Jordan McGuffee received her Top 10% North Star Award
Who likes to be recognized for their contributions? EVERYONE. This is clearly demonstrated by the attendance of acclaimed actors at the Academy Awards, accomplished musicians at the Grammy’s, and the prestige of winning the Nobel Prize in categories from Chemistry to Physics. While many of us are self-driven to achieve their goals that does not preclude us from being motivated by recognition.
Billi Anderson received Joey Pierson Heart Award
At Tacala we make RECOGNITION a core value by taking the time to recognize the big and small achievements of our teams as well as individuals. Our field teams are always thinking of fun ways to celebrate an employee’s hard work, from candy to gift cards to cakes; we have seen it all. We know Tacala loves recognition because it makes both the one who delivers as well as the recipient feel “good”, but let’s see what the experts have to say about why recognition is critical to a team’s success.
A “Great Place to Work,” conducted a survey of 700,000 different employees and asked about their experiences in the workplace. The results concluded that when employees felt like their hard work is noticed, they are 2.2 times as likely to go above and beyond their regular job description. By telling your employees “Thank you” and noticing their extra effort, it shows them that they are a valuable resource to the team. When asking 700,000 people what motivates them to work hard the highest leading result was recognition. The same report found that employee appreciation is linked to higher job satisfaction. The employees who felt appreciated described their job as a positive place to work and wanted to stay with the company. On the other hand, employees who did not feel like their work was recognized described their work environment in a negative way.
Michael Byrd received Market Coach of the year from David Morrison
Taco Bell/YUM! was an early adopter of a Recognition-Based Culture, a culture of appreciation and motivation through various recognition programs including rewards and incentives. These initiatives boost employee morale, inspire continued excellence, and contribute to a positive work atmosphere. They also deliver on the first of Taco Bell’s Core Values: BE PEOPLE FIRST as well as the “G” for GRATEFUL in the HUNGRY principles. “We say thank you and mean it. We are passionate about appreciating what makes each of us unique to each other and our customers.”
Jessie Graham received Region Vice President of the Year from David Morrison
About four weeks ago, Tacala Field Leaders gathered for the 2024 North Star Leadership Conference, Tacala’s Academy Awards ceremony. This year we were able to feature and reward almost 100 field leaders – listed below – for excelling in operations metrics like speed of service and customer satisfaction, as well as leaders who cultivate a positive workplace culture and go above and beyond expectations. The atmosphere was buzzing with positive energy for everyone who participated. Are you creating that same environment in your restaurants, area, market, region, or department? If yes, please let us know about it so we can share it on our socials. If not, why don’t you ask your teams if recognition is motivating and how they like to be recognized? We guarantee that it is a game changer!
NORTH STAR TRIP WINNERS
TOP 11-20%
Juan Lopez – Saunders
Daisy Baez – Bryan High
Rosa Rodriguez – Frazier
Melissa Rodriguez – Elgin
Malisha Smith – Hood Road
Jeffrey Austin – Carl Cannon
Bryan Calhoun – Zelda Road
Blake Chaney – Boaz
Landon Combs – North Cullman
Crystal Delbridge – Prattville
Theresa Fields – Montclair
Allison Garrison – Enterprise
Christian Harris – Jackson
Zaria Johnson – Andalusia
Dante Patrick – Florence
Vincentia Ross – Talladega
Briana Woodard – Columbiana
Tynesha Wyckoff – Tallassee
Debra McWilliams – Area Coach
Lashay Barnett – N. Roan
Tiera Bollinger – Jacksboro
Ashley Clegg – Paul Huff
Elena Collins – West Athens
D’Mario Craig – Shallowford
Mattie Cross – Americus
James Crosslin – Williamsburg
Bobby Green – Keith Street
Victoria Johnson – Lakesite
Maria Lucas – Moultrie
Brandy Mosko – South Corbin
Melissa Ownbey – North Lee Highway
Kristy Russell – Cumberland
Desiree Smith – Pounding Mill
Brian Speight – Strawberry Plains
Christopher Wells – Pigeon Forge
Thomas Williams – Illinois Avenue
Michael Zimmerman – Farragut
Destiney Early – Area Coach
Wendy Graham – Area Coach
Tina Sargent – Area Coach
Hal Osborne – Market Coach
TOP 10%
Sandra Bazan – Boonville
Mark Benavides – San Bernardo
Laura Duron – Giddings
Hector Hernandez – Monarch
Christina Lima – La Grange
Charity Nowlin – Downtown Bryan
Crystal Ramirez – Uvalde
Antonia Arellano – Area Coach
Jose Jaime – Area Coach
Stormy Barnes – Russellville
Tristian Blair – Alabaster
Britnay Boyett – Winfield
Erik Brown – Jacksonville
Tina Desjarlais – Alexander City
Wilson Dixon – Helena
Jose Gonzales – Cloverdale
Mary Hargrove – Springville
Aretha Hendrick – East Chase
Jason Kelley – Rogersville, Al
Anielle Langston – Hoover
Tanekqua Weaver – Roanoke
Zac Weldon – Area Coach
Isabella Castillo – Lookout Valley
Robert Chadwick – Middlesboro
Taylor Dean – Walnut Avenue
Nicole Drake – Highway 153
Cassandra England – Harlan
Farrah Gore – Lake Park
Bethany Hatfield – North Clinton
Christopher Hinkle – Daniel Boone
Brandy Hooper – Douglas
Kathy Jackson – Oneida
Kim Layman – Dolly Parton
Tabatha McFadden – London
Jordan McGuffee – Adel
John Monday – Kodak
Scott Rinehart – Kodak
Phillip Stover – Gate City
Calandria Floyd – Area Coach
Mason Masingo – Area Coach
Michael Byrd – Market Coach
Jessie Graham – RVP
SLT AWARDS
Building a Better Tacala – Paul Cupp – Grassy Creek
The Open-Door Award – Tiera Bollinger – Jacksboro
Culture Bearer – Ryan Hurst – Russellville
Beat Year-Ago Sales – Kristin James – Bastrop
Piggy Bank Award – Jordan McGuffee – Adel
Heart Award – Billi Anderson – Limestone
North Star of the Year
West Region: Rolly Tarzi – Pflugerville
East Region: Cassandra England – Harlan
Central Region: Tina Desjarlais – Sylacauga
Tacala Company: Brandy Hooper – Douglas
Area Coach of the Year – Mason Masingo
Market Coach of the Year – Michael Byrd
Region Vice President of the Year – Jessie Graham
WORK CITED
Hastwell, Claire. “Creating a Culture of Recognition.” Great Place To Work, 2 Mar. 2023, www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/creating-a-culture-of-recognition.
