An Interview with Subhakar Rao, CEO of Champions Group – Secret Behind Successful Corporate Rewards and Recognition

The Bangalore-based Champions Group’s innovative and robust rewards and recognition mechanism has contributed to negligible attrition, very high performance and rapid growth of the 1,500-employee group. In a chat with Management Next, chairman Subhakar Rao talks about what inspired him, how he manages to run the R&R process effectively with a dash of zest and how the diverse group has benefited immensely.

My mom used to say, “The real pride of a parent is not when their son or daughter is born, but when THEY get recognized in public for their kids’ accomplishments.” I was inspired by these words during my tenth class and went on to top the school, college and then got into business. It dawned on me when she died a couple of years ago that I couldn’t get her to be recognized in public but the least I can do is to carry her wishes forward by recognizing our employees’ parents.

Thus came to life our monthly Champion Parents Awards. The awards have not only brought pride among the parents but also intense commitment to the enterprise. I had a situation where one of our employees, whom we call ‘Champions’showed up at work the very next day after his father died and when I showed concern he said, “My father would expect me to be at work. My dad was ailing badly when we did the Champion Parents Award recognition and he died a very peaceful death a couple of months after that with happy memories.”

We have R&R functions every month at each of the three buildings of our companies. These events not only help us recognize a couple of parents a month, but also help us recognize our top performing employees often (monthly, not once a quarter or year).

You can see more information about Champion Parents awards here.

Success of any vibrant R&R system?

R&R success is about consistent motivation. Just as you take bath everyday, rewards and recognition has to be often to succeed. Today, you can personalize most of the stuff and the value goes through the roof when you do that. The secret behind any R&R success is recognition in public – the outcome is a positively energized workforce that produces far better results. It makes business sense too.

Winning is a good habit. Celebrating in style often is even better.

To Read Full Article:

Login or Register