An employee spotlight newsletter is a relatively simple tool to boost morale and increase production. We show you why and how to use it!
.webp)
What are the key elements of an engaging employee newsletter? What should not be included in an employee newsletter? Find the answers to those questions and more best practices in our comprehensive guide on creating employee newsletters.
Access NowEmployee recognition is crucial for any organization. It boosts morale, increasing productivity, and creativity, and encouraging a higher quality of work. It also reduces costly turnover. When employees are recognized it shows them they are appreciated, which fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty. They benefit and so does the organization.
A simple "thank you" can go a long way, but a dedicated employee spotlight newsletter takes appreciation to a whole new level. This powerful tool can boost employee morale by recognizing individual achievements, promoting a sense of community, and inspiring others to excel.
If you’re in any doubt about the importance of recognizing employees as a means to engaging and inspiring them, just look at the research. It shows that recognition makes all the difference.
A Gallup/Workhuman report, Empowering Workplace Culture Through Recognition, reveals the wide-ranging impact of recognition in the workplace. Their findings show that employees who receive great recognition are:
"Employees who say their recognition program is aligned with the values of their organization are 4.9 times as likely to strongly agree that they know what is expected of them at work compared with employees who indicate their recognition program is not aligned with the values of their organization."
Gallup/Workhuman report
If this is a new idea for you, you’ll probably be wondering how you can use an employee internal company newsletter to achieve these goals. We are here to show you how a well-crafted spotlight newsletter can energize your team and strengthen the culture within your organization.
An employee spotlight newsletter is a company publication dedicated to recognizing and celebrating its employees. It highlights individual achievements, team successes, and employee milestones. It goes way beyond just highlighting top achievers, showcasing the diverse talents, personalities, and hard work that make your company great.
Through interviews, profiles, and engaging content, these specialized newsletters foster a culture of appreciation by showcasing the valuable contributions each person makes to the organization's overall success. Ultimately, it shows your workforce that everybody is important and you care about everyone.
Again, research shows this to be true.
The Vantage Circle Global Industry Report on the Impact of Employee Engagement Driving Diversity and Inclusion highlights the fact that employee recognition builds a diverse and inclusive workplace.
“When companies democratize recognition, it gives a voice to everyone. Your team gets to decide on actions, tasks, accomplishments, attitudes, and values that need recognition, which means more diverse opinions. And, this will create a culture that will promote innovation and inclusivity.”
Vantage Circle
However, there are different levels and types of recognition. So, Vantage Circle broke the data down:
You should take this into consideration. But, any way you look at it, an employee spotlight newsletter can elevate morale and recognition by celebrating individual achievements in a public forum. It creates a sense of community where colleagues can appreciate each other's contributions, inspiring them to strive for excellence and feel valued by the company. One employee spotlight can inspire another employee’s success!
Guidelines for newsletters that will maximize employee commitment
Employees who feel valued and appreciated are demonstrably happier, more engaged, and more productive. Recognition programs, like those that incorporate an employee spotlight newsletter, go beyond a simple pat on the back and offer several key benefits:
Guidelines for newsletters that will maximize employee commitment
Crafting a newsletter that resonates with all your employees requires careful planning. But more than that, it needs engaging content. You don’t need to be a trained writer, experienced editor, or publisher to be the motivating force. Here's how to get started:
We’ve talked about how employee recognition is the golden thread that weaves a tapestry of motivation, loyalty, and a thriving company culture. The employee spotlight newsletter is a canvas for you to showcase the amazing individuals who make your organization shine.
We’ve got a treasure trove of creative ideas to get you started.
Showcase achievements together with success stories in every employee spotlight newsletter.
Highlight a recent project success story and interview the team members who made it happen. Explore the challenges they faced, the strategies they employed, and the lessons they learned.
Recognize employees who consistently go above and beyond without always receiving recognition. Feature the quiet contributors, the problem solvers, and the team players who make a significant impact — not just the leaders.
Welcome new hires and share their skills, background, and a fun fact to help them integrate seamlessly into the company culture.
Focus on departmental collaboration to break down silos and celebrate teamwork. Feature a cross-departmental project and spotlight employees from different teams who worked together to achieve a common goal.
Mark work anniversaries, promotions, or professional accomplishments. This personalizes the recognition and shows appreciation for their dedication and growth.
Look at the human side of your employees and go beyond the cubicle or office walls! Showcase their hobbies, passions, and volunteer work. This personal touch fosters a sense of community and allows colleagues to connect on a deeper level.
Tracking employee engagement with your newsletters is key. If you don’t do this, you aren’t going to know how successful they are. This is why it is vital to monitor open rates, click-through rates, and employee feedback to gauge effectiveness. Consider surveys or polls to understand how employees perceive the impact of your employee spotlight program. But don’t only focus on employee engagement metrics. Behavioral metrics are also important.
Here are some guidelines.
Open rates and click-through rates: Track how many employees open the newsletter and click on links within it. High open rates indicate employee interest, while high click-through rates suggest the content resonates and compels them to learn more.
Social media shares and comments: Monitor whether employees share the employee spotlight newsletter or a specific employee spotlight on social media platforms. This indicates they find the content valuable and are willing to promote it to their network. If they don’t, you may need to change your approach.
Surveys and feedback: Conduct surveys or gather feedback through anonymous forms. Ask employees if the employee spotlight newsletter is informative, engaging, and fosters a sense of appreciation. This will provide a direct insight into their perceptions.
Employee nominations: Track the number of employee nominations for every employee spotlight. An increase suggests the program is generating interest and employees are actively recognizing their colleagues.
Increased collaboration: Watch to see if the spotlight newsletter sparks conversations or inspires collaboration across departments. This could provide anecdotal evidence of a positive impact on company culture.
Retention rates: While not a direct measure, employee retention rates can offer clues over time. If recognition boosts morale and reduces turnover, you might see a positive correlation as the program matures.
Combine these methods and tailor them to your company's culture. This way, you can effectively measure the impact of your employee spotlight newsletter and ensure it's going to be a driving force for motivation that will lead to a thriving workplace.
Also, be sure to look for internal communication software that allows you to track the impact so you can evaluate and adapt your content strategy. This way you will be able to reach your audience in the best way possible.
Segmenting audiences and personalizing content with Cerkl Broadcast’s Audience Manager and Content Hub can change everything.
Audience Manager makes employee segmentation so easy you’ll be wondering why you didn’t embrace the platform a long time ago. Audience Manager enables seamless audience management and ensures that you get the right message to the right people every single time.
With Content Hub internal communicators can control content categories so they can match employee spotlights with employees who want to read more about them. Create your content once and then distribute it where it’s needed.
Now you know how an employee spotlight newsletter can boost morale and increase production in your organization. But do you know how to get started producing a newsletter that will do exactly this?
We’ve got you covered with our free employee newsletter guide. Don’t miss it. It’s available for a limited time only!
Guidelines for newsletters that will maximize employee commitment
How do I write an employee spotlight in a newsletter? To write an employee spotlight, start with a captivating intro and highlight the employee's role and achievements. Then, weave in their journey, challenges overcome, and personality through a quick interview. Keep the tone light and celebratory, and be sure to include a photo of the employee.
What to include in an employee spotlight? When creating an employee spotlight, be sure to include the employee's name, title, and department. Include a brief overview of their role and accomplishments, a fun fact or personal interest, and a quote or testimonial from the employee or their supervisor. You may also want to include any relevant awards or recognition they've received.
What is a catchy name for employee recognition? Ditch "Employee of the Month" for something more engaging! Try titles like "Team Player Spotlight," "Making a Difference," or "Shining Star." Choose a name that reflects your company culture and resonates with your employees.
What is an example of a spotlight? Let's say Sarah, a customer service rep, consistently goes above and beyond. Spotlight her positive attitude, problem-solving skills, and a recent instance where she impressed a client. You might highlight the fact that she has consistently received high marks from customers for her friendly and helpful demeanor, and has successfully resolved numerous complex issues. When she's not helping customers, Sarah loves to hike and try out new recipes in the kitchen. Include a quote, for example: “I love working with such a great team. We all support each other and strive to provide the best service possible.”
Guidelines for newsletters that will maximize employee commitment
