Celebrating achievement has positive spinoff for companies

'Celebrating success' is a key driver of employee engagement. Photo / Thinkstock

"Celebrate good times, come on!"

With crowds of fans turning up to Rugby World Cup celebrations all over New Zealand this month, it's clear that we all enjoy the opportunity to celebrate our team's successes. This can also be said for celebrating success in the workplace.

Over the past few years, JRA-Kenexa has found that "celebrating success" is a key driver of employee engagement.

The company's research indicates that positive changes to the way in which an organisation celebrates success can have a direct positive impact on employee engagement levels. One organisation that has discovered this link is FMG, New Zealand's largest rural insurance provider.

FMG identified "celebrating success" as a key area of importance for its employees following its participation in the JRA Best Workplaces Survey 2010. A number of initiatives were introduced which recognised individuals' contributions and collective achievements.

FMG's results from the JRA Best Workplaces Survey 2011 provide evidence that these initiatives worked; 93 per cent of FMG employees agreed that their organisation did celebrate success - an increase of 10 per cent compared to 2010. Since then, celebrating success has become part of FMG's culture and forms the essence of its brand attitude.

FMG believes that it has not only encouraged its employees to aim high, but has also enhanced employee engagement. This is evident looking at the company's results from the 2011 survey, where it achieved an increase of just over 7 per cent in employee engagement levels compared to its 2010 results. FMG has also noted decreases in its turnover levels.

While you don't have to take to the streets to celebrate, like some rugby fans, it is clearly beneficial to acknowledge the achievements of staff.

So the next time an appropriate opportunity arises, let your hair down, take part in a little revelry, and celebrate your company's successes.

* The 35 JRA Best Workplaces Survey 2011 finalists will be announced over the next six weeks, with winners awarded on November 17 at a black-tie event in Auckland hosted by JRA-Kenexa. Tickets will be available to the public after October 7. Call JRA-Kenexa for more information on (09) 378 2003.

ON THE WEB www.bestworkplaces.co.nz