Q: What’s a good way to show employee recognition and provide helpful feedback?

A: sweetriot, a New York based company makes all-natural chocolate treats called “peaces”, while working to create a more just and celebrated multicultural world. At sweetriot, the company performs an annual review of its overall performance.

Additionally, the employees have a recognition system called Shazam! Sha-zams are done at their weekly team sweetings (meetings), and at other times to recognize when one of the staff members has done something great. The recipient and his or her achievement is recognized and applauded. The leadership feels that supportive feedback is crucial to the growth of the team and company.

Mastermind and Chief Rioter, Sarah Endline, explains, “Companies are just people at the end of the day. In fact, at sweetriot we call our people “thumbprints.” Each thumbprint is unique and has its own unique strengths to bring to the organization. Thus, if you under-empower and under-inform your thumbprints, you under-optimize your company. A democratic model brings everyone into the fold and keeps the focus on moving your organization forward, together.”

To learn more about sweetriot and their democratic practices aside from reflection and evaluation, click here.