At AM Agency, we want to be partners with you to build a purpose-driven culture. We know that a strong company culture isn’t built on posters in the breakroom; it’s built on action. We help you move beyond simply stating your purpose and values to help you empower your team to live them every day. A crucial tool in this process? Shoutouts.
Imagine your employees sharing authentic stories about other employees who truly care about your customers, your company and each other. Imagine your employees knowing and living your values so well that they recognize and honor each other for doing so — without you having to stay on them all the time to do so. Imagine a tool that allows your team to do this from their computers or smartphones and have it notify everyone regularly that it is happening.
What you are imagining is a reality for our clients; we call this a Shoutout.
Shoutouts are positive, life-giving recognitions from one employee to another that increase buy-in from your team. Shoutout stories can also used as content across your other internal communication channels and company meetings to reinforce your values over and over again.
(Examples of Shoutouts)
Why Shoutouts Matter (More Than You Think)
Shoutouts are a powerful tool for cultural transformation. They help the whole organization see that the company values its team and the team believes in its values.
Shoutouts drive employee engagement and bring your values to life. These stories reinforce your purpose and inspire your employees.
And the impact of recognition, especially peer recognition, is backed by data. Gallup research shows that memorable recognition comes from various sources, but recognition by executives, managers, and peers holds a special significance:
- 28% of memorable recognition comes from an employee’s manager.
- 24% comes from a high-level leader or CEO.
- 9% comes from peers.
- 17% comes from “other” sources
The Secret to Shoutout Success: Consistency & Accountability
Many companies implement shoutout programs but fail to see real results. The missing ingredient? Consistency and accountability. At AM Agency, we set a goal for each employee to submit one shoutout per week. This means everyone. This simple practice keeps your values top-of-mind and fosters a continuous culture of appreciation. It reminds our team of the help they receive from their colleagues and reinforces the behaviors you want to see. It may seem like a small investment of time, but the cumulative effect is powerful.
(Example Shoutouts Scorecard)
The Foundation: Values and Action Statements
You can’t activate what you haven’t defined. At AM Agency, we help you identify your core values and then, intentionally and thoughtfully, develop action statements for each one.
- Values: These are the fundamental principles that guide your organization. They represent what you believe in and what you stand for.
- Action Statements: These are concrete, observable behaviors that demonstrate each value in practice. They eliminate ambiguity and provide a clear understanding of what each value looks like in action. We recommend defining 3 action statements for each value.
For example, if one of your values is “Reliable,” an action statement might be “You keep your promises and meet your deadlines.” This clarity is essential for employees to recognize and celebrate value-driven behavior.
(Example Action Statements for the value of “Integrity”)
How Shoutouts Work (It’s Easier Than You Think):
We’ve designed Shoutouts to be simple and accessible. Using our Ovrflo App (accessible from any device), employees can:
- Select a coworker: Choose the person they want to recognize.
- Choose a Value: Select the company value the teammate lived out.
- Choose an Action Statement: Identify the specific action that demonstrated the value.
- Share the Story: Briefly describe what happened.
The Shoutout is then distributed (via text, email, and within the Ovrflo App itself) to the recipient and, optionally, all of your employees. The frequency is customizable to fit your organization’s needs.
Ready to Activate Your Purpose and Values?
Stop letting your values lie dormant. Start living them. Contact AM Agency today to learn how the Ovrflo Process and Culture System can transform your culture and drive engagement and real business results.
