According to the promotional for Eric Harvey's new book, "Recognizing the efforts and achievements of employees at all levels is critical to organizational success!" And his book "will help you encourage positive, productive performance and build a “magnetic” culture that attracts and retains the best and brightest people."

'180 Ways to Walk the Recognition Talk' by Eric Harvey (Walk The Talk (c) Company, Dallas, Tex. : Performance Pub. Co., c1999) is billed as "The 'How To' Handbook for Everyone" in your organization "walk the recognition talk."

It is prefaced with the following quotes:

"A timeless subject ...

the 1700's: 'A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.' Napoleon Bonaparte

the 1800's: 'I can live for two months on one good compliment!' Mark Twain

the 1900's: 'Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying: Make me feel IMPORTANT! Mary Kay Ash

the 2000's: 'I've always been a sucker for attention!' Cuba Gooding, Jr.

The Handbook is divided into sections.

Expanding the Possibilities begins with the quote: "Mr. Scorpio says productivity is up 2% and it's all because of my motivational techniques, like donuts - and the possibility of more donuts to come!" Homer Simpson

Item # 77 in this section, 'Don't be afraid to GIVE 'EM A BANANA!, is followed with an adaptation from In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters and Bob Waterman (Warner Books):

"At the Foxboro Company a technical advance was desperately needed for the company to survive its early days. Late one evening, a scientist rushed into the president's office with a working prototype. It was just what they needed to keep the business afloat.

Dumfounded at the elegance of the solution and bemused about how to reward it, the president bent forward in his chair, rummaged through his desk drawers, found something, leaned over the desk to the scientist, and said, 'Here!'

In his hand was a banana - the only reward he could immediately put his hands on. From that point on, the small 'gold banana' ... has been the highest accolade for scientific acheivement at Foxboro."

Going 'outside the box' (getting creative) begins with the quote: "There are as many ways to recognize people as there are people to recognize. You just have to use your brain to find them. Next time you think you've exhaused the possibilities, THINK AGAIN ... and again!"

Item #101 in this section, NAME SOMETHING IN THEIR HONOR!, says "Officially dedicating 'The Karen Jones Printer' or the 'Bill Lee Forklift' by affixing an inexpensive engraved brass plaque can be fun yet a powerful form of recognition. And its impact will extend well beyond the presentation ceremony."

Item # 135 in the same section says, "GIVE THEM PLAY MONEY - in various amounts that match the significance of the performance recognized. The money is saved and eventually 'cashed in' for free lunches, time off, special perks, etc."

Item # 158 says "GIVE 'EM A KAZOO SALUTE! Seriously! Give a kazoo to everyone on your team and periodically recognize people with a group salute. Better yet, pay them a kazoo concerto!"

Item #163 says "Recognize people who 'walk the talk' with a pair of toy chattering teeth. Suggest that the teeth be passed along to others they see practicing organizational values."

And Item # 168 suggests that one "SEND 'PASS-ALONG' FLOWERS! Attach a routing slip (with instructions) to a bouquet of fresh flowers for your work team. Each person keeps the flowers for a half day and then passes them along to the next name on the slip. After everyone has had a turn, the flowers are placed in a common area for all to enjoy.

Eric L. Harvey is a renowned speaker, author, and business consultant. He is also President of The WALK THE TALK® Company, the Dallas human resources, publishing, consulting, and training firm that works with values-based organizations worldwide, including 84% of Fortune magazine’s Most Admired Companies in the world.