Support Networks Improve Performance

Improving performance may be as simple as setting up support networks within the company.  I'm not talking about touchy-feely, new age stuff – but making sure employees have mentors, friends, "cube-mates" that they can connect with. 

A recent article on MSNBC.com highlights the outcome from a study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.  The study focused on the peformance of golfers – but it isn't too far a stretch for me to think that this would apply in your business environment.  To quote from the article:

Not only do support networks provide positive performance gains for these golfers – the lack of a support network had a much larger detrimental affect on their performance.

While it may be difficult to set up real-world, face-to-face networks, an online peer-2-peer program at your company would make a nice technology-based analog to a "real-world" support group.  Having the ability to send and receive kudos from your fellow employees would provide the support needed in this economy.

Just one more reason to consider your strategic rewards strategy!