Explore the new State of Recognition 2026 report

 

External Recognition™

Recognition from the outside in

Give customers, patients, clients, and partners an easy way to spotlight your employees—no login required.

How It Works

What is External Recognition?

Provide customer-facing roles with customer-sourced compliments.

Administrative Flexibility

External recognition made easy

Awardco makes it easy to source and display recognitions from satisfied customers.

Print or Link QR Codes

Outside parties scan an employee’s personalized code to recognize them instantly for the entire organization to see.

Celebrate Wins

Add simple approval flows and optional points to celebrate standout employees to make sure no good work goes unnoticed.

Only From Awardco

Where External Recognition works

Healthcare

After receiving outstanding care, a patient’s family scans the nurse’s QR code and shares a meaningful message—instantly visible on Awardco to all employees—inspiring better care everywhere.

 
Food Service

After great service, diners scan a QR code and leave recognition for their server. Their manager adds points, and it’s posted for the team to celebrate, encouraging continued spectacular service.

 
Education

A simple thank you from a student shows a teacher their extra effort mattered. Recognition that deepens connection and fuels engagement from student and teacher builds a better world for everyone.

 
Retail

A grateful customer scans a QR code to recognize a cashier’s friendly service. It’s instant, visible, and celebrated company-wide, which builds a culture of customer service that will set you apart.

 
Hospitality

After a technician finishes a job with care and professionalism, the homeowner scans a QR code to send recognition. The shoutout is instantly visible across the company, boosting pride and inspiring service excellence in every home.

 

Testimonials

What our customers say

Awardco bridges the gap by giving us a platform to build each other up. There are centers that are really far from each other that can now feel connected to everybody else because we can share the great things that we're doing.
Heather Kent
Site Manager
Southern Oregon Head Start
We were really worried that clinical staff wouldn't be able to log in, being away from their desks. But that hasn't been an issue. Our emergency department senior director, for example, uses it right on the spot. We've seen a strong showing from our clinical departments.
Brianna Lepore
Sr. Talent Development Specialist
Vail Health
Modern recognition with Awardco has created an ecosystem of appreciation. What we've found, as employees have recognized each other, is that they're motivated long term. Employees want to enjoy their work and be successful, and if we recognize them for their success, they'll know they're doing a great job and can improve every single day.
David Alsop
CHRO
Ultradent Products
Recognition just reminds you that no, you are seen. Your work is not for nothing. You are appreciated. It feels great and helps you stay motivated, even when things are tough.
Zach Makoutz
Sr. Manager, Category Sales Product
Kodiak
Recognition is powerful. When you recognize someone, you feel just as good as when you’re being recognized. The Awardco feed is my ‘positive scroll.’ It lifts everyone’s spirits.
Tisa Penny
Engagement & Events Lead, 2025 Recognition Rockstar Winner
Lockton
Soon after our implementation we created a financial recognition program through Awardco for managers and supervisors to recognize their employees for extra efforts. Now our managers and supervisors have their own budgeted amount to use at their discretion to award their employees at any time, and they don't have to wait for approval to do so.
Cheryl Vincent
Talent Development Manager
ARUP Laboratories
I genuinely enjoy reading the daily kudos in Slack. Seeing the names and stories of colleagues going above and beyond is inspiring—it motivates me every day and reminds me why I’m proud to be part of PMG.
Melodie Cottingham
Convergent Video/Audio Director
PMG
This integration to our Slack channel… makes it very easy and seamless. There’s this running log of all of these shout outs, which I think is really powerful.
Zach Makoutz
Sr. Manager, Category Sales Product
Kodiak

Integrations

Simplify your workflow

Make recognition part of the daily flow of work, building culture at every touchpoint.

Let everyone say thanks

Close the loop on recognition by enabling customers, patients, and partners to celebrate great work through External Recognition.