When your company earns the coveted title of Great Place To Work® Certified™, it’s not just an accolade; it’s a testament to your exceptional culture. Such recognition deserves more than just a pat on the back; it demands a grand celebration.
Planning for how your organization will commemorate and promote your company culture award should begin now, as we are set to celebrate Certification Nation Day from November 1 to November 3, 2023. It’s an excellent chance to both thank your employees and spread the word about your company to potential employees and consumers.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into 21 creative and impactful ideas to celebrate and promote your company culture award. Drawing inspiration from great workplaces over the years, these ideas will not only help you celebrate but also reinforce and amplify your company’s values and culture.
1. Start from the Top
Let’s begin with the most fundamental step—leadership involvement. Have your company’s top leaders acknowledge the achievement. A heartfelt message from the CEO or other top executives sets the tone for the entire organization and emphasizes the award’s significance. Ensure that leadership remains visible throughout the celebration.
2. Surprise and Delight
Surprise celebrations can create memorable moments that employees cherish. Consider organizing surprise events or activities, such as impromptu office games or a surprise luncheon. On the day of the announcement, welcome employees working on-site with a celebration. Ask your top leaders to welcome and thank employees as they enter the building, decorate the office, and put-up placards celebrating the victory. These unexpected gestures add excitement and reinforce the positive aspects of your culture.
3. Get Social with Hashtags
Leverage the power of social media to amplify your celebration. Create a social media campaign using the CND hashtags like #CelebrateYourGreat, #CND2023IN and #GPTWCertifiedIN. Share engaging content, including photos, videos, and employee testimonials, to showcase your company’s culture and the award. Encourage employees to participate actively on social media to extend the reach of your celebration.
4. Let Your Employees Do the Talking
Your employees are the heart and soul of your organization, so let them be your brand ambassadors. Encourage and empower them to share their experiences and stories on social media. User-generated content is authentic and has a significant impact on potential candidates who are considering joining your organization.
5. Go Old-School Social
While digital promotion is essential, don’t underestimate the power of in-person interactions. Host a company-wide town hall meeting or celebratory event where employees can come together, interact, share stories, and celebrate as a unified team. These face-to-face connections strengthen the bonds within your organization.
6. Tap into Technology
Incorporate technology to create captivating content. Consider producing a virtual tour of your office or a culture-focused video that highlights what makes your workplace exceptional. These digital assets can be shared on your website, social media channels, and even during recruitment efforts.
Also, don’t forget to include any employees who work hybrid or entirely remotely in the festivities if you have any. Use the technology you already have, like Zoom or Teams, to create an online happy hour, cocktail-making class, or live performance.
7. Provide Giveaways
Distribute branded merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, or custom masks to employees. These tangible items serve as constant reminders of their affiliation with a Great Place To Work Certified organization. Additionally, consider creating limited-edition merchandise exclusively for this celebration to make it even more special.
8. Create Culture Cookies
Take a unique and delicious approach to celebrate your award. Bake cookies or other treats featuring your company’s logo or the certification badge. Share these delectable delights with employees and clients to spread joy and reinforce your brand.
9. Give the Gift of Time
Offering employees some extra time to relax, reflect, and pause is a wonderful way to express your gratitude. So, provide your employees with one extra day of PTO; they deserve it. Some businesses let employees leave early on the day of the announcement so they can celebrate with friends and coworkers.
10. Offer a Financial Reward
If your budget allows it, consider providing a financial bonus or incentive to reward employees for their contribution to creating an exceptional workplace. A monetary reward can have a significant impact on employee morale and motivation.
11. Reward the Whole Self (and Their Household)
A great workplace encourages individuals to bring their complete selves to the job. The overlap between personal and professional lives has never been more evident because of the prevalence of individuals who continue to work from home.
Extend your appreciation beyond your employees and reach out to their families. Offer family-oriented rewards, such as family day-out vouchers or subscriptions to family-friendly services. Recognizing the importance of family ties reinforces your commitment to your employees’ holistic well-being.
12. Celebrate in Your Job Ads
Highlight your Great Place To Work Certification™ in your job advertisements. Potential candidates are more likely to apply if they know your company values its culture. Incorporate specific examples and testimonials from employees to showcase the real experiences within your organization.
13. Launch an Outdoor Ad Campaign
Take your celebration to the streets by running an outdoor advertising campaign. Make sure your workplace neighbors are aware of the greatness in the room with billboards, transit ads, and street banners that can help you reach a broader audience and create a sense of pride among employees and the community. Collaborate with a creative agency to design eye-catching visuals that convey your culture and achievement.
14. Email Your Customers
The pinnacle of employer branding is your company culture award; therefore, if you have a client database to whom you send marketing emails, send it to them. Your company culture award boosts the reputation of the company’s brand significantly in the market. Additionally, customers now consider a company’s values and how it treats its employees when making purchases. Your customers will appreciate knowing they are doing business with a company that values its employees and culture. This can foster stronger customer loyalty and goodwill.
15. Update Your Company Profiles
Make sure that you showcase your Certification badge or Best Workplace recognition in all of your corporate boilerplate and company profiles (on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram). Additionally, make any necessary updates to your email signature and business cards. This sends a strong message to anyone researching your company and reinforces your commitment to maintaining a positive workplace culture.
16. Start Spreading the News
Write a press release to announce your achievement to the world. Share it with industry publications and local media outlets to increase your visibility and credibility. Highlight the unique aspects of your culture that earned you this recognition.
17. Show Your Stats
Transparency can be a powerful tool. Publish key culture and workplace statistics on your website or social media channels. Sharing data related to employee satisfaction, diversity, and inclusion or sustainability efforts can attract candidates who appreciate data-driven decision-making.
18. Share Stories Throughout the Year
Don’t let the celebration be a one-time event. Continue to share stories, testimonials, and updates about your workplace culture throughout the year. Use various platforms, including your company’s blog, newsletter, and social media, to keep the momentum going and maintain employee engagement.
19. Send Your Culture Leaders to Summit
A manager has the power to build or ruin a company culture. Do you have inspiring culture leaders in your company? Send them to our For All™ Summit to express gratitude and keep them interested.
They will share knowledge with other driven business executives and return with new suggestions to advance your workplace.
20. Know Your Why
Great workplaces are not created by chance. There is a narrative behind the Certification and any other honors you have received. What is it about your workplace that inspires a sense of pride and anticipation among your employees? When talented job seekers are considering where to take their next career step, sharing employee experiences on social media may be an engaging, genuine approach to draw them in. You must share why people choose to join you and stay.
21. Rally for Next Year
Use the momentum from this achievement to set new goals for the next year. Always know that there is always room for improvement, and remind your employees of this. By implementing an action plan promptly, you can maintain your success. Greatness never stops.
In conclusion, celebrating and promoting your company culture award is not merely an event; it’s an ongoing commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace culture. By implementing these 21 creative ideas inspired by Certified Great Workplaces, you can effectively showcase your outstanding workplace culture and inspire others to join your journey toward workplace excellence. Remember that the celebration is just the beginning; the real magic lies in the continuous effort to nurture and improve your company’s culture year after year. So, savor your achievements and keep striving for a workplace that stands out among the best.
