Performance — Articles & Guides — Karma Blog

Performance

23 articles

35 Staff Appreciation Ideas That Actually Work — for Any Budget, Team Size & Setup

Most staff appreciation efforts fail for the same reason: they’re designed for the company’s comfort, not the employee’s. A branded mug, a generic email from HR, a catered lunch that hal...

In Performance, Employee Recognition, appreciation ideas, recognition gifts, Jul 27, 2026

Merit Increase Meaning: What It Is, How to Calculate It, and Why Most Companies Get It Wrong

A merit increase is a salary raise based on individual performance. It’s permanent, it compounds over time, and it’s one of the clearest signals a company can send about who it values an...

In Performance, Compensation, Merit increase, recognition gap, Jul 20, 2026

Self-Evaluation Examples: 50 Phrases, Templates & How to Write One That Actually Works

Most people approach a self-evaluation the same way: stare at a blank document for twenty minutes, write something vague about “contributing to team goals,” and submit it hoping nobody r...

In Employee Recognition, Performance, Feedback, Evaluation, Jul 01, 2026

The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Employee Effort

Most leaders believe they recognize effort fairly well. After all, salaries are paid on time, performance reviews happen annually, and big wins get a shout-out in all-hands meetings. But...

In employee recognition, retention strategies, company culture, performance, Feb 03, 2026

The Role of Recognition in Managing High Performers

Every manager dreams of having high performers on their team — those go-to people who consistently deliver results, push boundaries, and inspire others with their work ethic. But while i...

In burnout, performance, motivation, retention, Nov 12, 2025

When and How to Recognize Performance Without Creating Unhealthy Competition

Employee recognition is one of the most powerful motivators in the workplace. When done right, it boosts engagement, loyalty, and performance. But when done wrong—especially if it foster...

In recognition, performance, competition, collaboration, Oct 28, 2025

The Most Effective Recognition Messages for Performance-Based Wins

Every organization wants high-performing teams, but few realize that recognition is the fuel that keeps performance running at top speed. Performance-based wins—whether hitting sales tar...

In recognition, performance, motivation, communication, Oct 27, 2025

The ROI of Recognizing Performance on a Regular Basis

Employee recognition is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s a powerful business strategy that delivers measurable returns—on productivity, engagement, retention, and even revenue. If you’re...

In recognition, team motivation, performance, project management, Oct 09, 2025

What High-Performing Teams Have in Common (Hint: It’s Recognition)

What separates good teams from great ones? It’s not just talent or tools—it’s culture. And at the heart of high-performing team culture is one powerful but often underestimated ingredien...

In recognition, team motivation, performance, project management, Oct 08, 2025

10 Recognition Tactics That Actually Improve Performance

There’s a growing understanding in the workplace today that recognition isn’t a fluffy “nice to have”—it’s a performance driver. But not all recognition efforts are created equal. Some s...

In recognition, team motivation, performance, project management, Oct 07, 2025

From Good to Great: How Recognition Transforms Average Performers

Most organizations spend a lot of energy identifying their top performers—those few rockstars who hit every goal, exceed expectations, and lead with initiative. But what about the majori...

In recognition strategy, motivation, performance, company culture, Oct 03, 2025

How Peer Recognition Fuels Daily Performance

Recognition is no longer a “nice-to-have” at work—it’s essential. In today’s hybrid workplaces, with asynchronous schedules and Slack messages replacing watercooler conversations, it’s e...

In Manager Recognition, Hybrid Workplace, Performance, Leadership, Sep 29, 2025

When to Publicly Praise Employees: Public vs. Private

Recognition is a powerful tool. Done right, it boosts morale, increases engagement, strengthens retention, and reinforces positive behavior. But there’s one element of recognition that o...

In Recognition, Public Praise, Feedback Culture, Performance, Sep 12, 2025

From Annual Awards to Real-Time Recognition: The Future Is Now

For decades, employee recognition has been tightly linked to once-a-year performance reviews, formal award ceremonies, and tenure-based milestones. Think plaques handed out at end-of-yea...

In Workplace Culture, Appreciation, Recognition, Performance, Jun 20, 2025

A Beginner’s Guide to Building Reward Catalogs in Karma

When it comes to employee recognition, saying “thank you” is powerful—but coupling it with a meaningful reward? That’s a game changer. Karma makes it easy to recognize great work, but to...

In Employee Recognition, Rewards, Motivation, Performance, Jun 19, 2025

How AI Will Revolutionize Recognition and Feedback Systems

In the not-so-distant past, employee recognition meant a generic “thank you” in a meeting or maybe an annual gift card. Feedback often came only during formal reviews—stressful, delayed,...

In Employee Recognition, AI Workplace, Feedback, Performance, Jun 18, 2025

Top Challenges in Employee Recognition and How to Overcome Them

Employee recognition is a crucial component of a thriving workplace. When employees feel valued, they are more engaged, motivated, and loyal to their organization. In fact, companies wit...

In Values, Budgeting, Recognition, Performance, Apr 03, 2025

The Role of Recognition in Building Stronger Employee-Employer Relationships

A strong employee-employer relationship is the foundation of a productive and thriving workplace. Employees who feel valued and appreciated are more likely to be engaged, committed, and ...

In Workplace Relationships, Retention, Recognition, Performance, Apr 02, 2025

How Lack of Recognition Impacts Employee Morale and Performance

Lack of recognition in the workplace is a significant issue that can negatively impact employee morale and performance, leading to broader organizational challenges. Understanding the fu...

In Employee Morale, Recognition, HR, Performance, Mar 12, 2025

The Price of Recruitment: Calculating the True Cost of New Hires

Hiring new staff can be costly and possibly the most expensive aspect of running a business. However, employees are the driving force behind a company’s growth and success, making the hi...

In Research, Recruiting, Onboarding, Performance, Bot, Mar 30, 2023

Replace Burnout

Great high-performers know how and when to step back At risk of showing my age, who remembers the first time they watched the film “Top Gun”? If you’ve not seen it yet, stop reading. Wat...

In MS Teams, Slackbot, Karma tracking, Performance, People culture, Jul 08, 2019

Consistent vs. Immediate

Stephanie leads a 10-person team covering marketing initiatives for a large insurance company. John, Ben, Sharon, Rashid, Taylor, & Young all work in a central city office. They’ve...

In Slackbot, Karma tracking, Performance, Jul 01, 2019

Spicing Up Your Slack Life

We’ve taught Karma bot, the performance-boosting chat bot, a new trick. Now you can switch from dry text-only output to images. Each time a karma request @username ++ great work! gets ap...

In Slack, Slackbot, Bots, Human Resources, Performance, Aug 14, 2018