Better yet, the manager can ask the executive to pay an unscheduled visit to the person's work area for a pat on the back, preferably in front of co-workers. For rewards to be consistent, managers should set aside a portion of their departmental budgets each year for such recognition. Dinner at a posh restaurant, a weekend trip, or simply a gift certificate are examples of compensation for working late nights installing a new server. For an employee who puts in a lot of overtime or travels often, a gift and personal note to the employee's family lets them know the extra effort for the company is appreciated. Inventive incentives don't have to stop at money and gifts.
Some companies name new products after employees.
Apple Computer Inc. employees who worked on the first Macintosh inscribed their names inside the computer's cabinet. Managers who want to build an employee recognition program that truly motivates and excites people should consider allowing their employees to design the program themselves. Employee loyalty, especially in network management, is a rare commodity, and anything that can make employees feel good about their company is an excellent investment.