech. My children, several of whom are married, were in attendance with their
spouses as well as my husband which reinforced the level of emotion.
I believe that women need to recognized and support each other in all areas of their lives. I
have often felt that we sell each other short or feel a sense of competition when we should be
feeling the exact opposite. We work so hard to juggle the vital roles we are required to fill on a
daily basis.
It is no secret that parenting and running the house falls primarily on our shoulders no
matter how helpful a spouse, children or hired help might be. Women are the organizers, the
mediators, the planners and the task masters. Many of us are also required to work outside the home
or want the sense of accomplishment that a career can bring. We need our female friends to keep
each other going, to talk to through challenges and difficulties and to support and celebrate with
us when things go well.
We are a strong and essential part of society. We keep everything going and everyone
happy. We rarely drop the ball or forget what is important. We can multi-task while we are
multi-tasking, and we intuitively know what is needed and when. In many households, we are the
first one up in the morning and the last to retire at night. We look pretty darn good most of the
time, too. We have a lot to celebrate, and a lot to be recognized for.
As CEO of firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search, April Fawcett Nagel is the powerhouse behind
one of the largest privately owned staffing and executive search firms in the United States. Since
1986, she has built this top female-run business in Atlanta - she began with just five employees;
now she manages 125. With offices in both Atlanta and Philadelphia, firstPRO specializes in
attracting, placing and retaining the most talented individuals in their specialized fields.
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