IN PRACTICE · AMERICA’S SWIMMING POOL COMPANY
How an ASP team of eight uses NewsAndWins for communication and recognition
For the team at America’s Swimming Pool Company, group texts had become awkward to manage. Each new colleague meant creating another group, leaving earlier conversations behind.
Published
The eight-person team has now been using NewsAndWins for a couple of months. Conversations stay in one place as membership changes, important updates have a dedicated noticeboard, and recognition ranges from customer feedback awards to a special trophy for helping keep the day’s jobs on track.
Recognizing the contribution behind the trophy
When a work truck broke down and the spare was also out of action, an employee offered to use his personal truck for the day so the team could get through its jobs.
He received a special trophy in NewsAndWins. The accompanying recognition explained exactly what he had done: made his own truck available to help the team keep working.
That specificity is part of how the team uses recognition. A trophy carries a reason, giving colleagues a clear account of the contribution being acknowledged.
The team also awards badges for customer feedback of the week and other special efforts. When a new colleague joined, a crown and welcome badge marked his arrival. Recognition has a place in everyday team life as well as exceptional moments.
Remembering birthdays and work anniversaries
Previously, birthdays often went unrecognized unless the person mentioned it themselves.
The newer birthday feature offers a more consistent approach. For a saved birthday, a special badge and celebration banner appear in chat on the day, bringing the occasion to the team’s attention.
Work anniversaries provide another opportunity to acknowledge colleagues. They make length of service visible and give the team a moment to appreciate the people who have contributed over time.
Sharing updates before the next team meeting
The business holds weekly team meetings, but important information sometimes needs to reach people sooner.
The noticeboard gives those updates a dedicated place. Management can share information when it matters, without waiting until the next meeting.
Colleagues who miss a meeting because of other commitments or delays can still access the information. Keeping it available supports a team whose working day does not always bring everyone together at the same time.
Making recognition a team activity
Recognition also comes from colleagues. Team members can acknowledge things they see each other doing, bringing attention to contributions beyond those noticed by management.
The reported improvements include better communication and more recognition from both managers and peers. Those changes show up in ordinary working moments: keeping conversation history together, sharing an update promptly, welcoming someone new and explaining why a colleague’s help mattered.
About this case study
Prepared by NewsAndWins from an account provided by Graham Banks, who uses the app with the ASP team and is also the founder of NewsAndWins. It describes the experience of this eight-person team.
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