Your First 30 Days
Launch your recognition program with confidence using this proven timeline
The first 30 days set the tone for your entire recognition program. This detailed timeline ensures you build momentum, create habits, and achieve early wins that drive long-term success.
Pre-Launch Preparation (Before Day 1)
Essential Setup Checklist
Week 1: Launch & Momentum Building
Day 1-2: The Launch
Day 1: Announcement
- • All-hands announcement (10 minutes)
- • Live demonstration of giving kudos
- • Leadership gives first recognitions
- • Share the "why" behind the program
Day 2: Follow-up
- • Email with quick-start guide
- • Champions give their first kudos
- • Celebrate early adopters
- • Address initial questions
Day 3-5: Building Participation
Daily Actions
- • Share one recognition highlight in #general
- • Champions model behavior with 2-3 kudos daily
- • Managers recognize team members publicly
- • Track participation rates
Goal by Day 5:
50% of team has given or received kudos
Day 6-7: Weekend Wrap-up
Friday (Day 6)
- • First weekly kudos roundup
- • Celebrate top recognizers
- • Share meaningful recognition stories
- • Thank early adopters
Weekend Planning
- • Review week 1 metrics
- • Identify non-participants
- • Plan week 2 engagement tactics
Week 2: Expanding Engagement
Day 8-14: Deepening Practice
Focus Areas
- • One-on-one coaching for managers
- • Introduce themed recognition days
- • Share best practice examples
- • Create #kudos-help channel
Daily Rituals
- • Morning kudos in standups
- • End-of-day win sharing
- • Manager modeling (2x daily)
- • Champion peer encouragement
Week 2 Target: 75% team participation
Week 2 Special Initiatives
Monday: Values Spotlight
Focus recognition on one core value
Wednesday: Cross-Team Kudos
Encourage inter-department recognition
Thursday: New Hire Welcome
Team recognizes recent joiners
Friday: Week in Review
Celebrate top kudos and stories
Week 3: Establishing Habits
Day 15-21: Habit Formation
Manager Check-ins
Schedule 15-minute 1:1s with each manager to:
- • Review their team's participation
- • Address any concerns or resistance
- • Share successful recognition examples
- • Set personal recognition goals
Team Challenges
- • "Recognition Relay" - each person recognizes someone new
- • "Behind the Scenes" - recognize invisible work
- • "Mentor Appreciation" - thank those who teach
Success Indicators by Week 3
Quantitative
- • 85% have participated
- • Average 3 kudos per person
- • Daily active users: 40%
- • Response rate: 60%
Qualitative
- • Organic mentions in meetings
- • Unsolicited positive feedback
- • Managers using in 1:1s
- • Cross-team recognition growing
Week 4: Optimization & Celebration
Day 22-28: Refining the Program
Mid-Week Survey (Day 24)
- • How meaningful is the recognition you've received?
- • How easy is it to give kudos?
- • What would make recognition better?
- • Would you recommend this to other teams?
Adjustments Based on Feedback
- • Simplify any confusing processes
- • Add requested recognition categories
- • Address technical issues
- • Clarify program benefits
Day 30: Month-End Celebration
Grand Finale Celebration
All-Hands Presentation (15 min)
- • Share month's impact metrics
- • Highlight best recognition stories
- • Announce top recognizers
- • CEO/leadership appreciation
- • Preview month 2 initiatives
Recognition Awards
- • Most Kudos Given
- • Most Meaningful Recognition
- • Best Team Collaboration
- • Values Champion
- • Rising Star (most improved)
Daily Checklist for Success
Program Manager Daily Tasks (10 min/day)
Common First-Month Challenges
Low Initial Participation
Solution: Start with willing participants, create FOMO through celebration
Timeline: Most teams see 50% adoption by day 7, 80% by day 21
Generic Recognition
Solution: Share specific examples, provide templates, coach privately
Timeline: Quality improves significantly in week 2-3
Manager Resistance
Solution: Show ROI data, make it easy (2 min/day), celebrate their wins
Timeline: Most skeptics convert after seeing week 2 results
Setting Up for Month 2
Transition Checklist
Program Evolution
- • Introduce peer nominations
- • Launch team challenges
- • Add reward redemptions
- • Expand to other departments
Sustainability Focus
- • Reduce daily management time
- • Empower more champions
- • Automate reminders
- • Integrate with existing meetings
Success Milestone
By day 30, you should have a thriving recognition culture with 80%+ participation, daily recognition habits forming, and measurable improvements in team morale. The foundation is set for long-term cultural transformation.