Reward & Recognition is an important part of an employer’s value proposition (EVP). According to research by Workhuman and Gallup, employees are five times less likely to leave an organisation, four times more likely to be engaged in work, and an impressive 73 percent more satisfied in their role. Surprisingly, only 36 percent of employers have recognition programs in place.
Reward & recognition at Hudson Talent Solutions
At Hudson Talent Solutions, recognising our employees’ hard work and passion is what drives our organisational success, and we go about it in a truly unique way with our annual Aspire Awards. What makes the Aspire Awards so unique is that they awarded via peer-to-peer nominations. Each quarter, our colleagues have the chance to nominate each other for an award in one of four categories: Best Leader, Individual Contributor, Rising Star and Best Team of Collaboration. Winners of each quarter are then taken on an all-expenses-paid trip overseas to connect with other winners and leadership. So far in 2023, our winners have travelled to the Bahamas (AMER), Thailand (APAC) and South Africa (EMEA).
The EMEA Aspire Awards 2023
The most important aspect of our Aspire Awards, is the opportunity to connect with people working on different accounts, in different departments or even different regions. Winners in the EMEA region travelled from various locations in the UK and Europe to meet each other in South Africa. Arriving to the Capital Zimbali Resort, they were met by the leadership team for a sunset dinner overlooking the ocean. For many of the attendees, this was one of the highlights of the trip. Below, some of our winners share what they took away from their journey, and their advice for aspiring award winners:
“The realisation that I had arrived in Africa didn’t really hit me until we arrived at one of the most spectacular hotels I have ever seen. Tiredness from traveling and nerves about our trip disappeared when I first saw the views from my balcony and took in the landscape. It’s a great opportunity to get to know colleagues you don’t usually work with very often and to learn from their experiences while connecting on a personal level.”
—Wiktoria Kaczynska-Recruitment Specialist 1 (Rising Star Q2)
“Do not worry about it being a work setting or that the senior management team is there. Make the most of it, relax, and enjoy all the opportunities that come your way. At the end of the day, they are there to celebrate your efforts and want to enjoy themselves as much as you! To me, the safari was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The whole experience was surreal, and I was in constant awe of the country we travelled to.”
—Oscar Scott-Recruitment Specialist 1 (Rising Star Q4)
“Connecting with colleagues that are in senior positions or remote teams that I wouldn’t normally get to connect or network with was great. I got to see people’s personalities outside of work and speak on a personal level. My advice for future winners would be: be yourself! Throw yourself fully into the experience and expect to have all your expectations superseded.”
— Adina Rehman Recruitment Specialist 2 (Rising Star Q3)
What to expect on the Aspire Awards trip?
The itinerary is usually split between free time and team activities. Depending on the destination, team activities include Desert or Wildlife Safaris, day trips, team dinners and sightseeing excursions. Winners on the South Africa trip spent their time relaxing by the pool, shopping, or raising the competition on the tennis or golf courts in between team excursions.
This year in South Africa, we finished our trip at the Oyster Box hotel in Umhlanga for a final dinner and to relax by the pool before heading home with new memories and friendships. Winners headed home recharged and ready to nominate their colleagues to join the next trip in 2024.
Are you looking to join a supportive team with every opportunity for development with such great recognition programs? Check out our careers here, and you might just be our next ‘Rising Star’.
