Props
Master thesis
Section
Strategic design, user research, user experience, user interface, print
Team
Lucia Hering, Celina Benedict,
Kim Erhardt
Tools
Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Miro
Topic
Appreciation at work
PROPS - For a culture of appreciation at work.
By seamlessly integrating PROPS into the daily work routine, it strengthens the culture of appreciation in companies and thus supports managers in increasing employee satisfaction, reducing the fluctuation rate and increasing productivity.
At PROPS, we understand the challenge for managers
to respond to the individual appreciation needs of employees. The PROPS principle was developed to integrate seamlessly into existing structures in everyday work. In this way, it supports managers in a simple way to strengthen a culture of appreciation in their company.
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Problem and relevance
In a fast-paced and complex world of work, appreciation in the workplace often takes a back seat. But when employees do not feel seen or appreciated, motivation dwindles, frustration increases and productivity decreases. For 35 per cent of German employees, this is even a possible reason for quitting. In today's working world, the appreciation of employees plays a decisive role for successful cooperation in companies. This is not only about appropriate payment, but also about recognising the individual performance and skills of each employee. An appreciative corporate culture can help to increase employee satisfaction, reduce the fluctuation rate and increase productivity.
Expert interviews
Within the framework of our research work, we have dealt intensively with the topic of appreciation. In order to be best equipped for this, we sat down with nine experts from the fields of organisational development, psychology, sociology and coaching and conducted qualitative interviews. These experts provided us with valuable insights and expertise that helped us enormously in our research. We were aware that only through extensive preparation and a deep understanding of the topic of appreciation would we be able to conduct our company interviews qualitatively and achieve meaningful results. Therefore, conducting these expert:in interviews was of particular importance to us and we are grateful for the valuable insights we gained from them.
Company visits
Our research was dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises in Baden-Württemberg, with a special focus on the Ostalbkreis district. To get a comprehensive picture, we visited and interviewed eight SMEs from different sectors.
In doing so, it was important for us to interview a wide range of companies in order to cover both physically and mentally demanding jobs and to get a comprehensive picture of working conditions in the region.
Quantitative online survey
Therefore, we decided to conduct a broad online survey. The aim was to find out how satisfied employees in general are with appreciation in the workplace. In addition, we wanted to use the collective knowledge of the masses to learn about possible measures to improve the appreciation culture at the workplace, which we did not know so far, but which could be relevant for the further course of the work.
As the survey could only be conducted within a relatively short period of time, it is by no means representative, so that the findings cannot be generalised. By deciding to conduct the survey online, we reduced the effort for us and for the participants to a minimum and thus ensured that the survey could be conducted anonymously and without time pressure. Above are the anonymous evaluations of the terms trust and feedback.
Concept
The PROPS principle consists of two elements: the PROPS card game and the PROPS web app. There is also a landing page to provide information about how the PROPS principle works and its benefits.
The PROPS landing page informs managers about the card game, the webapp and the added value of the principle. Interested parties can also find out about the "Premium" and "Supporter" subscription models. While the "Premium" subscription model offers full access to all elements and functions, the "Supporter" subscription model allows companies to collaborate with PROPS on new features and individual solutions while contributing to the further development of the webapp and having access to beta versions.
Once a company has decided on one of the subscription models, the PROPS experts present the functioning of the PROPS principle in a training session and pass on their knowledge to managers about the need for a culture of appreciation. This gives the employees a direct contact person in the company who is available to answer any questions they may have. The PROPS principle can then be introduced and applied in the company.
The PROPS principle can be described in two phases. On the one hand, there is the phase of self-reflection, in which the card game can be used to find out how one would like to experience appreciation in the workplace. In the first phase, users deal with their own need for appreciation in order to communicate this externally (e.g. within their team or the entire company) in the second phase with the help of the web app. The web app also serves to familiarise oneself with the types of appreciation and the individual needs of colleagues in order to be able to respond to them better. In addition, the web app offers users targeted support to implement this.
Card game
With the introduction of the PROPS principle, both existing and new employees and managers can immediately start playing the PROPS card game. The game can be played either analogue or digitally. The analogue version consists of 24 cards (statement and result cards), a game board, 21 coins and game instructions. Existing staff members can use the PROPS card game in their daily work, while new staff members can play it during their onboarding week. The card game can be played independently and takes a maximum of 10 minutes. After the game, users receive a result that helps them understand their esteem type. The PROPS card game is based on Gary Chapman's languages of appreciation. The aim of the game is to find out through self-reflection how one would like to experience appreciation in the workplace. The tone of the card game is convincing.
Users also have the option of playing the card game in the PROPS web app. Compared to the analogue version, the digital card game is somewhat more compressed due to the technological background. However, the principle of the game is the same. The players have to weigh up until they only have six of the most applicable statement cards in front of them, in order to be able to weigh up two against each other in the next step. In the end, the players have only one result card in front of them.
Webapp
The PROPS WebApp is an application that offers users the possibility to download it both in the browser and as a desktop app. Here they can use the PROPS card game to identify and record their esteem type. In addition, they receive detailed information about their own and others' esteem needs. To use the web app, all that is required is a simple login, which can be done either via third-party providers such as Google or Microsoft or via the company email address. Once signed up, users can join their company in the PROPS webapp by using a unique company ID that they receive when they subscribe. This makes the user's score visible to all colleagues who have already identified their appreciation types. Users have access to a summarised overview of their colleagues' esteem needs, so that they can first learn about them and then address them in their daily work. The dashboard also provides users with a comprehensive overview of all the features of the web app. The tone is convincing.
Feedback mode
The web application also offers the feedback mode function. Scheduled meetings such as feedback meetings, team meetings or even review meetings can easily be supplemented with the PROPS principle. One day before the meeting, all participants receive a reminder email for check-in in the web application. There they can assess and reflect on their needs for appreciation in the past weeks. In the meeting itself, communication is done using non-violent communication. Users receive guidance to assess situations and give appreciative feedback. At the end of the meeting, all participants record in the check-out how they can show more appreciation in the future. Users can also record how they would like to experience more appreciation and how colleagues can best meet these needs. The language is persuasive.
Check-in
The check-in serves to regularly query the appreciation needs of the users. The individual appreciation needs are also described in more detail as soon as users click on the "i" or hover over it. A check-in is always started in connection with a scheduled meeting, so that the check-in and the mood in the team or between two people can be discussed in the meeting.
Let's talk!
The Let's Talk feature supports users in communicating with each other in an appreciative way, namely on the basis of non-violent communication, and in giving proper feedback. They can write down what they observed, which need was fulfilled or left unfulfilled by the observation, how they felt and what request they have for their counterpart as a result.
Check-out
At the end of the conversation, which was conducted with the help of the Let's Talk feature, users can jointly record what they would like to do differently in the future and what they would like to see from their counterpart so that their appreciation needs are more fulfilled. Afterwards, users can use the calendar function to set a new appointment, for example for a feedback meeting. The calendar can be linked to the usual mail programmes so that the appointment calendar directly shows that the PROPS principle is being applied to this appointment. This means that 24 hours before the appointment takes place, you receive a reminder of the check-in.
Communication strategy
Poster
We want to attract the attention of employees and managers through the use of posters, both in analogue and digital form. PROPS uses appealing images, quotes and colours to arouse the interest of the target group. The quotes are specifically geared towards the different types of appreciation, so that the viewers can identify with the statements or not. The statements are meant to serve as food for thought for the viewers and encourage them to think about how important appreciation is to them in the workplace. The tone of the posters is convincing.
Social media
By using digital advertising, such as ads on social media, websites and similar platforms, PROPS is able to specifically address the target group of employees, managers and HR departments. This also involves using social media channels such as LinkedIn and Instagram to regularly engage with interested parties and our target group. This is done through surveys, videos and best practices to provide them with added value. In addition, PROPS cooperates with companies, industry experts and organisations working on the topic of appreciation culture to increase the reach and credibility of the PROPS brand. The tone of voice is convincing.
