Presentation Tips to Help Celebrate Your Champions

Celebrating special moments should be memorable for those involved. They’ve reached a milestone of some kind and succeeded at something not everyone can, and it is vital to make sure they know just how important they are. Everyone is different though, so it’s important to follow a few key steps to make sure they remember their presentation for the celebration of excellence that it is meant to be.

Who 

The first thing to keep in mind is who you are presenting to. Start simple; learn their job title, when they started with the company, and work responsibilities. Speak to their teammates and people who work with them, as no one else in your organization will know them better. In addition to their promotions and accomplishments, learn what makes them who they are outside of the office as well. Rely on those who know them best to paint a picture for you to focus on, and prepare ahead of time with any of their colleagues who are also speaking to ensure the presentations are in alignment.

What

It’s important to understand what it is that you are presenting. Take the time to understand the symbolic nature of the award and tie values intrinsic to the award to what the employee has done and is being recognized for. If they were given a chance to choose from awards or a selection of items, use the knowledge you gained from learning about them to tie it back to their work or their hobbies to add a personal touch.

When/Where

This step may seem self-explanatory, but it’s important to not assume you have everything ready and risk something coming up. Be sure to schedule a place and time to avoid any mixups or stress, and be sure to aim for as close as reasonably possible to when the award or milestone was earned to keep your recognition timely. If the employee is comfortable with it, make sure to create a public event out of the recognition, allowing others to see their achievement and congratulate them. They may prefer a smaller group like their immediate department. It’s critical to listen to what the employee prefers so they can be celebrated in a way that is most meaningful to them.

Why

Last but certainly not least, it’s time to focus on why you are presenting this award. The recognition recipient has done exceptional work to help your organization succeed and it’s important to acknowledge how their contributions tie into the award you’re giving them. Make sure to inform yourself about the projects and teams they have worked on that push forward your organization’s goals. In addition, learn about the recipient’s career goals and talk about how they tie into your own organization’s goals, creating a further sense of comradery. 

Keep these tips in mind next time you’re preparing a presentation and you’ll be sure to create a memorable moment for the recipient. Enshrining these special memories is a key step to keeping your employees happy, motivated, and invested in your organization’s culture. 

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Looking for information on how to make recognition meaningful in a hybrid work environment? Check out these tips.