As for the rest of the program, during the first day at the Hotel del Coronado, BOA associates were treated to a beach party, while those in the Sheraton San Diego attended opening night receptions at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The following day was set aside for activities including golf, spa, land and sea tours, trips to San Diego's Gaslamp District, and sailing on San Diego Bay. The final day was highlighted by a gala dinner that included an awards component.

The result of the San Diego trips? Miller reports that on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the highest satisfaction rating, attendees scored each of the five programs in the high 90s. The popular teambuilding/community service events, Cronin notes, were also a great way for Bank of America to promote its core values.

Many Ways to say Thanks

In addition to its ultimate Spirit of Excellence award, which recognizes employees with a four-day travel program, BOA has four other reward categories:

Spirit Celebration Cards are used to recognize individual associates or entire business teams for specific behaviors or actions “exemplifying the Bank of America spirit,” says Kevin Cronin, BOA senior vice president, recognition and rewards. Cards can be awarded to any employee at any time, either by sending them electronically or presenting them in person. Individual recipients are often acknowledged at some kind of public forum, and employee teams can be recognized in the same way.

Spirit Rewards allow program managers, as well as associates, to recognize efforts and accomplishments of employees by rewarding them with Spirit Reward points. “It could be for anything from a teller providing excellent service to a customer to someone doing a great job leading a project team,” says Cronin. “It's a way to hold an associate up as a great example of Bank of America spirit. ” Reward points can be redeemed through an online catalog of more than 3,000 items, including jewelry, housewares, golf clubs, Bank of American brand merchandise, and travel options.

Spirit Medallions are given by managers to recognize individual associates or entire teams for demonstrating a commitment to the bank's core values and “Bank of America spirit” while achieving results that positively affect the customer, associate, or bank shareholder experience. “We really recommend that these are awarded either face-to-face or in a large forum,” says Cronin. “Managers should spell out why recipients have been recognized so that they can reinforce those key core values and tie them back to positive results.”

Anniversary Rewards are designed to reward commitment and loyalty to the company. A one-year milestone is celebrated with a lapel pin, while five, 10, and every fifth-year anniversary after that is celebrated with additional awards and gifts. In 2007, BOA recognized 14 associates who had been with the company for 50 years, says Cronin.