In mid 2009, I Love Rewards partnered with ConAgra Foods Canada to implement a rewards and recognition solution that would increase productivity, motivation and engage their employees to perform better by feeling valued and appreciated.
Here’s a look at their program.
About ConAgra Foods: ConAgra has emerged as a leading food company. Their consumer brands are found in 97% of U.S. households and 24 of their products are ranked first or second in their category. Brands include Chef Boyardee, PAM, Hunt’s, Egg Beaters,Orville Redenbacher’s, POGO, Reddi wip, Hunt’s Snack Pack, Healthy Choice and VH.
Program: You Made a Difference
How it works: Employees are recognized and rewarded anytime they make a difference and live company operating principles.
Program Launch: May 2009
I Love Rewards sat down with Luciana Oliveira, Human Resources Manager, ConAgra, for a Q&A session about You Made a Difference.
1. How does the overall program objectives for You Made a Difference align with ConAgra’s recognition strategy?
ConAgra’s recognition strategy is driven by our recognition statement– “Nourishing Our People Through Recognition.” The Canadian Leadership Team (CLT) recognizes that organizational health and well‐being starts with associates feeling valued and appreciated.
ConAgra’s recognition program is an important catalyst to support our associates to positively reinforce their initiative and creativity, and to enhance business performance. We work hard to ensure that it is multi‐faceted so they can recognize all levels of individuals for a wide variety of achievements and contributions, such as: innovations and improvements, excellent performance and other meritorious actions. Having an impactful and well meaningful recognition program is high on ConAgra Foods Canada’s priority list. It is not simply about a program; it is cultivating a culture where we don’t just recognize achievement; we recognize and reward the behaviors and activities that lead to achievement.
The key to our You Made a Difference is that employees are able to choose their own rewards. The You Made a Difference program awards employees with points which they use to redeem for brand name products, experiences and gift cards of their choice from an industry‐leading online catalog. Brands include Apple, Coach, Sony and LG Electronics.
2. What are ConAgra’s recognition practices?
Making A Difference – Peer-to-Peer Recognition
Encourages managers and peers to formally recognize each other for extra effort and commitment in helping their peers achieve results. Employees also receive points for recognizing their peers.
Making It Happen – Manager Recognition
Managers award points to employees who go the extra distance. Managers also receive points for recognizing their staff.
Team Award – Team Recognition
The team award is for team members who complete their mandate.
On-the-Spot
Directors can award their employees with On-the- Spot based on excelling in relation to the Operating Principles and 7 Must Do’s.
Taking the Lead
Every quarter three employees receive a Taking the Lead award. Two employees are selected by the recognition committee and the highest recipient of points by quarter receives the final Taking the Lead award.
3. How are employees recognized?
You Made a Difference is ConAgra’s recognition program built on the I Love Rewards recognition platform. The program allows employees and managers to recognize one another on a daily basis with points that can be used to redeem from an online catalog. On average, there are 37,958 points redeemed per day and the average sum of points per day is 15,726. We have had more than 500 nominations in 6 months, which has driven engagement and enthusiasm towards the company. Recognition is part of our everyday activities!
