This post is a bit sketch – even for me. But bear with me here – I think there is something interesting in it. And I apologize for the audio abuse you will experience in the embedded video. Really – I’m sorry. You’ll see (hear) why in a minute.
Monster.Com AutoTunes Your Christmas
I saw a few of my twitter friends highlighting the fact that Monster.com took the OffieMax holiday hit – Elf Yourself – to the next level with the Holiday Harmonizer where you can record your holiday greeting and “autotune” it.
Autotune you say? What’s that?
From Wikipedia:
Auto-Tune is a proprietary audio processor created by Antares Audio Technologies. Auto-Tune uses a phase vocoder to correct pitch in vocal and instrumental performances. It is used to disguise off-key inaccuracies and mistakes, and has allowed singers to perform perfectly tuned vocal tracks without the need of singing in tune.
In layperson speak – it makes anyone sound like they sing well.
To give you an example...
How many of you all watch Real Housewives of Atlanta? Okay – I won’t make you admit that in public. If you do - you know where this is going... if not, watch the videos below (email subscribers/RSS may have to click through to the post on the web to view videos.)
This first video (below) is Kim from the Housewives doing a song in the studio PRE autotune. I will apologize profusely here for the assault your ears will undergo. But like all medicine – it will be necessary. Go to 2:20 in the clip and stay as long as your sanity allows.
Okay – back now. Again, I’m sorry.
Now listen to her on the “autotuned” version of her song “Tardy for the Party.”
Did you notice any difference? I’m guessing you did.
So what does all this have to do with reward and recognition programs.
This...
Most Companies “Autotune” Their Programs
I've seen it more often than you would expect. Companies will take their well-intentioned reward program and put a pretty face on it. They advertise the award recipients on the home page and in the company newsletters, intranets and meetings. But it’s just autotune. It’s not the real story.
In interviews with employees about their company’s reward and recognition programs we hear that the programs don’t really represent real recognition – they represent ass-kissers and politicos – not workers and contributors. The programs are managed and manipulated BY certain individuals FOR individuals. The program has been “autotuned.”
Dig deep when you are reviewing your programs and looking for ways to improve them. Check and see if you've “adjusted” the output in order to hear the sweet notes and hide the sour notes and off-key comments.
Go back and listen to the “before” clip (if you can.) Keep that in mind.
Sorry but you need to hear the truth no matter how bad it is.
Great post that many recognition programs can be gamed and even enhance internal corporate politics. Dan Pink's book drive clearly makes the case that monetary reward based systems are even counterproductive to reaching organizational goals. People do want to be recognized and research has shown that recognition can be a powerful motivator, but once it is tied to money and trinkets it loses something. Much the same way charity giving should be encouraged but it loses it's altruistic value if people are giving to charity receive tax deductions.
My company wondered if technology could solve this problem. We wanted to focus on recognition as an intrinsic reward and how we could contribute to creating organizational culture based on Thank You and Shared accomplishment. Two years ago, we launched an online non monetary Peer to Peer Recognition system to help organizations publicly celebrate success and teamwork that contributes to creating a culture of Thank You. I'd love to learn more about the work you do and show you our Hive solution.
-Rick
Posted by: Rick Spratley | December 22, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Thanks for engaging here Rick. Unfortunately - citing Dan Pink is not the way to my heart. I've posted before about Drive and how a bit more critical thinking needs to be applied to his "theories" (since most of what he says isn't really applicable, or proven, in the day-to-day running of a business.) I can cite research that shows just the opposite of what Pink talks about so in my mind - it's a push. The key is balancing the non-monetary rewards with the non-cash and cash rewards - it's always about balance.
You can search my site in the side bar to get to the list of posts on Drive and "Dan Pink".
But there is some truth in all the marketing around Drive - people do like validation and recognition - even when awards aren't associated with it. I don't think we can disagree on that.
I'm very familiar with your company and services. I've talked with David Bator in the past as well as Steven Green.
I think you have some great stuff - and are doing great stuff.
Thanks Rick - have a safe and happy holiday season!
Posted by: Paul Hebert | December 22, 2010 at 10:12 AM