Fostering meaningful recognition: How OPAL-RT TECHNOLOGIES used Good Vibes for their 'People’s Choice Awards'

For OPAL-RT, recognition wasn’t just a challenge; it was a priority. With employees working across continents, roles, and time zones, the HR team knew they needed a solution that felt personal, meaningful, and easy to adopt. Traditional methods, like email forms and surveys, were clunky, uninspiring, and made recognition feel more like a chore than a celebration.

Maria G. Anzini, VP of Employee Experience at OPAL-RT, and her HR team, knew they needed a fresh approach to address these challenges. They turned to Workleap’s Good Vibes and the results were incredible: 1,585 Good Vibes sent (!!) and stronger connections across their global team. Curious to see how they did it? Here’s how OPAL-RT reimagined recognition and made it something worth celebrating.

Overcoming the roadblocks to meaningful recognition

Recognition isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and OPAL-RT had its fair share of hurdles:

• Employees felt disconnected: Teams were spread across Canada,  the Americas, Europe, and Asia, with little opportunity to connect or celebrate one another’s achievements.

• Traditional tools weren’t working: Previous efforts relied on rigid forms and processes that didn’t inspire participation or capture the human side of recognition.

• It wasn’t inclusive enough: Recognition often focused on the same individuals or departments, leaving others — especially quieter contributors — feeling overlooked.  

• Morale needed a boost: Amid constant change, employees were looking for something to bring positivity, fun, and a renewed sense of belonging.

"The challenge was finding a way to make recognition feel authentic, accessible, and aligned with who we are as a team," Maria explained.

A fresh approach: Good Vibes and the 'People’s Choice Awards'

The solution came in the form of Good Vibes, Workleap’s recognition tool. Maria and her team collaborated to create a program that was as fun as it was impactful: the 'People’s Choice Awards.'

Unlike traditional awards programs, OPAL-RT used Good Vibes as the engine. Employees nominated peers by sending Good Vibes cards — custom-designed by HR — with categories like "MVP-[region]," "Rookie of the Year," and, for some lighthearted fun, "Best Meme." The person with the most nominations (aka Good Vibes) in each category would win.

“Our goal was to create something that didn’t just reward individual achievements but also brought people together,” Maria said. “Good Vibes gave us the flexibility to design something that fit our needs perfectly and provided us with a way to ensure that people who ‘assist’ also get recognized, not just those ‘who score’.”

How a custom approach turned recognition into a seamless experience  

What set this initiative apart was the platform’s ease of use and flexibility. Narmeh Iravanipour, Human Resource Business Partner at OPAL-RT, crafted award categories that avoided a “popularity contest” and reflected company values. With Good Vibes’ intuitive tools, they created a unique set of cards, segmented by region and team.  

“The custom collections were a game-changer,” Narmeh shared. “We could toggle them on and off for next year and replicate the process easily. It made recognition not just meaningful but sustainable.”  

The team also shared that Good Vibes’ Excel exporting functionality also played a key role. It allowed them to export all the data they needed for their award ceremony and also helped the presenters craft personalized speeches. “Our VPs got to read what others wrote about the winners and it made the moment extra special,” Maria added. “We also loved that these recognition messages didn’t get lost in the void; every single person who got nominated got to see their nomination (Good Vibes card) directly in Officevibe. Being nominated also gave you the desire to participate and nominate as well…”  

The results? Higher adoption, higher participation, higher engagement

The impact of the 'People’s Choice Awards' was immediate and far-reaching:

• 1,585 Good Vibes sent across categories, boosting morale and fostering connections.  

• 70% of employees who weren’t using Workleap Officevibe before now participate regularly.  

• A global celebration that included every team, breaking down silos and reminding employees of their shared purpose.  

OPAL-RT’s employees described the experience as uplifting. “As you nominate, you feel good; when you receive a nomination, it feels even better,” Narmeh noted.  

Beyond the metrics, the awards sparked joy across teams. Categories like "The Best Meme" brought younger team members into the fold, while value-driven recognitions like "Customer Advocacy" and "Solutions-Oriented" reinforced the company’s ethos.  

Want to replicate OPAL-RT’s success?

Here’s how you can create a program like the 'People’s Choice Awards':

1. Design recognition categories that align with your company’s values and culture.

2. Use a platform like Good Vibes to make the process simple, engaging, and inclusive.

3. Add a personal touch, like sharing quotes from nominations during celebrations.

Looking for more information? Download this step-by-step guide on how to create custom Good Vibes and launch your own recognition awards using Workleap Officevibe.

Turning recognition into a lasting tradition (that keeps getting better)

The 'People’s Choice Awards' is just the beginning for OPAL-RT. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the team is already planning their next initiative: 'OPAL-tine’s Day.' Themed moments like these help keep recognition fresh, fun, and impactful throughout the year.

“Recognition is about creating moments that matter,” Maria said. “It doesn’t have to be big or flashy — what counts is authenticity and connecting it to what your team truly values.”

Ready to transform recognition at your company?

OPAL-RT’s journey shows what’s possible when recognition is intentional, creative, and aligned with your team’s values. Imagine the impact this could have on your team! With Workleap’s Good Vibes, you can create meaningful moments, boost morale, and build stronger connections across your workforce.

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